Friday Fictioneers
Janet Webb
Eyes observe photo
Tumbling thoughts settle into
One-hundred word story
Copyright Adam Ickes
Perspective
“Grandma, how come you can’t take your teeth out at night like Eddie’s Oma?”
“Grandma, how come your hair’s white?”
“Grandma, why do we pray “Halloween be Thy name?”
“Grandma, why does he have earrings in his lip?”
“Grandma, can I get a puppy?”
“Grandma, why can’t we have purple grass?
“Grandma, don’t run so fast. I can’t keep up!”
“Grandma, you smell nice.”
“Grandma, I’ll be five tomorrow. How old are you?”
“I’m sixty, honey.”
“Grandma! How many is sixty? That’s OLD!!”
“It all depends on your perspective, Riley.”
“Do I have ‘spective, Grandma?”
“You will, dear; you will.”
********
(“Oma” is a word for “grandmother” in German and Dutch.)
(For another look at “Perspective”, take a look at my post on this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge.)
I’m not sure why the WordPress gremlins are at work, but the little blue link critter doesn’t want to show up in my post. But you can click on the boring link below to find links to the other stories.
This, that and the other thing 
I think to explain the teeth-thingy could be interesting :o)
I’m sure she explained but with only 100 words to play with, I couldn’t include her responses. 🙂
janet
That was a really cute story. Your got the child’s voice perfectly. What a loving, patient grandma! Well done.
I love the child’s voice here, it’s perfect. I remember when 20 seemed impossibly old. It’s all your perspective, to be sure. 🙂
I’m going to be sixty on Saturday, an age that sounds much older to me than I feel (thankfully.) Reminds me of during the 60’s, when everyone over 30 should be gotten rid of. But when all those younger reached that age, it didn’t seem quite the same. 🙂
janet
20 still seems impossibly old to me. Unfortunately, I’ll hit that age next month.
Haha!! You’re just a whippersnapper. Life doesn’t have nearly as much to do with age as it does with attitude, family, friends and priorities. No unfortunate about hitting 20; it’s just a number.
janet
So many questions, just like a child. Love it.
I’m sure you hear many questions every day, Adam. Part of the fun of being a parent or grandparent. Although not from personal experience, I think the greater charm for a grandparent is they can always tell the child to ask the parent when they get home. :-0
janet
How charming, Janet. One cool Oma and one curious grandchild. I chuckled over Halloween be thy name.
I’ve heard various phrases in the Lord’s Prayer that have been mis-heard by children but couldn’t remember them so I made up my own. I’m glad it sounded realistic. I hope that when I’m a grandma (although I’ll be older than 60), I’m as cool. 🙂
janet
I think you will be,Janet.
My daughter and her young man are planning their nuptials for June. I wouldn’t. Be surprised if the pitter patter of little ones comes to me before I’m 50.
Lovely story Janet. Embrace sixty, and the wisdom/experience that goes with it. Well done.
I love the ‘Halloween by thy name’. For many years I thought it was ‘Hello be thy name’. Great questions.
Claire
Glad you liked it, Claire. I had fun thinking up questions that a small child might ask.
janet
awww this was really lovely. i used to ask a LOT of questions when i was a kid. and i thought it was “Halloween be Thy name” too. hahaha 🙂
🙂
janet
Sweet story. You captured a young one’s inquisitive nature perfectly.
Thanks very much. I’m glad you liked it and I appreciate you reading and commenting.
janet
Yer a good woman, Janet Webb. HOWEVER ! – anyone reading this who doesn’t know anything about you is going to have a totally false image of you placed in his/her mind ! [grin]
Ahhh, you picked up on the 60, which I used on purpose but just for fun. Not everyone in the group knows I’m almost 60 myself, although they might now, if they read the comments. Notice that the grandma can still run!! 🙂
janet
Duly noticed. Nothing surprises me about you. Which is why I’m a bit … less than totally enthusiastic about this one.
Just curious why, M.R. I thought it seemed quite realistic–a loving exchange between a grandchild and a grandmother. Although I’m not a grandmother (and certainly hope not to be until one or both of our girls are married!!), I can imagine. And of course one of the very best things about grandchildren is that you can spoil them and have fun with them and then turn them over to the parents. 🙂 Somewhat like when Bill used to get the girls all hyped up before bed and then let me put them in!!
Take absolutely no notice of me on this, JW. I found it hard to think that people reading it would believe it to be you, regardless of your intentions; and that I dislike because of knowing (a bit of) what you’re actually like.
I didn’t intend it to be me, M.R., just picked 60 as an age that would be “old” to a child, yet one that in the perspective of things wouldn’t be old at all. That’s why I didn’t mention my birthday or anything. As for taking no notice, as a writer, I want to take notice of what my readers think so that I’m always improving, or at least trying to. I think the use of 60 threw off those of you who know me and my almost-age.
So there you are. When writing fiction, take care not to include any details that might confuse readers who know you. 😀
Love the interaction..Happy Birthday..60 is the new 40..you are like a fine wine ( or smelly cheese) getting better with age!
Thanks for the birthday wishes. I’m exactly like a fine wine a/o a aged-just-right cheese and thank you for the comparison. 🙂
janet
Happy birthday Janet! A lovely piece to celebrate this milestone and you have captured the voices perfectly and the ending was funny. The line about running fast threw me a little… It seemed out of place at first but then it questioned my own stereotypes of a grandma and made me say ‘well, why not?’ Loved it!
That’s why I included the running fast (which I can still do). All grandmas are not alike (for instance, I can’t knit) but kids are always questioning. Glad you enjoyed the story.
janet
Besides, what’s fast to a child might not be as fast as you think.
Absolutely! It’s all through the child’s eyes and you captured that brilliantly 🙂
Charming story of life from one end of the spectrum…to the other. Although I have difficulty remembering back to when I was 5…now that I’m almost 65.
I’m twice twenty and love the story 😉
I’m twice as happy then. 🙂
janet
Aw, a sweet piece and some lovely snippets of childhood there, Janet. I particularly liked the running fast one – shows the rest of us how Grandma isn’t really old at all.
My mom’s still doing Senior Olympics at 84, although javelin and discus. Age is just a number and sometime the smaller numbers act the oldest. Glad you liked it, Jen. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
janet
Great perspective on perspective.. that’s something we grow into…
At least hopefully we do. 🙂
janet
Great story Janet, happy birthday and welcome to the 60’s, its a lot of fun.
Thanks for the birthday wishes and all else, Tommy. I’m not worried in the least about the 60’s. I’m sure it will be great.
janet
They are working ok for me Janet. There’s no going back. Please call me Michael.
Sorry, Michael. I wasn’t paying attention. 😦 And you’re right, no going back.
janet
Its a great ride janet….
Really well-crafted. The voices are so natural.
I’m glad to hear that, Etienne. They seemed that way to me, but you never know for sure if it will come off that way to the readers.
janet
Very cute story, but of course no one can be a grandparent at the young age of 60 so I’ll just have to suspend disbelief on that one!
🙂 I know I won’t be a grandparent at age 60, but there might be one or two somewhere.
janet
Such a sweet dialogue! While I’m in no hurry, I am so excited to enter that next phase some day. Lovely story, Janet.
You just have to enjoy each year, Dawn. Every one has something new and good to offer.
janet
For sure. I’m really staring to enjoy my “stride.” Thanks Janet. 😉
This lovely story is told brilliantly through the dialogue, Janet. You’ve created such a heart-warming mood in it.
Karen, I appreciate hearing that. Thank you.
janet
Ours are a bit similar – with age comes perspective. I enjoyed yours – true to form!
We certainly hope perspective comes, don’t we? 🙂 It’s taken me quite awhile for some things but overall, it’s pretty good!
janet
Janet,
You’ve captured the child’s voice well here in the dialogue. Nicely handled.
All my best,
Marie Gail
I appreciate the feedback, Marie, and thanks so much for reading and commenting.
janet
Dear Janet,
Happy upcoming birthday. Sweet and natural dialogue. I remember when 60 sounded older than Methuselah.
Peas on earth,
Shalom,
Rochelle
I remember when 40 sounded pretty old, but that was some time ago! 🙂
Pray for whirled peas,
janet
A lovely story with genuine warmth emanating from it. 🙂
Thanks very much, Sarah. I’m so glad it feel real to you. I appreciate your visit.
janet
Hi Janet,
First, happy birthday a little early. As one who’s been through it, I can tell you that 60 is sensational. Loved your story. Those questions were so true and fun. I’d like to hear her answers, but I know there isn’t room for that in a flash fiction. Party hearty on the birthday and look forward to many more great years. Ron
Happy Birthday, Janet! You have a couple of milestones going on this year–a decade change and a location change. Exciting times! Lovelydialogue, and although you say your girls are a ways from making you a grandmother, I’d say you’ll be a wonderful one when the time comes.
Thanks for the birthday wishes, vb. I’m glad the story rang true. As for grandchildren, I plan to be able to outrun them (whenever they arrive) for a long time and can still outrun our girls, at least over short distances. 🙂
janet
your portrayal of the little girl seemed very real. i bet it reminded you of your childhood.
Plaridel, I’d like to say it did, but that didn’t even cross my mind. I hope my questions were that cute when I was five. 🙂 Thanks for visiting and commenting.
janet
Happy birthday Janet. It seems you have everything you desire.
Thanks, Dawn. I’m very blessed and thankful for it.
janet
Sixty really is not old…. ugh, only another 17 years to go….! 🙂
All ages are only as old as the person, Freya. You’ve got a few good years left. 🙂
janet
I plan on making the most of them 🙂
I heard a lot of those same questions from my students.
Then they were good questions to use. Thanks 🙂
janet
Great take on the prompt. The distance is so huge from 5 to 60. Love the questions. Good one, Janet. And Happy Birthday, Janet!! Best wishes.
Janet kids tend to have the best questions. You wrote this exchange really well. Love the inevitability of perspective.
Grandma’s ‘spective is an inspiration
That was cute, darling. And an interesting take on the spirit of the photo.
I’ll take “interesting” in a positive way, Helena. 🙂 As for the spirit of the photo, I don’t want to always be too obvious.
Hope your day’s off to a great start.
janet
This could have been the conversation I had with my granddaughter the other day! You captured the flow very well.
Dee
That comment makes me happy, Dee, as realism was what I was aiming for. Thanks and enjoy the weekend.
janet
This is such a cute story. So many questions that must be answered when you’re five. Each time I reach a milestone birthday, I move up the age of what I consider to be old. My last birthday I decided old is going to be 125 from now on. So, none of us will ever grow old. Happy Belated Birthday!
Ha, Lisa, you’re right about that “old” number moving all the time, or at least in the years that end with zero and somehow seem bigger. As for the birthday wishes (thanks), they’re not belated. The big day, the Ides of March, is tomorrow, so you’re early.
Have a great weekend.
janet
Sixty is most definitely not old. Neither is seventy.
“You’re only as old as you feel” is quite true, although sometimes the body feels old while the mind doesn’t. Anyway, I’m enjoying it!
janet
Well, Happy Birthday, Janet. You certainly don’t look like someone who could be celebrating the 21st anniversary of their 39th birthday. When I met you in Branson I would have guess you nearing fifty. Now that I’ve said all that–can I have a cookie, Grandma?
You may have as many cookies as you like, dear.
janet
Just great! really enjoyed the child’s words too
Good! The child’s questions are vital to the story. Thanks for visiting again.
janet
Great story Janet and wish you happy birthday too.
Cute story. A child with that many questions is very smart. And grandma must be very patient to answer all of them.
Grandmas have time to be patient; parents not always so much. 🙂
Aww,such a cute take!Lovely,how curious a child’s mind is and how patient the grandparents are!Excellent dialogues too Janet:-)
lessons from the young children…never stop being curious and asking lots of questions even as we get older. your first one about removing the teeth at night is so funny, Janet!!
Lovely story! It’s a feat to get into a child’s mind and write from that place.
Thanks very much. I hope that doesn’t mean my mind is still like that of a child! 🙂
janet
No, I didn’t mean that at all 🙂 But to get into the mind of a character and write from that place is a sign of a great writer. Similar to how good actors get immersed in their characters.
I knew what you meant, but couldn’t pass that one up. Hope you had a great weekend.
😀 For the weekend we had Cyclone Lusi 😦 Hope yours was better ….
Oh, heck! We had a dusting of snow and some frigid temperatures. But that beats yours! I hope you were all safe.
janet
Yes, we are safe, though Auckland had some flooding and power outages. Today is windy and relatively calm. Hope it stays that way 🙂
Jolly
Good old gran, patient, patient gran. Nice.
Thanks, Patrick, and thanks for visiting. It’s always appreciated.
janet
What a lovely story! Grandma sounds like a very nice, patient sort of person.
I think she was.
janet
Wow, this child is super-inquisitive! Grandma is so incredibly sweet and patient to handle her this nicely. Loved the last bit, an innocent question asked by a small child, and answered simply by a wise person 🙂
Those questions might not have come one after the other the way they are in the story (the 100 words limits that), but children so often are full of questions and often very cute ones That’s what I was hoping to capture. Thanks for visiting.
janet
Love it! Jeepers, grandkids do ask a lot of questions – and like Art Linkletter used to say, “Kids say the Darndest Things! At least that’s how I feel – good piece! Nan
Such a gorgeous voice that young one has. Why can’t we have purple grass!
Or even better, grass that could change color to fit whatever seemed right that day. Might make landscaping a bit more difficult, but it could be fun. 🙂
janet
What a sweet story!
Thanks, Riya, and thanks for dropping by.
janet
Sweet, sweet and wonderful, Janet! This was GREAT! Very real, too. Thanks!
Kent, I’m glad it seemed real and you liked it. Thanks for stopping by.
janet
Bravo. An enjoyable and captivating selection of perspectives life throws our way every day. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for dropping by, Gerry. I’m glad you liked my perspective.
janet
cool pic and accompanying story 🙂
The story’s mine but the photo isn’t. We all get the same photo each week but the photographer varies. Glad you liked the story.
janet
ah, yes now remember the photo. even more impressed with the story now. amazing how words can come spilling out in reaction to such a prompt. 🙂
It’s amazing how many different stories we get. But fun.
This made me laugh. 🙂 Ah, them children! 🙂
They can be quite cute, can’t they? Thanks for visiting, Imelda.
janet