The beggar crouched in his doorway, unmistakable once you knew it was there. He watched the crowds swell and dwindle with each market day, jingling his cup if any passersby looked his way. The children raced bicycles up the stone ramps where proud men once guided carts full of herbs, spices, dried figs, zaatar bread – all the smells he remembered from long ago.
He was old. Older than anyone imagined.
The hawkers cried out, “Fresh pomegranates! Strawberry marzipan! Finest rugs and throws!”, but always the beggar lifted one ear for the call that would surely come one day.
“New lamps for old!”
Today’s flash fiction is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, with photo prompt by Kent Bonham. Kent’s beautiful photo from Jerusalem turned me into a slightly more Arabic bent, and I was reminded of the tales of Aladdin. What might happen to an old trickster, waiting to regain his power? The Friday Fictioneers strive to produce a 100-word story each week, and you can read more of them right HERE.
You have a unique take on the photo and I like where you went with it.
janet
I did like this because your punch line told the story. One of my favourite tales, is it from the Arabian Nights? I can’t remember, but it was a nice reference.
Very well done, I enjoyed this.
AND now I’ve got every song from Disney’s Aladdin stuck in my head. Thanks, darling!
Love it! I’ve been watching Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, so genies and lamps are on my mind. Great job.
I liked that your story was a little obscure and you made us work a bit to find out what was going on.
Sweet! The tales of the Arabian Nights come to mind, yes. This would make the beginning of a good children’s story. Wonderful!
A wonderful character picture has been painted in my mind.
Dear Karen,
Loved it being told from the POV, sight, sound and scent, of the old trickster. Zaatar, one of my favorite scents and tastes. See you in a couple of days.
shalom,
Rochelle
Wonderful! A perfect last line :-)
Your well chosen details made the place come alive for me. Enjoyed the story.
A very real character. Full of life and expectation. The whole piece oozing nostalgia.
Loved the description of market day-reminded me of Sarojini Naidu’s “The bazaars of Hyderabad”:-)And ,of course I loved the ending-any take on our childhood fairy tales-even in passing,perks me up:-)
Your story caused me to dream up the aromas of the spices and the buzz of the people at the market remembered by the beggar. Thanks for the sweet little adventure. :)
I have only been to the Old City once (and chose a different city for my own post), but I can see this scene so clearly… you’ve written this so well! * we had Zatar on our potatoes tonight. ;-)
Nicely written, well told tale.
Love it.
Oh I like this tale. I’m a sucker for genies! I remember being enthralled by the 101 Tales as a young lass. Well written. I would read more. :)