My life in a Nutshell
My mother was a nut – a walnut. When my beautiful, polished form first adorned the drawing room I was joined by matching walnut bureau and piano stool. Alas, my mistress was consumptive and my master broke.
After the bailiff’s visit I adjourned to the pub, a lowering of status compensated by variety. Contemplative days followed by evenings of carousing and company. One penniless student of composition spoiled me forever with his sweet sad caresses.
Nowadays it’s just me, the woodlice and a tickling of marigold roots. I’ll not complain; we all return to the good earth one way or another.
Miranda Lewis 2019
It’s Friday, it’s five o’clock and it’s time for Friday Flash Fiction hosted by the esteemed Rochelle and this week adorned with a photo by Anshu Bhojnagarwala.
Thanks to all who visit and most especially to those who stay to comment.
Years have given it the wise truth! 😦
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Indeed, it seems to be so! Thanks for the visit.
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Most welcome! 🙂
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Good story. I like that it is from the perspective of the piano.
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Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
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You are welcome.
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Told in the piano’s voice. Didn’t expect that. But so true. We all return to earth.
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Thank you Shirley. Talking to your furniture – highly recommended, but do wait until everyone else is out!
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Love the tone of voice, the various adventures of the piano – from consumptive mistresses to pub piano – great! Just pitch perfect
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Thanks Lynn! Love the tone and pitch of your comment!
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My total pleasure 🙂
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Such an imaginative take on the prompt. Taking the piano’s point of view really worked, telling its riches to rags life story. Well done.
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Imaginative or barking mad – depends on your point of view, but that’s me (and my piano). Thanks for the visit.
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This was wonderfully done, Miranda (nice to know your name 😉 )
What a life it lived!
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A new genre – the life story of all your furniture? Thanks Dale!
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Hah! Why not?
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Dear Miranda,
Nicely told story from a very used piano.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this. The first sentence alone… my mother was a nut–and then a whole life told from the poor piano’s perspective, and what an adventurous life it was. Wonderful.
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My own piano (50 years old now) is made of beautiful walnut. Think I’ve been waiting a long time to use that opening line!
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🙂
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Oh, I liked that – great opening line and sweet story. Nicely done, Miranda.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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A very interesting tale told in the voice of the piano! Loved this.
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I agree with all the other comments – using the piano’s voice was charming. And what a great opening sentence!
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Yes, if only the piano could sing.
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I love the way it starts from the tree and the soil and ends being soil… a cycle of life.
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This is a wonderful story. So imaginative and evocative. The piano’s voice rings true–even if it isn’t human, it sounds human. Fantastic.
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Cute story, I especially loved the “I’ll not complain, we all return to the good earth…” line.
🙂
-Rachel
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Autobiography of a piano..he has had some life!
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