Short Story

Bones Of Steel

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Introduction: More Italians have emigrated to the United States than any other people in Europe. When they first arrived, speaking no English, they learned very quickly the only jobs available to them were in sanitation and construction. They took pride in their work. The resulting cathedrals and skyscrapers dotting Manhattan are testaments to their craftsmanship and determination.


I will not lie; this is not a new piece. It’s been
whittled down from its original 746 words to
250 words for The Unicorn Challenge where
we are urged to get creative using the photo
below as our inspiration. This is my story.

© Ayr/Gray

Francesco glanced down from his perch 900 feet in the air. As he ate lunch, he talked casually to Giuseppe who sat across from him. Francesco lit a Camel cigarette, tossed the box of matches to Giuseppe and both men lounged on their beds of steel. They smoked in comfortable silence, keeping their eyes open to maintain balance on the 18-inch-wide metal planks. A whistle blew; lunchtime was over. 

The men rose to their feet, old pros at this death-defying ballet. An errant gust of wind swirled in; both men held on to a nearby vertical beam and glanced down from their perch. There were no harnesses to prevent a catastrophic fall, no safety nets should someone slip. All they had to scale the beams were ropes dangling from above, good balance and guts. 

Calmness restored, the men strapped on their tool belts and continued their work on what would become the greatest cathedral in Manhattan. When the end-of-work whistle blew, Giuseppe reached for the rope to begin the long, slow descent to solid ground. A slight misjudgment caused him to lose his footing and he slid off the beam like a marionette whose strings had been severed. Francesco yelled out in disbelief “No, Giuseppe, no!!” as he tried in vain to grab his friend’s arm. The crew watched in horror as Giuseppe fell to the sidewalk, his screams reverberating throughout the steel skeleton. 

Francesco silently wept as a sorrowful thought invaded his mind: he never knew Giuseppe’s last name. 

NAR©2025
250 Words

This is “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin

The Unicorn Challenge-10/01/25

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy ~ The Sicilian Storyteller, Nancy (The Sicilian Storyteller), The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, and The Rhythm Section, and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

41 thoughts on “Bones Of Steel”

  2. As all the comments here reflect, this is powerful, poignant tale highlighting the connection formed by people who take the dangerous jobs to feed their families. It was often the only avenue open to immigrants to this (and likely other) country.

    We now call them undocumented, and the safety/work conditions they wrestle with don’t hold standard with those born in the U.S. We forget, if we block & punish, we lose the risk-takers that built so much of this country.

    Ok, sermon over, steam expelled. We need to do better, not worse.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Well stated, Liz. Thanks for sharing your thoughts today.

      I realize there are many who fear for the future of our country and the world, especially considering we will be under new leadership in just one week. I’m still hopeful and optimistic and looking forward to positive change where we can do better, not worse.

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  3. A well told tale indeed. The things they did to earn a dime.

    I regularly visit Dubai, and when there I see thousands of Indian imigrants working on buildngs including the evergrowing number of massive skyscarapers the state is known for.

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    1. The skyscrapers and massive buildings in Dubai are incredible. Some of the hotels are works of art. Sadly, the migrant workers building those exclusive hotels live in the poorest sections of Dubai. You’re fortunate to travel there regularly; I’ve only seen photos. Very impressive!

      Thank you, dear Keith.

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  4.  “…there are those whose fears are different.” (jenne’s comment)

    Funny about how critical something so mundane can be (the apportionment of fears among people)… I get a sense of the that when, in conversation I mention the time I spent in the offshore commercial fishing biz and the other person might respond with ‘no way’.

    in the case of your steel workers? two words: no. freekin’. way.

    engaging story

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  8. I loved your story, Nancy. High construction jobs paid really good money, but I could never do that. My uncle owned a steel company, and he told me that I could have a job working in his business, but I never took him up on his offer.

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  9. ‘Bones of Steel’ – what a great title for this story, Nancy.
    The opening paragraph is a masterpiece of understatement, their casual lunch on that perch 900 feet in the air.
    And I think you illustrate male bonding so well – he didn’t know Giuseppe’s last name – but the bond was there, the tears were real.
    The thought of working on something like that terrifies me as much as the idea of being a fire-fighter.
    Thank goodness we’re all different and there are those whose fears are different.
    Great story.
    (Is the full story on your blog anywhere?)

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    1. Thank you, Jenne, for your most gracious comments.

      You totally get me and you hear my voice. That is something I think all writers strive for; It pleases me no end that you get the little nuances and the subtleties of my story.
      My biggest concern about whittling down the story was not being able to maintain the integrity of the original. Now I feel that I have managed to preserve it well; in fact, I think I like the shorter version better! You be the judge. HERE is the original.

      There’s no amount of money that could get me up there!

      Thanks again, Jenne.

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      Reply

    1. My grandfather was primarily a mason in the late 1800 through early 1900.
      He would often work sanitation also. It was back-breaking work and every day there was a fear hanging over then men if that day would be their last.

      Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Willow.

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  15. Beautifully told tale of the camaraderie that exists between men in a dangerous environment.

    In Scotland we had high death tolls while building structures like the first, iconic Forth Bridge.

    The photos I’ve seen of the construction of the Empire State Building make me think I might have been hungry!

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    1. Thank you, CE.

      I realized after I named this story that it could be applied to both the buildings and the builders. No matter where in the world construction was taking place, these guys had guts!

      The Empire State photos are amazing; some say they have been doctored. Doubtful, especially after seeing documentaries with live footage from 900 feet in the air.

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  16. I can’t even imagine how those men did those jobs day in and day out. I guess when one has to survive, one does what they must. Well told, Nancy.
    And on another note, thank you so much. I just saw the post at Ernie’s. I am truly at a loss for words right now.

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    1. Thanks so much, Kevin! My grandfather was a Sicilian immigrant who worked construction and sanitation. He’d work a lot of overtime to feed the family so sanitation was a side job. He was part of the rescue team when the General Slocum boat disaster happened. It’s incredible how much fortitude and loyalty and guts these men had. I’m very proud of my Sicilian roots. 😊

      Yes, loss for words about sums it up. I’m sure you loved Ernie’s post and the fabulous tribute he put together. It was an honor for me to be a part of it. Don’t let all our pretty words change your plans for the future; you’re doing the right thing! ♡

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      1. My great grandfather was a Polish farmer, and he also did a lot of side jobs to put read on the table. I never knew him, but he always sounded like a fine man.
        I did leave a reply, but I don’t think Ernie has approved it yet.
        I’m not going to change course, but I must admit I felt like a bit of an ass reading that right after I posted mine. 😄

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