Written for MLMM Monday Wordle #462 and
for Sadje’s WDYS – What Do You See #326.
Here’s where the image & prompt words took me.
hand, ruby, drum, banquet, lady, box,
food, trouble, dress, cheek, instance, and two

The lady in the ruby dress ascended the stone steps, her hand trembling against the wooden rail. Behind her, the banquet hall echoed with the rhythmic beat of a ceremonial drum.
She’d stolen the box …. that was the trouble. Inside lay two ancient scrolls, forbidden texts the guardians had hidden for decades upon decades. Now, tears streaked her cheek as she approached the temple overlooking the waterfall, seeking sanctuary.
“For instance,” the temple peacekeeper had warned, “those who take that which is not theirs will find no peace here.”
But she had no choice. Her village needed the knowledge within …. the recipes for food that could heal, the prayers that could save them. She placed the box at the ancient temple’s base, bowing deeply.
The drum grew silent. The waterfall roared its judgment. And in that moment, she understood: the power of the treasured scrolls could never be taken; it could only be given.
NAR©2026
#MLMM
#Wordle
#WDYS
This is “The Ballad of Jeremiah Peacekeeper” by Poets of the Fall
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

Excellent joining of prompts, my friend. You have such a wonderful imagination and are a writer most talented!
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Thanks so much, my dear friend. It brings me great joy.
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That is obvious!
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Beautiful blending of prompts, and love the music.
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Thanks so much, Eugi. I’m so glad you liked both the story and the music.
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You’re welcome, Nancy.
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Wow! Quite a story sis!
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Thanks very much, dear D. So happy you enjoyed it!
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Excellent piece Nancy. Fabulous track, totally new to me on all counts.
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Thanks very much, Di. I love this group from Finland; their music is so powerful.
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Very much so.
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Pure intention wins the day. It was a “for instance”, afterall. ❤️
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Thanks, Liz. I’m glad you enjoyed my story.
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Somebody has got to be the hero. And what a gorgeous song! I had never heard it before.
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I love this group; their music is so powerful.
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Whew. Powerful story here, Nancy.
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Thanks much, Lois. It’s such a beautiful image, isn’t it.
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So creative I love how you combined both prompts and the track fits so well – great lyrics and fab guitar 🙌
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Thank you, Ange! I love this group from Finland; their music is so evocative. I had to use it for my story.
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🙌
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You captured, Sadje’s spectacular photo prompt superbly, and I was wondering when you were going to use this sensational song by “Pots of the Fall” … 🎵💜
https://youtu.be/kfc1uJNFKUY
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Thanks for your lovely comments, dear Ivor. This Poets song is incredible and Marko Saaresto is such an expressive singer. The clip of the Eagles is great; that’s a terrific concert. Thank you, my friend. 🥰🎶
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Always my musical pleasure my friend … 🎵💜
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So moving and profound Nancy. Thanks for joining in.
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Thank you so much, Sadje. I was pulled in by the gorgeous image.
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You’re most welcome my dear friend
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