Our gracious host, Rochelle, is asking us to get
creative in 100 words or less using the photo
seen below. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
This is where the prompt took me.
She had carried the iron key for forty years, never knowing its purpose.
The garden found her, not the other way around. Vines parted. Rain fell sideways. The keyhole shimmered like held breath.
She stepped through.
Beyond: the same garden, but luminous. The birdbath overflowed with something gold. Stones hummed forgotten names. The dragon-faced guardians exhaled slowly, finally relieved of their long watch.
Her mother sat waiting beneath a younger sky.
“You took the scenic route,” her mother laughed.
Forty years and worth every step.
An ordinary door says enter. A keyhole says you were always meant to find this.
NAR©2026
100 Words
This is “Take The Long Way Home” by Supertramp
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
This reminds me of my mom. Her garden is her favorite place in the world. I can’t imagine a heaven she would prefer.
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Beautiful comment! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. ☺️
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Oh I love that line at the end. What a beautiful story.
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Thanks so much, Laurie. I’m so pleased it landed well.
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Lovely story, and wow, I have not heard that song in a long time!
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Thanks so much, Dawn. That really is a great song!
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This is very beautiful. Fantasy and reality, living a life and coming home. An afterlife like that would be something to look forward to.
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Thanks for your very lovely comment, Gabi. I think we need something to believe in, and an afterlife is a great example. If there is nothing after we die, what’s the point other than propagating the world?
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We will only know when we’re dead. If we could be certain, why go on living? Why make the hard choices, endure? We’re made from stardust, that much is certain, we’ll always be part of something big.
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Lovely thoughts, Gabi. Thanks for sharing.
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Dear Nancy,
What a lovely find for her. Magically enchanting. Love the song, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts, Rochelle. I’m so pleased you enjoyed my story.
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A great little story, Nancy.
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Thanks very much, Chris 😌
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What a beautiful story – when it’s our time our loved ones will be waiting for us 💜
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Thank you, Ange. I think that’s something we need to believe. 💜
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Yes I do believe 💜
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Oh I love this story Nancy
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Thank you, Sadje. I’m so pleased to know that. 😌
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Lovely story 💜😘
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Thanks Willow. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 💜
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I absolutely love this, Nancy! Wonderful.
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Thanks so much, my dear Dale! If we don’t believe in something, what’s the point?
I hope you have a fabulous weekend! 😊
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Exactly. It’s looking to be a fabulous long weekend!
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Nice! Enjoy it!
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I plan on it! My friend comes tomorrow to open my pool and the fence just got installed…
Now? It’s cocktail hour!
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Cheers! 🍸
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Maybe a walk first… So I can feel I deserve it!
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Lovely idea, when our adventures are done we return to those we love.
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Thank you, James. What a lovely way to put it!
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A little chill here! But lovely.
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Sending warm hugs, dear D
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Your story made me think that maybe things won’t be so bad when I am dead,
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I’m so glad you feel that way, Jim. I’ve always believed that ☺️
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I love this one Nancy!❤
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Thanks, my friend. ❤️
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I wanna go!
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Soon enough, Jodi. Soon enough. ☺️
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reunion !
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At long last! Thank you, Ron.
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Fantasy world or heaven.
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Perhaps a bit of both. Thank you, James.
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What a lovely tale, Nancy.
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Thanks so much, dear Keith.
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Magical!
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You are most kind. Thank you, Neil.
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sounds and feels like ” going home” beautiful, Nancy … 🤍
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Thank you, Destiny. I’m so glad you can feel that.
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pleasure, Nancy…🤍🌷
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