Written for Fandango’s Story Starter #259 –
“The river had been serene so far, but ahead,
their simple raft faced some serious rapids.”
Also for Gerry & Sue’s Weekly Prompts Weekend
Challenge and the word “cultivated”.

The old rope bridge had seen better days – much better days. Frayed hemp groaned in the canyon wind threatening to snap above the churning white water. Jeremy adjusted his heavy pack, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the rusted guide-wires. He had spent a decades in civilized drawing rooms, an opulent life carefully cultivated behind velvet curtains and in quiet libraries, and none of it prepared him for this. With a steady breath, he forced his boots forward onto the rotting cedar planks, trusting a prayer and steady feet to carry him across the gorge before the final strand gave away.
NAR©2026
#FSS
This is “Well Respected Man” by The Kinks
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated, and may not be used without permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
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Neatly done Sis 💜
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Thanks so much, Sis! 💜
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PS. Oops, I forgot to say thank you for taking part in our challenge.
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No need to apologize, Sue. It’s always a pleasure for me, one I know you appreciate. ☺️
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Brilliant, Nancy. What you might call a cliffhanger! 😅
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Hahaha! Excellent, Sue! Thank you. 😀
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Very good Nancy. We can imagine a happy ending.
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The best kind, Sis. Thank you.
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You’re most welcome
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Well, there’s always the trip home too.
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No one ever thinks of that!
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Oh, I don’t like heights, and you’ll never get me on one of those high rope bridges, Nancy …
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Likewise!
This video …. wow 😢
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Haha … our of my ‘Archive’ 🥰🎶
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the final strand gave away…just as he landed on the other side, right? Right???
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Yeah ….. right….. 😉
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Breath holder…
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Crazy true.
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Fingers crossed 🤞 he makes it 😬
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That’s what he’s thinking! Thanks, Ange. 😎
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The lesson? Hold tight no matter who you are.
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So true.
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The tension Jeremy faced was palpable in your narrative. Thanks for joining in, Nancy.
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Thanks, Fan. It’s a really cool opening line.
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