Last week’s prompt at Charli Mills’ Carrot Ranch was to rewrite a story in 99 words (no more, no less) based on the short story, As Far as a Prisoner Can Go, which Charli wrote for Story Chat. The Word Wranglers were to write the same story, but different. She indicated we could change genre, wreck it, etc.
This pedometer geek writer really changed it up, really wrecked it, and it is as follows:
Escape from a Prison
The invasion began with bombs and gunfire. Oksana and her husband Andriy were hiding out. Andriy was obligated to serve, but he insisted she must go.
Escaping the prison of a bomb shelter, Oksana made the last train out of Kyiv, knowing she was leaving behind Andriy to fight, perhaps die.
The train only went so far; she would need to walk miles toward a new world. Along the way, Oksana found a young child crying and clinging to his dead parents.
Oksana picked up the boy, calling him Matviy, making him her own as they continued toward safety.
~Nancy Brady, 2022
All the names used in this story are Ukrainian and the names were picked for their meanings.
To read Charli’s short story and read all the other stories by the Word Wranglers as well as the feedback, check out https://alwayswrite.blog/2022/05/10/may-story-chat-as-far-as-a-former-prisoner-can-go
nbsmithblog...random digressions and musings 
Very nicely done. Nice imagery too.
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JC, thanks. Check out Charli’s story. Her story is much different than mine although the elements are the same. As I said, I really took her story and wrecked it, giving it a different take altogether. ~nan
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Yes it was different and very touching. Loved the idea of hope coming out of nowhere. I’m hooked.
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Yes, Charli’s story is very different than mine, and hers was very touching and definitely hopeful.
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Well done, Nan. I like the way you tied this in with current events. Another very tragic event.
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Thanks, Norah, it was a twist on Charli’s story with basically all the elements. The Ukrainian situation distresses me to no end. I took some of my collage paper and made a Ukrainian flag for our front window. One of our daughters-in-law has Ukranian grandparents so it is something close to our hearts.
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I understand why it is close to your hearts, having a family member. But, in reality, we are all members of one big family and there is a lot of hurt in this family at the moment. Take care. 🙂
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Oh… would you tell us the meaning of the names?
Here’s a good news story. A family that was trying to have a child used a surrogate mother – then the woman also concieved. Two babies, sibling born within hours in different states!
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Jules, Oksana means hospitality, Andriy (Andrew) means man and warrior, and Matviy (Matthew) means gift of God, and each live up to their names.
That story about the siblings, that is awesome. From none to “twins,” wow! I hadn’t heard about the story and I am glad you brought it to my attention.
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This is one of the most touching stories. Humans have so much capacity for love and compassion. If only we lived that way every day.
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Thank you, Marsha. So kind of you to say that about my story. Humans do have those abilities of compassion and love. Yes, if only.
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Agreed!
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Pingback: May Story Chat Summary – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write
Thank you so much.
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Norah, even if there was no direction connection, I feel the same way. In fact, until this atrocity of an invasion occurred, I was not aware of her family’s roots in Ukraine. I just knew it is wrong, and that the people of Ukraine do not deserve any of it (the invasion, the loss of life, etc.). As you say, we are all one huge family. ~nan
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