PHOTO PROMPT © Björn Rudberg
‘It’s a lovely instrument.’ The young man handled the cello with practiced ease, running fingers down the neck and shoulder, making the wood vibrate under his touch. ‘Are you sure you want to sell?’
Den sucked on his cigarette, smoke curling from his nostrils. ‘It’s not mine. I don’t play.’
She had made it beautiful, freed its sweet, melancholy voice. Made it sing.
The young man gave him the cash, then slipped away onto the street, absorbed by the city’s hum.
The boy didn’t understand – without her, the thing was just dead wood.
Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s Friday Fictioneers. See the photo and write a story inspired by it in 100 words or fewer. See here to to join in and read the other stories.
you got the sweet melancholy just right, Lynn
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Thanks Neil. Really glad you thought so
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I was going to say the same thing as Neil — what a sweet, melancholy story. Although I can imagine a lot of people holding onto the cello for the sake of memory, Den doesn’t strike me as the sentimental type; he understands that a thing is just a thing without the person who made it meaningful.
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True, Joy. I think I’d be tempted to keep it, but maybe it’s too painful for him to see it and not be able to hear her playing. Thaks for the great comment 🙂
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Such a sad thing to do, give away something that reminded you of the essence of someone lost forever. You captured that nicely.
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Thank you Sandra. Yes, painful memories there I think. Thank you very much for reading 🙂
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There are many reason to part with an instrument… it the player is gone, it simply need a new one… I can see the young man bringing out the voice of her…
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Very good point. Sad to see a good instrument silent – they are made to be played. Thanks Bjorn
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Nice take Lynn. I hope the cello finds someone who can make it sing again.
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Hopefully the young man is the one. Thanks Iain 🙂
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The bitter sweet emotions are beautifully portrayed.
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Thanks Clare. Tought to part with it, but perhaps tougher to keep it 🙂
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The young man handled the cello with practiced ease, running fingers down the neck and shoulder – To me, this was as if the young man was caressing the original owner – in a good way. Love it!
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Thank you Alicia. Yes, it does sound romantic, doesn’t it? A little bit of the new owner in contact with the old. Thanks so much for commenting 🙂
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Its so sad when a musical instrument falls silence,
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Very true. Let’s hope it’s not for long 🙂
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Without a player an instrument is indeed just that an instrument.
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Very true. It only comes alive when played. 🙂
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Very interesting story and comments, looking at the relationship between the instrument and the player. As a violinist myself (not a great one though), you develop a relationship with your instrument and if you go back to the post written from the perspective of the cello, I could feel a strong loneliness and grief after the player dies or goes away. Moving on and gaining a new owner only seems right.
My take overlaps a little with yours and has an interesting take on what to do with the instrument after someone has passed away.
xx Rowena
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Yes, I think for my character, the cello was part of her and now she’s gone, it’s too painful for him to have it around. You’re right about your story – some parallels between us, aren’t there, the sense of loss and hurt and grief.
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My Mum’s in hospital this week with acute back pain and so it’s been a very intense time and perhaps that’s been channelled into my writing. I’ve also been taking a modern dance class and our teacher really takes us through the emotional depths and out again and I’m finding myself connecting so much better with my emotions now.
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Real life so often flows into writing, doesn’t it? Even if indirectly through tone or theme. Hope your Mum’s well soon – love the sound of those dance classes!
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Reblogged this on joesephin.
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The boy will bring the dead wood back to a new life. Keeping it to gather dust is not a good thing. Very atmospheric and beautifully written.
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You’re right, Gabi – that cello needs to sing. Thank you and thanks for commenting
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This is really good.
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Thank you Zane 🙂
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What a take!
What a man to realise that the music was not in the instrument but in the maker of it!
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Thank you so much! Yes, true, intruments are only wood or metal without a talented person to play them 🙂
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Thank
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Pleasure 🙂
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Dear Lynn,
I’ve no doubt the cello will end up in appreciative hands once more. Touching story with much layered between the lines.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you very much Rochelle. BTW how did the interview go? Hope it was a huge success for you -well deserved kudos 🙂
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Sweet memories can’t be erased by selling the instrument she dearly loved.
Perhaps, it’s far more painful to keep it. Great visual in your story, Lynn.
Nice take on the prompt.
Isadora 😎
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Thank you Isadora. I think you’re right – painful to part with, but more painful to keep. Thank you for reading 🙂
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😎
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Cool, cool and cool. My mom was a music teacher, so music is “instrumental” in my life more ways than one. The artistry comes out. Great, Lynn!
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Thank you. Was that lovely, having a mum who was a music teacher? Or did she just want you to learn piano, violin, flute …?
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It was great! Anything that smacks of serious music, I’m all in it. I wanted to play the guitar and I did. Then, French Horn. Unfortunately, I haven’t picked up any instruments of late. 😦 Lazy, I guess.
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Always something you can return to – lovely to be so talented musically. Must be in the genes 🙂
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Another great story Lynn. Liked the bit about the stringing of some connection between the old and the new owner.
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Thank you Neel. Let’s hope that cello sings again 🙂
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Alicia said almost exactly what I felt. The way his hands caressed the the cello is so telling and poignant. Wonderful story telling.
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Thank you so much Dawn for the lovely comment. You’re very kind 🙂
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So poignant and sensitive; beautifully written.
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Thank you so much Poppy 🙂
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A bitter sweet story. The line “making the wood vibrate under his touch” tells me the young man will be able to make the cello sing again.
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I think you’re right. A happy future for the cello – not so certain about Den, but let’s hope. Thanks you for reading 🙂
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Emotional and sad piece. It sounds like the only value to man who sold the instrument, was the value found in the woman who played it. I think he loved her a lot. And without her to play it, to him its dead wood. But perhaps they boy can make it sing or find someone who will.
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Yes, you’re absolutely right and I’m sure you’re right about the cello’s new owner – a new chapter awaits 🙂
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Love the last line. It really encapsulates the idea that, no matter its provenance (Stradivarius or whatever), an instrument is nothing without the right person to play it.
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Very true Louise. Let’s hope a brighter future awaits. Thank you for reading 🙂
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I like this a lot. Any instrument needs a truly talented musician to bring it to life
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Very true, it’s nothing without talented fingers. Thank you for taking the time to comment and for reading
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I really liked this one, Lynn.
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Aw, thatnks Dawn. This photo produced some great fiction, didn’t it?
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Beautiful writing here Lynn ❤️
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Thanks Louise – means a great deal coming from a writer such as yourself 🙂
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Very poignant story, the cello is gone, but the memories still linger.
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Yes, you’re right – and perhaps that’s all he needs. Thanks for reading 🙂
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I think ours are similarly themed this week, the memories and heartache left in something that belonged to a departed loved one.
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You’re right – longing and pain galore with us both. Sadness and loss are important parts of being alive – let’s hope our characters can get past them though
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