‘Grandma, look!’
‘Don’t stare, dear. I know – it’s distressing. Concentrate, now. Don’t crash on your first lesson.’
‘But who did that to her?’
‘Someone who claims to love her. When I was young it was common. We’d just discovered what was possible, found our wings. Some of us went a bit silly with the joy of it; and who could blame us?
‘They said it was unnatural. Snapped on real chains where we’d previously only had the chains in our own minds keeping us on the ground.’
‘I’m scared, Grandma.’
‘No need. Spin those pedals. Plenty of space up here. Let’s fly.’
*****
I struggled for an idea for this week’s Friday Fictioneers link-up, and then came May the 4th – International Star Wars Day, with a feast of John Williams’s music on my favourite classical music station (ABC Classic FM), and a passing reference to this scene – not from Star Wars.
And it’s not such a fanciful idea, it seems. Here’s the proof.
Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers and posting the weekly prompt.
Flying bicycles. Whatever next!
LikeLike
Anything’s possible. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Plenty to reflect upon here, Margaret.
LikeLike
That’s good. I was hoping for that. Thanks, Sandra.
LikeLike
Dear Margaret,
International Star Wars Day? I missed it. Love this story. May the Force be with you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
And with you. You’ll be ready for it next year, I’m sure. Thank you, Rochelle – I’m glad you liked the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that scene from E.T., such a chase. Your two protagonists seem to live in a bad place for women. I hope they can fly away and be free. And I want a flying bike, please.
LikeLike
It was a good movie, and a great musical score by John Williams. I think I’d pass if flying bikes became available. I can barely stay upright on a normal bike. Thanks for commenting, Gabriele.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure there would be those trying to tie people down if we found our wings.
LikeLike
I agree. History shows that to be the case.
LikeLike
May the fourth be with you. The future is in flying bikes anyway.
LikeLike
May the fourth be with you too. That would be an exciting future.
LikeLike
A good story and good writing, Margaret. I’m just going to wait for someone else to try that invention first. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLike
Thank you, Suzanne, and I’m with you – two feet firmly on the ground and limiting my flying to the world of fiction.
LikeLike
I’m bad enough riding a bicycle on the ground, never mind adding wings – good fun and a good metaphor.
LikeLike
That’s so funny. I’m the same – I actually won a bike in a competition three years ago and it’s had one ten minute turn around a nearby basketball court. That’s it – stored in the garage since then. So glad you liked my story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great metaphor and if ET can do it why can’t we.
LikeLike
Thank you Jade. I’m not so sure about flying, but I do suspect there are many things we can’t do merely because we believe we can’t. Thank goodness we can do anything we like in stories. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeedy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a lovey idea…
LikeLike
Thank you Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person