PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
To them, I am a seer. They make their pilgrimages from every corner of the county. They rest on their bedrolls until it is their time to bring me their troubles, their dreams, and their secret desires.
My visions not only give, but they must have their due. Little Mary will walk again — but little Jimmy will drown. Their business will thrive – but their house will burn down. Mark will leave his wife – but will die young of cancer. I try to tell them, but they want only half-truths.
They leave me coins then walk away, smiling.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the passionate host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
I’m with the customers – only good news please, had enough of bad fortunes! Nice use of the image.
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Thanks much, Iain! Glad you enjoyed it.
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That’s the downside to knowing the future
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True!
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😅
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Oh my! I wouldn’t want to know those as well.
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Indeed!
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That’s a seer I would avoid!
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🙂 Because you didn’t want to know the truth or because you wanted the whole truth??
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I’m sure the customers make up their own stories about what they’ve heard
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Without a doubt. Selective hearing is alive and well!
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Every coin has two sides, eh? Great stuff. Thanks.
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And many as the coin spins in the air. Thanks, Ron.
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A very powerful story. One of your very best.
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Neel, thank you! 🙂
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I would listen to her.
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Some people can take the whole truth, and it sounds like you’re one who wants it. Thanks, Danny.
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Yes, she knows. Every seer knows that when people walk on a tightrope some will fall. Yet, the people on the rope know it will not be them.
Why does your stories drag such philosophical rubbish out of me?
Great little story.
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Yes, she does. And I’m glad my stories pull comments from you. Thanks much, James.
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Wow! I didn’t see that dark turn coming. Very clever.
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Thanks, Gia!
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What a burden to carry! A very dark twist to the tale.
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Yes, it would be. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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Being such a seer must be a heavy burden to carry.
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I believe so also.
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That would be a horrible talent to have.
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Agreed, Max. I think it would make someone old before their time.
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There is always a price to pay for the good… Of course, no one wants to hear what that is. Well done, Lisa.
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You’re so right! Thanks, Dale.
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YOU’RE so right 😉
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Dear Lisa,
And that’s why I don’t go to fortune tellers. 😉 I’d rather not see the evil that’s coming. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I understand what you mean. It might be nice to know the good stuff, but not the rest. Thank you.
Shalom,
Lisa
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We see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear…(K)
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Yes! And do what we want to do. We like to find ways to rationalize our choices, but this is what it boils down to.
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I don’t think I’d want to know any part of my future. Sufficient unto the day are the evils thereof! (quoting Matthew 6:34)
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Understandable, Linda. With Matthew I would only add … and the good … Thanks for reading and your comment.
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I want the truth, but as I see it. I can take it, as long as it’s what I want to hear. Complementary fortune cookies only, please. I want my reality, my world as I see it, my gods as I envision them. Well conceived and written, Lisa.
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Thanks much, Bill.
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Nobody wants the bad news. I’ve heard somewhere, “You take the good. You take the bad. You take them both, and then you have the facts of life.” It’s still hard to be the bearer or receiver of bad news.
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Yeppers.
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Extrapolate the good bits, I reckon. There’s too much bad news. Good story!
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Thanks, Fleur!
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Great take on the photo prompt – I don’t think many of us want to know the whole truth! 🙂
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Thanks AJ, I think you’re right.
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Good or bad, it’s not for me, I’m a wait-and-see kinda guy!
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I’m with you, Keith.
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Have to confess I am one who prefers the happy half-truths. The rest will come any way.
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I’m really enjoying the comments to my story. I can see why you’d feel that way.
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How much of the future do we really want to know when it could potentially paralyze us with fear or make us miss the simple joys of the moment?! I’d leave one eye and two eyes alone tbh. What an interesting dilemma you pose, Lisa. Well done.
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Dora, thanks for reading and your thoughtful response.
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Excellent interpretation. How much would you want to know if you could ? I think ignorance is bliss!
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Thanks much and I like what you see there.
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This is just sad, half truths are very misleading.
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We seem to be swimming in that sea more and more…
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If the future’s not good, ignorance is bliss.
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Thanks for reading.
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People can be easy to please. Even I don’t ask for much. The the numbers of next week’s lotto would be good.
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nice business to be in. i could hear coins dropping in earnest. 🙂
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🙂
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Oooo now here is a brilliant concept. Would make a terrific novel!
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Laurie, thank you!
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