PHOTO PROMPT © Amanda Forestwood
My hunger lashed me to a criminal lifestyle, yet I had neither the wiles nor the heart for crime. My third arrest for pie stealing had my voluminous form standing before Magistrate Holmes. From high on her perch of justice, the magistrate sentenced me to a summer of rickshaw.
From early mornings to late afternoons I pulled rickshaw, listening to tourists’ and dignitaries’ laughter and conversations. My internal voice hated them for their enjoyment and privilege. By summer’s end I understood there was more to living than eating.
Twenty years have passed. I still pull the rickshaw every summer.
[99 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the swimming host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Wow a cool story Li :-) well done!
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Carol Anne, thank you, glad you enjoyed it.
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I really did, it was fab 😃
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You can probably learn a lot to your benefit driving a taxi or pulling a rickhaw
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Thanks, Neil.
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My sense is s/he is learning a lot more than a life lesson listening to these private conversations!
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Blackmail fodder, perhaps?! ;)
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That was a wonderful story. In 99 words, I was transported to another land and time. And the ending was exquisite. Beautifully done!
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D, thank you and very happy you enjoyed the story.
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It seems the payoff to pulling rickshaws is bigger than one might think!
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Sometimes judges/magistrates get it right.
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Very innovative and interesting story Li.
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Sadje, thank you.
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You’re most welcome
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Good to find a punishment that has worked to reform a life.
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Thanks, Iain. So much better than jail time or trying to collect fines from a skint petty criminal that clearly has a mental health issue.
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What an interesting punishment for that voluminous reluctant criminal. And getting so much out of that too.
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I used to love coming up with creative “punishment” for my juvenile probationers. Thanks for reading and your comment, Gabi.
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Seems like a great work out. Good for someone who steals pies!
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Thanks much, Dawn :)
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I have to wonder–did pulling the rickshaw decrease your voluminous form? I think that was a very creative judge :)
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Love your comment, Linda. Thank you very much <3
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A great story of turning around life from crime to a vocation, I am sure his new found job will earn him both money and social retorts with his customers. Of course, the moral is simple; some people need a kick up the bottom to get their life in order.
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Wonderful comment, James. Very happy you liked the story :)
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Now, that’s rehabilitation and a fitting punishment for a non-violent offender. Clever Magistrate, that one.
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Thanks, Nobbin!
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What a beautiful sentiment and so well written using very few words!
Unlike me! I really screwed up big time by missing the part about 100 words or less. I wrote a novel! Careless mistake; my apologies to the group.
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Thanks much and appreciate the kind words.
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A great story Lisa, so inventive 🙌
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Thanks, Ange!
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your story has reminded me of what carlyle once said, “blessed is he who has found his work; let him ask no other blessedness.” well done.
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Great quote, Plaridel! Thank you.
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In this case the punishment was a benefit and paid off in the long run.
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As should all “punishment” be looked at to achieve. Thanks, Max!
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Oh I like this. An awakening is many forms.
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Thanks, Laurie!
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Dear Lisa,
It sounds like your MC benefitted from pulling rickshaw in more ways than one. Good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you very much. Indeed they did!
Shalom,
Lisa
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A summer job that has its singular rewards! Well, those pies have to be paid for one way or another :) Love your storytelling finesse, as always, Lisa.
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Dora, thank you. LOL on the pies :)
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