
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
I’ve taken up residence in the hay next to Old Marie. She was never meant to be pregnant, but Midnight’s (the stallion’s) unlocked stall (or maybe the sly devil nosed it open hisself?) happened a year ago and here we are.
Doc Jones says abortion will kill Old Marie. I sleep beside her, dreaming towards dawn.
Her scream wakes me. I see one sorrel leg, turned all wrong.
Doc does quick assessment and shakes her head. Maybe they can save the foal.
The perfect baby lies still next to her mama — until a thin thread pulls her into life.
[100 words]
Note: wikipedia describes sorrel as a reddish coat color in a horse lacking any black. It is a term that is usually synonymous with chestnut and one of the most common coat colors in horses. Some regions and breed registries distinguish it from chestnut, defining sorrel as a light, coppery shade, and chestnut as a browner shade.

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the swimming host of Friday Fictioneers.

Wonderful. You took me right into the stable along with the worry and fear for both the mare and foal.
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James, thank you very much, glad you enjoyed my story.
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Oh! This is so heartbreaking, Lisa. Beautifully written.
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Dale, thank you, and thank you for the beautiful photo to inspire the story <3
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My pleasure and so glad you were inspired by it!
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A little miracle
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Yes <3
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You painted a realistic scene of worry, despair, heartbreak, and hope.
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Na’ama, thank you.
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I can smell the hay and feel the tension. Every birth is a wonder and a miracle to me even after bringing thousands of humans into the world. You captured that moment of fear with precision.
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Tracey, thank you for your thoughtful comment.
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That’s a beautiful thread. (K)
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:) Thanks, K, yes it is.
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this is beautiful Li💗
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Thanks, Cindy! Hope you are feeling better. How is the baby doing?
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You’re welcome Li. Kicked my butt actually but I’m getting there. I needed to get through all of that and then take some of my own medicine. Oh the baby is sooo good and so is the other one. Maybe i will share my 2 fav videos on Fri-Yay. Thanks for asking❣️
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<3
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💕
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This was so full of emotions. I caught my breath at the end. Beautiful bittersweet story.
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Thank you very much.
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I was really happy to read that last sentence…”until a thin thread pulls her into life”
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:) I’m glad she made it.
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I am also…I was afraid she would not.
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The breath of new life. A new love begins.
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Yes :)
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Beautifully written Li. Love how you find unusual angles to write your stories.
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Thank you, Sadje. When I saw the lightning I immediately knew it was either giving life or taking it away. After that the pieces fell into place.
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You’re most welcome, as always. 🩷
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Heartbreakingly good.
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Thank you very much.
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I love how you’ve given this creature the human touch.
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Keith, thank you very much.
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One of your best. Well done.
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Thank you, Iain! High praise.
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story telling at its best. well done.
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Plaridel, thank you :)
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This is a gorgeous story. So much in the 100 words.
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Margaret, thank you very much <3
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Dear Lisa,
I love the voice in this. Touching and heartbreaking. Wonderfully told.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you very much and glad you enjoyed the story :)
Shalom,
Lisa
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A sad piece (although i am glad the foal survived) that is rich in imagery.
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Dahlia, thank you very much.
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Lisa this is a sad tale yet hold that thread of hope ❤️
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Ange, thank you <3
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You told a very big story in so few words and I felt like I was there and experiencing the pain and the joy. Excellent storytelling, Lisa.
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Brenda, thank you for your thoughtful comment <3
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Nature can be tough. It’s great Old Marie was able to give birth overcoming the odds.
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<3 Yes, it is, Christian.
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A delightfully different and well-delivered story told in 100 words. I grew up riding horses and I can feel the love for this mare in your tale.
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<3 Thank you, Alicia, and very happy you connected with the story.
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So very good, Li! A mother and child reunion. ❤︎
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Thank you :)
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Oh I was so worried. Beautifully written. Great tension and emotion here. You created the perfect dramatic scene here
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Thanks, Laurie!
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Lovely story, so much emotion in so few words.
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Dawn, thank you <3
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Beautifully written. 👏
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<3 Thank you, Brit.
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I enjoyed the story unfolded. I can imagine
the difficulty of being in the midst of it all.
The last line is powerful LOVED IT !!!
Isadora 😎
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So happy you enjoyed the story, Isadora, thank you :)
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Your welcome ~~~ : – )
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