#FF — The Sorrel

FF 083023 dales-lightning
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.

FF 083023

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

62 Comments Add yours

  1. James Mcewan's avatar James Mcewan says:

    Wonderful. You took me right into the stable along with the worry and fear for both the mare and foal.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      James, thank you very much, glad you enjoyed my story.

      Like

  2. Dale's avatar Dale says:

    Oh! This is so heartbreaking, Lisa. Beautifully written.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Dale, thank you, and thank you for the beautiful photo to inspire the story <3

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar Dale says:

        My pleasure and so glad you were inspired by it!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Neil MacDonald's avatar neilmacdon says:

    A little miracle

    Liked by 1 person

  4. You painted a realistic scene of worry, despair, heartbreak, and hope.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Na’ama, thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Tracey, thank you for your thoughtful comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:

    That’s a beautiful thread. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      :) Thanks, K, yes it is.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. this is beautiful Li💗

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks, Cindy! Hope you are feeling better. How is the baby doing?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. 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❣️

        Liked by 1 person

          1. This was so full of emotions. I caught my breath at the end. Beautiful bittersweet story.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

              Thank you very much.

              Liked by 1 person

  8. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:

    I was really happy to read that last sentence…”until a thin thread pulls her into life”

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      :) I’m glad she made it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:

        I am also…I was afraid she would not.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Tannille's avatar Tannille says:

    The breath of new life. A new love begins.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

    Beautifully written Li. Love how you find unusual angles to write your stories.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      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.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

        You’re most welcome, as always. 🩷

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Sandra's avatar Sandra says:

    Heartbreakingly good.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you very much.

      Like

  12. I love how you’ve given this creature the human touch.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Keith, thank you very much.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Iain Kelly's avatar Iain Kelly says:

    One of your best. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, Iain! High praise.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. plaridel's avatar plaridel says:

    story telling at its best. well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Plaridel, thank you :)

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Margaret's avatar Margaret says:

    This is a gorgeous story. So much in the 100 words.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Margaret, thank you very much <3

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Dear Lisa,

    I love the voice in this. Touching and heartbreaking. Wonderfully told.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Rochelle, thank you very much and glad you enjoyed the story :)
      Shalom,
      Lisa

      Like

  17. Dahlia's avatar Dahlia says:

    A sad piece (although i am glad the foal survived) that is rich in imagery.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Dahlia, thank you very much.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. poetisatinta's avatar poetisatinta says:

    Lisa this is a sad tale yet hold that thread of hope ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Ange, thank you <3

      Liked by 1 person

  19. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Brenda, thank you for your thoughtful comment <3

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Nature can be tough. It’s great Old Marie was able to give birth overcoming the odds.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      <3 Yes, it is, Christian.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      <3 Thank you, Alicia, and very happy you connected with the story.

      Like

  22. So very good, Li! A mother and child reunion. ❤︎

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Laurie Bell's avatar Laurie Bell says:

    Oh I was so worried. Beautifully written. Great tension and emotion here. You created the perfect dramatic scene here

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks, Laurie!

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Lovely story, so much emotion in so few words.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Dawn, thank you <3

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Beautifully written. 👏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      <3 Thank you, Brit.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. 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 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      So happy you enjoyed the story, Isadora, thank you :)

      Liked by 1 person

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