The rays of light from the torch cut through stale air of the secret chamber. Specks of dust scintillated in its sheen.
Professor Detlev Hörder gasped.
“Diz iz de crown of my career. De Holy Grail”,
Carla Wachtler sighed; she was sick with digging and tired of his ranting and she hated sand between her toes.. She went closer to the artefact and examined it closer.
“Hmm, it looks brand new, professor”.
Detlev rolled his eyes. How thick could the woman be?
“But it iz GOLD, it iz holy.”
“Professor, there is a label saying it is made in China.”
Sometimes you go with your first impressions. I saw some kind of chalice rather than a lamppost. So from there I went to this lame tale filled with cliches. Hope you enjoy, if not you need more eggnog or mulled wine.
Friday Fictioneers is curated by Rochelle, and I think I joined five years ago in this writing group. The task is simple, write what you see (or don’t see) and use hundred words.
—
November 13, 2017
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Dear Björn,
Your interpretation of the ‘rules’ is brilliant. It is all about what you see (or don’t see). 😉 You have me wondering about that “artifact”. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Sometimes I imagine sometimes happening just outside of the frame… But learning it was a lamppost I could have gone with Narnia.
Sand between the toes helps a lot in getting the stars out of the eyes. Maybe the professor needs to take his shoes off.
I’m pretty sure the professor has blisters from his boots.
What is not made in China these days? Nicely done, Bjorn. That last line made me grin.
So right… why not the Grail
Ha ha! Great last line, Björn. Apart from being an amusing story, it’s a good parable for our times.
I think it’s a parable in many ways.
Ha ha – great characterisation and a great ending!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you
I wonder how long he’ll persist before admitting it is not an ancient artefact.
Maybe when he notices that it’s made from plastic.
That made me laugh!!! Thanks!
Good, we need to laugh a bit.
I think she needs to find another boss! As so often, it’s the ‘underling’ who has the brains … Really fun tale Bjorn
I think she will be her own boss soon
Sometimes we see gold where it isn’t, sometimes sand between the toes opens our eyes. Fun little story with a deeper meaning.
Thank you… yes there are some guys who are really too full of themselves.
I just like that you called De the Holy Grail. 🙂
My favorite part is the opening paragraph. It reminds me of Harry Potter.
Ha.. didn’t think of that… but you are right
Haha! Looks like the professor is seeing what he wants to see. Methinks he’ll embarrass himself in the future. Fun story!
I think he already did…
Ha i think there comes a time when we look for something long enough…we are blinded by our desire for it.
I know, it’s like seeing a chalice when it’s really a lamp post
if it’s real gold, even if it’s made in china, i’d take it. 🙂
It’s actually plastic
Seems like the Professor could use Carla’s insights — she clearly knows where to look to get to the bottom of something (ha ha). Also, now this looks like a chalice to me, too: good call.
I think the Professor has ceased to listen…
This made me chuckle. Thank you, Bjorn! Merry Christmas to you.
Merry Christmas back
Not a thing wrong with cliches, especially when twisted into a humorous tale.
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/14/lighting-the-way/
Scott
Thank you Scott
Ha ha ha ha. Finally, a cheerful take on the prompt. Was beginning to get really dark in here 🙂
Amazing how dark it can get among the lampposts
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🙂🤗🤐😷🤐😷🤐.
I couldn’t locate my emoticon for ROLF!
🙂 glad you found it funny
Great take on the prompt. I loved her exasperation.
Wait until she tells him that’s just plastic
A brilliant take and totally different from anything else I’ve read this week I always dismiss the first thought I have when I see the prompt on the basis that most other writers will follow the same path. You, however, have proved me wrong this time!
Click to read my FriFic!
I actually find that my first thought works well… and since it was not a lamppost … why not.
I laughed, so I think I’m ok without the nog or the wine 🙂
https://lindaswritingblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/13/the-sentry/
Ha… I’m glad that I didn’t make you drunk.
Sometimes you see what you wanna see. (I learned that from flash fiction writers.😉)
Ha.. indeed, and maybe I wanted to see a chalice too.
All that glitters as they say. Diz was a good one
Some that glitters is just fake.
This story made me laugh. I actually did that with an article I had taken to an antiques fair and as the valuer was waxing lyrical about what it was I spotted the made in sign and told the entire audience without thinking. thanks for the memories.
Ha.. that’s hilarious … poor guy
A funny story from you, quite unexpected in a good way.
Every now and then I can be funny.
Love the way she bursts his pompous bubble!
Pop goes professor
Pop goes the Professor’s claim 😀 I couldnt help wondering if the prof was duped or trying to pull a fast one? And entertaining and unique take on the prompt
I think he believed it himself.
I loved this – great story Bjorn!
Thank you Claire
Th long-suffering assistant! I hope she’s well-paid. Fun!
Well, she actually found the real Grail just behind the golden one.
Very amusing little piece, Bjorn
Thank you 🙂
This made me snicker 🙂
🙂
Ha! Ha! Actually not that far off from the truth if you go by this report https://tinyurl.com/kbyok22
Of course everything is based on demand and supply. At the end of the 19th century, when the first small, attractive Tanagra figurines were found in Greece, the market very shortly was flooded with a myriad of fraudulent Tanagra terra-cotta statuettes.
Ha!
Interpretation and evidence at its finest!
Poor Prof. Detlev. Great character sketch, Bjorn. I have had the pleasure of knowing some eccentric learned men like Prof. Detlev.
Ha, ha, love it.
Such fun – no egg nog required. The voices and characters in this are great. Although I think Carla needs to ditch the professor, or maybe give him glasses for Christmas.
That was funny, Bjorn. I loved the professor’s accent. Good writing. 😀 — Suzanne
Made me laugh! Who does he think he’s fooling? 🙂 🙂
Just caught up with this one. I loved it! The clichés were part of the fun.
Ha… sometimes I have to write some humor… glad that it worked.