Prompt Tuesday #24

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: The Writer's Idea Workshop: Page 179

Find a title in a collection of stories, essays, or plays that you've not read. Write a page of narrative that would fit the title.

Response

The Wood Boy (from Legends: Stories by the Masters of Modern Fantasy)

I watched as the white snow flakes drifted down form the white sky. A silvery white blanket lay over the world. The edges of my window were rimmed with white frost.

Off in the distance a single dark shape moved along the road. I knew by the limping gait and bulging pack on his back that it was the wood boy. I watched his slow progress through the snow and felt grateful for the warmth of my home.

Struck by a sudden thought, I leap from my chair and ran to the kitchen. My mother stood over the stove preparing the morning meal.

"What is it dear?" she asked never lifting her head from her work.

"The wood boy is coming." I looked down at my feet as a felt my cheeks warm. "May I take him some warm bread?"

Mother put aside her spoon and turned toward me. "Of course, dear. And here," she said as she reached down into her pocket, "give him these as well." Then she laid three pennies in my outstretched hands.

I raced to cut and wrap the bread and put on my winter things. The morning air was crisp and bit into my cheeks. Once out side and within sight of the wood boy again my pace slowed.

It took some time for us to meet on the road.

"Mornin' Mary," the wood boy said, tipping his hat at me. "Be needin' any wood today?"

For a moment my voice caught in my throat. "No," I answered at length, "but mother sends this." I held out the wrapped bread.

The wood boy put his bundle down and stood to his full height. I looked up into his kind eyes as he took the bread and thanked me.

"And this," I held out the pennies, watching his eyes closely for offence.

He smiled at me and my stomach dropped clear down to my knees.

He dipped his head. "Tell your mother thanks."

I smiled and felt the chill in my cheeks replaced by a warmth that spread through my whole body.

We sat together in silence as he ate his bread, watching the sun clime slowly in the sky.