Flora remembered her mother, Ingrid, sitting on the edge of Hedda’s bed telling stories about Queen Cnut of Norway who succeeded in turning back the tide, and Wilhelmina Walker who spent six years – as long as Flora had been alive – putting concrete under the cathedral so it wouldn’t sink into a watery grave. Hedda, who was twice Flora’s age, rolled her eyes at the tales and then pretended to be asleep. Ingrid always finished by saying, ‘Women can do anything men can do’.
Years later, when Ingrid left them for a new life, Flora knew that what her mother had said was true.
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The picture this week reminded me of William Walker, a deep-sea diver who did 
spend six years underwater, shoring up Winchester cathedral so that it didn’t collapse. You can read more about him here.
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For those who don’t know how Friday Fictioneers works, this picture (this time supplied by Doug Macllroy) is our inspiration for our weekly online writing group hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Each story is only about 100 words long, so why not read a few others: click here to read some more or to join in. And please comment below with any suggestions on mine, or just to show you’ve visited.
I was reading a blog post the other day about parents reading stories to their children whilst reversing the gender of the protagonist. Some people had some very strong opinions about it!
That’s interesting. Do you remember where you saw it?
No, it was just another link on my facebook newsfeed, unfortunately. 🙁
I love that her mother’s stories stayed with Flora, even though they were being told to her older sister 🙂
Thanks!
So, did Ingrid leave in order to do what a man could do?
Well, I don’t think she left in order to do what a man does, but her leaving is what men often do.
Interesting idea. Not sure I totally follow what happens at the end. Also did a double take at Cnut…read a story on Speakeasy yesterday which had the n and u the other way round. Thought for a moment you’d done the same thing. Glad you didn’t!
Apparently Canute is not the proper spelling. I’m thinking about how to make the end clearer. Ingrid leaves her family and that is what men often do (or certainly more so than women), so Flora understands that ‘women can do everything men can do’. But at the moment I’m not sure it quite works.
Very inspiring.
Thanks Dawn.
So in the new life, did she pass away and go to a better place, or did she leave her kids? This could be really controversial :-p
She left her kids. Yes – controversial!
Claire, I understood that Mom left, just as a man might leave his family. Sad no matter who leaves, of course. And I liked your title as well as the information you included after the story.
janet
Thanks Janet – yes that’s right – she left her family. Funny how we think about that so differently than when a man leaves (although that of course is very sad too).
I saw the ending to mean that Mum left her family and that’s more often done by a man. It’s a sad tale, well told.
Yes, you’re right Karen. I tweaked the ending after feedback from the first two comments, so I think it’s clearer now.
Great story with an understated conclusion that worked really well. Good piece.
Thanks Sandra.
such an inspiring story Claire 🙂
sorry! i read the story again. i got the names mixed up in my head. my bad. that was really sad. 🙁
No problem! Yes, not so inspiring…
Dear Claire,
It’s hard when either parent leaves, but it seems worse when it’s the woman. I’ve seen this firsthand. Turns out in that situation the father was much better at nurturing than the deadbeat mom.
Nicely told.
Shalom,
Rochelle
It is more shocking when it’s the woman. Thanks Rochelle.
I loved it, especially that last line, your meaning was clear to me from the first reading. Good job.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
It was sad that the mother gave a wrong example to her daughters of the ability of women to do what men do. 🙁 Thanks for the interesting link about William Walker. 🙂 Well written story.
I think she was just playing with them. Glad you liked it.
queen cnut? interesting.
Yes, it would be easy to get that wrong…
Fascinating story of William Walker. Thank you!
It is amazing that because of him the cathedral is still standing today.
There is much to make of this story but I thought you did it really well in a subtle and understated manner. That William Walker story is fascinating.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Claire
the story didn’t end in a positive way as i expected. very clever. i’d been duped.
Hah! Caught you out. Thanks for reading.
Claire
Great idea for a story. I remember Walker in his diving suit. I also remember frogmen in my childhood, with these strange helmets.
Thanks Hilary.
Dear Claire, This is such a good story. So much information about the restoration of Winchester Cathedral. Queen Wilhelmina visited the mountains between Arkansas and Oklahoma and there is a park named in her honor with a beautiful hotel on top of the mountain (since I was there last, it has burnt down). Your story is so touching with the mother leaving instead of the father. This is so very sad – yet such a touching story. Thanks for bringing back memories long forgotten! Wonderful story! Nan 🙂
I didn’t realize there was a Queen Wilhemina! In my story Ingrid just changes the names and the genders in the stories she tells her daughters. But I’m glad you enjoyed it and it brought back some good memories.
Thanks,
Claire
Very clever story, Claire, and the back story is amazing! I like the fairy tale feel…
Thanks, glad you liked it.
Some stories sink in no matter what. And girls can do anything is a fabulous one. I loved this one Claire.
It’s certainly a good message…