(PHOTO CREDIT: Jean L. Hays)
The Red Mtn Market & Deli, was cluttered, crowded and cramped. A smudged, smeared and smelly poster tacked onto the wall abutting the main entrance proudly promised – in faded letters – everything from hot dogs to hope. While Venky religiously avoided hotdogs, even a sudden interest in religion would not suffice to hope.
His decision to enter the building was, if not whimsical, unplanned. Unable to quieten down an annoyingly restless mind, he sought solace in distraction.
“How much for a pound of hope?” he asked the old saleswoman.
“No price is steep enough Sir” came the response.
(Word Count: 99)
This story was written as part of the FRIDAY FICTIONEERS challenge, more about which may be found HERE
For the complete list of entries, please click HERE
18 comments
I smile, while shivers sweep me. 🙂
Ah, very thought provoking! Nice take on the photo prompt.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks Much!
How much did Venky end up paying? He could have had several hot dogs instead. With blood sugar rising, hope would have automatically risen. I love hot dogs by the way. Nice.
Smiling at the cynicism inherent in hope for sale.
I wonder what Venky did next. Can you really purchase hope? Did he leave, still feeling hopeless? Or did he understand what the woman was telling him—hope comes at a price sometimes.
I reckon he went back with a sense of introspection and purpose.
Smart salesman. Hope Venky was ok with settling for a hotdog…
He must have settled for both the hot dog and the precious piece of wisdom.
That is such an unexpected take on the prompt – really original! You constructed the story well, so that the twist was unexpected.
Thank you so much! It’S words such as these that make me keep writing!
Don’t trust people who don’t like hotdogs. Nice story, though.
Ha ha! Thanks Much!
I love the title. It drew me in.
Very thought-provoking & fantastic.
Thanks Much!
A gentle story full of wisdom.
Thanks Much!