99 word prompt : Feather
July 8, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features feathers. It can be a single feather or more. Where did the feather come from? Does it hold meaning to the character or story? Go where the prompt leads!
If you want to participate, here’s the link: CARROT RANCH
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Though it was forbidden, Mary held within her hand the remains of a turkey feather once part of her great-great-great grandfather’s cape.
During a time before Europeans, men of her tribe wore breechcloth and women only wore skirts made of animal skins. Each generation, the patriarch passed this feather along to his oldest son as a reminder of their heritage.
But the Cherokee were matriarchal.
Before the Europeans arrived no one was saddled with her name. She put the tattered token of her family’s delusions back into the plastic bag, and tucked the wretched thing into its ornamental box.
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That’s a very interesting answer to the challenge. xx Michael
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People keep strange momentos. It seemed to be a great way to show a lost civilization that is “remembered” incorrectly.
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An interesting take 💜
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She’s seeing her past through the eyes of someone living in a world that has forgotten it. Most of us don’t know that before the 1600’s, indigenous women didn’t wear shirts. Most people don’t know that many tribes were under women’s rule. The dwelling belonged to her, and she chose whether a man could be there or not.
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History is so important, but sadly so easily rewritten!
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By the way I am with you on this 💜
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Your flash reminds me of a family story I once heard about someone’s ancestor having married a Native woman. Recent generations passed on with pride their Native American heirloom. It wasn’t a feather. Maybe beaded boots. Later, this person researched her family tree and discovered there was no Native grandmother way back. But there was a calvary officer involved in a massacre. She wondered if guilt changed the narrative from murder to marriage. Your story makes a good point about revising history.
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I’d heard stories, but the DNA testing confirmed them. I still want to know the percentage of Neanderthal in my genome.
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A powerful message in this one. I feel all her heartbreak, frustration, hopelessness and disappointment through the closing lines. History, Herstory, Theirstory, so many alterations and untruths. Technology is empowering for those wishing to make their stories clear once and for all.
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Thanks. 🙂
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