Song of the Thorn Bird

Song of the Thorn Bird

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Nailed

Freiderich, a brash, young man itching to explore the limitless universe, wanders aimlessly and angrily, trapped in his grandfather’s antiquated hardware store. Freiderich’s father had decided, for the summer, it would be “character building” if his dreamer son got his hands dirty with the honesty of a good day’s work.

Finally the frustration of this fruitless endeavor erupts from the confines of the young man’s mind. Picking up a box of outdated nails, he waves the box and attacks, “Opa, what could a single nail offer the 22nd century? What possible advancement could it offer modern man when bio-computers, the InPlaNet (Intra-Planetary Internet), and teleportation have launched us all into the reality of your Ray Bradbury’s dreams? A nail has nothing of value to offer anyone, especially not to me.”

With strength of voice that comes only with time and wisdom, Hans turns to his upstart grandson. “What power does a single nail possess? It was a single spike that united this great land from east to west, taming the once Wild West. It was the nail that built houses that have endured for centuries, houses once a refuge of love and joy. It was the nail that pierced His Flesh, as he was placed upon a wooden cross to redeem the unworthy and the flawed. A nail can change the history of a nation. It can create a home. A single nail can deliver salvation. But then again, how could that possibly matter to you in the 22nd century?”

Inspired by the Magpie Tales.  

14 comments:

R. Burnett Baker said...

And you were worried about this challenge?? Lisa! This is a wonderful story! Brian is an encouragement to all of us...

I've taken a look at some of your other posts and will enjoy revisiting previous postings again. Your "Billie" post, strikes a wonderful note with me....She's my closest friend's favorite! I wrote a couple of "Billie" poems as well, but haven't posted them.

Maybe I should....I have a Billie story from a couple of summers ago I'll share with you sometime soon!

Wonderful work!

Rick

Brian Miller said...

great job lisa! wonderfully told with apoignant truth...i am sure you have read the proverb...for want of a nail...nice modernizing of it...and the nails are yet so important...bravo!

Kimberly said...

"A nail has nothing of value to offer anyone..." Lisa, there are many great lines and images throughout. You've done a great job.
Thanks for your encouragement and for visiting Pink Poetry. Hope to see you again.
Great profile pic you left there!

joanna said...

Lisa:

what an interesting story-- it got me thinking of all the great things you mentioned about nails and the metaphor associated with it as well. I love your string of words finally-frustration fruitless --

"A nail can change the history of a nation. It can create a home. A single nail can deliver salvation."

Powerful words and so profund.

Joanny

Peter Goulding said...

A powerful proverb told in a simple yet entertaining way. Nicely done!

Tess Kincaid said...

Change the history of a nation, and deliver salvation? Wow, powerful stuff. This was great, Lisa!

Enchanted Oak said...

I enjoyed this enormously. It's a creative response to the prompt... nice work!
my magpie tale is here

Lynn ... said...

Lisa ... this was beautiful! How will I ever be able to see a nail and not remember this piece? Beautifully done! :)

tori said...

great job Lisa. I especially like your references to Christ!

Catalyst said...

Terrific, Lisa. I really like it.

Vicki Lane said...

Very nice, -- for want of a nail, a kingdom was lost, as Shakespeare said.

Angie Muresan said...

Profound! That a single nail can do all that. I am in awe.

Jan of Thousand Acres said...

Oh, so well done. Bravo! I really enjoy your work - Thanks!

steviewren said...

Very well done. I enjoyed it..you really finish with a bang.