This week my story is written to be a campfire story fit for 5-10 year-old’s. I am going on a camping trip in a few weeks and need some campfire stories for this audience. I’d like to invite my fellow writing bloggers to help me collect some stories for my trip so I have proposed a quick challenge. You can read about my suggestion by clicking the link I Need Ghost Stories for Children. Feel free to use the prompts provided in that post or any others just leave a pingback on I Need Ghost Stories for Children so I can find it.
And now for my Friday Fictioneers contribution where each week close to 100 people participate in a flash fiction challenge based on a photo prompt.
This week’s photo: Copyright: Douglas Macllroy
Keckley was born in a small Hawaiian village. She lived with her mother and sister and never saw her father. Her mother rarely spoke of him and her sister had a different father that she saw on weekends. Keckley’s father was a scientist and lived far away. She knew he would see her if he could.
Keckley loved the stars. She spent every evening before bed gazing at the sky. Sometimes she would talk to her father. She knew he loved the stars too and even though he wasn’t there, looking at the night sky Keckley felt close to him.
The Day After 
I can see them standing there looking at stars.. somehow this pulls my heartstrings.
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I was thinking of my one little niece who will be there and doesn’t see her father any more since her parents split up. In my way I was reaching out to her. That’s probably why it touched your heart. That and you are a wonderful poet and sensitive to these sorts of things.
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This part is even better than the story. Lovely, Dawn. I had special relationship with my aunt and I will never forget that.
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I did too! Thanks for your comment.
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Sweet little tale 🙂
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100 words comes up in you fast.
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This is a sweet tale, Dawn. It does seem to be a bit thin on the action. I think the kids would really love it if you expand the story into an adventure– maybe our heroine takes a trip to the Northern wilds only to find that her father is a Yeti, not a scientist.
I like your challenge and will certainly try to concoct a tale before the weekend.
All my best,
Marie Gail
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Yes, I ran out of words and decided this would be a good intro. I like your idea about an action story. I may try to expand on it that way.
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My late husband used to go up on the roof and stargaze. He would do it for hours at a time. He’s been gone 18 years now. I still go outside and look at the stars and talk to him. I like this story.
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Sounds perfect for the campfire fit for 5 to 10yr olds.
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Thank you.
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Paints a lovely picture.
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Thank you.
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Hope she sees her father one day, and doesn’t get too disheartened in the meanwhile,
Touching tale. randy
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Thanks Randy.
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A great story for the kids, especially your niece. Well done!
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Thanks Jan.
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Beautiful story Dawn. Have fun around the campfire.
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Oh Joe, I am so excited. It is going to be great!
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I am going back to Longwood in a few weeks!
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Ooo..wonder what will be in bloom?
I would love to go when the roses bloom. Can you imagine walking into a room full of roses?
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I will take lots of photos. Myself I hope the wisteria gardens are still blooming.
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This is a beautiful story, Dawn. I was expecting scary! This was most tender. Those kids are going to cry, Dawn. 🙂
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Yes, it seems I am not very good at scary.
So far…I am still trying!
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It’s nice knowing that no matter how far away someone is, they’re looking at the same stars (more or less) 🙂
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Yes, it is.
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That’s lovely. Some happiness here despite the opener.
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Thank you.
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Dear Dawn,
Such a sweet story, although very sad and lonely. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. I pre-ordered your book for my Kindle, btw.
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This is lovely. I’ll be checking out your ghost stories site. If you take along a star map, you can use your story to point out some of the easy-to-find constellations. I bet that’ll be fun for the youngsters, too.
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Hey. great idea!
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Sweet story, we seem to have gone on a sort of similar theme this week, but I like yours better.
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Well thank you but I read yours and I like the way you presented the father better. We are our own worst critics!
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Interesting where Keckley got her name, I think. Nice connection.
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Thank you.
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Wherever we are, whoever we are we all share the same ever-changing sky.
Many children (and adults too) would relate to this story – simply and beautifully told.
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Thank you so much for that generous comment.
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Neat, Dawn! And making it a children’s story, too, very good! Five fire logs!
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Thanks Kent. I’ve missed you.
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A nice little story, very well told.
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Thanks Dee.
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That is a bitter sweet story Dawn. I feel for the little girl wanting to know her father and feeling close to him through the stars. Excellent.
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I have a granddaughter that we conceived through artificial insemination. I know it’s going to be tough growing up without a father. At least she sees Grandpa once a week.
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I would imagine that would present a unique set of circumstances. Still I can’t help but feel gratitude for her having you as a Grandpa. I think she will be just fine.
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How lovely that Keckley felt close to her father through the stars. You paint the picture of her gazing at the sky every night beautifully.
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Thank you Millie.
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This paints a wonderful picture to the mind’s eye.
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Thank you Francesca.
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The bond between Keckley and her absent father comes through so strongly, and she’s so entranced by the stars that I think her father can only be an alien visitor. He’s watching her, too. There’s a mystery.
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That’s an interesting twist. Hmmmm….
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That was a really moving piece. Gosh I hope Keckley isn’t in for a huge letdown re her father. The stars connect them I just hope they continue to shine.
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I’m working on a follow up piece for next week. I just hope the prompt fits it.
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I hope it does too. Would love to know whether their is a happy conclusion to Keckley (that really is an unusual name but I guess it made me remember it ) and her Dad.
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The name of the place in the photo prompt is Keck Observatory. That’s where I got the name. I made it up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._M._Keck_Observatory
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Haha. You are observant. I didn’t know that. Clever.
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I just get lucky sometimes and have a creative thought. This was one of those times.
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a truly heartfelt story. well done.
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Thank you.
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When you wish upon a star… sending love out into space. Very touching, Dawn.
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Thank you.
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