The Beaten Path
One man, one rule, his way!16 total reviews
Comment from Jessica Borras
What a heart-breaking short story. It's proof that we never know what life our fellow humans have lived--that goes both for yourself, as well as your father. Thank you for sharing your story with us. <3
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2021
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What a heart-breaking short story. It's proof that we never know what life our fellow humans have lived--that goes both for yourself, as well as your father. Thank you for sharing your story with us. <3
Comment Written 02-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2021
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Thank you, Jessica! I appreciate your kindness and for reading my short story. We never know what life will hand us...it's all about what we try to make of it. Smiles to you! Carol
Comment from cupa tea
I remember being whipped with the belt, sticks for the tree near the house and my mom's hand. Back then that's how you got punished, and I have to agree with you. That helped me be a better adult. I think I would have been in jail if my mom had not be so strict.
Today, things are different, but I don't think they are better. I think they are worse...
Fantastic little story...
Blessed Be...
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2021
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I remember being whipped with the belt, sticks for the tree near the house and my mom's hand. Back then that's how you got punished, and I have to agree with you. That helped me be a better adult. I think I would have been in jail if my mom had not be so strict.
Today, things are different, but I don't think they are better. I think they are worse...
Fantastic little story...
Blessed Be...
Comment Written 02-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2021
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I pray that we can find a happy medium in both types of parenting. I was a good kid in a bad situation, but I survived and became a stronger person. Now days, there doesn't seem to be much of any kind of discipline and in the end, our children will suffer from it. Thanks so much. Smiles to you! Carol
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I truly was a bad kid...I am just so glad my mom fixed my situation. I am now a very good person all the way around because of her...Blessed be my friend...
A good medium would be wonderful!
Comment from Rosalie Lawrence
My father was fond of dishing out punishment with his belt. To this day, I cringe when my husband takes his pants off at night...that didn't come out right...the sound of the leather belt sliding through the loops. LOL What a position the mother was in. Nothing funny about your submission Nicely written from a deep of view. Your opening paragraph, almost poetic in it's formation, slipped us into the heat wave, which only got hotter with the actions of the 'hotheaded' father. Stay safe and write on.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2021
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My father was fond of dishing out punishment with his belt. To this day, I cringe when my husband takes his pants off at night...that didn't come out right...the sound of the leather belt sliding through the loops. LOL What a position the mother was in. Nothing funny about your submission Nicely written from a deep of view. Your opening paragraph, almost poetic in it's formation, slipped us into the heat wave, which only got hotter with the actions of the 'hotheaded' father. Stay safe and write on.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2021
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Thank you, Rosalie! My father has passed on and I try to come to terms with his way of life, but it's difficult. It made me a stronger person, but it also made me a vulnerable one. Thanks for the kind review. Smiles to you - Carol
Comment from LisaCalton
Thank you for sharing your story. Discipline was different than what it is now. Though it doesn't make it right, some parents felt they were raising their children correctly. I am sorry that you went through that as a child but happy that you became who you are because of it.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2021
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Thank you for sharing your story. Discipline was different than what it is now. Though it doesn't make it right, some parents felt they were raising their children correctly. I am sorry that you went through that as a child but happy that you became who you are because of it.
Comment Written 28-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2021
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Thanks so much for all your kind words and for taking the time to review my story. Smiles to you!
Comment from equestrik
There is a harsh reality to this and I am sorry for this harshness. You show much about yourself in your author's notes as you speak of your stubborn spitit and empathy for your dad's harshness.
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2021
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There is a harsh reality to this and I am sorry for this harshness. You show much about yourself in your author's notes as you speak of your stubborn spitit and empathy for your dad's harshness.
Comment Written 28-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2021
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Thank you for your kindness. I appreciate it very much. Smiles to you!
Comment from Erika Seshadri
It says above that his is a flash fiction contest entry, but the notes suggest it's something that actually happened...
Either way, it's well written. Those were certainly were difficult days back then.
All the best.
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2021
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It says above that his is a flash fiction contest entry, but the notes suggest it's something that actually happened...
Either way, it's well written. Those were certainly were difficult days back then.
All the best.
Comment Written 09-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2021
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The emotions are from the past but the actual event is not. So many similar things happened. Thank you for the kind review.
Comment from Lyn Peters
Oh, what a heart-breaking piece! My heart goes out to the eight-year old dealing with such difficult conditions (both the brutal weather and the physical cruelty of a father who was unable to see how harsh his child rearing methods were but who, it seems, helped his child grow into a strong, resilient individual). All the best in the Flash Fiction contest.
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2021
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Oh, what a heart-breaking piece! My heart goes out to the eight-year old dealing with such difficult conditions (both the brutal weather and the physical cruelty of a father who was unable to see how harsh his child rearing methods were but who, it seems, helped his child grow into a strong, resilient individual). All the best in the Flash Fiction contest.
Comment Written 09-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2021
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Thank you so much for reading and understanding the emotions behind the words. I appreciate your kindness and best wishes.
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Heartrending tale, brilliantly rendered. Masterfully rendered in stark imagery. The closer re pouring the bucket of water on the parched earth is stunning.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
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Heartrending tale, brilliantly rendered. Masterfully rendered in stark imagery. The closer re pouring the bucket of water on the parched earth is stunning.
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
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Thank you so much for the brilliant and wonderful review. I truly appreciate your kindness and the review.
Comment from Wendy G
Unfortunately this doesn't sound like fiction. But the story is well told, in a direct style, and from the child's viewpoint. It is unfortunate that the harshest experiences and words of childhood are remembered more than any others. Good wishes for the contest.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
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Unfortunately this doesn't sound like fiction. But the story is well told, in a direct style, and from the child's viewpoint. It is unfortunate that the harshest experiences and words of childhood are remembered more than any others. Good wishes for the contest.
Comment Written 08-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
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I had a strict father and throughout my life we butted heads. I drew from past emotions as I wrote this story. The events aren't exact but the relationship was. Thank you so much.
Comment from nor84
This is a flash FICTION contest, and this reads more like nonfiction. You might want to recheck the rules. I didn't check the word count, but it's supposed to be exactly 250 words. Good luck.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
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This is a flash FICTION contest, and this reads more like nonfiction. You might want to recheck the rules. I didn't check the word count, but it's supposed to be exactly 250 words. Good luck.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2021
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Thank you for your concern about my contest entry. Yes, I drew from memories in my past but the story is not exact, therefore; I believe it would be considered fiction. Almost every story I write comes from emotions I have felt with. Please inform me if this is in error. As for the word count - the rules as I understand them is 250 including the title. I have 247 plus 3 in the title. Once again, please feel free to tell me if I am in error because I don't always understand or read things correctly. I appreciate your help.
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rules are 250 words exactly and do not include the title. Decision is by committee. I'm just giving you an opinion.
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Write a story that uses exactly 250 words, including the title. Please tell me if I am misunderstanding this - copied from entry. I don't mean to mess anything up.
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This is a member-sponsored contest, and while it isn't normal for such contests to include the title in the word count, hopefully the committee will notice this person's rules. In any event, they will notify you and give you an opportunity to reply. Just quote the rules to them.
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Thank you so much for helping. Originally I wrote it with the 250 words but when I saw the rules I changed it. So confusing. Took the fun out of it and now I wish I'd never entered. Sitting here wondering if I will be disqualified or if I did it right. Have a nice day!
