I Cracked the Liberty Bell
July 4, 177613 total reviews
Comment from Melissa Russell Deur
I think you should have won the contest! Your title launches the reader into the story without having to set up the period of history you chose. I loved the immediacy of the moment and the palpable sense of being present. I had wondered why the boy was in the broom closet and why Ben Franklin would look there. You answered my question very well with the explanation that Franklin knew the boy loved to sneak into the Hall and listen to the speeches. I expect that you were a terrific English teacher!
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2020
  |
I think you should have won the contest! Your title launches the reader into the story without having to set up the period of history you chose. I loved the immediacy of the moment and the palpable sense of being present. I had wondered why the boy was in the broom closet and why Ben Franklin would look there. You answered my question very well with the explanation that Franklin knew the boy loved to sneak into the Hall and listen to the speeches. I expect that you were a terrific English teacher!
Comment Written 28-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2020
-
Wow! I am honored by your wonderful review and your endorsement of my story. I taught a course called American Studies which allowed me to teach both English and history. I often used my own stories as ?props? to get a point across. Rod
I am posting a story about the Louisiana Purchase today. Please look for it.
-
I WILL look for your new posting!
Comment from Tina Crute
Ummm...this is about the most creative way I have ever seen history presented! You must be a teacher?I wish I had history taught to me in story form. I was a teacher but didn't teach history. If I did, it would have been like this! What a goldmine of treasure this type of learning would be to people like me who need to experience history as an up close and personal experience,
Just awesome, this is!
Tina
reply by the author on 25-Aug-2020
 |
Ummm...this is about the most creative way I have ever seen history presented! You must be a teacher?I wish I had history taught to me in story form. I was a teacher but didn't teach history. If I did, it would have been like this! What a goldmine of treasure this type of learning would be to people like me who need to experience history as an up close and personal experience,
Just awesome, this is!
Tina
Comment Written 25-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 25-Aug-2020
-
Tina, you have made my week with your high praise of my story and flattering tribute to me. Yes, I was a history teacher and often taught lessons using my own stories (I have a collection of such stories I never published). Thank you so very much.
-
I knew it! Please publish more of these cool stories!
Tina
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written war an history flash fiction about being the boy who cracked the liberty bell when the declaration of independence were signed and sealed first he first time in history to be a free country.
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2020
|
A very well-written war an history flash fiction about being the boy who cracked the liberty bell when the declaration of independence were signed and sealed first he first time in history to be a free country.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2020
-
Thank you very much, Sandra, for sharing my short story and your kindpraise.
Comment from nor84
The Contest Rules: Write a flash fiction ( 350 words title not included ) about the historical event you wish you had lived through. What would it have been like, do you think?
You're few words short. I counted 344 words, not 350. Use your computer to count the words, don't use the site's word counter. If using MS Word, you should be aware that Word counts . . . as words. You still have time to add a bit. Good luck.
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2020
|
The Contest Rules: Write a flash fiction ( 350 words title not included ) about the historical event you wish you had lived through. What would it have been like, do you think?
You're few words short. I counted 344 words, not 350. Use your computer to count the words, don't use the site's word counter. If using MS Word, you should be aware that Word counts . . . as words. You still have time to add a bit. Good luck.
Comment Written 16-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2020
-
Thank you so much, nor84, for taking the time to read my story and count its words. The contest instructions do not say EXACTLY 350 words (like many flash-fiction contests do), so I am assuming my story can have less, but not more. I did use an Apple computer program to count them.
Comment from equestrik
This is such a fun little story recounting a piece of history that was so integral to this country when it was new. What a privilege it would have been to ring that bell!
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2020
|
This is such a fun little story recounting a piece of history that was so integral to this country when it was new. What a privilege it would have been to ring that bell!
Comment Written 16-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2020
-
Thank you so much for sharing my story. You are exactly right. The story was inspired because I do wish I?d been there to ring the bell.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Well, you were there, so you should know, Mystery Writer. I enjoyed your contest entry. I like how carefully described the 3 men. I like the idea of 'you' hiding in the broom closet to hear the speeches. Yes, the Liberty Bell was cracked when it was rung--but what a great sound it made.
Thanks for sharing. Best wishes.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2020
|
Well, you were there, so you should know, Mystery Writer. I enjoyed your contest entry. I like how carefully described the 3 men. I like the idea of 'you' hiding in the broom closet to hear the speeches. Yes, the Liberty Bell was cracked when it was rung--but what a great sound it made.
Thanks for sharing. Best wishes.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 15-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2020
-
Many thanks, Jan, for sharing my story and your kind praise.
Comment from RShipp
What a grand moment in history to have witnessed. I, too, would have loved to be nearby to have seen the delicate imbalances come to a balance and the Declarations signed.
Well done.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2020
|
What a grand moment in history to have witnessed. I, too, would have loved to be nearby to have seen the delicate imbalances come to a balance and the Declarations signed.
Well done.
Comment Written 15-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2020
-
Thank you so much for your encouraging review. Sadly, I have never been to a Philadelphia, but I have always admired the three men most responsible for writing that document.
Comment from LisaMay
I don't live in the States but you have really made this piece of history come alive for me as the delegates sign the document on this momentous occasion. Seeing it through the eyes of a peeping stableboy given the responsibility to ring the bell is a neat device. I didn't know the bell was cracked, but his enthusiastic ringing could certainly have begun it.
Just wondering what made Franklin put his head in the closet... maybe the boy cheered as well.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2020
|
I don't live in the States but you have really made this piece of history come alive for me as the delegates sign the document on this momentous occasion. Seeing it through the eyes of a peeping stableboy given the responsibility to ring the bell is a neat device. I didn't know the bell was cracked, but his enthusiastic ringing could certainly have begun it.
Just wondering what made Franklin put his head in the closet... maybe the boy cheered as well.
Comment Written 15-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2020
-
Hi, Lisa, thank you so much for sharing my story. Your kind praise is appreciated. Independence Hall and its bell were quite old and no one knows for sure when the bell got its famous crack. I took liberties, compressing some events ( e.g.?the signing of the document and the ringing of the bell) into a single day.
-
Everything is fair game to us writers. :)
Comment from Ben B.
This is a funny take on the story of the Liberty Bell. I remember I saw it, it was confined in glass because some nut try to slam it with a sledgehammer as if it wasn't cracked enough. People these days
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2020
|
This is a funny take on the story of the Liberty Bell. I remember I saw it, it was confined in glass because some nut try to slam it with a sledgehammer as if it wasn't cracked enough. People these days
Comment Written 15-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2020
-
Thank you, Ben, for sharing my story. Sadly, I have never been to Philadelphia.
Comment from Ben Colder
Thank you for reminding the people where we came from and what made America happen. So many do not understand our heritage and your post may open eyes. I hope so.
Best wishes to you in the contest.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2020
|
Thank you for reminding the people where we came from and what made America happen. So many do not understand our heritage and your post may open eyes. I hope so.
Best wishes to you in the contest.
Comment Written 15-Aug-2020
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2020
-
Thank you so much for sharing my story. I do hope it promotes more interest in our heritage.
