“It doesn’t matter what it looks like on the outside …”
“Yea,” Elianna intoned, “it’s what on the inside that matters.”
“Exactly,” Jennifer winked. To be easily discouraged was a privilege of the young. Something time cured. Or tanned into tough old leather. She chuckled.
“What?” Elianna sounded wounded.
“I was laughing at myself, Eli.” Jennifer tested the length of her chains. Sink to bed to door. “We can do not a thing about that horrid gate or those who guard it, but let’s put some elbow grease into this door and make our inside view a good deal better.”
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Photo prompt © Brenda Cox
Na'ama Yehuda 
Captivity does odd things to people and strategies for survival vary hugely. Maybe what matters is just having a strategy
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Yes. I agree. Very much so. And what may work for one, may not work for another. Though having someone who holds hope can make all the difference.
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I suppose they have to take what little glimmer of hope they can find in their predicament.
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I suppose so, yes, for sometimes all one can do is control what one can, while hoping that more opportunity will come.
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Attitude is everything. And they’re together which is something extra. Now. How do we free them?
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So poignant Na’ama
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Thank you, Sadje! 🙂
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My pleasure
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Hopefully they can keep their spirits up – there’s always a chance.
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Always, as long as we are breathing, there is hope. 🙂
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Excellent metaphor, Na’ama. It could apply to so many situations in life.
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Thank you, Penny! I would like to think so, yes!
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There are all kinds of chains and all versions of freedom. Well done, Na’ama.
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Indeed there are! Great comment. Thanks, Bill! 🙂
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Of course. 🙂
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Some prisons are of our own making, aren’t they? I think those are the worst prisons of all. Well written. Hag Purim Samayakh and may Haman in Russia be hung on his own gallows.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amen to all points …
xoxo
Na’ama
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They’re staying positive, and holding onto a little bit of control over their lives, even if it’s just through a clean window. I like the interaction between the two characters.
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Exactly, Margaret! I’m so glad you pointed this out, and that it was communicated. Sometimes all one can is miniature controls of tiny bits of things, and yet, it can make a difference even if it cannot solve what ought not to be taking place to begin with. Thank you for this comment!
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Staying positive in a bad situation is a significant courage. Well done
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Yes, Vartika! I’m glad this was communicated, for all too often this type of heroism isn’t visible or is taken for granted, when it ought not to. We see it through history, and we see it these days, in the heroic positive attitude of many even under senseless, cruel, relentless attacks meant to break them. Yet they find and hold on to hope.
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The last part of your tale was a sucker punch. Wow, great writing, Na’ama! I admire people who can stay calm and positive in the midst of extremely dire or awful situations.
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Thank you, Brenda! There is a lot to be said for those who can keep a level head and a positive mindset even in the face of atrocities and impossible choices. They are a gift to others, and there is heroism in the ability to do so. We can see it through history. We can see it today, in the many heroic people who are holding on to hope even in the face of relentless cruelty.
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A subtley told story, which prompts thoughts of big issues. Well done
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Thank you! Yes, big issues … Glad you read and commented! 🙂
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