“However hard life is for you. Spare a thought for the homeless.”
I wrote this story in answer to the following prompt:
Friday Fictioneers – Write a 100-word story based on the Photo Prompt image above by PHOTO PROMPT© Na’ama Yehuda תודה חברה שלי
Gerald’s Bauble
Gerald trudged through fresh snowfall in the park. His fingertips, blue with cold, clasped a slivery-pink bauble.
Arriving at his tent, he smiled through missing teeth while hanging the trinket on a branch.
He remembered a childhood of wonderful Christmases while watching it sway on the icy breeze. A tear froze on his cheek as loneliness crushed his spirit.
His only friends were at the soup kitchen. He had no family.
Gerald wrapped himself in his ragged sleeping bag and lay shivering.
He froze to death that night while smiling through memories of good times.
The End
Thanks for reading my friends.
There’s more in the Poetry Corner, Poetry Nook, and the Short Story Collection
Have a great day!
Masons Menagerie 
Very poignant and unfortunately too true
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It is.
Thanks Pam.
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Heart-wrenching tale!
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A story that left me wondering about Gerald’s life.
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Hello, Michael.
Thats good I hoped to create a little intrigue. Thanks for reading.
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Oh no. That’s a heartbreaking tale. Poor Gerald!
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Hi, Shweta.
I know. Had to be sad with this image. Thanks for reading.
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Yes. It does paint a scene of despair
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It sure does. It’s a scene that should never happen but sadly does all too much.
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Yes. Unfortunately
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A heartbreaking story Mason.
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Hey, Sadje.
It is, thanks for reading.
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You’re welcome ☺️
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A very poignant story, Mason. I like the way you contrast Gerald’s childhood Christmases with his present experience. The contrast increases the horror of his lonely death, but it also gives a sense of consolation because he has the memories. And even as you think, “Well, I’m glad he had those good memories,” you remember his wretched situation and think that no-one should have to suffer like that.
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Hello, Penny.
Yes I was trying to give the image of his better times and the good times we have so it would really drive home how bad life became for him.
Thank you for reading!
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Dear Mason,
A story reminiscent of “The Little Match Girl.” Poignant and well constructed story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hello, Rochelle.
Yeah, I have a copy of the Little Match girl. Such a sad tale.
Thank you for reading!
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How sad.
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And true.
Thanks Fandango.
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Oh Mason. You hit me in the feels with this one. And yes, very like the Little Match Girl. So very sad and yet, the memories remained for him.
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Hello, Dale.
A single hanging bauble hints at sadness and wishes of better past times like the past doesn’t it?
I’m glad it gave you those feels. Thanks for reading!
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Hello Mason.
Yes it does!
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Impossible not to cry at your story. I hope he has found warmth and peace wherever his spirit went to after it left his body.
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Hello Jade.
The single bauble in the tree just seems so lonely and sad, I had to try and get those emotions in the story.
I feel all the family from those past Christmases for waiting for him on the other side.
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❤
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So sad, Mason, and so beautifully written.
I have so many emotions thinking about this.
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Hello, Jenne.
Thank you. There was so much sadness in the image for me I’m pleased I got it in the tale too.
Thanks for reading.
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Very sad, poor chap.
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Indeed, thank you for reading!
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how sad. if anything, he died with a smile on his face.
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Hello, Plaridel.
I must say your name fits perfectly in the elven kingdom of Lord of the rings!
Thanks you so much for reading my sad tale.
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Oh how sad. That last line is a hard read. Well done
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Hello, Laurie.
Thank you so much.
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As your prefacing quote and your story remind us, homelessness is a very pressing and sad reality. At least he died with a happy memory . . .
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Hi Lorraine.
Sad but true. Thanks for reading.
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Poor Gerald – the only good thing about his sad story is the smile.
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Hi Elizabeth,
Yes, at least he died with a smile. Thanks for reading.
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Pulling the heart strings with this one. I think he didn’t want to live any more.
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Thank you, GH.
You might be right there. Thanks for reading.
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This breaks my heart in so many ways. I knew a Gentlemanly homeless veteran. He picked me up from the street and helped me to the hospital after I was hit by a car and no one stopped to help…even 9-1-1 whom we called never sent anyone. So, he helped me get help. Three weeks later, he died curled on a bench in sub-zero weather because the shelter had turned him away. What a D* sick world we live in. Sorry, it still brings anger and sadness to think of him.
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Hello Bear. No need to apologise.
I’m shocked to read that 9-1-1 didn’t come after you got run down! I’d have sued them for that. You could have died because of that. I’m glad you’re okay.
That poor veteran should never have been homeless the country should have cared for him for his service. Its so sad and horrifying how people can be neglected like that.
Thanks for reading!
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