The following story was written in response to Rochelle’s FridayFictioneers photo prompt. This week’s PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
THESE BELLS
by
Kelvin M. Knight
He purchased this ornate clock because it reminded him of church. The look and feel of this wood was identical to the pews, whose ornate carvings reached out to the heavens. Those heavens where bells clanged in practice for Sunday morning, whereupon heaven would ripple across this village.
He swayed in eager anticipation. Such harmonies. Such humility. From these bell ringers and the congregation. Humbleness was the bedrock of Christianity here – starting with those Benedictine monks and finishing Lord knows where.
The time, the place, didn’t matter, nothing did, as long as these bells kept chiming in his soul.
(99 words)
If you want to read other FridayFictioneers’ stories also based on this prompt, please click the blue frog button below.
Happy reading and commenting!
Kelvin M. Knight 
Great. And I thought he was going to put a vengeful sledgehammer to it. Your ending is much better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Patrickprinsloo – so glad to have wrong footed yo and still entertained you.
LikeLike
I truly enjoyed this one, Kelvin. I always marvel at those with such a faith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is such a lovely word, Dale. Marvel. I think we should all marvel at something every now and again, keep the awe in our lives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it! So very true, the two sides to the Christian faith and church goers. Both are apt and totally believable! Nicely done giving a two stories for the two sides.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keeping faith believable while still telling fictional stories, is a tricky balance to keep, I am glad you think I have done it in both sides of this story coin. Thank you.
LikeLike
The pace of the development of this story was perfect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pacing is a vital component of storytelling – like timing with people who tell jokes. thanks for the comment, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely story, Kelvin. I find your narrator’s point of view entirely believable – and very beautiful. You’ve constructed this story really well, drawing us in and lifting us up. “I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Penny, see the response to my my wife’s comment above. Best Wishes Kelvin x
LikeLike
I like the idea of heaven rippling across the village in the chime of the bells.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought that image might appeal to you, Ali – I don’t know why but I am glad it did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The first line opens so direct and with a simplicity that walked us right in….
and the last line filled me with a sense of – hmm – let’s see – a sense of being moved with the character – nicely developed
LikeLiked by 1 person
Being moved with the character is a lovely response. Thank you, Y. Writing from the character’s viewpoint is a storytelling art. Glad you spotted it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Harmonies and humility. I enjoy the difference of this story to the first one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Differences – comparing and contrasting are vital for growth, Lish. For the author as much as any reader!
LikeLike
Dear Kelvin,
What a contrast to the church in your other story. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Rochelle. Glad you enjoyed the contrasts.
LikeLike
Beautiful. I like the image of heaven rippling across the village with the sound of the bells.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Sights and sounds are so important to us, aren’t they, Sarah Ann. I am heartened you enjoyed my rippling sounds and heavenly glimpses.
LikeLike
loved the last line the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, inthesilenceoftheday. Last lines are vital. Glad my humble words worked so well for you.
LikeLike
Another point of view, that is what life is all about.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely, Snow’s Fissures and Fractures – and humanity if overflowing with another point of view.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the carving on the clock, taking us directly inside the church, the heart of the narrator’s existence. I can read it two ways, as a hymn of appreciation by someone devout, for their weekly village devotions, their faith, community,and the music that calls them to service; or, as a recollection, a wistful memory of an earlier, simpler time, a less diverse time, perhaps, by someone who has moved on from the village and regards the clock as a momento.
The mention of the Benedictines made me wonder whether the narrator had joined the order.
Lovely, like church bells. There is nothing like good music in a sacred space meant to release it to the heavens.
(I must admit I could not help thinking of the Midsomer Murders episode about the bell ringers. )
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, what a thoughtful and thorough comment, 4693andypop! You have covered every meaning I might have meant and enjoyed fully. You get the star reader award this week/month ⭐️
LikeLike
I really like the way you ‘build’ up the story, from the indoor carving all the way to the heavens and the chimes. Lovely lyrical tone Kelvin
LikeLiked by 2 people
Brilliant. Thank you, Woman Walking Max – so glad my gradual ascent moved you!
LikeLike
Couldn’t decide about the bells, the bells. huh?
LikeLike
Haha, absolutely. One bell was all new and shiny, the other was used and abused.
LikeLiked by 1 person