The following story was written in response to Rochelle’s FridayFictioneers photo prompt. This week’s PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
THOSE BELLS
by
Kelvin M. Knight
This clock reminded him of that church. The wood was identical to those pews. The carvings were the flourishes on that stonework. And those bells, clanging and clonking whenever, wherever, until Sunday arrived whereupon the bell tower became possessed.
The thought of it made him grind his teeth. The worst part was not the unsettling noise, though, it was the lack of consideration for others. Superiority was typical of that church. So much for humbleness and humility being the flagstones of Christianity.
Seeing that bell rope coiling, snaking, he closed his eyes and concentrated on this gentle hourly tinging.
(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 
The push and pull of religion.. I enjoyed this take, too, Kelvin! Somehow I missed reading it before the other one.
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You missed it first time round but got there in the end. Thanks for such an honest comment, Dale. The push and pull of faith influences everyone’s life more than politics does, sometimes, maybe – hedging my bets here – not that I am a gambling man, more a gamboler!!
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I agree. And you’re probably right!
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I enjoy hearing the large bells. However, I know there are certain notes or frequencies that drive my nerves over the edge. Your story conveyed that feeling. Nicely done.
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Spot on, JoHawk – there are certain other tones which do that too, aren’t there… maybe even certain tones of voice…
Thanks for the read and comment.
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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.
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I felt the narrator had anger and resentment towards the church’s voice but found comfort in the gentle tone of his own clock. I particularly liked the questioning reference to humbleness and humility as the flagstones of Christianity.
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Absolutely, Jilly, the anger. The resentment. The bold church’s voice. The gentle questioning of humbleness and humility – they are all there. Thanks for such a thoughtful comment.
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There is a very realistic feel to this. A great write.
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Brilliant. Realism in fiction is vital to an author… like air amongst the weight of words. Thank you for telling me this, Lisa, thank you.
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Unfortunately I also find this narrative convincing. There are some churches where some members of the congregation act like this. Inevitable, I suppose as it’s an institution composed of human beings and we’re fallible.
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Inevitable and sad, Penny, I am sure. Thank you for the caring / understanding tone to your comment. Always so important.
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I read the “these bells” first and like how you took two ideas and the “these” and the “those” fit well for the way your developed your idea.
Masterful.
–
and here – I just was not sure if I liked the word “tinging” at the end –
i could not figure out how it should sound
“inge as in hinge” like
if then I felt “tingle” come to mind – it was just me I am sure – but went from clank, clonk, and noise to have “tinging” – hmmmmm
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It rhymes with singing, Yvette
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thanks Penny – that is what I thought as well and it just did not sit right – not with clonk clank and noise
– maybe I wanted thundering or clanging
HOWEVER
I went back again and he does have gentle before the hourly and so it can end on a soft “tinging bell sining” note – ha
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I enjoyed how you switched from the wooden pews to the carved flourishes on the stonework. Interesting contrast. One would expect the flourishes to be on the pews.
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A thousand years ago, stone masons loved to show off their craft. Thanks for reading, Lish and commenting so thoughtfully. Hope all well with you and yours?
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Dear Kelvin,
I’d be finding another church. True Christianity seems to be a lost cause there. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a profound comment, Rochelle. What a great point of view. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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This is a great contrast to your other piece, the grinding teeth and agitation clear. However, as a bell-lover, I have to say the bells were there first – he could have moved so as not to hear them.
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That’s an interesting point, Sarah Ann. Glad you felt the agitation. Thanks for your balanced reply.
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I enjoy the church clock chimes, but not so much the bell ringing practice sessions.
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Yes, I think many people feel the same in that village. Thanks for reading and commenting, Michael.
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Can’t say I blame him. It’s usually better to let people peacefully make their own decisions.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Doing things peacefully is such a vital ingredient to a healthy life, Susan. Thank you for your wise comment.
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I couldn’t say I don’t agree with him. Nicely done.
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Liking the negative positive in your comment, Snow’s fissures and Fractures.
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True believers can’t help but want to spread the good news
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Some do and some don’t. Perhaps the narrator is one of those rare breed that does and doesn’t, that did and didn’t? Thanks for reading and commenting, Neil, I am working my way backwards through this week’s stories… I will soon be with yours.
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