Writing Prompt 22

[Tommie Lyn]

This writing prompt is a title...write a story with the following title:

A Pocketful of Pennies

And you get a cyber-jelly donut if you use these words in your story:

peacock
principle
promise
particular
prickle

As usual, 500 or fewer words, and....have fun.

TL

[Textus Rec]

A Pocketful of Pennies

As the parade passed, Paul pleaded with his parents. The performance of the percussion played over his petition, so his promise to be perfect could not be perceived above the pounding. He paced as he pondered his predicament. The point of his prayer was to persuade his parents to purchase a purple peacock plume. The prospect of such provision seemed to fade as the person who pulled the pushcart peddled his prizes to the particular pedestrians who presented a plethora of presidents on paper. Paul’s parents were perhaps purposefully posing as poor to prove the principle of patience. Papa pulled a pile of pennies from his pocket, a pitiful sum. Poignancy prickled Paul, and his posture plummeted. He would probably never procure the pleasure of playing with the purple plume.

Post-parade, Papa parked in the lot of the Pleasant Street Pawn Palace. What a peculiar place to plink down a pocketful of pennies – plenty to pay for a previously played with peacock plume!

[Tommie Lyn]

An astounding application of alliteration, Tex. Good job.

[Laina]

A Pocketful of Pennies

As the parade passed, Paul pleaded with his parents. The performance of the percussion played over his petition, so his promise to be perfect could not be perceived above the pounding. He paced as he pondered his predicament. The point of his prayer was to persuade his parents to purchase a purple peacock plume. The prospect of such provision seemed to fade as the person who pulled the pushcart peddled his prizes to the particular pedestrians who presented a plethora of presidents on paper. Paul’s parents were perhaps purposefully posing as poor to prove the principle of patience. Papa pulled a pile of pennies from his pocket, a pitiful sum. Poignancy prickled Paul, and his posture plummeted. He would probably never procure the pleasure of playing with the purple plume.

Post-parade, Papa parked in the lot of the Pleasant Street Pawn Palace. What a peculiar place to plink down a pocketful of pennies – plenty to pay for a previously played with peacock plume!

Ha ha!!! Great job. !thumbsup! I was doing something similar with p's. I think I'll change course!

[Textus Rec]

An astounding application of alliteration, Tex. Good job.

Thanks, Tommie Lyn...not so bad yourself :cool:

[Tommie Lyn]

A Pocketful of Pennies

Word Count: 496

Lage shifted on the chair. His gaze flicked around the room, from Aunt May's peacock blue hat, to his sister Janice's bored face, to his own hands that twitched and trembled.

The lawyer's voice droned on. “And to my son, Lage . . .” Lage straightened. “. . . I leave a pouch and its contents, along with a letter.”

He finished reading the will of Lage Thunger, Senior, laid the paper on the desk and removed his glasses. “Lage, please remain for a few minutes, and we'll take care of the particular part pertaining to you.”


* * *

Lage stared at the letter, wadded and tossed it onto the table. “I should have known he'd reach from beyond to give me one last slap.”

He poured coffee, took a sip of scalding liquid. After a moment's hesitation, he retrieved the letter, smoothed it and reread it.

“Lage, my only son and biggest disappointment. This pouch of pennies may not seem like much, but I promise it can be the greatest treasure you'll ever receive. Remember the principle of giving I taught you: if you're selfish and hoard it or spend it on yourself, you will end with even less. Give it away, don't keep it and don't spend it on yourself.”

The words on the paper blurred as Lage's eyelids prickled with unshed tears of resentment. What kind of treasure could he receive by giving this miniscule inheritance away? Why didn't his father leave Lage part of the millions he gave to others?

True, the old man had cut Lage off two years after his graduation from college, angry because Lage squandered every cent which came his way. But to be cut out of the inheritance like this?

He dumped the copper disks onto the table, fingered them. And grew angrier. He gathered the coins into the pouch, pulled the drawstring and said, “I'll do what I please with these pennies, old man!”

Lage stuck the pouch into a drawer and stalked from his one-room apartment.


* * *

Lage stared through the glass door of the liquor store at the arrays of bottles, clutching his ragged coat against the icy fingers of the wind. He'd brought the pouch with him, but he turned away, knowing the pennies were too few to make a purchase.

And old woman sat on the sidewalk grate, huddled against the cold.

The poor old hag is in even worse shape than me.

An unfamiliar pang of pity gripped Lage. “Here.” Lage dropped the pouch into her lap.

She grasped the pouch, felt the coins and regarded Lage with tearful eyes. “Bless you, son.”

The words seemed to come from beyond this world. They were words he'd longed to hear from his father. A peace he'd never known settled over him like a sheltering, warming cloak. And he knew this peace was what he'd always sought, from a bottle or from a search for pleasure.

He closed his eyes, reveled in the feeling. “Yes, father, this is the greatest treasure.”

[melw]

A pocketful of Pennies

I shrugged into my coat. It was cold and windy outside. I was not looking forward to the 3 block walk home. I had walked to hopefully save a bit of money. If only I could have been promised a job. Instead the lady dressed like peacock looked down at me.

I had tired my hardest but it wasn’t good enough. Please God, please help things get better. I put my hands into the pockets of my coat. It would help keep my hands warm. On my left pocket a felt a pouch. I pulled it out.

My fingers were numb; I could hardly wait until I got home to open it. It was full of something. It sounded like coins. I knew it was my coat, but why would I have a pouch of coins.

Sitting in my living room, huddling around the heater, I only used it when I was really cold. It took too much power. I moved and sat on a prickle of nails that kept sticking up through the floor.

I opened the pouch and out poured out pennies, they were very old pennies. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Sure pennies were money, but not really what I needed.

I pulled out a note. Dear Miss, it is a matter of principle that I had to turn you down tonight. I am quite sure you are wondering why I gave you these pennies. These particular pennies are very valuable. Bring them to the George Street coin dealer and all will be revealed. Mr Baker.

The man, who had been with the peacock lady, actually knew what I needed. I smiled ready to see what would happen. Softly i said "thank you God."

MEL

[Laina]

Well I decided to stick with the p's after all. :)


A Pocket of Pennies
Word Count - 498

Josh hurried into the house yelling, “Hey, Ma. I’ve got a pocket full of pennies. Come see.”

“What’s up, Champ?” Sharon asked.

“I bought some candy and the man gave me some pennies, huh, Dad.”

Mark, with an armload of groceries nodded. "He sure did."

Sharon squatted as Josh dug into his pocket and pulled out a couple of polished Indian head copper coins. A toothless grin reached his lips as he opened his hand in front of her.

“Oh pretty, Josh. How many are there?”

Josh felt in his jeans pocket. “There are ten of ‘em.”

As Mark made his last pass, he dropped a sheet of paper in Sharon’s hand and continued to the kitchen.

Sharon read while Mark and Josh listened.

I prayed asking God to find me a boy the same age as I was when the pennies were passed on to me. They made quite an impression on this particular little boy, and I hope they do the same for the one who receives them. If you are reading this, God has chosen you.

My pocket’s got ten pennies,
They remind me every day.
God is divine perfection,
He’s the God I will obey.

The pride penny reminds me of the peacock that expands his tail like a fan. I’m not to be like the evil one who, lifted up in pride, exalted himself as one greater than God.

The prayer penny reminds me to pray every day. I pray that I will love like God loves, and that I will be kind. I pray that I will stand on the principles that are taught in scripture.

The praise penny reminds me to praise God every day. I thank Him for all the things he blesses me with – my family and friends, a home and job, freedom, clothes and food.

The perseverance penny reminds me to persevere during the hard times. If life becomes difficult, I will continue to love God and watch Him work things out.

The protection penny reminded me that I need to remember that God protects me from the enemy of my soul. He said, “I am with you always, even to the end.”

The promise penny reminds me that God’s promises are yes and amen.

The power penny reminds me that I serve a mighty powerful God and nothing is too difficult for Him. It enables me to be a witness of Christ, of His love for a lost world.

The provision penny reminds me that no matter how little I have, God will always provide. I’ll always have what I need for today.

The patience penny reminds me that I am to endure difficulties. Slow and steady wins the race.

The peace penny reminds me I can enjoy an inner peace. I might bristle or prickle at the littlest things. That’s when I ask Him for His peace that passes all understanding.

“Wow unbelievable,” Sharon said.

Josh scratched his head. “Maybe we need a faith penny, huh?”

[Laina]

Wonderful Tommie. I loved that Lage found the greatest treasure.

Nice Mel! I could feel the cold. Brrr.

[Tommie Lyn]

Good job, Mel and Laina. I love seeing all the different ways we each approach the prompts.

[Barker8108]

Ok so I tried to use all the words, but I failed... so here is what I came up with anyways...

Barefoot and trembling, eight year old Abby Martin trudged trough the muddy streets. Her blonde curls fell loosely into he bright blue eyes, and prickled her flushed cheeks. She resisted the temptation to brush the strands from her face and continued to swing her hands at her sides, convinced it would propel her forward. Thunder boomed from the sky and she paused to look at the thick black clouds that loomed over the city. Quickly she reached down, grabbed the hem of her dress and began to run. She heard the rain falling behind and she tried to run faster but her foot hit a small stone and she toppled forward into the mud. The rain fell hard around her, straightening her once perfect curls, and soaking her favorite blue dress. Her foot was throbbing, and she tried hard not to cry. She had to make it to the hospital, she had promised him. Instinctively she patted the pocket of her dress, nothing. She panicked. She looked down as one small piece of copper disappeared in the thick brown muck. “No,” She cried softly “No, no, no…” Her cries turned to sobs as she franticly searched for the missing pennies. She had worked hard for those pennies. She stopped and closed her eyes; the soft squishing sound of foot steps approached and slowly, she opened them. Above her stood a very tall man with a black umbrella. She blinked, and rose quickly to her feet. “Are you alright?” He asked in a kind voice as he knelt down to look her in the eyes. He wore a dark black suit and a purple and green tie. It reminded her of a peacock. She took a step back and quickly glanced further down the street. “Have you lost your way?” his accent was thick, not English, Irish maybe. Her eyes filled with tears, “I was… running,” she said, her voice cracking softly, “and I fell.”
His eyes softened, “Are you hurt?”
“I don’t think so,” She dropped her eyes to ground “but my pennies… I lost them.” She began to cry again, quickly brushing away the tears. He moved in a little closer, encouraging her to continue.
“I was going to... to the hospital,” she cried, and pointed down the street toward the hospital, “My daddy, he’s there”
The gentleman turned to follow her finger.
“I was going to buy him a… a present” She fell to her knees and began searching for the small metal circles.
The young man reached out and took her hands in his. Slowly he reached into his pocket and pulled our two silver coins, half dollars, and placed them in her hands. Her eyes grew wide “Thank you, sir” she said. He smiled, “Now you can go get your father a present.” She thanked him again and started to walk swiftly towards the hospital. She paused and turned toward the gentleman, “Are you Jesus?” she asked shyly. The young man smiled and shook his head. He watched as she disappeared around the corner.

[Tommie Lyn]

Good job, Barker. Glad you decided to jump in on the prompts...hope you'll join in on the next one.

TL