Copyright G L MacMillan
Madame Astra is tiring now, but still she moves amongst the crowd, laying a hand on a shoulder here, stroking a face there.
There’ve been messages for many people tonight; but there is a desperate soul somewhere in this audience, and something powerful is coming through for him.
She stops before a man clutching an empty bottle, examines his haggard face, his now shabby suit. This is a ruined man, she thinks.
“Walter?” she asks.
He nods miserably.
“There’s a message for you.”
He looks up.
“Cecil says ‘Hi’.” She pauses. “Oh wait… I hear him clearly now. Cecil says ‘why?’”.
I hope this story is self-explanatory, but if it’s not, perhaps google the tags that go with the story. I’m not offering a link because the world-wide headlines are, I believe, bordering on the xenophobic. Hope all Friday Fictioneers are raring to go today; Rochelle is firmly in the driving seat, doing what she does best. And her story today is a cracker …
castelsarrasin 
Dear Sandra,
I saw the story on the news and I wanted to remove Walter’s teeth one by one sans Novocaine. Your story presents it in such a way as to sneak up from behind and deliver a sucker punch. Well done as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’d make a good dental nurse if you need assistance with his extractions, Rochelle. And I know just where to store them afterwards… Thanks for reading.
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Superb!! Killer ending !!
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And a speedier delivery than Walter afforded to Cecil, sadly. Thanks for dropping by Horus.
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I was about to say, “Killer last line!” but Horus, beat me to it. Bah! A wicked take on the prompt.
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Thank you! Wicked indeed. 😦
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Super.
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Thank you!
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Great story and a well-deserved tribute to Cecil. The senselessness of human cruelty is baffling.
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I know. I’m still fuming about the whole thing. Thanks for reading Lore.
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Wonderfully done as always, Sandra.
janet
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Thanks Janet. 🙂
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I suspect Madame Astra does more harm then good. Poor Walter. A very funny piece (I think?).
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I don’t think she does anywhere near the harm that Walter Palmer has done Patrick. 😦
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You just added a letter and changed the ending. Great work.
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Thank you, Yarnspinner. I wish I could have changed the ending for Cecil.
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As someone who lives without a TV or radio and avoids news whenever possible, this news had entirely eluded me.
But I still thought your story was cool, could apply to lots of situations.
Neatly done.
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I’m glad you could make something of it then CE. A world without news is not a bad idea at all…
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I like how you did this. The difference in those two words “Hi” and “Why?” is gut wrenching.
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Thanks Dawn. I’ve not heard Mr Palmer’s response; I just know he had to engage a PR company in order to concoct it.
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Splendid take on the prompt!
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Thanks Karen! 🙂
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I do so hope all those responsible are held accountable. And I do so hope there is a woman somewhere in Zimbabwe seeking out Walter to let him know, if he doesn’t already, that Cecil will haunt him until his own death.
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Almost equally as sad as Cecil’s demise is the fact that his cubs are likely to be hunted and destroyed by the incoming dominating lion in the pride. Nature is cruel, but human nature more cruel still.
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I read that. It made my stomach turn.
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Hah, brilliant stuff, Sandra. I too had Cecil in my thoughts. I’m glad to see I wasn’t the only one. RIP Cecil.
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Thanks for reading Paul! 🙂
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Wonderful writing, Sandra. Cecil really deserves to be immortalised here.
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Thank you. 🙂
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Your piece stands alone and is brilliant but thank you for giving Cecil a voice.
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Thanks Tracey. Cecil’s voice, and those of other animals, might be louder after this horrendous deed.
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He’s not nearly ruined enough… >_<
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I’m with you on that!
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Dear Sandra,
God, you’re good.
Aloha,
Doug
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And you, my friend, are sadly missed around here. But thank you for your comment, and the reminder that you’re still out there, still reading. Now… all you have to do is start writing… 🙂
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Like CE. I’m afraid I avoid the news as much as possible so I didn’t know what this was about. But I loved it anyway, great story and well written!
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I can’t imagine what it must be like to avoid the news, I’m afraid I have it on the TV/Radio all the time. But on the other hand, does it do me any good? I suspect not.
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Well that’s certainly topical. But will people “get it” next week?
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If I were writing for posterity I might care, Dave. But as for ‘getting it’, I think this episode might just have some impact for the future.
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Dear Sandra,
It took me a moment at the end to recall which of all the news stories I’ve heard this week was related to this story of yours (I’m terrible with names–especially when they belong to wild animals). But I enjoyed and understood the story anyway. It has a wonderful universal quality to it that will last longer (I believe) than the memory of the rotten man who put an end to Cecil.
All my best,
Marie Gail
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Thanks Marie Gail. I’m glad you understood it – I hope Walter Palmer is understanding some of the ramifications of his moment of ‘sport’.
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RIP Cecil. Nice one!
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Thank you!
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Wow! What a delightful (perhaps not quite the word I’m looking for) take on the prompt.
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Thanks Alicia! 🙂
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Oh mankind…oh dear, oh dear…
Very well written story, Sandra.
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Thanks Francesca. 🙂
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What a fabulous way to bring in a horrid true story into the mix. Amazing job.
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Thanks Dale. 🙂
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As soon as I read the tag “Cecil the lion” I realised what was going on. Great story, nice that Walter’s “ruined”.
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Your heart bleeds for him, doesn’t it? 😉
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Hope Cecil meets the selfish twat on the other side.
Good piece.
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🙂 🙂 🙂 Thank you!
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I hope Cecil gets an answer soon. Wondering, if he meets Walter on the other side (some day) without any hunting guns and sedatives how that chase would be. Great story.
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Brief, I suspect. Thanks for dropping by Norma.
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This man will forever be chased by Cecil in his dreams, no weapon at hand, Beautifully done.
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I hope he enjoyed his moment of victory, because he’ll have a long time to think about it. Thanks for visiting Yolanda.
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Those spirits need to enunciate more clearly! Well-done, as usual… 🙂
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Thanks Lorna. 🙂
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Doug stole my line! Brilliant, indeed.
The Cecil story has been enormously mobilizing, in sentiment. It is disgusting and troubling on so many levels! However, I have been very troubled by the enormous outpouring for this one lion, while these same celebs/media/people, seem to not care at all that so many Black Americans are being murdered as well. Not intending to politicize these comments further, but both stories have really stirred me…
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You’re right, of course. The media (and ‘slebs’) are selective in their attention to the inequities of life. Thanks for reading Dawn.
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Sorry to slip off into my rant, Sandra. I hit reply and realized I should keep to my own page for that… but your story touched a nerve, and there it was. So, of course, it’s all your fault, for being such a moving writer! 😉
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Wonderful story Sandra and a wonderful tribute to Cecil. I want to cry when I think of what happened to him. Hopefully, it will be a long long time before he has a thriving dental practice – if ever.
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I don’t think he’ll be practising in his home time, but I’m sure he’ll find a hidey hole somewhere.
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Dear Sandra, I have always wondered why people go on a safari to kill an animal. Poor Cecil didn’t deserve this ending but Walter does. Great story and so sad. Nan
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Hi Nan, I think Walter is getting more out of his ‘experience’ than he bargained for. Thanks for reading.
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Very interesting take, meaningful and entertaining.
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Thank you!
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This is so bizarre, Sandra. Your story was the 2nd on I read. I don’t see my comment. I must have forgotten to click on: post comment. 😳 I hope it isn’t a 2nd comment. If so, I apologize.
I thought this hit home with the current issue. There should have been a bottle thrashed on the head of this – Walter ( no last name because I refuse to give him credit ).
I’m sorry I got riled up but when I think of the innocent animals being destroyed because of dummies like him it’s difficult to stay calm.
Good write for the challenge …. you never disappoint.
Isadora 😎
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Actually, I thought I’d seen one from you, but I don’t see it now. Weird. Yes, I;m with you on this. The stupidity of the man! And thanks for reading and commenting.
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I had to google this – how distressing. What is wrong with some people? Great take.
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Thank you!
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I usually stick to just weather and sports on TV, but am one of the surviving few who actually subscribe and read a newspaper. Okay, I just work the puzzles and look at the pictures–one of which was Cecil. A great take on current affairs.
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Thanks Russell. 🙂
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I saw the news about Cecil, knew from the headlines what would be in it and refused to read the details. Eventually I did–it’s the innocence of animals that hits so hard, and the total ignorance, criminal energy, and lack of compassion of these trophy hunters. Hunting for food, or for keeping a restricted biotope intact I can understand. Hunting for trophies: never. Someone should make a necklace out of WP’s teeth. Let him chew on his gums.
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Err, sorry, I actually meant to say: great story and writing, as always.
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Thanks for reading. I’m with you on the necklace bit. 🙂
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Great piece. Took me a bit of time to get it. Subtle and perfectly written as usual.
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Oh wow – that was powerful!
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Nice take on the prompt
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Brilliantly told. The story is meaningful even without its current, tragic reference, although it takes on a different feel if you interpret it more generally, I notice.
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Great story, Sandra! I love her name, the sense of desperation, and the question at the end. Moving piece!
(I didn’t read your story last week — too much going on, all good, but very hectic. I need to get better about my responses! Love reading your stories!)
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