Crunch: The Father's Prayer
Crunch: The Father's Prayer
Writing Exercise #39
New To Gibberish? Check out Navigation for Newcomers!
In the Chat this week, and for foreseeable future weeks, I will be hosting a discussion about the craftsmanship lessons (or story concepts) that I learned from this exercise, and asking about what aspects of craft paid subscribers are thinking about.
If you are a paid subscriber, check out the chat here!
If you have ideas for Prompts, Crunches, Sprints, Relays, Stretches, Fables, or other writing exercises in the future, please leave them in the comments! If you would like to write your own take for this exercise, please comment with a link so that I can see what you wrote and support your work, maybe even share your version with my subscribers. Please let me know if you have any thoughts, comments, or constructive criticisms as well!
Enjoy!
Crunch: The Father’s Prayer
If you ever slay a dragon, son
You’ll know what to do
Because you’ve seen me slay a dragon
And I did it for you
You didn’t see it coming
You didn’t know to fear
So I slew it when I saw it
And I threw it down right here.
If you ever slay a dragon, son
May that day never come
if and when you find a dragon
I know you will not run
Because I showed you how to be brave
And I showed you to be strong
I fought when I was tired
I fought when the night was long
I fought with all my allies
I fought when I’m alone
I fought when all around me
Told me to quit and go home
And I never told a lesson
I didn’t show you first
I never gave you a challenge
Without knowing how it hurt
You won’t know for decades
The lessons that I taught
But you’ll know how to slay a dragon
Without a second thought
I won’t be there for all your dragons
But I’ll help you while I am
I’ll make sure you have the weapons
I’ll sharpen what I can
Tonight, you’re sleeping quietly
You don’t know I’m here
Or that I’m watching over
That I’m facing all my fears
If you ever slay a dragon, son
Many years from now
I hope you’ll remember
That your old man showed you how
(241 words)
Talk to me!
Your feedback helps to improve my writing. I would really appreciate a comment on your thoughts on this writing exercise. Consider telling me your thoughts about:
What is something you learned from your parents or parent figures by observing them?
You ever play catch with your dad?
What are you doing for halloween?
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy! Come back next week for another writing exercise!
Have you taken a look at the section called “The Volume” recently? All my longer-form stories are kept there! Be sure to take a look and catch up on any stories you’ve missed!
Thank you and God bless!
I could see this being a country-type song, minor key, some old deep-voiced cowpoke maybe except he'd be a dragon-poke. I love it!
1. One thing I learned: my parents didn't make big decisions without talking it over with each other, and praying. They were very different personality types: my dad was quiet, Mom is more of a forceful type, but they were a team. They worked together.
2. I might've when I was smaller. I don't remember playing specifically. We did have some great water balloon fights, though. :)
3. Going over to my father in law's house to show off my daughter's fairy princess costume. And then probably going back home: we did a trunk-or-treat event earlier in the month, and it looks like rain this week, so we lucked out.
I imagined a retired medieval knight penning this by a cozy fire, living a well-earned quiet lifestyle. Lovely!
1) They taught me the importance of family, even if we're far. We're still in contact with our relatives in my parents home countries, and in the case of our Cuban side, we'll send meds or clothing as needed.
2) We're not a sports family, so my dad opted for bike rides and bookstore trips.
3) None this year, which is a bummer tbh! I missed out on the Halloween parties last weekend. I have a barista shift on Halloween, so maybe I'll come across some ghouls.