They all sat around Pedro, wide eyed as he narrated stories of the awesome life in Venice. Far far away from poverty, a dreamy world lay, where people took rides in gondolas or enjoyed their coffee at the Piazza.
They longed to live this life like Pedro, the rascal had got lucky. They pictured him drinking wine, enjoying life in Venice.
The picture Pedro had painted was miles away from his real life in Venice. As a labourer who toiled the whole day carrying a heavy load on his back and barely managed to eat, there was a life in Venice people never saw but was the reality for many.
Linking up with the amazing Rochelle Wisoff who hosts a weekly challenge for Flash Fiction Writers.
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Published by Akshata Ram
Chartered Accountant, Story Teller, Dreamer, Voracious Reader, Blogger, Mommy to a little munchkin, Shopaholic, Day Dreamer.Passionate about my career in the corporate world and aspire to break the glass ceiling, at the same time nurture my passion for writing. My niche area is short stories, I also write on parenting, sexism, life's experiences, micro blogs and flash fiction. I have won the best Parenting blog post at mycity4kids.com the largest parenting website in India, 4 times and several of my posts have been published in the #MostPopular category on this site garnering millions of views. I also write on Bonobology, Rivo Kids, Women's Web and Youth Ki Awaaz. My blog has been chosen as the Top Indian Blogs for the years 2018-2019,2020 by TopIndianBlogs website and found a place in the prestigious Top 22 Indian Literary Blogs in 2020 @TopIndianBlogs.
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Behind the tourist sheen there is always poverty, it’s just well hidden in modern cities. Nicely done.
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true Ian. I was surprised to see the dark side of Paris instead of the glamour
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It’s easier to paint a rosy picture.
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always is, maybe he wanted to show them a good side of life
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It’s often easier to paint a rosy picture, isn’t it? And it’s also a sad reality that behind those beautiful tourist destinations is an underbelly of poverty and hard labour.
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True its sad to see the other side, the one thats seldom spoken about
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That’s true for all these ‘paradise’ places, unfortunately.
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True that!
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Maybe one day his dreams will become true and he’ll tell stories about his previously miserable existence.
Click to read my FriFic tale
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No one wants to hear about the reality…
Well done.
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True Dale thanks for stopping by
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Yes, often reality is much harsher. Painting a rosy picture and believing that is easier. Nice story, Akshata.
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Thanks Vinitha!
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Beneath the surface and behind the paintings reality can be quite gritty.Nice interpretation of the prompt.
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Thanks Kanika
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Dear Akshata,
No doubt, he’s living the ‘dream.’ And perhaps he wants to shield his friends and family from the truth as well as protect his pride. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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True Rochelle! He just wants to give them hope as they desperately need that. Thx for your kind words
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Sorry to be a nit picker but where is Pedro in the story? Really in Venice or in a Venice that is far from his dreams?
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He is working in Venice as a labourer and he has come home now to his native and is narrating all about the good life in Venice , hiding the reality of the hard life he lives.
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Ok
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Good story about the hardship of many of those who ensure that tourists can enjoy their holidays. It’s good to be reminded of that.
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True Penny thanks for stopping by
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This is good writing.
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Thanks so much!
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This reflected the image so well. The tale I tried to capture of the Venice behind the tourist attractions that few really see. And the army of workers that keep the city running. Nicely done!
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Thanks so much.. there is sweat and blood behind the glamour that we often don’t see
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