First to the Top, by Jim Bartlett

8/12/2019

Henson stopped. The blizzard had become a raging swirl of snow and ice, leaving the two men in white-out conditions.

“How much farther?” Peary asked.

“Maybe another hundred yards, but to the left,” answered Henson.

They counted their steps, fighting the freezing wind, until they reached what they felt to be the hundred yards.

“I’m the first man to the North Pole,” shouted Peary.

But as he did, the curtain of snow opened, revealing a white-bearded man in a thick red suit. His eyes twinkled and he wore a smile that warmed them to the bone.

“Second,” he said.

Marjan sierhuis

8/12/2019 02:39:20 pm

Love the surprise ending.

JIm link

8/12/2019 03:41:38 pm

Thanks, Marjan. There is actually a back-story to this, in that Robert Peary and Matthew Henson are considered (by some, controversially) to be the first to the North Pole. I included some "author notes" with the story, but they were actually longer than the story itself, so I'm sure Gordon nixed them. Here are the notes: Author’s note: On April 6, 1909, U.S. Naval engineer Robert Peary laid sole claim to being the first man to reach the North Pole, taking all the credit despite the fact that he was accompanied by an expedition team comprised of Matthew Henson and four Eskimo team members: Ootah, Seeglo, Egingwah, and Ooqueah. There is evidence to suggest that it was Henson who actually reached the pole first (he was pulling Peary’s sled), making Peary second, but Peary left him out of all of his accounts, not wanting to share any of the glory with a black man. Sadly, Peary went on to receive numerous awards and accolades, including a Rear Admiral’s pension, while Henson lived out most of his life in obscurity as a Customs clerk in New York. It wasn’t until 1955, just before his death, he finally received recognition from both President Truman and President Eisenhower.

Marjan sierhuis

8/12/2019 09:42:35 pm

Thank you Jim for sharing this fascinating information with us. Quite an eye opener.

Carol Garrasi

8/12/2019 05:11:34 pm

Ok this is by far my favorite of your Christmas stories. Very very nice. I especially liked your reply to comments. There's a whole other story there (hint hint). Keep them coming. Love reading them.

Jim link

8/12/2019 05:23:58 pm

Thanks so much, Carol. Peary was pretty much a jerk, never speaking with Henson after that journey, despite Henson having accompanied him on six previous expeditions, saving his life on one occasion, and pretty much pulling Peary's sled to the top (Peary had lost 8 toes to frostbite). I think being second (in both this story and in real life - real life being my inspiration) was pretty much poetic justice. ;-) Thanks again.
Jim

Mike McCarthy

8/12/2019 08:43:12 pm

That really is a great story, lovely surprise.
I also thought your notes were fascinating .

Jim link

9/12/2019 02:07:37 am

Thanks so much for your comments, Mike. The idea for the story led me to do a little research on the explorations to the Artic and the North Pole, and this particular journey and its characters sort of stood out.
Jim

Doug B

9/12/2019 04:02:16 am

Thanks for sharing that excellent story. Not sure what I liked more, the ending or the background info. Great job!

JIm link

9/12/2019 05:02:55 am

Thanks Doug. I enjoyed the research on the story almost as much as I enjoyed the writing. But even more so love the comments - so thanks much for that.
Take care
Jim

Comments are closed.

"Classic"
100-Word
Stories

Since Friday Flash Fiction began in September 2013, 100-word stories have remained its 'beating heart'.

Normally, 100-word stories are scheduled for 07.00 BST (GMT in the winter) on the following Friday. However, where a large number of stories (more than 25) are due to be published on the same day, we publish a second batch around 10.30am.

Each week we pick a story or (occasionally) a poem as 'Editor's Choice'.
It's a personal favourite, no more. Do you agree?

Editor's Choice

NEW: we have a FACEBOOK PAGE where regular contributors can share ideas and discuss stories. Why not join in?

We occasionally send out little newsletters running competitions – and subscribers are also our voting panel. If you'd like to join us, please click the Subscribe to newsletter button below.

Subscribe to Newsletter

No spam, we promise!

Friday Flash Fiction
Rules

Kinda obvious, really...

Fiction only
Stories of 75-100 words only
Don't be nasty or cheat
Include your name and a story title

Archives

November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
December 2012