In the Early Hours, by Sue Clayton

12/6/2020

The spotlight picked her out in a far corner. It was the early hours of the morning, in the middle of a snow blizzard, and I could see she was struggling. I knelt by her side, while my knees froze to the ground.

“It’s okay, love, I’ll help you.” She lifted her head, eyes trustful.

She wouldn’t last much longer so I got stuck in, boots and all, building up one hell of a sweat.

Finally it was over; she was exhausted but thankful. The ram lamb I’d managed to deliver bleated and wobbled to its feet.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar

12/6/2020 09:33:19 am

An inspiring act- well delivered.

Mary Wallace

12/6/2020 10:47:03 am

Nice one Sue.

Jim link

12/6/2020 03:54:37 pm

Nice - great surprise at the end! I like Paritosh's comment - well delivered! Spot on - ;-)
Jim

Swapan k Banerjee

12/6/2020 04:28:35 pm

The Birth of a Man by Maxim Gorky comes to mind. Your flash fic contains the germ of a full-fledged story, Sue.

Renate

12/6/2020 11:29:50 pm

Beautiful!

Sue Clayton

13/6/2020 01:32:31 am

Thank you to all the lovely people who chose to comment.

Maria Tonu link

13/6/2020 03:38:53 am

I grew up in the village and now I was in my childhood for a few moments. Beautiful story.

Sue Clayton

13/6/2020 04:20:51 am

Thanks Maria. Midwife is just one of a farmer's many skills and there's no greater joy than pulling a live lamb, saving both it and its mum.

Ed N. White

13/6/2020 08:30:10 pm

How wonderful.Why is it the lambing, and kidding, and calving always picks the worst days.Nature has a relentless schedule. I spent many cold mornings in the barn holding a newborn inside my coat while drying it with a hair dryer.I now live in Florida but miss the northern farm dearly.

Sue Clayton

14/6/2020 03:40:45 am

Thanks, Ed. And how many newborns end up being orphans and you become their parent, bottle feeding them and giving them all the TLC in the world.

Bobby Warner

15/6/2020 01:29:18 am

Great "twist" ending. Enjoyed this one!

Sue Clayton

15/6/2020 03:46:03 am

Appreciate your comment, Bobby.

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.

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!

If you would like to try the
100-WORD STORIES
automatic RSS feed in your browser toolbar, click the blue "RSS" link below. For more help see the Help page

SUBSCRIBE to Friday Flash Fiction - 100-Word Stories

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 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