Title: Altered Potential
Source: Friday Fictioneers sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple
Word count: 100 words
Takoda drove his truck on the wide ribbon of black asphalted four-lane highway. Power lines echoed the roads curves, slashing black streaks across the brilliant blue sky.
He wondered at the trees planted beneath power lines. He cried at the misshapen forms they adapted to grow in a world where men prevented them from reaching their true potential. He didn’t understand the lack of logic.
They planted trees knowing they would grow, knowing their branches would intertwine with the lines and require cutting. Five feet of distance and trees and power lines could coexist. It would have changed the world.
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
A lot of building and city planning seems to have forgotten that trees need space to grow. Nice take Jo.
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Thanks Iain. I was commenting on the deformed tress just the other day as we drove past a tree crew.
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Thought provoking story! Why are people such idiots? Nicely done, Jo.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Because it looks cute when it is only 5 feet tall. They either don’t know or don’t care that they might mature at 20 – 50 or 100 feet if left alone.
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thinking between spaces and how things grow is not always at the start of a project, it must be difficult to visualise an end before we begin. this story is not just about trees, its a lesson in being aware of our impact on the world. such a huge theme emerges from this for me.
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Exactly Gina. What we do today will have an impact on what happens in the future. There are consequences to every action even if some of them are unintended. 😐
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i agree Jo, we rally need to stop and contemplate our actions and repercussions from it
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Rational thought is was separates us from the other mammals. We should use it from time to time. 😊
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it’s a recurring theme. succeeding generations clean up the mess of the previous ones. 🙂
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Agreed. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Though I agree with your theme, in a sense all co-existence is an alteration of potential
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We are defined by our experiences. As they say, that which does not kill us makes us stronger. Thank you for insight, Neil. It is greatly appreciated.
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If humanity worked with nature instead of against, we would be a much happier species and the world would be so much more beautiful for it.
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I find it interesting that some take no notice of the world around them. It baffles me
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I have seen that often. Trees branches being cut to prevent them growing into the power lines. And really people never plan ahead.
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I don’t know why is annoys me so much, but it does.
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Me too. Don’t like those mid-shappen trees.
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I used to see this a lot when we lived in Spain, where trees seem to shoot up at a great speed. Did you mean to infer another layer – that some need space to achieve their full potential? Loved this.
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Yes it was intended. I am happy you liked the piece Sandra. Thanks.
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They look lovely when they’re little, then they grow up. A bit like babies 🙂
No-one ever considers this when at the planning stage.
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Ah, yes. If only they stayed little. 😊
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Nice thoughts. A man is not allowed to reach its full potential but a tree grows haphazardly. Growth of tree could have been managed better if some planning had gone into planting seeds.
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True Abhijit. A little planning and a thought for the future can go a long way.
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People forget that trees often last for generations, they are not just for today. A thought-provoking piece indeed.
Click to read my FriFic tale!
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So true Keith, I plant trees not just for my enjoyment but for those who will come after me. Glad you liked the story.
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Dear Jo,
AS others have already said, this is a thought provoking piece. Why don’t they plant trees or position power lines so they aren’t at odds? When I was a child we had three magnificent poplars in the back yard that had to be cut down for power lines. I loved to run between them. Sigh. Good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is something about trees… I can tell those poplars still stand tall in you memory. Glad you enjoyed the story Rochelle. 😊
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At least there are some trees. Far too many developers simply chop them down rather than work round them.
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Some are defiantly better than none. Thanks for reading and commenting Liz.
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Too often, the designers don’t see past their noses. Loved this and all of the comments it has provoked.
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The discussions have been wonderful. I am happy you enjoyed the story. 😊
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Some of the trees in our area have been lopped and chopped to such point that you wonder how they continue to survive.
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So true. I guess if they didn’t do it we would all be complaining about lack of power when a ice-laden limb took out a line. 😊
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Probably. One hopes that when new trees are planted, they will be placed more carefully.
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We can hope 😊
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I agree with others here. Your excellent story is a metaphor for short-term thinking and ignorance from people who don’t know and don’t care how a fully-fledged idea may impact the world.
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Hi Jilly. Thank you for your comment and your kind words. I can assure you my irritation with short-term thinking extends far beyond people who plant trees under power lines. 😉 But then much in our world is now centered on short-term gratification with little or no regard for the future.
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Such a provoking story. For a while, my mind drifted off to the thought of what if trees revolted and adapted to escape the tortures inflicted by mankind. Great take on the prompt, Jo!
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Your description reminds me of the Whomping Willow in Harry Potter. Interesting idea. Glad you liked the story Shweta.
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Ohh, the Whomping Willow. Wonder what’ll become if us if all trees took after the Whomping Willow. You’re very welcome, Jo.
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I enjoyed your story! My favorite line, “He cried at the misshapen forms they adapted to grow in a world where men prevented them from reaching their true potential.” It could be applied to many situations.
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I like when readers can find multiple applications for the words. Yours is high praise to my ears. Thank you Brenda.😊
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Trees always have to give way to roads, power lines and buildings…
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Thanks for reading Björn 😊
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A great illustration of what seems to be a common problem, the forethought is never there
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You think someone would have gotten wise to this by now. Thanks for reading and commenting Michael.
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Sadly it appears that town planners no longer consider such things as trees, preferring to just cut them down
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I wonder they have never happened across something called a bush? LOL yes it is sad.
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Interesting view point/story.
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Thanks for reading Dawn.
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Great thought-provoking story.
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So glad you liked the story Lisa. 😊
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