There was no reason why he couldn’t ski off the edge of Mt Kosciusko. Fly across the valley with the crow. Not even for the smallest nanosecond, did he actually consider his human form. That while his spirit soared, that he was made of flesh and blood and belonged to the Earth.
“Joshua! Joshua!” The crow was calling his name.
“Joshua!” His mother’s scream echoed across the valley. Only the power of prayer could save him now.
The stranger could almost sense his skis mysteriously turning under foot, then spotted the troubled young man and understood. His time had come.
……..
100 Words
This story is dedicated to families who love and cherish children with special needs and the constant vigilance required to keep them safe. An 11 year old autistic boy was run over and killed by a train in Sydney last week after escaping from a care facility.
This has been another contribution to Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wishoff Fields. PHOTO PROMPT © Jan Wayne Fields.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
Rowena, I have a grandson who is mildly autistic. I’m happy to say that with early intervention and wonderful therapeutic support in elementary school, he has done extremely well. He’ll be graduating high school with honors next month. He is without question the most gentle, loving, and compassionate of all my grandchildren.
Gosh how sad about the boy you were taking about Rowena. I have a grandson who has down syndrome, he is wonderful and we all adore him, but like you said we all have to keep an eye on him, make sure he is all right and safe. Thanks for your story.
I think, but I’m not sure, that the stranger saved the boy. Sometimes the skis turn under one’s feet, and one just has to do what God wants. You told the story well, Rowena
Shalom
Penny
I hope the stranger did make it in time to save the boy. Such a tragic story that you have used for inspiration.
Thanks, Iain. The stranger did make it in time. After the death of the real life boy, he had to.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks very much, Penny. Not only did the stranger save the boy, but the boy also saved the stranger. He felt he had found his purpose. Been useful. Was finally able to use his skills to make a difference and could well be an outsider himself. I don’t know how I’d approach a stranger in that situation where they’re not thinking clearly. I’ve been there for people I know and it’s gone well. I’ve had no trouble knowing what to say but this kid is in another zone.
Best wishes,
Rowena
A story of so much sadness, and so much hope.
That’s a great take on the prompt. My heart goes out to the parents who suffer from such tragedies.
They saved each other. We will always need people like your stranger.
Gosh – that was powerfully done – and when I saw the dedication, it really made me think. Well done.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
The love of strangers coming in just when needed. So well done, Rowena.
I loved your comment that the boy also saved the stranger. Great story, Rowena.
Thanks very much, Russell. We often think about moments like that from the person’s point of view or their family’s but don’t hear much about how it impacts the rescuer and how the rescuer themselves might be lamost equally lost and that’s why they were there…wandering.
It suddenly brought a memory of when I was a young teenager and I was at a party with my parents. I was a bit out of place…neither an adult or a kid and was sort of hovering. That’s when I heard the kids call out: “He’s drowning. He’s drowning!” I don’t think I really expected it to be true and that they were mucking around. However, I found this little two year old under the water with his arms up in a pool with quite a few kids who could’ve saved him. All I did was pool him out and put him on his side to clear the lungs. He was fine. However, a minute or so later, it would’ve been a very different story. It was an unfenced pool and all the adults were chatting drinking champagne and the kids were left to themselves. It was the early 80s. Sometimes, it takes that person at a loose end to be the so-called hero.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Oh, such a tragedy you tell us. All of us, not just the parents, need to look out for those around us with special needs.They are blessed angels that rely on us. Love your story…
Very powerful. A wonderful take on the prompt.
Wow Rowena – Nicely done and we have a grandchild with Cerebral Palsy and he is enjoyed by us all – we have a lot of grandchildren and they all rush to his side to talk to him when we meet. My husband saved our 3rd son from drowning in 1982 at a hotel. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t thank God that he did! Good story!
While the inspiration for your story is hearbreaking, the story is wonderful. The different points of view of child flying, the crow’s cry turning into the mother’s prayer which becomes the wake-up call for the rescuer… Great writing.
Wonderful story. You’re right we seldom hear of the trauma experienced by the rescuers. Hopefully this time the stranger succeeded in saving him
Thanks, Michael. I saw a great panel interview where they had a few civilians who’d stepped in and rescued people, especially victims of crime. It was fascinating, because as you said, we don’t hear the story from their point of view very often, and a new point of view is always of interest to me, especially for my writing.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thank you so much, and I particularly enjoyed your commentary. It was beautifully written and well thought out. Much appreciated.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thank you very much, Nan. I really appreciated you sharing your family situation as well. I am a member of the NSW Muscular Dystrophy Association due to my Auto-immune disease which affects my muscles. Many of the kids play Boccia and they have a big match against the CP Alliance at least every year. It sounds rather intense.
Attitudes towards physical disabilities like CP have improved so much in the last 20-30 years. It’s hard to believe now that people ever thought your physical incapacity could automatically affect your intellect. I read a book called “For the Love of Anne” when I was about 13 and it really opened my eyes.
As a parent of 2 kids now myself, I’m so aware that it only takes a split second for something to go tragically wrong and so far we’ve been lucky. Reminds me that I need to remember to be grateful.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thank you, Lisa.
That’s so true, Jelli. I wish I could do more to help.
Best wishes,
Rowena
There was once a prompt on FF of a gruesome doll’s head which reminded me of a conversation I’d had with a railroad worker about how they had to pick up the pieces after a suicide so I wrote from a similar perspective to yours. It’s on my blog if you’re interested
I’ll check it out, Michael. I photographed the head of a porcelain doll in a cabinet at a french market. It was haunting.