Dorothy had travelled the world using her magic ruby slippers, and she was no longer the fresh-faced, young girl who had followed the Yellow Brick Road into Oz. Indeed, she was now older than Aunt Em had ever been, and it was time to hang up her shoes. However, she had no idea where to leave them, or how to pass the baton on. Immobilised, the shoes took over, and they touched down in front of New Zealand’s Great Shoe Fence. Problem solved. Dorothy hung them up, and waited until a young woman took them home…Jacinda. She had extraordinary plans.
……
100 Words PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
There were quite a few directions I could’ve taken with this prompt. I had no idea what the “Raise Plow” sign meant. Being from Sydney, we haven’t had to deal with snow plows. Apparently, the sign is used to alert drivers of snow clearing vehicles to raise the snowplow that can get damaged due to construction plates hidden under snow or speed bump on the road. So, my focus was drawn more towards the hanging pile of shoes. What did that mean? I wasn’t too cluey on that front either. However, I did recall a shoe fence we’d stumbled across on our honeymoon in New Zealand 20 years ago. That was the starting point for this story. It’s a place where old shoes go to die. However, some people seem to find a pair there as well, and breathe fresh life into them. So I thought I’d find a special pair of shoes which could be left behind, and found this incredible pair of Ruby Slippers designed by jeweller Harry Winston to acknowledge the 50th Anniversary of the movie in 1989. They are made of real diamonds and rubies and are worth a cool $3 million. Wow!
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my story and additions.
This has been another contribution to Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wishoff Fields: https://rochellewisoff.com/2022/03/16/18-march-2022/
Many thanks and best wishes,
Rowena
Further Reading:
Beyond the Flow 
Wow is right! That’s one fancy pair of shoes. Loved the story and the postscript.
I wouldn’t wear those shoes – they look very uncomfortable – but I’ll take the $3M any time!
I enjoyed your take on Dorothy, I hope she finds a magical carpet so that she can continue her traveling
I liked the Jacinta at the end
A great response to the prompt…a shoe fence is a great idea I love how you have woven a fitting end to Dorothy’s slippers…
I love this. The idea of following someone famous in their shoes is universal.
Loved the story. Reading the explanation (I had to look up ‘raise plow,’ also) I enjoyed the phrase, “I wasn’t too cluey on that front either.” I need to use that some day. 🙂
Thanks, Bill. I sometimes wonder whether I’m clued up about much, and seem to spend much of my time in a fog. Where we live, apparently sneakers dangling over the telegraph wires means there’s a drug dealer there. I wasn’t too sure whether that was true though, but that’s what my kids have told me. I’ll try to get over to read yours tomorrow. Our son arrived back from a 10 day voyage on a tall ship and I’m trying to get his stories written down. He’s been very reticent about me “helping him” in certain areas, while very keen to let me do all his dirty work. However, I’ve been thrilled he’s talking and letting me just keep writing down what he’s saying. He’s quite a good story teller, but more verbal than written. I’ve used to taking verbatum notes and transcribing them all. I’m in heaven.
Hope you have a great week.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Yes, and not always a good idea.
Thank you very much, Carol. The shoe fence in Marlborough New Zealand is another one of those quirky things you come across when you travel, and I love them. They add so much character, and feel we could do so much more around here.
I love coming across things like that, Rowena as you say they add character and maybe jog our memories and encourage us to do a little bit more 🙂
I wouldn’t mind a magic carpet of my own at the moment, either, Michael. The weather here has taken another turn for the worse as rain continues, and gale force winds have been added to the mix. However, I was treated to a glorious rainbow over Sydney Harbour yesterday. I’ll never forget it!!
Best wishes,
Rowena
Me too.
Thanks so much, Russell.
Thanks, Rowena. I’ve been reading some story telling (teller) reflections by Larry McMurtry. Interesting. 🙂
I like where you took this, Rowena, and I enjoyed the extras as well. Oh my, my feet would love to rest in those ruby slippers if only for a brief stroll.
Hah, these shoes found the perfect feet. The ruby shoes: beautiful but oh my, not really comfortable wearing them. I love the story, very unique.
A lovely story. I didn’t know about the “shoe fence.” I have a granddaughter who lives in NZ. I’ll have to ask her if she’s ever seen it.
This is a delightful story. I love the notion of Dorothy just travelling on in her red shoes throughout her life. Also the shoe fence! I’ve never heard of that. It’s a great idea. Can’t get over a $3 million pair of shoes – I wonder who owns them now.