PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
“Alms for the poor!” Brother Francis cried out from the corner of High Street on which he’d become a fixture. Scarcely noticed, his pleas mingled with the street sounds. His robes became part of the scenery.
He often returned to the monastery penniless, and was reprimanded by the Abbot, as the tenets of the order stated they must subsist on the kindness of strangers alone.
But Brother Francis was not chided by the Abbots rebuke. He knew, it wasn’t the pennies, but the feeling of comfortable acceptance he experienced every day on his corner, that gave his vows meaning.
Written for Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge and Friday Fictioneers.
Thru Violet's Lentz 
I like that, Violet. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A simple happy story for a change.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, if I agree, with a yea, you’ll think I think you’re always negative. No, you’re not. You’re gritty, and you tell life as it it. And life is mostly shit. But that provides a realistic foil to my OTT optimism. The world of writing needs us both! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good Story. I have found out a lot about religious communities over the years so I know things like this happen often. No one can control what others give him so the abbot was being unrealistic. I’ve found a typographical error. Instead of ‘tenants’ you should have said ‘tenets’.
LikeLike
OH!!! Thank you so much!! i will correct it immediately!
LikeLike
OH!!! Thank you so much!! i will correct it immediately! And thank you, Larry for stopping by to comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Simplicity with simplicity! Excellent.
LikeLike
I agree Tom, sometimes you just have to enjoy the simple pleasures offered that we so often overlook.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Religious communities are interesting. I like your monk – he’s probably one of those up for sainthood but that will never be canonized because he was forgotten.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems like most people who excel in the simple pleasures get overlooked. Thanks HRR!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed your gentle story, Violet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dale. If you don’t use it you lose it, or so they say. So even I need to be gentle at times..
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all do, Miss Lovely.
LikeLike
The start of Holy Week for Christians and a relevant theme to kick off the week Violet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What timing! What precision! Thank you Len for reminding me as well as stopping by to faithfully comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The little joys in life that we live for. Perfectly encapsulated. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, James for relating to the heart of the matter here.. We lose so much joy when we are reduced to seeing things in dollars and cents.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liberation. Enjoying the comments as much as your post.
LikeLike
A change of mood for you, Violet
LikeLike
A cute story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, A even I CA take a walk on the cute side somtimes…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Brother Francis has the right of it. The simple things in life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He certainly see the good side of scarcely being noticed, doesn’t he?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find his stance truer to my image of what a monk should be than the Abbots.. Thanks for stopping in to comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“His robes became part of the scenery.” What a lovely way to describe the way Brother Francis goes with the flow, accepting every moment as it comes. Eloquently told.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Magraisa, I’d like to think Brother Francis has gotten it right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This story tells so much about the lives of the monks, Violet. There are monks in different culture but their spiritual journeys are similar. Well written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your post reminds me of an article I read in the Good News section… a wanderer from England – ended up in a small town in Arizona. And was not only accepted, but more than less adopted by the community.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Good News. They have a little circular here that is all good news, and it is the only paper I read. Thanks , Jules.
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s all about perspective, of course. with an attitude like that, he’d do well in his vocation. great story.
LikeLike
One can learn a lot from Br Francis. It’s about letting go and appreciating what is in front of you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so right, Fatima.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Violet,
Brother Francis sounds like someone worth knowing. Sweet story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rochelle.
LikeLike
Nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice x’s 5! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Eugenia.
LikeLike
I really like this. His belief will see him through.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laurie. i would like to think it is because he believes in the right things.
LikeLike
Wait. He’s getting chided for the lack of generosity of others? That’s so unfair.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Abbot and Brother Francis are certainly ends of the same spectrum aren’t they?
LikeLike
Looks like Brother Francis understood his calling better than the abbot. Lovely story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally agree with you, gah. And I like Brother Francis’ take better..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Read this just in time for Easter! Nice message…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tannille
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brother Francis has found a richer reward. I enjoyed your take on the prompt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Charli. Always a pleasure to write something to be featured over at the Ranch.
LikeLike
This is very good, Violet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why, thank you, Roberta.
LikeLike
Really like this one Violet, speaks to me strongly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kate. I’m glad it resonated with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
you have insight 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brother Francis has it, he understands. If the Abbot ever knew what was right, he’s since lost it. Nicely written
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally agree.. Thanks Michael for stopping in and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person