Finger Like Branches by Isabella Jacobs
My daughter Isabella wrote the following short story. She was given three objects a tree, a warzone and fear. Twenty minutes later she finished this story. Please make a comment if the story has touched you.
Finger Like Branches
In the distance, there it stood. The only thing he had left to do was get to that tall, bare tree, stark against a brooding sky. Despite the chaos closing in on the injured solider, his mind focused on that tree alone.
Bang! Bang! Crack! The metallic thunder of gunshots barged into his skull as he tried to pull himself up and realized he could not walk.
The splitting pain shooting up his right leg competed with the splitting sounds shooting into his consciousness.
With a loud grunt that was lost in the melee of battle, the tired, weakened solider struggled onward. His fingers clutched at the blood soaked soil. Mud made with the life force of his comrades and enemies combined. Pulling himself forward was an enormous effort. He almost gave up when his clouded gaze landed on the tree again.
The tree was weathered but nevertheless solid. Old but nevertheless offering comfort. It stood out among the carnage and bodies all around him. Emotion clutched his heart as the glassy eyes of fallen familiar faces constantly tore his gaze from the tree.
The tree looked exactly as he felt, lonely and tired of being on this earth. As he finally collapsed face down near that scarred trunk, he gave a long sigh of relief that turned into shuddering coughs that wracked his whole body. He was sucking in the dirt of the battlefield but he could not find the force to move his head. With the last of his willpower ebbing away, he channeled the rest of his energy. Stretching out numb fingertips, he made contact with the tree’s trunk.
At the touch, relief flooded his body like gasps of fresh air after one has been in a burning building. He had escaped his imaginary burning building under his newfound refuge, the tree.
The soul leaving his body was beaconed upward by the understanding branches, guiding his essence toward the sky, merging with the clouds where, at last, he was unafraid.
7 Responses to “Finger Like Branches by Isabella Jacobs”
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The description is incredibly detailed! I am impressed at the level of imagery and imagination to come up with this descriptive story of the soldier. I am saddened by the story end and yet peaceful at his ending. Good Job, Isabella.
Amazing use of imagery. I could see the mud, the tree and the surroundings and could really feel the angst and the eventual relief. Very well-done Isabella!!!
absolutely fantastic, true talent i second. You should be extremely proud. she’s brilliant
What an amazing story, from one so young. But, what amazing parents Isabella has….I look forward to more of Isabella’s work..
Isabelle,
You have a true gift. Reach for the stars and you will find some amazing things that wait for you on this wonderful journey you are on. I loved the story and the great use of decriptive words. I would love to read more. How about the beginning of his life. Good Luck !!!
Isabella, like everyone else I am proud of you. You do have a gift and should explore it. Your imagery was powerful and the journey of the solider was awesome. It not only gave avivid picture of the place he was in physically but the spiritual aspect seems far beyond your age. Well done.
Hi Isabella,
Beautifully written. A very moving account of someone’s last breaths here on earth. Reminds me how very real life can be, such a struggle, and yet there is comfort for some, even in death, to know that there is more to look forward to than what this life sometimes offers. Your account honors the soldier, his struggle and sacrifice, which is very nice to read. Your words ring true to the reader, captures their attention, and evokes emotion. Well done and keep writing!