Young and Invincible
March 21, 2018 at 10:27 am 45 comments
For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 23 March 2018
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Photo Credit: Björn Rudberg
Mom saw the warning sign.
“I wouldn’t go there if I were you,” she said. “It’s kind of steep for a newbie.”
But Rachel was young and invincible. After all, she thought of herself as Super Girl and Wonder Woman all rolled into one.
Disregarding her mother’s advice, she kicked on the pedals and went full speed ahead.
It didn’t take long when Rachel crashed and fell off her bike.
“Kiddo, are you alright?” her worried father asked as he helped her up.
“I’m good, Dad,” she said.
“That’s my girl. Now let’s go fix the scrapes on your knees.”
I want to dedicate this story in memory of Noor Inayat Khan who served in the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) as a spy in World War II.
Her secret location in France betrayed by a double agent, she biked her way to Paris to escape. She was eventually captured and executed along with three other female spies in the Dachau concentration camp.
Entry filed under: Blogroll, friday fictioneers. Tags: 100-word challenge, coming of age, fiction, Noor Inayat Khan.
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Musings of a Random Mind 
1.
fabulousread | March 21, 2018 at 10:54 am
I truly love your writing style, the voice.. Another great story. Thank you for sharing!
2.
plaridel | March 21, 2018 at 2:54 pm
petra:
you’re very kind. thank you.
3.
Christine Goodnough | March 21, 2018 at 11:41 am
One of those teens for whom, “You better not” filters through the brain and translates into “Why don’t you try it?” 😉
4.
plaridel | March 21, 2018 at 2:53 pm
christine:
good point. 🙂
5.
Iain Kelly | March 21, 2018 at 12:35 pm
It’s a fine line between bravery and foolishness.
6.
plaridel | March 21, 2018 at 2:53 pm
iain:
that’s very true.
7.
Varad | March 21, 2018 at 12:37 pm
The title says everything. We’ve all been there. Nicely told, Plaridel.
8.
plaridel | March 21, 2018 at 2:53 pm
varad:
i appreciate the comment very much. thank you.
9.
Alicia Jamtaas | March 21, 2018 at 8:50 pm
Don’t we all feel like that when we’re young? Well, most of us. Thaks for the link to Noor Inayat Khan, another fabulous person lost to history.
(I won’t go there if I were you ~ you might want to change the won’t to wouldn’t)
10.
plaridel | March 22, 2018 at 10:16 am
alicia:
i think “won’t” and “wouldn’t” are both correct. but i’d follow your suggestion, anyway, as it sounds better in the ear. 🙂
11.
draliman | March 22, 2018 at 1:07 am
Falling down and getting back up again is all part of life 🙂
12.
plaridel | March 22, 2018 at 10:16 am
draliman:
such is life, indeed.
13.
pennygadd51 | March 22, 2018 at 4:01 am
Ouch! Scraped knees! I feel, though, that Rachel wouldn’t learn to be more cautious – she’d learn to be more expert on her bike!
14.
plaridel | March 22, 2018 at 10:14 am
penny:
i totally agree.
15.
rochellewisoff | March 22, 2018 at 7:10 am
Dear Plaridel,
This is a new one on me, but there are so very many. Well told story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
16.
plaridel | March 22, 2018 at 10:14 am
rochelle:
the idea for this week’s story came to me as i watched noor inayat khan in the PBS feature of her story riding her bike as she tried to escape captivity. she was one tough woman incarcerated and tortured by the gestapo before finally executing her. her last word was “liberté.”
17.
Keith's Ramblings | March 22, 2018 at 8:04 am
I was fearing the worst when she peddled off. The ending came as quite a relief!
Click to read my 100 Word Story!
18.
plaridel | March 22, 2018 at 10:11 am
keith:
it could have ended differently, but fate was in her favor. 🙂
19.
Sandra | March 22, 2018 at 8:59 am
Invincible, for sure.
20.
plaridel | March 22, 2018 at 10:11 am
sandra:
she grew up to be tough.
21.
Sarah Ann | March 23, 2018 at 6:18 am
A lovely portrait of childhood exuberance and determination, and a family’s love.
22.
plaridel | March 23, 2018 at 10:29 am
sarah ann:
what a lovely comment. thank you.
23.
Dale | March 23, 2018 at 8:30 am
What a well-told story, Plaridel. I love how you were inspired by yet another little-known hero. Who unfortunately did not get away with just scraped knees…
24.
plaridel | March 23, 2018 at 10:29 am
dale:
it’s very generous of you. thank you.
25.
granonine | March 23, 2018 at 8:38 am
I think Rachel got off quite well, considering all the others who have died this week on that bend in the trail 🙂
26.
plaridel | March 23, 2018 at 10:29 am
linda:
i just couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.
27.
Liz Young | March 23, 2018 at 9:47 am
At least she only scraped her knees.
28.
plaridel | March 23, 2018 at 10:28 am
liz:
thank goodness for that! 🙂
29.
Moon | March 23, 2018 at 1:14 pm
Great dialogue.
I could sense the bond between Rachel and her affectionate dad.
And, a beautiful tribute!
30.
plaridel | March 24, 2018 at 9:10 am
moon:
it was very perceptive of you. although i didn’t say it outright, dad and daughter were really close. thank you for reading.
31.
anuragbakhshi | March 23, 2018 at 8:50 pm
What an interesting incident to take inspiration from. Thanks for sharing it.
32.
plaridel | March 24, 2018 at 9:09 am
anurag:
you’re welcome. and thank you for reading, too.
33.
Russell Gayer | March 24, 2018 at 2:26 pm
I remember those days of feeling 12 feet tall and bullet proof. Glad I know better now.
34.
plaridel | March 24, 2018 at 11:17 pm
russell:
thanks for the memories. 🙂
35.
lisarey1990 | March 24, 2018 at 8:36 pm
Loved the story and the history at the end too.
36.
plaridel | March 24, 2018 at 11:16 pm
lisarey:
you’re very kind. thank you.
37.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) | March 25, 2018 at 10:00 am
It takes a few scraped knees to grow up… and often it’s worth it..
38.
plaridel | March 26, 2018 at 9:10 am
björn:
i completely agree.
39.
goroyboy | March 25, 2018 at 3:17 pm
A fitting dedication. Well done
40.
plaridel | March 26, 2018 at 9:11 am
raymond:
thank you for stopping by. much appreciated.
41.
Dan Bohn | March 26, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Plaridel, nice easy going story. The dedication was beautiful.
;-D an
42.
plaridel | March 28, 2018 at 9:54 am
dan:
thank you. i’m glad you liked it.
43.
Sascha Darlington | March 27, 2018 at 11:21 am
Well done. I like that you tied it in with the courageous WWII spy. It gives it an extra layer.
44.
plaridel | March 28, 2018 at 9:54 am
sascha:
thank you for the nice comment. much appreciated.
45.
Sascha Darlington | March 28, 2018 at 12:02 pm
🙂