Image from Kelly Sands at http://appropriateadult.wordpress.com/
“There’s a unicorn who lives in a stable above the clouds and his name is Paul and he visits me just before I go to sleep at night and every boy has his own unicorn.”
His older sister scoffs and says, “There’s no such thing as unicorns.”
“Paul says unicorns only visit the children who believe in unicorns.”
“But there’s no such thing as unicorns.”
That night he stares at the ceiling repeating his sister’s words in his head.
Paul, all saddled up and ready to go, makes a last minute decision that night to stay in his stable.
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Follow @jessieansonsFriday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle Fields where writers around the world create 100 word stories inspired by the one image. For more information see: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/11-july-2014/
Jessie Ansons 
Great story Jess. you always have a unique take on the photos. I love to find the notice of the next one in my inbox.
Thanks for the lovely comments Marg!
And that’s how dreams are crushed. Great story, as usual.
Thank you, glad you liked it!
Awe..poor child. I for one, believe in unicorns and am not afraid to say so! Well done Jess!
I’m glad you do! Thanks for reading 🙂
That was really, really sad. Good one.
Thanks for your comment Sandra!
Ah, Jessie, it always seems a little sad when children finally have to grow up. A touching take on the photo cue.
Thank you Diana! I’ve been telling my son all about rainbows and unicorns lately and it got me feeling sad that he won’t always believe in the magical horse in the clouds…
Jessie, Well-written story. Poor little boy and poor Paul. It’s hard sometimes to grow up. Well done. 🙂 —Susan
Yes, it sure is hard. Thank you!
I love your story! Beautifully told. Belief (or non-belief) makes the unreal real (or not.)
Yep, it sure does. Thanks for reading!
Lyrics: Gus Kahn
“…While I’m alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me.”
Poor Paul.
Now I have a soundtrack to go with my piece. Thanks Lynda!
Ha! Glad to be of help. ‘-)
Sisters! They can ruin so many things (as well as make them better.) The voice of the little boy is spot on.
Glad you thought so 🙂
Awww…that is so sad!
I know… But it’s how life works!
Crushed dreams! Sad, but I think Paul is a dreamer at heart, so he’ll continue to dream on … Well told lovely story.
Thanks Maree! Looking forward to reading yours 🙂
Aww, sad, I hope Paul finds another kid who still believes. Thanks a bunch, big sis. Cleverly written!
Puts me in mind of poor Puff the Magic Dragon after Jackie Paper grew up and stopped visiting him 😦
I haven’t seen Puff the Magic Dragon since I was about 5! Maybe it’s still in the back of my subconscious, infiltrating my stories…?
A lovely take on that moment where belief begins to crack.
Yep, it’s a sad moment but a reality for most 🙂
Ahh, everyone can relate to the moment when a little bit of magic was taken out of our lives. You captured that moment poignantly, Jessie.
Thank you Karen, I’m glad you thought so 🙂
A lovely story. Our dreams are so fragile.
Thanks Mike, yes they are.
I believe in unicorns too! How I wish she hadn’t forced her thoughts on him.
Thanks for reading and I’m glad to hear you’re a believer!
A boy with conviction. And ready to learn one of life’s lessons: there ain’t no unicorns.
Such a sad life lesson! And maybe there would be more unicorns if more little kids believed. Thanks for reading!
Ah! The end of innocence, nicely conveyed.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Dear Jessie,
Aw, Ali beat me to the punch. This felt so much like Puff the Magic Dragon. Really sweet story and a sad commentary on growing up.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle for your lovely comment!
“Paul, all saddled up and ready to go…” I think the simple matter-of-factness of that line is perfect; it makes it more real and therefore sadder.
Thanks Blake 🙂 that’s a lovely comment.
You know that I believe in unicorns and fairy tales. Paul will come back to it.
Lily
I’m glad you do Lily! Paul will be thrilled to hear it 🙂
Leave it to an older sibling to snuff out a dream! LOL
Glad you liked it 🙂
Paul, no! (Great name for a unicorn by the way). I love that breathless run on sentence that opens up the story – sets the perfect tone.
Thanks Brian, glad you picked up on that breathlessness that little kids always seem to get 🙂
Lovely imagery here, Jessie 🙂
Thank you Binks!