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On Being Unique
In the jungle, where Brian was born, you were either one thing or another. Only Brian clearly wasn’t. Brian was different, and he hated it. Others avoided him, or worse, hissed ‘Abomination!’ as he passed by.
Depressed and slightly unstable, Brian changed his name to The Majestic Zelnorkk and proclaimed himself the new Messiah. In the jungle, they shunned him with renewed vigour, but on the internet he found fame and notoriety. He started a band and released a charity single which spent eleven weeks at number one.
He died, a tax exile in Monaco, old, happy and resolutely different.
(100 words)
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For those who don’t know, Friday Fictioneers is a challenge to write a 100 word story from a picture prompt. It’s hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, and anyone can play. Thanks for hosting, Rochelle! Check out the link below to see what other fictioneers did with this week’s prompt.
This week’s photo is courtesy of me! Meet Gireletizelion (or Girellie for short). He’s about 3ft tall and my junk-loving hubby spotted him in a charity shop and bought him for a fiver. He sits at the top of the stairs in our house and makes me smile every time I see him.
You’d think I’d have a story prepared for my own photo, but I’m not that bright. I found this week really hard. Can’t wait to see what everyone else has done with this prompt.
Need more Friday Fiction? Click the blue frog to read more stories from other fictioneers!
Dear EL,
It seems that people are having a good time with this prompt this week. 3 ft. tall? He doesn’t look that big in the picture.
I loved your “Life of Brian” story. He’s an example to all of us. Next week I’m going to proclaim myself the Messiah. Too busy this week. 😉
To tell the truth, I couldn’t wait to see what you’d write this week. I’m not disappointed. .
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you could ride that thing at three feet tall.
You’d need a ladder to get up it, though … 😀
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Hi Rochelle
I’ve been so busy reading stories I’ve forgotten to reply to my comments! You’re right, he doesn’t look 3′ tall, I should have put something in the picture to give a sense of scale. Never mind, it’s been a fabulous week full of fabulous stories – thanks for choosing my photo 🙂
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Good on Brian to embrace his difference and run with it! I’d enjoy reading from the wisdom of The Majestic Zelnorkk, surely it would be illuminating. I’m glad he found happiness in the end.
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Thanks zooky
We should all embrace our differences 🙂
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All Hail the Passing of Zelnorrk!
May His Spirit Rest Eternal!
Brian’s Story is due out next week in 5D – called the Zelnorrk Diaries – and stars in various orders: Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, and Tom Cruise. Pick the order and which parts go where and you can win a trip to the opening in Monaco.
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Love the Zelnorkk Diaries 😀
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‘Old, happy and resolutely different’ – what a fantastic epitaph! I’m pleased he had a happy ending – and I so want that on my gravestone 🙂
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It would make a great epitaph wouldn’t it! Thanks for commenting 🙂
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A prophet is not accepted in his own home, is he?
I love tales with happy endings 😀
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Thanks Kwadwo – there have been a lot of happy endings this week with this photo prompt.
thanks for commenting 🙂
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A whole life-story in 100 words; well-done!
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thank you!
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Tommy, can you see me? Can you feel me near you? Love hearing about the new Messiah, I’ll follow him! And I love that Number 1 hit!
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HI Perry
I did try to think of a hit to add as a video at the bottom – perhaps it should have been ‘Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life’ by Monty Python (Life Of Brian) ?
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Brian is a perfect name for him. Great story, inspirational photo!
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Thanks Sandra – I’ve really enjoyed this week’s stories – a lot of surrealism and general nuttiness this week!
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Brian definitely validates the time spent junking and garage-saling–he’s a treasure. Great picture and story.
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Thank you. I had said ‘no more junk’ so hubby was a little wary when he brought him home, but I’m so glad he did!
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Fantastic story – I’m glad Brian embraced his different-ness and died happy. Thanks for the photo, too! I had fun with it and I’m sure others did
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Thank you – glad you enjoyed the story – and the photo!
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Brian is brilliant — and so is the story. Loved it!
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thanks Jan 🙂
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A great story of life resilience and karma!
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thank you, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Let me only say “ditto” the above. I’m loving the mostly positive and often humorous stories this week. It was a week in which I needed the smile and laugh, so thanks to Brian and your story.
janet
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thanks Janet – I’m glad we’ve all made you smile and laugh. I’ve had a great time reading all the stories (which is why I’m so late replying to my comments!)
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El a fun prompt.. a fun story… and I think fictioneers are loving him 🙂 he doesn’t come across as 3ft tall from the photo
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Hi Shreyank
You’re right he doesn’t look tall in the picture – because we know him we see him as big but I can see why people thought he was pocket sized or at least bag sized. He has inspired some excellent stories, though, regardless of size.
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Love your story – very empowering. This is a great tribute to the power of self-acceptance. And the Internet. 🙂
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Hi Erin
Yes I did realise that one moral for my tale could be: forget real life, do something stupid and put it online. Hmmm, not sure that’s the message I wanted to get across!!!!
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Thanks for the photo, and the fun story, Brian/Girellie is a sweetie, I especially like the little chunky legs!
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Thanks Trudy
He makes me smile every time I see him.
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Dear EL
I have been waiting for your story and I wasn’t disappointed!
Loved that you named him Brian, perfect.
Thanks for the photo, I think we have all had fun with him this week.
Dee
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Thanks Dee
I’ve been enjoying all the stories so much.
Glad you liked mine!
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Brian, a man they called Brian…..You’re completely off your rocker but I loved it. I think it’s one of your best ones yet. Thanks!!
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Thanks Anon
I think you’re right, I may be going insane…
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And here I thought this was going to be a toughy. I’ve loved the variety of stories I’ve read. Thanks for the photo! I was able to incorporate it into my continuing story. Cheers.
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I did wonder how our serial-fictioneers were going to incorporate this into their continuing stories, but you all seem to have managed it.
thanks for commenting!
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You mean it’s real? I thought it was photoshopped! Well now that’s really nice. I would love to have him too. Or his brother or sister. 😉
Great story, we that are ‘different’ are frowned upon. One day I hope that changes.
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HI Jackie
Definitely not photoshopped – I’m not that clever! I don’t know where he’s from or why he is the way he is -he’s a little mystery and about as different as they come!
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Dear EL,
Thank you for the wonderful prompt. It brought out some excellent work and I especially had fun with it. Brian was very creative and resourceful. Good traits to have when you’re different.
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Thank you – I’ve loved the stories this week – I thought he’d stump people but he’s bringing out different sides to a lot of people instead. It’s been a great week for FF
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Brilliant. Was the writing the prompt for the picture, or the other way around? Fun.
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You’d think if I sent in a picture I’d have a story for it wouldn’t you – but sadly no. I struggled this week just like lots of others 🙂
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Wonderful prompt, wonderful story, EL 🙂 Bless Brian for his beautifulness (I just made that word up, to be different).
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Love your different-ness!!!
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😀
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That was a masterful story and a great picture as well. The Internet does have a place for all those that are quite Different, it seems.
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Thanks David.
You’re right, the internet does seem to celebrate difference in a way that you don’t experience out in the real world.
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I laughed out loud. Brian the Majestic Zelnorkk!. 😀
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Thank you – I loved your picture of Brian on your site!!!
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Now I know why the jungle is a cruel place, but the internet- so supportive. Maybe a bit like the real world?
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Sadly true – except that the internet is not the real world, and we mustn’t forget that or we’ll all become sad online hermits. Oh wait, I think I’m half way there already 😀
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And that is clearly what a Zelnorkk looks like. 😉 Isn’t it interesting how we can attain fame and self-satisfaction by embracing our differences. This was a inspiring and entertaining tale. Great job!
p.s. I loved the “copyright – Me!”
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Thanks Eagle Aye – glad you liked my little tale. And I loved putting ‘copyright – Me!’ after all these weeks of posting other people’s photos for Friday Fictioneers – it’s been a great week 🙂
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Ah, the life of a misunderstood artist….. Very well written, darling.
Also — I don’t know whether to thank or curse you for the photo! Definitely a challenge.
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Thanks Helena
Glad you liked my story, and glad you rose to the challenge of the photo prompt!
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Girellie is so cute, thanks for the inspiration this week 🙂 the new Messiah *snorts* loved the ending 🙂
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thanks kz – I don’t think he really believes he’s the new messiah!
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[…] Copyright – EL Appleby […]
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Great story, El. You definitely did not disappoint. I think everyone is having a fun time with this one! This little guy made me smile, too.
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Thanks Amy
It has been a very upbeat and uplifiting week, hasn’t it!
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A great write about accepting oneself.
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thanks – glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Thanks for the pic, EL!
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Three cheers for Brian, turning adversity to his advantage (great name change!). Thank you for the photo and fun uplifting story.
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Thanks Sarah Ann
It’s been a wonderfully upbeat and uplifting week for Friday Fictioneers 🙂
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El, you and a few others are my go-to’s when it’s story time and you always deliver! Terrific!
This will be my last review as Rochelle has probably read by now my comment on her comment to your story.
QUICK! Which way to Monaco …?
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Thanks Kent
You’re very brave to confront someone about their height. I have a couple of friends who are vertically-challenged and it’s one area we don’t talk about – not unless I want a kick in the shins anyway (that’s about as high as they can reach) 😉
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It’s an on-going joke with Rochelle and me (she’s five foot nothing). She doesn’t mind, really. And, yes, I expect retaliation on her part. 😉
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Great picture and hooray for Brian… Funny to hear the background story.
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