[ REE-jənt ]
Noun
- A person appointed to administer a country because the monarch is a minor or is absent or incapacitated.
- A member of the governing body of a university or other academic institution.
Let’s Create!
** Either a story beginning, a story ending, a piece of flash fiction, a poem, painting, dance move—inspired by the word, regent, where does it take me? Where does it take you?
The ancient school was built around it, built because of it. The great tree, which they called Crenelis, stood tall, broad, and full of life in the middle of a circular amphitheater. It was the center of the circle and stretched from the bottom of the room to the very top of the ceiling, where a large hole opened to the sky above.
Lena sat alone on one of the benches that encircled Crenelis, seeking solitude in the dead of night. She sat staring at the tree, longing for guidance and direction. After an hour, no answers came to her, so she stood to leave. Two steps up the rows of benches, and Lena heard a rustling behind her.
“Hello?” she said. “Is there anyone there?”
All appeared still, so Lena again turned to leave.
“You give up so soon?” came a deep whisper before she took another step.
Lena whipped around to face the tree…
…her heart racing. “Who’s there?” she shouted, fear in her voice.
The branches of Crenelis spread themselves wide, exposing the large thick trunk of the tree. A ripple moved up and down the trunk rapidly, unnaturally. As it did, the deep whisper filled the room.
“My name is Crenelis,” the tree spoke.
“But, I thought this was all a myth,” Lena said. “No one’s heard you speak for centuries.”
“Once, I spoke often, and taught many,” Crenelis said.
“Why did you stop? And why are you talking now?”
“I stopped to learn.”
“And why me? Why now?”
“Sit, child. There is much I wish to tell you. Much that must be said before it is too late.”
Notes/Thoughts/Ideas
I had this thought of an ancient time on Earth or wherever this is, and at that time, there existed a special tree. It could talk, and it was wise. Teaching humanity all it knew. Then, one day it goes silent.
Why did it go silent? I say here to learn, but learn what exactly? Why does it speak again? And why to Lena alone? I think there’s a cool mystery here. This tree would know a great deal. Its roots perhaps connected to everything there is on the planet. All-knowing, in a way.
The story would be a great set up to analyze the state of the world and create a meaningful message. If you wanted.
What do you think of Regent?
What message would you want to send, or shed light upon?
Leave your thoughts, your own story beginning/ending, flash-fiction, or whatever in the comments! Where did regent or my story take you?
If you liked this story, check out my podcast of short stories, More Than A Story.
Today’s word is from Word-Genius.
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