Six year old Lali De Somme has escaped to play in the woods with her elder sister, Katherine. Their father Georges doesn’t let them play outside the grounds of their mansion, as he fears the poor local children will distract them from their important studies. Georges has been away for a week, at a conference in Denmark and isn’t due back until tomorrow. His daughters have taken advantage of his absence, supported by their sympathetic mother, Kavita. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
I love the last line of this, where he cuts the rope, “severing the children from the woods, shaping them back into what he wants them to be.” So often that is what adults do to children, forcing them to be some preconceived idea, drawn from parent’s expectation.
Hi Cynthia, thank you. I’m glad you like it. Yes, Lali and Katherine are classic examples of what an overbaring parent can do if they try to mould their children into mini versions of themselves.
Fantastic! You are quite the wordsmith. I am enjoying these more and more.
Thank you, Dave, I’m glad! 😀
Hi Cheryl. I really enjoy what you are doing with your blog. It is an amazing idea to delve further into the lives of one’s characters in a way that gives them such wonderful depth. I also enjoy your illustrations which made me so jealous since I would love to give faces to my characters as you have done here.
Hi, Bennitt. Thank you, 😀 it means a lot! I’m enjoying reading your stories, especially, “Let me teach you how to be lonely,” Good to meet you.
Hello Cheryl! 😀
Another maHvelous story. I will come back later to read about Katherine. I am sad about Lali. 🙁 She was a free spirited child. Are there more back stories about her?
Hi! Thank you! 😀 Lali’s mentioned in a few of Katherine’s childhood stories, but this is her first major appearance. I’m getting excited though as it’s possible she may appear in future issues. There are so many characters and so many stories, I’m wondering if I’ll live long enough to tell them all 😀 lol!!
Thank you! I promise to come back, and read some more, later.
You will live long enough to tell all your brilliant stories… I am psychic. I can see your future. Do you believe me? 😉
I think I’ll probably be a mad old lady who shouts at cars and has twenty cats! I hope you’re right! (and I’m wrong lol) 😀
Thank you for visiting, liking and following.
First visit here, very impressed, will come back later to read more.
Quite miffed at Lali and Kat’s dad!
(But back stories are great fun, I am working on a couple just now.)
Thank you so much, it means a lot as I’ve been reading your poems. Did you do the artwork as well? (and Yes, Georges De Somme needs to do a bit of self reflection!) Tell me more about your back stories and where I can read them!!! (If you can)
The back stories are for the characters from a series of children’s books that Phil and I did a couple of years ago, who we are reviving for a new project.
They are all animals, except for the the eponymous Jack the little Giant, they all speak (of course), and they are all quite artogenic (I just made that up! It means that they look good in Phil’s drawings).
Maybe I should start posting them?
Or if you email me brian@anelephantcant.com I will dig some out for you.
Oh, and your drawings are fabulous!
Thank you, you should definitely post them, as your writing and Phil’s illustrations work well together. I’d be interested to read. I’ll keep a look out for your posts!
I’ve been a silent admirer for some time now. I love the intricacy, the way you draw out the souls of your characters in their faces: Georges, particularly, knowing what happens to him – you etch that severity and grief into his face so well. Your art is very special. Thank you.
Hi Frederick, thank you. Georges is a complicated character. I can’t really do him justice in a short story, but I’m glad the illustrations help translate his grief and regrets. Thank you for reading and letting me know your feelings, it means a lot. Cheryl
just absolutely beautiful illustrations for sure. I look forward to read your poetry and the short stories. 🙂
Thank you! 😀
Thanks for visiting me. What a dreadful father. Hopefully, he too, will learn from his own mistakes or, he will find himself estranged from his daughters as they grow older.
Very enjoyable read. I could feel Lali’s joy as she swung up into the air 🙂
Fabulous art work too
I love your retelling of Ophelia. Lali and Katherine deserved to break out for a while! Thank you for reading Lali’s story. 😀
Wow … heartbreak in such a brief story. Thanks for following my blog. I think I’ll follow yours back. 🙂 Just out of curiosity, how long does each drawing usually take you?
Hi, Hope, you’re welcome, and thank you as you have an inspiring blog! (I’ve drawn a banyan tree in the illustration) It depends on the illustration, but this one took about a day. Sometimes it takes up to two. 😀 It’s good to meet you and thank you for taking the time to stop by. I appreciate it.
I really love your work, particularly the strength and believability of your characters (written and drawn). The stories are great too, of course. Gradually, I’m going to read the whole lot until I’ve caught up.
Thank you, Richard. I’m really pleased!! 😀
Hi Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by and following: I have a lot of catching up to do on your blog. ‘Love the illustrations already…
Hi Michelle! I love your beautiful and colourful paintings of cats. (My favourite animal) Thank you for stopping by here, I appreciate it. Cheryl 😀
I just had to say – your blog has an absolutely goreous header pic!
Thank you! There’s some really great poetry on your blog.
Cheryl, thanks for visiting and following purelysubjective! Your work is incredible. Every time I come to your site, I get sucked in for ages reading stories and character biographies! Thanks for creating. 🙂
Hi, Jourdie! You’re welcome, it’s good to meet a fellow artist, and thank you so much for visiting and for taking time to read so many things here! I appreciate it, and so do my characters! 😀
Autocratic parents can actually be harming their offspring rather than doing them good in the long run. The story is well narrated and poignant. Your artwork is simply brilliant.
Hi Subhajit, (I’m talking to a real professor about a fictional professor! How cool is that!!!) Yes Georges is an academic and spent many years as an independent thinker without a family. He had his daughters later in life and there is not only a generation gap, but many more gaps in his understanding of childhood. Thank you so much for reading. (I’m enjoying your poetry BTW and am looking forward to reading more.) Cheryl
Thanks for reading my stuff and saying those kind words..really appreciate..
You’re welcome 😀 It’s not every day I get to talk with a real life professor! Imaginary people (and professors) are more my territory!
this is awesome!
Hi, Koi, thank you! 😀
the story complements the drawing so well, beautiful!
Thank you!
Thank you for following my blog. These are great drawings!
You’re welcome, and thank you. You have some inspirational poetry and beautiful photography on your blog.
“Unbound Boxes Limping Gods” — What a wonderful way to start a blog.
Thank you, Tim!
Hi Cheryl,
You write good stuff up here, so please keep penning and keep inspiring! 🙂
I would like to thank you for following my blog. I hope my blog doesn’t disappoint you and that your visits in my blog have been and will always be a joyful ride.
Thank you again and I wish you a lovely day! 🙂
Subhan Zein
Hi, Subhan, what a wonderful introduction you have to your blog. Thank you for visiting, it’s good to meet you! 😀 Cheryl
A beautiful, joyous moment shared by two children is suddenly, jarringly disturbed by the appearance of their father. I feel frightened for them 🙁 Nice work!
Thank you, Erika, (Love your artwork BTW) 😀
Cheryl thank you for stop in my blog. I enjoyed read your blog too. Beautiful!
I like your use of the Banyan tree. I can relate to your characters, out here on the island the forests with the banyans are always a mystical place for me to retreat from the city to.
AnElephantCant find the right words
To tell you how sorry he is
Please don’t brandish a sword
It’s a groovy award
So be happy we sent it gee whizz
Lovely Blog Award thingy:
http://anelephantcant.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/anelephant-doesnt-mean-to-be-rude-but/
Hi, elephantcant, Lali and Katherine say “thank you!” and they’ve added you to my thank you links page! 😀
I like the expressions that you have drawn on the character faces. Very expressive. What type of drawing media do you use, if you don’t mind me asking?
Thank you. No problem, I draw on paper with B – 2B and F pencils mostly, and then scan it in.
That is a fantastic image, childhood versus duty. I like the way that all these stories are told by different people.
Thanks, I enjoyed reading “Here and Now” as I could really relate to it.