L is for Leafy Luster
Day 12 of the challenge!
My theme is NIFTY NUGGETS. Little nuggets of writing based on a photo, a phrase and an object, which is designed to encourage lean, tight writing. Iām aiming for a word count of under 300 words.
Thank you to L.Diane Wolfe for providing the beautiful photo prompts.Ā You can visit her blog to check out more pictures.
LEAFY LUSTER
PHRASE – patterns traced on paper
OBJECT – trunk
Doctor Martin was no fool. He set about creating an elaborate greenhouse which would be the norm for a wealthy upper class and aspiring botanist.
Anything to the contrary would be foolish, and draw unnecessary attention to the piece of land. With this in mind, he set about devising the transformation, with the utmost care.
The regulated interior temperature was set to nurture the leafy luster of hundreds of plants. The humidity had to be perfect. After months of detailed care, the plants flourished and the eminent doctor heaved a sigh of relief.
He was satisfied with the end result.
Now he could turn his undivided attention to the real project, at the centre of the greenhouse.
A trunk containing a variety of old documents, including an ancient scroll, had been unearthed.
Highly classified results arrived via private courier.
Expert analysis concluded that the high quality parchment dated back to the 1600s. It also bore faint marks that formed a sort of pattern or code.
He opened the handbook and turned to the section which dealt with humidity. The sub-heading glared at him: factors to be considered in determining an optimum level of relative humidity for the display and storage of parchment.
Tomorrow they would continue digging…
It was only the beginning.
A parchment that needs just the right conditions to be read – it’s like a mystery.
Mystery and suspense… including the element of humidity…
That’s so fun! Love your imagery as always š
Thanks Jemi! š
Oooh. How exciting. Will this story continue, or is it a flash fiction? ~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
It’s flash fiction… for now… we’ll see.
What else will they find digging?
That’s the million dollar question.
Interesting ending.
Thanks Patricia!
I like the idea of the parchment needing moisture to be read, like magic ink. Cool concept, and lovely photo!
Thanks Alex!
Just look at that water droplet on the leaf, amazing to catch it like that. I’m intrigued by the discovery, where will it lead, I think you have the beginnings of a book there.
That picture is STUNNING!
Really gorgeous. š
Beginnings of a book? Something to think about.
I like your theme and the self-imposed restrictions. Selecting just the right words to capture meaning briefly is more challenging that writing a lot.
~Visiting from AtoZ
It’s quite a challenge. But I’m really enjoying it.
Thank you, Wendy!
Now I’m inspired to dig some holes. Wifey may not like that so much.
Stephen Tremp
A to Z Cohost
M is for Movies
You never know what’s waiting in those holes… wifey MAY just surprise you and approve… š
Ooo. How fun, digging up old documents. The preservation process.
At first, the idea seemed strange, but then it all came together… there IS a specific humidity condition required for the display/storage of parchment.
Ooh, finding treasure is fun! And what a clever way to preserve the scrolls.
The preservation of scrolls idea has an element of fact.
Never hurts to have a little mystery in your life. And this is the best kind! š
I love mystery/suspense involving codes… š
Love the ending. Thought it would be about a tree trunk.
I did consider the “tree trunk angle” but couldn’t get it to work out.
Glad you were caught by surprise.
I have to wonder if it’s the start of something good or evil. Ancient parchments are always one or the other.
You are right about that.
Ooh, intriguing. Love the idea of a greenhouse as subterfuge.
I struggled a bit to work in all the prompts, but then the “greenhouse subterfuge angle” came to me… š
P.S. Gorgeous image by L.Diane!
Her pics are lovely!
I love how this hints at more to come!!
š
(are you going to continue that story and see what else is unearthed?)
Others have asked the same thing….