Prompt #123

There are some people who are sure about their decisions. They know what they like and what they don’t like. They know how to measure the pros and cons and then make a choice. They don’t fret, ponder endlessly, call all their friends asking for advice. They simply choose a direction and head that way.

Obviously, I am not this type of person.

I am what you might call a “hedger.” I see one side, and then I see the other side. I hem and I haw and I worry and I shake my head. Sometimes I don’t decide at all, which—as we all know—is a decision in itself. Right now, I’m trying to decide if I’ll give you this prompt or not. We shall see!

I’m reminded of a scene in Fiddler on the Roof, which is a play/movie/musical from the Before Times. In this scene, the father (Tevye) is listening to a couple of people giving him advice. The first person offers his point of view and Tevye says, “He’s right!” But then the second person tells him to do the opposite of the first person, to which Tevye replies, “He’s also right!” Then another person pipes up: “He’s right, and he’s right. They can’t both be right!” And Tevye says,"You know what? You’re right, too!”

So, I’m a little bit like Tevye, but without the beard (or the three daughters, the long-suffering wife, the pogroms, and the rest of the mishigas).

People who are like me use words and phrases like “maybe” and “perhaps.” Also: “Could be.” “Possibly.” “I can’t be absolutely certain, but…”

(This also reminds me of the marriage counselor my first husband and I went to. When we’d ask him a question, he’d often shrug his shoulders and say, “may-BE?” The marriage didn’t last, but “may-BE?” lives on!)

Okay, time for the prompt!

1. Write a story with a character who is indecisive.

2. Give this character a decision to make.

3. Let the character hem and haw.

4. Use words/phrases such as “maybe,” “perhaps,” “possibly,” “I can’t be certain, but…” “if only…” and so on.

5. You may want to use anaphora in your story, for example, repeating the word “maybe” at the start of all, or most, of your sentences.

That’s it! Four hundred words or less in the Comments if you want me to read your story.

PS Thank you for all the love last week on my birthday. I had a fabulous day/week/month! And it’s still July!