The rugged mountainous path was filled with signboards, asking us to stop, to reconsider.
PHOTO PROMPT © Björn Rudberg
But I had no time to read those stupid signs. I had to follow my family, my friends, the people closest to me.
They knew what they were doing, they’d always known what was best for me.
And so, I followed them as they started running towards the edge of the cliff, and followed them as they accelerated, and followed them as they jumped, into the void.
Like generations of lemmings before me, and generations that would follow, blindly.
For that’s what we always did.
*************************************************************************************99 words.
Written as a part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The objective is to write a short story of 100 words or less, based on the photo prompt given above. To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Note: I know, I know, lemmings don’t really commit mass suicide, but the myth is ingrained in popular culture and belief, so I decided to use it in my little allegorical tale.
jagahdilmein 
Oh, lemmings. I thought you were writing about Trump voters. 😱
It could very easily be about them. It’s about everyone who takes their decisions in life based on what others think/do, or tradition.
Reminded me of the Lemmings game I used to play on a computer when I was younger. Good fun.
Thank you so much Iain
That wouldn’t have been an Atari computer, by any chance?
I think I had it on Sega Mega Drive 🙂
I know it just keeps happening. Why are they not extinct? A solemn read.
Thank you so much James
I love this clever take on the picture.
Thank you so much
Ha ha! It made me think of the lemmings game… but the comments offer other insights and I can see it as a powerful story about how easy it is to act without independent thought… nice one!
Thank you so much Anna
When I was a child I often said, “But everyone else gets to do it.” And my mom or dad replied, “If everyone jumped off a cliff would you follow?” Uh, no. Great story.
Lol! Are you Indian by any chance? These words are famous in any Indian family.
Ha ha ha, only in our case, it was jumping into a well, and not off a cliff 🙂
Too right 🤣
Nope, not Indian. I’m a cultural mutt. 🙂
Thank you so much Alicia
In my language we would say if everyone jumped off a window!
Sometimes you just have to say “no, you guys do that if that’s what you’ve always done, I’m going to try something different”…
Exactly. Thank you so much draliman.
I like your take on the prompt. It makes a great allegory.
Thank you so much Penny
Dear Anurag,
Myth or no myth, there’s a lot of truth in your little allegory. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you so much Rochelle. Shalom.
Very clever story about very stupid people
Thank you so much Sir
You’d think the only ones left would be the mavericks who refuse. Yet still they jump.
Mavericks are few and far between unfortunately, in their society, as well as ours.
And you led us to the edge with that story! Well done
Thank you so much Goroyboy
Great piece of writing!
Thank you so much
Oh, WONDERFUL main character, loved the voice.
Thank you so much Granonine
this is exactly what brainwashing can do to people. follow blindly without question.
Exactly.
Well done, sir! How many people just blindly follow, not even knowing the why or what.
Thank you so much Dale.
This is really clever. Love it.
Thank you so much Lisa.
Gosh the empty life of a lemming!
So try, but then, I guess they don’t even realize that it could be anything more, so they don’t miss it.
So true, I mean… butterfingers.
In some ways we are all lemmings… with V8 engines
So true 🙂
This was amazing!
Makes me wonder as to why we are so scared to act out of common sense and opt for a new, unique path.
Thank you so much Moon.
A strong allegory for something we’re all prone to from time to time – blindly following others. Great story
Thank you so much Lynn
My pleasure
It sounded like it was going to be an adventure. Then, all gone. ~~~ : (
I suppose blind following can have severe consequences. Good take on the prompt.
Isadora 😎
Thank you so much Isadora
So clever – a story to make you smile, but looking back at the title it becomes one to make you think. A great read.
Thank you so much Sarah Ann.
Very clever take, and rather allegorical, too. Enough said. 🙂 Thanks for a fun read!
Thank you so much Jan
Very creative on your part. So many interpretations.
Thank you so much Susan