Ted and Rico don’t talk anymore. Time was, they were inseparable. Faculty lounge. Old movies. Until they weren’t. Ted thought he knew everything. Which was annoying enough. But he compounded the sin by always adding, insincerely, as a coda to any of his numerous pronouncements, “but what do I know?”, implying some doubt or uncertainty or lack of expertise where none was intended or ever would be acknowledged. The disingenuous qualifier was punctuated as an interrogative but certainly did not invite or welcome any reply.
How did the relationship end, you might ask. Simple. One time Rico answered the question.
The painting was five layers deep in the stack, but when I spotted it, I instantly knew I needed it. I burrowed into the stack, shifting frames left and right, until there it was in all its glory.
The oil on the canvas depicted a mustachioed man holding a shovel and wearing a simple straw hat.
As I purchased the painting I wondered if it could be worth much.
“Maybe,” I thought, “but what do I know about art?”
All I cared about was that the straw hat would complete my collection of paintings of hats from around the world.
Wonderfully told, Claire! I have chosen a piece of art just because… Also, I'm so sorry for not replying earlier. I saw your story, meant to get back to it, then simply forgot. 😏
100-word story--Title: Look At What You Made Me Do!
But here’s what I do know: I know the Earth is flat; the Moon landing was faked; vaccines cause autism; JFK’s assassination was because of LBJ; Silurians once inhabited Atlantis; our Christian Earth was created in 4004 BC; that homosexuality is a venereal disease; and there is a hierarchy of race.
And finally, that might really is right. So I sum up it all up by stating that what I do know is that for those who don’t believe the same things as me, violence is the answer and that you make me do it. But what do I know?
Excellent. When you know you know.
Yep! 🤣
Don’t Ask
Ted and Rico don’t talk anymore. Time was, they were inseparable. Faculty lounge. Old movies. Until they weren’t. Ted thought he knew everything. Which was annoying enough. But he compounded the sin by always adding, insincerely, as a coda to any of his numerous pronouncements, “but what do I know?”, implying some doubt or uncertainty or lack of expertise where none was intended or ever would be acknowledged. The disingenuous qualifier was punctuated as an interrogative but certainly did not invite or welcome any reply.
How did the relationship end, you might ask. Simple. One time Rico answered the question.
Very nicely done, Scott! It certainly made me think about how my little quirks could affect my friendships.
Thanks. Great prompt!
Writing Prompt: But What Do I Know?
(Exactly 100 words without the title)
Heard on a Porch Swing, by C.J. Heck
“Hi, Mommy.”
“You girls done coloring?”
“Yeah. We’ve been wondering, how many likes are in a love?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Tommy was in our sandbox and threw sand. We made him leave. He’s a mad with no love or
likes!”
“I understand." (But what do I know?)
“We know like is smaller than love. But, how many likes in a love?”
“It’s who you like, or love. You love Grandma. There’s hundreds of likes in that love! For your teacher, only a few likes in that love.
Does that help?”
“Yeah. Mommy?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
“I love you more!”
What a beautiful story, C.J.! I especially love, “It’s who you like, or love. You love Grandma. There’s hundreds of likes in that love!…”
Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Thank you very much, Caro. I’m pleased you enjoyed it. I love your 100-word story invitation —thank you for giving me a chance to be a part of it.
What Do I Know?
"Once we’ve made the pivot, things will be so much more efficient.”
It’s the seventh change in two years. How can that much disruption make things better? I share this observation with the coworker beside me.
The trainer appears to understand my thought.
“Change is difficult, but we should remain open to innovation.” It’s a stab at the people with experience.
I resume work, ignoring the mandated change as much as possible, until the supervisors schedule the next training.
I could have told them it wouldn’t work. I’ve only been doing this for twenty years, but what do I know?
Wonderful glimpse into the thoughts of an experienced employee, Suparna! This was very familiar territory!
I guessed a few of us might be able to relate 🙂
The Final Piece
The painting was five layers deep in the stack, but when I spotted it, I instantly knew I needed it. I burrowed into the stack, shifting frames left and right, until there it was in all its glory.
The oil on the canvas depicted a mustachioed man holding a shovel and wearing a simple straw hat.
As I purchased the painting I wondered if it could be worth much.
“Maybe,” I thought, “but what do I know about art?”
All I cared about was that the straw hat would complete my collection of paintings of hats from around the world.
Wonderfully told, Claire! I have chosen a piece of art just because… Also, I'm so sorry for not replying earlier. I saw your story, meant to get back to it, then simply forgot. 😏
100-word story--Title: Look At What You Made Me Do!
But here’s what I do know: I know the Earth is flat; the Moon landing was faked; vaccines cause autism; JFK’s assassination was because of LBJ; Silurians once inhabited Atlantis; our Christian Earth was created in 4004 BC; that homosexuality is a venereal disease; and there is a hierarchy of race.
And finally, that might really is right. So I sum up it all up by stating that what I do know is that for those who don’t believe the same things as me, violence is the answer and that you make me do it. But what do I know?
A clever, thought-provoking piece, Gerard! We really do need to place a higher value on critical thinking and compassion.
...in these mad times. Where is sanity?