RE: STACH Short Story Contest #23: 199 words, 5 winners, 15SBD prize pool!
That evening, grandfather took his grand son on a walk by the sea shore.
"i have sailed several times and wrecked my ship because I was not minded of the signals", he said. "Look", pointing upwards, "a red blood sky is the sailors compass: red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning".
"But grandpa", his 12years old son replied, "I am not a sailor why are you telling me this?".
Still pressing further, he said, "life may sometimes give you warning signals. Before it rained, ants moved to higher ground, cos lay down, pine opened up, and even the frogs croaked more frequently. You must keep your ears and eyes open to hear and understand the time you are in lest you end up with an amputated leg like mine".
He son hearing those words listened with keen interest. "my son always look and look again before you leap. A red blood in the sky is not just a mere artistic display of dexterity by the hand that holds it. Every symbol and every signal has its implications, do not take them for granted".