No Hero Today
300 Word Story contest entry8 total reviews
Comment from WalkerMan
You deservedly won the contest with this entry, and I'm not convinced any more words would have enhanced its effect on anyone who values life more than ideology. The truth is that most wars are jinned up by those who profit from them and care nothing for the carnage and waste that results. I have read other stories, both true and fictional, with similar theme; but this one makes the point in the fewest words. Until humanity rids itself of the evil war profiteers running this world, there will be no peace. No one is born with a heart full of hate. It is taught to kids by parents, school teachers, religious leaders, and older associates, who, in turn, were taught that way themselves. In a rare moment, these two young men, officially enemy combatants, found their innate humanity and the trust so justified, thereby saving each other's lives at least temporarily. Heartwarming, and an important lesson for us all. Superb, and aptly illustrated.
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2017
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You deservedly won the contest with this entry, and I'm not convinced any more words would have enhanced its effect on anyone who values life more than ideology. The truth is that most wars are jinned up by those who profit from them and care nothing for the carnage and waste that results. I have read other stories, both true and fictional, with similar theme; but this one makes the point in the fewest words. Until humanity rids itself of the evil war profiteers running this world, there will be no peace. No one is born with a heart full of hate. It is taught to kids by parents, school teachers, religious leaders, and older associates, who, in turn, were taught that way themselves. In a rare moment, these two young men, officially enemy combatants, found their innate humanity and the trust so justified, thereby saving each other's lives at least temporarily. Heartwarming, and an important lesson for us all. Superb, and aptly illustrated.
Comment Written 31-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2017
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Thank you so much for the fantastic review and big sixer, WM. I wholeheartedly agree with everything you pointed out. War's not so much for freedom as it is profit. It's just masked by the word freedom. I really appreciate the generous stars and insight. I'm glad you liked the piece. Thank you again. Have a great day.
Ron
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You are most welcome, Ron. You certainly earned it.
Your brief story prompted me to recall the 1979 novella by Barry B. Longyear (originally published in the September 1979 issue of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine) and 1985 film "Enemy Mine" from Twentieth Century Fox, in which a human and enemy reptilian combatant both end up on an otherwise uninhabited planet and realize they must cooperate to survive. The story won the 1979 Nebula Award for Best Novella and the 1980 Hugo Award for Best Novella. As I said, you made the same point in fewer words. -- Mike
Comment from teols2016
That is a story I don't think I've heard before, real or fiction, when it comes to this subject matter. In a few words, you've created a powerful scene. Great job and best of luck.
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2017
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That is a story I don't think I've heard before, real or fiction, when it comes to this subject matter. In a few words, you've created a powerful scene. Great job and best of luck.
Comment Written 29-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2017
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Wow, thank you for the fantastic review and big sixer, teols2016. Yeah, I always try to come up with something that hasn't been used before so I went this route with it. It was actually longer but I didn't think 300 words would go by that quickly, lol. I really appreciate the generous stars and thank you for throwing the contest. I had fun with it. That's a great idea, 300 words. Not too short but not too long either. Have a great night.
Comment from Dean Kuch
When I turned left at the first hallway, I came face to face with, what some call, a terrorist. A hostile enemy that military orders sent me there strictly to eliminate.
There are a few more names for these combatants as well--some of them a bit too colorful to repeat here, Anonymous Author.
One of the most common I encountered was "insurgents."
Sometimes it's better to walk away and live to fight another day.
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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When I turned left at the first hallway, I came face to face with, what some call, a terrorist. A hostile enemy that military orders sent me there strictly to eliminate.
There are a few more names for these combatants as well--some of them a bit too colorful to repeat here, Anonymous Author.
One of the most common I encountered was "insurgents."
Sometimes it's better to walk away and live to fight another day.
Comment Written 27-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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Thank you for the great review, Dean. Yeah, I was trying to think of that one but I was tired from working all night and my brain wasn't working right, lol. I really appreciate the generous stars, D. I'm glad you liked the piece. Have a great weekend.
Comment from Thomas Bowling
Very good. This was certainly a tense moment. Taking a life is not an easy thing. Good luck in the contest. This is well-written and meets all of the requirements.
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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Very good. This was certainly a tense moment. Taking a life is not an easy thing. Good luck in the contest. This is well-written and meets all of the requirements.
Comment Written 27-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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Thank you for the great review, Thomas. I'm glad you liked the piece.
Comment from giraffmang
Hi there,
You did a good job with this. 300 words can be quite a challenge especially when telling a story of this magnitude.
Best of luck to you
GMG
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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Hi there,
You did a good job with this. 300 words can be quite a challenge especially when telling a story of this magnitude.
Best of luck to you
GMG
Comment Written 27-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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Thank you for the great review, GMG. I really appreciate the generous stars. I'm glad you liked the piece.
Comment from Sharon Haiste
This is a good short story but I find it a little bit choppy.
I would use less commas in the writing so that it doesn't break up the sentences so much and lets it flow.
Otherwise, we done. It tells a complete story in a few words and has a happy ending.
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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This is a good short story but I find it a little bit choppy.
I would use less commas in the writing so that it doesn't break up the sentences so much and lets it flow.
Otherwise, we done. It tells a complete story in a few words and has a happy ending.
Comment Written 27-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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Thank you for the review, Sharon. I'd like to use less commas but then I'd fear that I'd get people downgrading it, telling me that's it's not correct. I'm more of a poetry person rather than prose. I'm glad you liked the piece. Thank you again.
Comment from Thesis
War is a very personal business when you are in hand to hand combat or in an encounter like the one you described. Everyone acts differently to perceived threats. This young soldier took an extremely big risk with his own life in this instance.
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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War is a very personal business when you are in hand to hand combat or in an encounter like the one you described. Everyone acts differently to perceived threats. This young soldier took an extremely big risk with his own life in this instance.
Comment Written 27-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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Yes, he did. Thank you for the great review and generous stars, Thesis.
Comment from StanNJ
Vivid narrative. Strong contrasts between duty and peril on one side and compassion and humanity on the other.
(Just a note to check spelling on "strickly.")
Nicely done.
Stan
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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Vivid narrative. Strong contrasts between duty and peril on one side and compassion and humanity on the other.
(Just a note to check spelling on "strickly.")
Nicely done.
Stan
Comment Written 27-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2017
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Thank you for the great review, Stan. Yeah, I just caught that mistake on another read through. It's fixed now. I really appreciate the generous stars. I'm glad you liked the piece.
