Sun

Introduction through a peaceful moment in the living room, gradually fading in a story from 14-hundred Florence, and a family of five living through the emerging times in Europe.

He laid back on the couch, yet another day. He had a cup of tea, and enjoyed the sun coming in through the windows. He was happy, but not very energetic. But this was all soon about to change.

He always loved how the sun would touch the skin, warm the arm a little, or with a little soft stroke over the face, filling him with joy and happiness. It reminded him of countless trips to warmer places, to travels in the past, and of how wonderful life can be, with just a little sunshine and peace of mind.

Outside the window he would watch the trees and the flowers, they were in full bloom now. “Such a wonderful little wonder of nature,” he thought to himself. And then kept reading a new book he had found a few days ago, in a favorite book shop in town. He always loved the book shops, how they were little worlds to get lost in, every time or mostly every time, discovering something new in the shelves, a little novel about some people or times he was interested in, or sometimes a history book or maybe a nice photography book of nature or travels, or maybe art.

The book he was reading now was about an Italian family in the fourteen hundreds, who lived in Florence. It was not one of the richest families, or of the poorest families, and neither did they know the great painters or architects or artists of that time. It was a family with a merchant father and a teacher mother, and three little wonderful kids growing up in the cultural center of Europe at that time, having normal days but being drawn into the atmosphere of those times, with the rebirth of classical culture, books, enlightenment, and a final transformation from the dark ages towards a new bright and creative, and open, period of European history.

For the little family this was just the current times, and things were moving very slowly from day to day, but they did enjoy the new buildings that were built, the new big dome in the middle of the city, and how the best artists from around the world were being drawn to their beautiful home town. The kids were still too young to have chosen their future paths, but one seemed to have a natural disposition for commerce,  and the youngest one was already very good with his hands, making and repairing and mending things. The last one though, was a bit more lacking in talent it seemed, but it was still a bit early. He was only ten years old, it could come later. While his brothers at seven and twelve would probably pursue their natural talents in the coming years, and make fine young men and citizens of Florence. Their mother and father were happy and proud of all of them, and they gathered for a big supper meal every evening, talking about their days and sometimes the times, and the fortunate lives they had been given.

Reading this little story was great for David as he was lying on the couch, enjoying the tea and the sunshine. He had just started the little book, but already felt like he had one foot in the life of the little Florentine family of Rinozzo, some 600 years ago.

Author's Note

A first idea/beginning of a new story/book!

Reviews

[Pab]

As I was reading it, I thought that perhaps the reader became more engrossed in their lives, learned more and found his own life affected in ways he'd never have thought of, so that he has his own personal enlightenment. And then towards the end, I was thinking that perhaps the one lacking talent would go on to become a famous real-life painter, somebody like Leonardo or one of those. I suppose both are possible. The same sun shines on him as shone on them! It'll be interesting to see how you go on to develop it. Great stuff!

[Dave Ellis]

Thank you so much!! Very interesting thoughts :))

And yes - the middle one.. he is indeed the great one :) Just a slow starter/absorber of life. I had both Leonardo or perhaps a little Machiavelli/intellectual/literary giant in my mind.

Also the little frame is intended like that, both to provide a distance and perspective from current times, but also how reading this story affects his thinking, and gives inspiration :)

And the sun is a clear link, keeping some of the same mood across the centuries :)

Btw. I'm aiming for a fifty page story on this one, just for practicing and experimenting more freely. But let's see. There is so much to take from here ;)

[Pab]

Machiavelli sounds appealing - plenty of scope for intrigue there! I look forward to reading it, whoever it's about.

[Dave Ellis]

Thanks!
It's a bit of learning/experiment - but it keeps growing, at 29 pages now! Maybe about another week - and this 50 page "sketch" should be finished! :)

A bit of fast forward in the middle of the story, so today I just sent the 30 year old Giovanni into the Palace, to meet with the aging Lord of Florence.

Good times!!
:DD

[Pab]

OK, I'll check in again next weekend to see how it's going.

[Dave Ellis]

Great! Thanks :))

[Dave Ellis]

Done!
It's ready :) Here: http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/ellisd758/1826670/

read moreDone!
It's ready :) Here: http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/ellisd758/1826670/

:)

[Dave Ellis]

Btw., just posted it as a "book" too, maybe that's better for readability.
With the title "The Flower".
:)

http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/ellisd758/1827087/

[Karmee]

Descriptive and wonderful imagery, Nice writing

[Schatzi]

Hello Dave Ellis,

You have a very interesting concept here. It had a homey feel to it and maybe it appealed to the bibliophile in me but I love that this story was about a fellow bibliophile.

Thank you for sharing!

Kind regards,

Schatzi

[Dave Ellis]

Thank you, Schatzi!!
Very nice to read your feedback :)

And yes bibliophiles - I love putting in the love of books and reading into my writing!
Which is why a person reading, with tea and sunshine, might be a great frame!

Btw. I wrote a bit more about the family in Florence last night, as the person is drifting into the book he's reading, and it all comes to life, very vividly.

Have a great day!

David :)

[Schatzi]

That sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read more!

[Dave Ellis]

Thanks!! It's growing a bit every day, drawing a bit on my love for the Renaissance and living in Florence for 1,5 years too ;)

The middle child in the little family - is a special one!! :DD

[Howard Savage]

This s a great short story about the sun and the realism about the impact of the sun in our lives. I have noticed that when the sun is not shining the day seems gloomy and at times sad. Great write. Matter of fact I have a poem named The Sun.

[Dave Ellis]

Thank you, Howard!!
And yes, so agreed about real effect of sun in our lives.

The plan further on with this introduction/text is to blend his sunny moments on the couch into the historical (and sunny) Florence, and see where it goes from there ;)