Personal Artifact

Many of us have family treasures buried in drawers or behind things in cabinets. We don’t think about them, perhaps don’t even worry about them because they are far from site, and possibly memory.

Until, for some reason, we dig through the mess. Or if someone asks about the object, or we tell a story about it.

Your task is to write a story in which a personal artifact is found. The character does something with it, or shows it to someone, or sits in front of family and tells the story behind it.

Have fun with this one.

Personal Artifact

            Imagine cleaning out a relative’s house and finding something you thought had been thrown away or lost. Holding it brings a smile to your face and lights up your eyes.

            The artifact could be valuable, such as a cameo once owned by your grandmother, or it could be sentimental, such as an old teddy bear.

            Imagine also that another relative lays claim to the item. An argument ensues. Angry words are exchanged. And there’s a possibility that fisticuffs break out.

            Stories such as these appear regularly in the news.

            Another consideration is that a stranger finds the items, perhaps using a metal detector on the beach, or when tending a flower garden. What happens then?

            Your task is to write a story in which the discovery, response and feelings play a major role.

Have fun with this one.