The Friday Fictioneer Challenge: Write a 100-word story based on the photo.
Photo copyright Marie Gail Stratford
Why Do I Even Bother?
The signal changed from yellow to red for the gazillionth time. “People jaywalk, drivers ignore me.” The traffic signal grumbled under its breath, “Why do I even bother?”
Deciding to share its misery with the humans who made its life miserable, the signal changed its timing, making the long wait times even longer during the rush hour.
Then it saw a young girl holding her mother’s hand, waiting patiently to cross. Finding someone who paid attention cheered up the signal to no end. It changed to green in their direction, winking at the girl as she stepped off the curb.
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You can check out Marie Gail Stratford’s blog here.
To read other Friday Fictioneer stories based on this photo, select the smiley blue frog.
It's a long story ... 
I loved the originality of this story! Certainly the most original of all this week’s stories I’ve read so far.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
I was a very creative take on the prompt. I loved that the signal winked at the little girl.
You had a clever idea making your main character the traffic light!
Lovely, I enjoyed the originality of this story.
A cute and heartwarming story. On a deeper level it made me think about people in customer service roles who work hard to do a good job but are treated as though they’re invisible.
Incidentally, in South Africa, traffic lights are referred to as “robots” – in the context of your story this conjures up thoughts about developments in artificial intelligence.
I didn’t know about the ‘robot’ name for traffic lights. Interesting. Also shows how everyone’s background can lead to a different interpretation to a story or an experience.
I’m not sure why South Africans use the term; maybe it’s because the original lights replaced policemen who directed traffic at busy junctions? It’s another example of the potential for misunderstanding when asking for directions – “turn right at the robot” would make sense to a local, but a stranger could drive for miles without a clue.
Delightful point of view 🙂
Sweet and imaginative. I wonder what the little girl will grow up to be.
Now that was a totally different point of view! Very enjoyable – I swear I sometimes think they do have minds of their own…
Now I love this story. It is like the Saturday morning cartoons I use to watch (and still do).
I think I am always going through this intersection – okay, Mr. Traffic Light, I will slow down and well … sorry. Cute story!