Thoughts haunt my mind, “How many burgers had I eaten before seeing the light? What animals lost their lives in my quest for the perfect burger?”
Near me sat others, oblivious to my pain, as yet more meaty burgers passed my way. They don’t understand the sacrifices I’d made. I use to enjoy the taste of a juicy, meaty burger but now I know better.
I sighed, “Tofu vegetarian burger with the lot.”
I suffer the pain of my convictions, concerned now for the suffering of the plants that have died for my burger.
“Make that a glass of water.”
Ross's Writing Blog 
Lynda Dixon
October 25, 2011 at 07:30
Ohhhh….poor thing. So easy to feel guilty about what we eat. A really good slant.
Ross Mannell
October 25, 2011 at 07:37
Thanks for the comment.
That was very quick! I posted this story then set about writing a short explanation in a comment. When I clicked “Post Comment”, I saw you had already visited. 🙂
Ross Mannell
October 25, 2011 at 07:35
A little note on this 100WCGU…
I had to grapple with the ideas here. I have friends who are vegetarian and those who are definitely not. I chose to highlight my vegetarian friends’ concerns for animals and touch on the enjoyment other friends have in a meat burger but decided to put a twist in it if someone were to begin thinking more radically. I don’t see a very long future for the person in the story. 🙂
Helen
October 25, 2011 at 08:50
well especially if they continue on the path of water only their journey will be very short
Alison Green
October 25, 2011 at 15:29
Loved the tofu burger idea! Really liked the way this highlighted how some issues can be taken too far,
Ross Mannell
October 25, 2011 at 15:42
Thanks for the comment.
There are people dedicated to ways of life and there are those who can take it too far. Life wouldn’t be long with only water to drink and air to breathe. 🙂
Midlife Singlemum
October 25, 2011 at 17:28
Perfect description of how one decision based on a moral standpoint can develop into a full-blown fanaticism. Taliban Vegetarians?
Ross Mannell
October 26, 2011 at 08:22
Thanks for the comment.
There is always a risk when people adopt a standpoint if they allow themselves to become fundamentalist. The rational thinking can stop and be overwhelmed by irrational decision making. While the person in the story made a rational decision to become vegetarian, he fell into fundamentalist extremes and therefore has a very poor future. 🙂
annahalford (@anhalf)
October 25, 2011 at 17:56
Great point, well made. This is an interesting challenge . Agree with the above points, radicalism seldom healthy!
annahalford (@anhalf)
October 25, 2011 at 17:58
fanaticism even :S On half term and not quite awake!
Mikayla
October 26, 2011 at 07:16
@ Ross,
I like your blog post you did at home.
I’m not a teacher I’m a staudent.
I like to comment on you blog when there is no one to reply to on the 2KM and 2KJ’s blog or if there was one new blog then I whuold life a blog comment.
I like your blog post and blog it is great to here from you and what you are doing.
I like you blog post that you did at home again.
Your friend,
Mikayla
Ross Mannell
October 26, 2011 at 08:43
Thanks for the comment, Mikayla.
I was aware you weren’t a teacher. I can remember seeing some of your work on the 2KM and 2KJ blog. Blogging is a great way to share with others as long as we are careful not to give away personal information.
I am a blogging fan also. As well as this blog, I have one set up for students I mentor (help out) in The Student Blogging Challenge. A third was set up for two classes in the UK who wanted information on volcanoes. As geology (studying rocks) was a hobby and since I have visited a few volcanoes, I set up a blog for the two classes and sent them samples from volcanoes in Hawaii, New Zealand and Fiji/Tonga.
Check with your teachers to see if it’s okay to look at the volcano blog. If they say it’s okay, here is the link…
http://rossmannell.posterous.com/
All of my computer work is done from home as I no longer have a class of my own since I retired from full time teaching. That means comments for your class can come at many times of day.
Sometimes I’ve been able to visit and comment on blogs as soon as they have a new post. Many posts from children in the United Kingdom come in while Australia is asleep so most mornings I check around and see what has happened. By that time, most children in the United Kingdom are asleep. That’s what happens when we are almost on the other side of the world from friends.
At the time I’m writing this it is 9:40 am Wednesday here. It’s 11:40am in New Zealand, 6:40pm Tuesday in New York and 11:40pm Tuesday in London. Our world is a pretty amazing place.
Keep blogging and commenting, Mikayla, but remember to be safe on line.
Ross Mannell (teacher)
NSW, Australia
Mikayla
October 26, 2011 at 19:38
@ ross,
Thankyou for repling to me on this blog post at home or at school.
I really like the link you gave me to look at it was great to look at.
I asked my mum she said it was great for me to chech it out with mum thowe that was the only way I could go on it.
Ross I will be safe online becouas it is very inpourinte to be safe so check with your mum or dad to see if it is ok to go on.
Yes our wolrd is amazing.
thankyou for repling to me again on this blog post at home or at school again.
Your freind,
Mikayla
Robin Hawke
October 27, 2011 at 04:40
This is one of my favorite pieces that you have written, well done! Robin
Ross Mannell
October 27, 2011 at 07:43
Thank you for the comment and complement.
The idea for the story came quickly but it still took a half hour to get it within the 100 word limit and post it. 🙂
gsussex
October 27, 2011 at 05:13
A beautifully constructed piece. Well written Ross!
Ross Mannell
October 27, 2011 at 07:45
Thanks for the comment.
It was a way of dealing with a lifestyle moved off the tracks of reality. 🙂
Lisa Wields Words
October 27, 2011 at 07:20
Love it. Well done.
Ross Mannell
October 27, 2011 at 07:48
Thanks for the comment.
The guy’s life in the story will be as short as the story. “Aquatarians” tend to be short lived. 🙂
Ronnie/Hurtled to 60
October 27, 2011 at 07:40
Very clever 🙂 It was not an easy one this week and I am very new at this.
Ross Mannell
November 6, 2011 at 21:20
Thanks for the comment.
True, it wasn’t an easy prompt but that’s what makes it worth the effort. It’s a great mental exercise to write a story within a limit. 🙂
jfb57
October 30, 2011 at 03:11
I want to say ‘Oh Ross – honestly’! Can you hear my voice? This was just such a great piece. Your angst shone through. Have a beef sarnie!
Ross Mannell
November 6, 2011 at 21:22
Thanks for the comment. Sorry about the delay in a return comment but video work for three groups stretched my time badly.
Fallen behind in commenting and still hope to get an entry into the next challenge before it expires. 🙂