by Brendan Maguire, Ayrshire
It is an archetypal autumnal Scottish morning, grey, wet, windy and dismal. Locals would say “dreich”, possibly oblivious to their nod to onomatopoeia. Encountering a puddle, the air is blue. Brown, yellow and golden leaves risk being devoured as they float towards the awaiting drain, others cling for dear life to the once silver, protective grill. Bent like a corkscrew I trudge to the local shop. The welcoming, radiant smile from the local shopkeeper, Mrs McPherson, offers a ray of sunshine. Instantly my mood turns yellow. I return lighter of foot, hopping over the brown, murky puddles with unbridled abandon.
THE JUDGES SAID…
We found this story charming. It stands out for its vibrant descriptions, understated wisdom, and sense of authenticity. It also has a lovely cadence, and comes alive when read aloud.
Original turns of phrase are especially effective in micro-fiction, where every word counts. “Palette of Colours” manages to impress with evocative wording including “bent like a corkscrew” and the descriptions of damp leaves, often overlooked yet here rendered full of character.
This is a story that—through both narrative and stylistic execution—encourages readers to look at the world with fresh eyes, and to taste the possibilities of a well-chosen word on their tongue. It is also, in a subtle way, a story that speaks to themes of community, belonging and how serendipity can occur even in the most everyday of moments. While we received many strong Adult category entries, this one is a deserving winner.
BRENDAN SAID…
I was overjoyed to have been shortlisted for this prestigious competition, even more so to discover that I had won. I have a long and fond association with Reader’s Digestas in the distant past my father was a subscriber.
While my short story was totally fictitious, not so its foundations. We have all experienced those days when nothing is going right for us. Suddenly the clouds are blown away and spirits lifted
