Beyond
The lake water was solid in places, where the older fish said the cold got too much for it and it froze. Finley feared those icy patches, which spread out and down through the water, wondering if he too would one day cease to flow.
Beyond the reeds was The Swirl, where they said even a fish could drown, but Finley was drawn to the urgent water that rushed in from Beyond. It felt colder there, but also more alive. So Finley began to swim, against the surging tide, trusting life lay where even the cold couldn’t catch the water.
Extroduction
OK, so much to say here but let’s start with Happy New Year! January has continued December’s trend of snow and ice here in Southern Ontario – warmer than normal, hovering around zero, which does appear to be the danger zone in terms of what the weather can throw at us. Local schools are on day 3 of the new term AND day 3 of bus cancellations (don’t worry, I’m mean. I drive my kids in anyway) and anything that sat outside overnight is caked in ice this morning.
So Sandra’s pond looks a bit like our power lines. Maybe that’s why it didn’t immediately offer me a story. I’ve been working more with AI recently though, so I wondered what it would do with Flash Fiction. I asked it, simply for a 100 word story about fish. Here’s what it had to offer:
Under the shimmering surface of a quiet northern lake, schools of fish darted gracefully through cool, clear water. Among them was Finley, a curious little perch with a golden stripe. While others swam the same old route, Finley longed for adventure, eager to see beyond the familiar reeds. One foggy morning, he gathered his courage and followed a winding stream, discovering hidden coves teeming with minnows and crayfish. He marvelled at the colourful pebbles and mysterious shadows beneath the lily pads. When Finley finally returned home, he shared stories of a vast, magical world just waiting to be explored.
It’s cute isn’t it? Finley inspired my fish, and you’re welcome to prefer the AI story over mine if you wish. Let me know what you think. I will say it can’t count as well as I can. Its story is 99 words; mine fits the brief of exactly 100!
elmowrites 
Sometimes, swimming upriver is the only way
We live near a salmon river, and it seems like a truly brutal process, but they must have their reasons, I suppose.
Swimming upriver seems to be what we’re all doing these days. I prefer your story. The human touch is unmistakeable. Stay warm, Jen.
Thanks Sandra, I see the UK is getting snowdrops now. We’re still on snow *falls*! I hear you about swimming upriver these days, do you think we’ll ever reach the top?
I don’t hold for none of that newfangled AI writing stuff. 😉
I agree, James. I much prefer the real, unplagarised, thing. It was a fun experiement though
I like the last line of your story. Not a fan of AI writing.
I’m glad you liked that line – me too!
I like your story so much better for a unique flow and unexpected change – the AI one was Disney like a bit (to me)
I imagine Disney will love AI stories – they always did like to take an old one and rewrite it for more money!
you are so right
Just keep swimming…Just keep swimming – great story.
Too right, Dory! Sometimes it’s all we can do
Keep warm and avoid freezing water.
Good advice indeed
Dear Jen,
In all honesty, I skimmed the AI story. I much prefer your own imaginative piece. Where even a fish could drown. Great line.
Shalom,’
Rochelle
Ooh, I liked that line too – thank you!
I’ll take your story over AI’s. Going against the tide might sometimes be dangerous, but it can also be freeing.
And sometimes we have to go through the risk and dangers to get to the safety of the other side.
This is true, as well! Scary and dangerous as it can be.
Well! This is the first time that I am reading a story by AI. Quite nice, I must say but from where taken God only knows.
It’s really honest of you to confess that you took AI help to write a story. There are many who write AI aided posts and call them their own
Honesty is important to me and I don’t think I would ever want to turn my writing over to an algorithm. I love the process too much! It was an interesting experiment though
I do prefer your story over the AI one. Yours is more creative and flows nicely. Good for courageous Finley! Hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday!
Thanks Brenda! Yes, holidays were a nice break and now we’re throwing ourselves into winter fun
Enjoyed your take on the AI story, Jen …. which is very good for an AI piece, I think.
It was better than I might have expected, but I don’t think I’ll ever feel the same about AI stories as human ones!
I signed on to participate in a challenge where the stories we submitted were totally AI generated. Part of the challenge was for us to name the AI app we used and explain the process involved in creating our stories. I did one story, then quit the group. It was a very unfulfilling experience. The AI material left me cold; it didn’t sound like something I’d write and I felt no connection to it.
A very thoughtful contrast between human intuition and AI output.