29 October 2026, Freewriters Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 3271: lightning

“So, if lightning can make glass, why are we doing it the boring way?”

“Because we don't wanna die, George!”

This was the takeaway that nine-year-old George Ludlow and his little brother six-year-old Grayson took from the beach day for the Ludlow family that never was … and their grandfather, Capt. R.E. Ludlow, could not stop laughing about it.

“Now, Lord, how is it that my second-youngest has more sense than my second-eldest grandson – but how did my second-eldest grandson got THAT from why we couldn't go to Virginia Beach in a thunderstorm? Indeed I can take NO credit – those boys are fearfully and wonderfully made by You alone!”

“But no, seriously, Papa,” George was saying later, “lightning turns sand into amazing glass, and so there's a natural source. Of course, Grayson has a bit of a point, but, we could be using smaller bolts of electricity!”

“A bit of a point?” Capt. Ludlow said. “It's kind of good not to be electrocuted, George!”

“That's what I was saying!” Grayson said.

“But there's a bigger problem, George,” Capt. Ludlow said. “How often do we get sheet lightning or ball lightning to get windows and bowls and pitchers?”

George considered this.

“Yeah, lightning and lightning glass are kinda crooked,” he said. “I guess there is a good reason for the boring way.”

“In addition to staying alive,” Capt. Ludlow said.

“Well, yeah,” George said.

“Well, yeah!” Grayson said, and then threw up his hands and went back to the Lego pile.