I frequently see lost things belonging to children when I’m out and about. It’s probably because my life mostly revolves around activities for toddlers and home working that I end up in places where lost shoes and lost toys accumulate.

I always think there is something a little forlorn about a tiny lost trainer on the pavement, but at the same time I see these objects so frequently that I seldom stop to photograph them these days. 

I actually saw this doll on one of the few days I’ve had recently that didn’t revolve around entertaining a toddler. I was walking from the train station to the physical office where I used to be based all the time, but now only visist about twice a month on a hybrid working arrangement. 

This doll was laying face down on the floor near a block of flats, I imagine forgotten after a hard day of playing. I stopped for this photograph because for me there is something a little sinister about the way it is positioned, and how the doll is face down in the dirt.

When I went to look closely at the photograph I found that face to the doll is out of focus, despite my best intentions to get the eyes, and that only adds to the sinister appeal. 

It reminds me of the set up of a lot of those serial crime shows that were popular in the early 2000’s like CSI and Criminal Minds. Maybe the loss of the doll is the beginning of a thriller type story.

How did the doll come to lay there like that?

Who did it belond to?

Where are they now?

I’m not a huge fan of creative exercises, so it’s not my habit to tell people what to do with these prompts. There are lots of options – a scene, some flash fiction, a short story, an idea for a short film or a physical piece of art. If you do have a go with this one and would like to drop the result in the comments please do so. I would be very interested to see what people make of these so please do link to blog posts or comment below.

If you like the photos featured in these creative prompt posts you may be interested in my latest collection of prints and other things on Redbubble which feature a small selection of my best shots.

Thank you for reading. I also write, make art and films. You can read my short fantasy stories here on Simily. If you like these prompts and want to get a copy of a free short book of them I wrote, and to hear more about my writing projects please join my mailing list here. You can see my films at my YouTube channel here. You can see things with my designs on at my shop here. Could even treat yourself if you wanted to. Just saying. If buying art is not your thing, but you would like to support what you see you could buy me a KoFi, and I also have a Patreon Page.