family
I Learned Too Late That Love Needs Translation
Not the kind you can fix with dictionaries or subtitles. Ours was deeper than that. It lived in tone, timing, and the spaces between words. I didn’t realize it at first. Love, in the beginning, feels universal. You assume feeling is enough.
By Salman Writes7 days ago in Fiction
The First Puzzle
I always think of you anytime I pass by a puzzle, which happens far more often than one would expect once you start paying attention, because puzzles live low to the ground, tucked into thrift store shelves and grocery aisles, hidden near the floor like offerings meant for those willing to bend, and I never mean the metaphorical kind, never the philosophical or rhetorical puzzles people like to admire for their cleverness, but the actual, physical, cut-cardboard kind, the kind that belongs to hands and tables and time.
By Stacey Mataxis Whitlow (SMW)8 days ago in Fiction
The Hidden Door: A Family Secret Unveiled. AI-Generated.
The Hidden Door: A Family Secret Unveiled A forgotten map leads to an ancient mystery hidden beneath the attic. It was a rainy evening when Sarah, curled up in the warmth of her grandmother’s study, found herself once again going through the many boxes of memories her grandmother had left behind. She had never quite known what to do with these things. Every object seemed to hold a piece of the past — an old family photograph, a faded letter, a trinket here and there — and each one stirred up emotions she didn’t know how to process. But on this particular evening, one box in the back corner of the room caught her eye. Unlike the others, it wasn’t full of old pictures or knick-knacks. It was packed with what appeared to be her grandmother’s journals, each worn and yellowed with time. Sarah hadn’t known her grandmother very well before her passing, and now these journals seemed like a window into the woman who had once been the family matriarch, full of stories, wisdom, and memories. As she flipped through the first few pages of one of the journals, something fell out — a small, crumpled piece of paper. She unrolled it carefully, revealing a faded map that seemed to have been drawn by hand. The paper was old, its edges torn, and the ink had blurred in some places, but Sarah could still make out the important details. The map was marked with symbols and what appeared to be a path leading to an “X” in the center of a room she didn’t recognize. It was the attic. Her curiosity piqued, and she immediately began to wonder what her grandmother had hidden all those years ago. Sarah sat back, staring at the map, trying to make sense of it. It had been years since she had explored the attic. As a child, the attic had always seemed like a forbidden place — dark, dusty, and filled with the remnants of a bygone era. Her parents had always warned her not to venture up there, saying it was too dangerous, too cluttered. But now, the map seemed to call her. Her mind raced with thoughts of what could possibly be hidden in that attic. Was it just a memory, or was there something more? Was this map leading her to a treasure, an heirloom, or perhaps an answer to a family mystery that had long been forgotten? Without hesitation, Sarah grabbed the map and hurried to the attic. The wooden steps creaked beneath her weight as she ascended. The musty air hit her the moment she opened the door, and the dim light from a single window barely illuminated the cluttered space. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, and old furniture, boxes, and antique furnishings were piled high, nearly reaching the ceiling. It was the same attic she had visited as a child, but it seemed even more mysterious now. She pulled the rug away from the center of the room, just as the map had indicated. The floorboards creaked as she knelt down, her heart pounding in her chest. Slowly, she ran her fingers over the worn wood and found a small hatch — it was barely noticeable, but there it was, as though it had been waiting for her all this time. The hatch was old, its wood splintered and faded with age, but it had a rusted latch. Sarah hesitated for a moment, wondering if she was about to uncover something her family had kept hidden for generations. She turned the latch slowly, the sound of metal against wood echoing in the quiet attic. As she lifted the hatch, a wave of cold air rushed up from the darkness below. The space beneath the hatch was small, and Sarah could barely make out the shape of an old, wooden door. It was unlike anything she had ever seen — covered in dust and cobwebs, but solid, like it had been shut for years. The key, it seemed, had always been in her hands — the map, the clue she had uncovered in her grandmother’s journal, had led her here. With a mix of excitement and trepidation, Sarah descended into the hidden space, her flashlight illuminating the way. The room was smaller than the attic, but it was filled with strange artifacts — old trunks, letters, and trinkets from a past era. It was like stepping into a time capsule. And there, in the corner, stood a chest — just as the map had suggested. She felt a rush of adrenaline as she approached the chest and opened it carefully. Inside, she found an old family heirloom, a beautiful silver necklace, its intricate design shining even in the dim light. Along with the necklace was a letter, written in her grandmother’s handwriting, explaining the significance of the necklace — a piece of their family’s history, passed down through generations. Tears welled in Sarah’s eyes as she realized that what she had uncovered wasn’t just a hidden treasure, but a piece of her family’s story. The hidden door had opened, revealing more than just a room filled with relics. It had revealed a legacy she never knew existed.
By ÅBBÅS KHÅÑ9 days ago in Fiction
The Lion and the Red Friend. AI-Generated.
In a deep, dark, and intimidating jungle, there lived a little red animal named Rafi. The jungle was filled with fear and danger, where every creature had its own territory, and survival was a constant struggle. Rafi, being a small and vibrant animal, was different from the others. He often wondered why he had to live in such a scary place, where everything seemed out of his control. The other animals had their own spaces, and Rafi felt isolated. He often wished for a change but didn’t know how to find it. Rafi lived his days trying to keep his distance from the other creatures. He was wary of them and didn’t know how to make friends. One day, Rafi decided to change his life. He didn’t want to keep hiding or living in fear. He thought that perhaps if he ventured deeper into the jungle, he could learn something new and make his life more meaningful. He heard whispers among the other animals about a powerful lion named Shere Khan who ruled the jungle. He was feared by all, but also respected. Rafi thought to himself that if he could understand Shere Khan, he might be able to change his life. He might learn something valuable from the great lion. So, one evening, he gathered all his courage and set out to find the mighty Shere Khan. As night fell and the jungle grew quiet, Rafi moved silently through the underbrush, determined to meet the lion. After walking for some time, Rafi finally saw Shere Khan in the distance. The lion’s presence was commanding, his golden mane shining in the moonlight. Rafi’s heart pounded in his chest as he watched the lion move through the jungle, his powerful body cutting through the trees. Despite his fear, Rafi followed him. He didn’t know why, but he felt an urge to learn more about the lion, to see what made him so powerful. Rafi continued to watch as Shere Khan walked deeper into the jungle. To Rafi’s surprise, the lion wasn’t hunting or chasing other animals. Instead, Shere Khan seemed to be walking aimlessly, lost in thought. Rafi couldn’t understand it. The great lion, who was feared by all, was not acting like the predator everyone had made him out to be. Suddenly, Shere Khan turned around and spotted Rafi. His sharp eyes glared at the little red animal. Rafi froze, his heart racing. He knew this could be the end of him. But instead of attacking, Shere Khan simply stared at him for a moment. Rafi, trying to control his fear, spoke up, "Shere Khan, I don’t want to fight. I just want to understand you. I want to learn how you survive in this jungle and why you seem so different from the other animals." At first, Shere Khan was silent. Then, with a low growl, he responded, "You are bold, little one. You dare to speak to me? What could you possibly learn from a lion like me? The jungle is not a place for weak creatures." Rafi, trembling but determined, replied, "I want to understand. I don’t want to be afraid anymore. I want to know how you manage in a jungle where danger lurks at every turn. Please, teach me." Shere Khan studied Rafi for a moment, his expression softening slightly. "You are not like the others. I can see that. If you truly want to understand, you must know this: the jungle is not just about power and strength. It is about survival, understanding, and sometimes, even friendship. You cannot conquer it alone. You need allies, and you need to learn how to give and take." Rafi, amazed by the lion's words, felt a shift within himself. He had always thought that survival was about being stronger than the others, about being the best hunter. But Shere Khan was telling him something entirely different. It wasn’t just about strength—it was about connection, understanding, and trust. "I want to learn," Rafi said earnestly. "I want to know how to be strong in my own way." Shere Khan nodded, and with that, the two of them began to walk together through the jungle. Over the next few weeks, Rafi learned many things from the lion. He learned that strength wasn't just about being physically powerful. It was also about knowing when to act and when to wait, about knowing when to help others and when to trust them. Rafi also learned the importance of friendship and how allies could help each other in times of need. Together, Rafi and Shere Khan became an unlikely pair, with Rafi offering the lion a fresh perspective on the jungle and Shere Khan teaching Rafi how to navigate the complexities of jungle life. Over time, they formed a bond built on mutual respect and understanding. They learned that in a jungle filled with dangers, it wasn’t enough to be strong alone. It was far more important to have allies, to have trust, and to share in the experience of survival. And so, Rafi and Shere Khan remained friends, each stronger for having the other by their side. Through their friendship, Rafi learned that the true strength in the jungle came not from brute force, but from the bonds one built with others, and from the wisdom one gained along the way.
By Abbas Story's 9 days ago in Fiction
Put Emotion on Hold
I am taking a break, for I have been thinking too much, about everything and things are coming unglued. So this is my attempt to glue them back together again. In the grand scheme of things, no one cares who I leave my little treasures too, and perhaps I think too much, after all they are just things in the long run,
By Susan Payton9 days ago in Fiction
