The Day the Shadows Left

One morning, everyone’s shadows detached and walked away. Panic spread—but the sun felt strangely lighter, the air softer. By nightfall, the shadows returned carrying faint glowing dust, placing it gently at their owners’ feet. People felt calmer, as if burdens had temporarily been lifted. Shadows returned to their places quietly. No one knew where they had gone, but everyone sensed they had needed the break as much as humans did.