Hidden From View
Learning about life takes someone willing to teach it.
“I don’t understand why you don’t like the snow, Grandpa. Look at how beautiful the hills look, tucked under a blanket of white. I love how the starlight reflects off the pristine snow. It gives the field a soft, winter wonderland look. Everything is so beautiful, Grandpa. I see nothing here to dislike. Didn’t you tell me this is where you grew up as a child?”
“It is where I grew up, Mary, and that’s why I wanted you to see it like this, hidden from view by the snow. It was so much different when this was my home.”
“I don’t understand, Grandpa?”
“I was born during the war. This land, once used for farming and grazing cattle, was flat and easily tilled before it became a battlefield. The rolling hills and gullies are remnants of all the blasts by mortar and artillery shells. By that stand of trees is a snow-covered cemetery where your uncle and many others are laid to rest. A thick covering of snow is all that keeps us safe from the unexploded ordinance that remains strewn haphazardly around the pasture. It is where people came to die.”
“Why have you really brought me here, Grandpa?”
“So you can learn about life, Mary. Many things are beautiful on the surface. What’s important is learning how to look past the facade to see everything buried beneath the snow and truly understand who or what you’re dealing with.”
“I understand. Love you, Grandpa.
About the Creator
Mark Gagnon
I have spent most of my life traveling the US and abroad. Now it's time to create what I hope are interesting fictional stories.
I have 2 books on Amazon, Mitigating Circumstances and Short Stories for Open Minds.
Reader insights
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Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
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More stories from Mark Gagnon and writers in Fiction and other communities.
Transfixed
I stared into cold, dead, unreadable eyes. Maybe he would allow me to pass. No harm, no foul. Just two creatures whose paths fate briefly allowed to intersect. We moved in an arc, each participant in this deadly dance transfixed on the other. The cobra’s glistening scales rippled as he adjusted his position, searching for an advantage, something I had no intention of allowing him. My fur bristled in anticipation of his next move. My lips pulled back in a snarl, exposing razor-sharp fangs.
By Mark Gagnon3 months ago in Fiction
The Road to Nowhere
Trigger warnings: Violence, Death. "May the Sun burn your tongue out, woman," Fredrick's father screamed the curse into his mother's ear as their elegant little carriage rumbled along, its polished wood and gilded trim glinting in the torchlight. They had just left the small village of Saffron and were on an unnamed road to the capital for the Royal wedding. Fredrick leaned back in his plush velvet seat to escape into the passing landscape, but across from him sat the servant boy, a scrappy lad named Jack. Jack's eyes held a mixture of awe and fear, the kind that only a commoner could feel in the presence of nobility. Jack looked up and caught Fredrick's gaze, offering him a sad little smile before reaching into his pocket and retrieving a little caramel treat. This candy was no doubt stolen from the kitchen treat cupboard; if he was caught with it, he would be locked in the box as punishment.
By Frank English8 days ago in Fiction
The invisible
In a small town off the city highways time seems to move at a slower pace creating a simpler way of life. The town square bustles with the comings and goings of locals who greet each other by name. The sounds of laughter drifted from the nearby park where children play beneath the shade of towering oak trees. As the sun sets it warm glow on yet another day, the town comes alive with the soft melody of conversations and the comforting sense of community that binds its residents together. Keneila looked up to the sky and whispered "I like being here."
By Alecia Harriott6 days ago in Fiction
Comments (33)
I can see why this earned you top story, Mark. Well done.
Short but powerful. Nice work!
You have packed a lot of meaning and depth under that snow!
Wow. I really love this, Mark. This has such a dreamy quality. That's not the word I'm really wanting but it isn't coming to me right now... You really got a LOT into these few words.
Congrats on Top Story!🥳
This is fantastic! Great life lesson! 🤙
Beautiful writing - well done!
And even snow turns to slush.
Gosh this is so beautiful and so well written and I love the message behind it too. Great piece.
Congrats on the top story! I've been loving reading everyone's entries.
This one reminds me why I love snow. Just wish it didn’t bring the cold with it lol. Loved your story, Mark! And congrats!
Wow 😲
https://vocal.media/viva/natural-smile
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Mark this was devastating, thought provoking and heart palpitating! I loved the beautiful scenery you painted and the melancholic undertone the overall story had! It was brilliantly done! The ending gave it a fable-like feel with such a beautiful parting moral to this story!! Great work my friend and congrats on Top Story!!
Great story! Congrats on TS!
This is so beautifully written Mark and love the message behind it 🤍
Surprisingly deep and beautifully told! Congratulations, Mark!
Love how you weaved a very important into this story. Great job. Congrats on the TS.
What a lovely (and important) message. 🥰 Well deserved top story!
Astounding effort! Keep up the phenomenal work—congrats!
Congratulations on Top Story!!
Beautifully done, and a wonderful lesson.
Powerful, insightful, and raw. Thank you for sharing <3
So glad this made a top story. Congratualtions