Short Story
A Candle With Memories
When Alana’s grandma passed, she knew the task of separating her things was going to be a long process, but not quite this long. Her grandma lived in a 2-story Victorian-style home, stacked high with everything she had ever acquired. It was tidy but cluttered. After seven long months, she was finally on to the last room. The attic was full of stuff. She sighed as she started shuffling boxes around. Her brother, who had helped her move and sell most of the things, yelled from downstairs.
By Haylee Sandberg5 months ago in Fiction
“The Night the Ocean Learned to Scream”
The ocean has always looked beautiful… calm, endless, almost peaceful. But those who truly understand it know that beneath its surface lies something far darker—something that doesn’t forgive. That truth came alive on one terrifying night, when the sea stopped whispering… and started screaming.
By hassan khan5 months ago in Fiction
Something in the Water (Part One)
The meeting room at the Macquarie Harbour Writers’ Centre had not been set up for this many people. Extra chairs had been dragged in from the hallway. A few latecomers stood along the back wall. Someone had even perched on the windowsill, notebook balanced on their knees as though they might catch inspiration mid-sentence.
By Mark 'Ponyboy' Peters5 months ago in Fiction
The City That Measured Silence. AI-Generated.
The first time the city fined her for being quiet, Elin thought it was a mistake. She stood at the corner of Larkspur and Ninth, holding the thin slip of gray paper between her fingers, rereading the printed words as though repetition might soften them.
By Cordelia Vance5 months ago in Fiction
The Glass Orchard. AI-Generated.
On the morning the first tree cracked, Liora heard it before she saw it. It was a thin, almost delicate sound—like a breath caught too sharply in the throat. Not the roar of breaking wood, not the violence of storm or axe. Just a quiet fracture, precise and irreversible.
By Cordelia Vance5 months ago in Fiction
The Power of Kindness in a Cruel World
Written by (Matiullah) The Power of Kindness in a Cruel World Once there was a young boy named Ayaan who lived in a small village. He lived with his old mother in a broken house. They were very poor, but they had kind hearts. Even in hard times, they always tried to help others. Ayaan’s mother always told him, “Kindness is the biggest wealth in this world.” Ayaan believed in her words and followed them in his daily life. In the same village, there lived many rich people, but most of them were rude and selfish. They did not care about poor people. They only cared about their own comfort. One day, Ayaan was going to the market to sell some fruits. On the way, he saw an old man sitting near the road. The old man looked very weak and tired. His clothes were dirty, and he seemed hungry. Ayaan stopped and asked, “Uncle, are you okay?” The old man replied in a weak voice, “I have not eaten for two days.” Ayaan looked at his basket of fruits. He knew if he gave the fruits, he would not earn money that day. But his heart did not allow him to ignore the old man. He gave half of his fruits to the old man and said, “Please eat this.” The old man smiled and blessed him, “May you always stay happy.” Ayaan went ahead with the remaining fruits and sold them in the market. He earned very little money that day. When he returned home, his mother asked, “Why did you bring less money today?” Ayaan told her everything. His mother smiled and said, “You did the right thing. Allah will reward you.” The next day, Ayaan again went to the market. On the way, he saw a small injured dog lying near a tree. The dog was crying in pain. People were passing by, but no one stopped to help. Ayaan went near the dog and gently touched it. He said, “Don’t worry, I will help you.” He took the dog to a nearby doctor. The doctor treated the dog and said, “You have a kind heart. Not many people do this.” Ayaan spent the little money he had on the dog’s treatment. He returned home late and empty-handed. His mother again understood and said, “Kindness never goes wasted.” Days passed, and Ayaan continued helping others. Sometimes he helped hungry people, sometimes animals, and sometimes children. But many people in the village laughed at him. They said, “You are a fool. You give everything and get nothing.” Ayaan stayed silent and continued his good deeds. One day, a big incident happened in the village. A rich man’s house caught fire at night. People gathered, but no one was ready to help because the man was rude to everyone. Ayaan saw the fire and ran towards the house. He did not think about danger. He entered the burning house and helped the family come out safely. The rich man and his family were shocked. They never expected help from anyone. The man said, “Why did you save us? I have never been kind to you.” Ayaan replied, “Helping others is my duty. Kindness does not depend on how people treat us.” After this incident, the rich man felt ashamed. He realized his mistakes. Slowly, he started changing his behavior. He began helping poor people and respecting others. The story of Ayaan spread in the whole village. People started understanding the value of kindness. One day, the same old man whom Ayaan had helped came back to the village. But this time, he was not weak. He was dressed in clean clothes and looked strong. He went to Ayaan’s house and said, “Do you remember me?” Ayaan smiled and said, “Yes, you are the man I gave fruits to.” The old man said, “I am not a poor man. I was testing people in different villages. You are the only one who helped me without thinking.” He gave Ayaan a bag full of money and said, “This is a reward for your kindness.” Ayaan was surprised. He said, “I helped you from my heart. I do not need money.” The old man smiled and said, “This is not just money. It is a blessing. Use it for good.” Ayaan accepted it and used the money to help more people. He repaired his house, took care of his mother, and also helped many poor families. Soon, the village changed completely. People became more kind and helpful. They learned that kindness is more powerful than cruelty. Even those who were once selfish started caring for others. Ayaan became an example for everyone. He proved that even in a cruel world, kindness can change hearts. Moral: Kindness is the greatest power that can change even the hardest hearts.
By Matiullah k5 months ago in Fiction
Fish in The Basement. Top Story - April 2026.
When I was about a year old, my parents decided that their family of five was growing fast, and space had become limited. They bought a very cheap house in a rural farm town in southwest Minnesota. The house had been broken into and badly vandalized before they purchased it, but that was not an issue, as my father was a master carpenter and saw that the house had good bones. After the house was made livable, our family moved in.
By Kris Kimsey5 months ago in Fiction
THE GREEDY MINISTER
There was once a powerful king who believed he understood everything about his kingdom and its people. One day, he decided to test his wise minister. Calling him to the court, the king said in a firm voice, “Tomorrow morning, you must bring me the worst thing in this entire country. If you fail, you will be punished.”
By Muhammad Yaseen5 months ago in Fiction
