This story titled “Comfort or courage?” is written for #WriteTribeProBlogger challenge. It is inspired by the quote from Brene Brown:
“You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.”
Comfort or courage?
A new world lies on the other side. It is a world I have not seen, but only heard of.
I’ve heard it’s filled with magic, that it has kindness and joy, that it will welcome me with laughter.
Yet I’ve heard voices raised in anger too, heard tears as they rushed by.
I’ve heard her songs, the ones she croons to me when she’s alone. I’ve heard her words smile when she says she loves me. Just like I hear the fear in her voice when she says, “Today I found out you’re like me.”
She knows I’ll not be welcomed, that the only cheers will be from her. But she fears worse. What if they won’t let me come? We’ve to wait with bated breath to know my fate.
“You can choose comfort, or you can choose courage; but you can’t choose both,” she whispers, over and over again. She lies on her bed, and I wonder if she’s looking at the stars she has told me about.
Then I hear the door slam shut, the same way I’ve heard many times before. They talk… his voice, loud and commanding; hers, soft yet sure. I wait till I hear the door open and slam shut again.
“I chose you, my angel,” her voice says. “We shall leave soon from here. The world will change, but I want you to know… you are my world, and I shall be yours.”
Liked this? Maybe you can read some of my earlier posts: for Write Tribe | Short Stories.
(© Vinay Leo R. @ I Rhyme Without Reason,
20th October, 2017)
Vinay Leo R.
Poetry & writing are to me, a breath of fresh air in a life that is sometimes covered by the smoke of sorrow or self doubt. They also become the sweets I share to celebrate when life offers me a reason to. But most of all, they are to me, my life. For each word I write is a piece of my heart, a thought that just had to find its way into the world.
Beautiful! She’s made the right choice.
Yes. It feels so, doesn’t it? 🙂 Thank you, Corinne.
Oh this is beautiful Vinay! I love the way you have made this so mystical. I hope the new baby brings loads of joys and sunshine in the mothers life!!
(SHALINI BAISIWALA recently posted… Disobedience [ #WriteBravely])
Yeah. In their new world, that sunshine might be the most important thing for the mother, Shalini Baisiwala. 🙂 Thank you.
Poignant! I hope the baby comes out fine and she makes her mother happy and proud. A very different take on the prompt. Kudos!
I hope so too, Sreedeep. That’ll make the mother happy for being courageous in her decision! 🙂
I am glad she chose courage to save the Angel from the cruel intentions of the world.
(Aesha Shah recently posted… I Will Always Choose Courage Over Comfort!)
I’m glad too, Aesha. 🙂
A very good take on the prompt, I couldnt come up with something but reading this just lit a bulb in my head 🙂
Thanks, Z. Waiting to see where the prompt took you. 😀
Such a sweet story this was, Vinay. I am glad that she chose her angel, a courageous choice given the raised angry voices. Loved the last para. 🙂
(Vinitha recently posted… Creative Struggle #writebravely #writetribeproblogger)
I’m glad she chose her angel too, Vinitha.
Such a lovely interpretation Vinay! A bondage of love!
Thanks, Jayanthy.
It reminded me of a line from the movie jungle book by Raksha “you’re mine….mine to me”!
What can i say vinay! It was a beauty in itself the way you have penned down those unspoken thoughts between a yet to be born child and a mother!
Glad you felt the story was beautiful, Keerthi. Thank you! 🙂
A poignant one- a brave choice but the right one
(akshata recently posted… I forgive #FridayFotoFiction)
Thanks, Akshata.
I’m glad that she did the right choice in the end.
Yes! It’s difficult at times to take that call, when there seem to be many things to consider too! Thank you, Prasanna. 🙂
Oh my, that’s a beautiful piece. Amazing use of prompt and the conclusion is phenomenal 🙂
Thanks, Ashwini.
So lovely! I wish every Mom had the courage to choose her baby, over the rest of the world. Maybe someday…
I wish so too, Apeksha. Maybe someday, yes.
Ok I am so embarrassed! For all motherhood gyaan, I couldn’t figure out what this one was about until I read the comments * facepalm *.
But then I read it again and it made me emotional. Its truly beautiful and well written!
It’s a bit subtle perhaps, Mahak. I didn’t want to make it very clear either. Glad you felt it was well written! Thank you.
Wow! I always love the way you tell stories! Such a beautiful tale of courage! I hope the life is better for her real soon!
(Nibha Gupta recently posted… The Hidden Monster)
I hope life is better for them soon too, Nibha. 🙂 That courage merits some happiness.
I hope that she sees soon enough that she made the right choice 🙂
(Bhavya recently posted… Monster Under The Bed)
I think she knows she has, Ishi, but she could use support in any case I think. 🙂 Just to give her an extra push.
Making the right choice sets so many things in action. To more right choices made in dark scary nights <3
Yes. Some right choices do need to be made, no matter the situation. Thank you, Anjana.