One night, I lay in bed, contemplating the stillness of the cool, autumn breeze that gently caressed the trees. As I began to drift between half-consciousness and sleep, I became aware of a presence beside my bed. Three beings stood before me, silent and still. The first was a woeful looking young man who, despite his youth, was beginning to show signs of old age and the marks of many years.
“I am Sadness”, he said to me. I represent your grief and your pain. You often turn to me in times of quiet reflection. I am you constant companion. Why have you called me here?” I ignored his question and looked at the second being standing next to him.
This was a smiling, happy looking youth. When I averted my eyes from his gaze for a moment, the youth’s face immediately fell and showed clear signs of distress and concern. “I am Anxiety”, he said haltingly. I mask your worry and fear when others are looking. I am the smile you put on for others and the laugh they hear when you need to hide your feelings. I am your constant companion. Why have you called me here?”
I ignored the question again as I turned to gaze on the third specter. This was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She smiled sweetly at me, but beneath that smile lay subtle cruelty and mockery. “I am Regret”, she said sweetly. “I remind you of your failures and missed opportunities. I am your failed relationships, your chances you didn’t take, and the lies you told yourself. I speak to you often. Of the three of us, I am with you the most and am your constant companion. Why have you called me here?”
I turned to the three demons before me and spoke clearly and firmly. “I have summoned you”, I began, “to tell you that I no longer serve you, but it is you who serve ME. Anxiety, I call upon you when I need focus, to never become complacent. Sadness, I turn to you to remind me that some pain needs to be felt and experienced that we may learn.” I turned to the leering, beautiful face of Regret and said, “You will serve me most of all. I command you to remind me only of the mistakes I can fix and improve upon. I will not dwell upon the decisions I have made ever again, I will only learn from them. Your power, Regret, is broken most of all.” I fixed the three demons with my gaze and commanded, Now go, all of you!” With that, the three disappeared.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t hear the whispers of Sadness, Anxiety, and Regret. They are my constant companions, always lurking. However, they now serve me, they no longer control me. They are tools, only to be called upon as needed, never to come unbidden or unwelcome hereafter.
Short Stories
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I absolutely love this! Your descriptions of each personified feeling make so much sense, especially Anxiety, and your writing is so certain. I’m happy that both the good and bad sides of those emotions were expressed here, as people need to see how helpful something painful, like regret, can be if you use it right.
Very well written portraying both good and bad facets of human emotions! The description is quite vivid, brief, and keeps reader glued to contemplation at every stage. At the end his declaration that he no longer is controlled by them,instead are used as”tools, only to be called upon as needed, never to come unbidden or unwelcome hereafter.” is a fitting conclusion in par excellence!
“supham02” you have created a beautiful pice of writing ! Keep it up!…………..kranand