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
My life has been spent traveling here and abroad. Now it's time to write.
I have three published books: Mitigating Circumstances, Short Stories for Open Minds, and Short Stories from an Untethered Mind. Unmitigated Greed is do out soon.
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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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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 Gagnon2 years ago in Fiction
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/08/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal7 days ago in Resources
Comments (41)
A beautiful illustration of a profound truth. Very nice.
Some truth is hard to handle. This is still an issue in former war zones, too.
Lovely micro, can't believe I have only just seen this one! Glad you pinned it 😁
wow amazing
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This is a stunning micro! What a masterful revealing of layers through dialogue and imagery!
Your perspective on the snow is truly beautiful, appreciating the serene landscape and the way it transforms the hills into a winter wonderland. It's heartwarming to witness your love for nature.
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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 😲
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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 🤍