Classical
let sleeping skeletons lie. Content Warning.
They had looked for many homes on their relativly meagre budget but what they needed wwasnt avaidible. The agent said "you need to up your money or down your expectations. The both thought about it and decided to give it another week and then reassess the problems.
By ASHLEY SMITH4 months ago in Fiction
Rain, Tea, and Timeless Words
Rain, Tea, and Timeless Words A heartwarming story of connection, calm, and the beauty of conversation. The rain had arrived softly, as if the sky were whispering secrets to the earth. It tapped gently on the roof of the little cottage at the edge of the hill, drumming a rhythm that felt like an old, familiar lullaby. Inside, the air smelled of cardamom and honey. A teapot steamed quietly on a wooden tray, accompanied by two handmade cups and a plate of warm biscuits. The scent of the tea drifted into the open air, dancing with the fresh petrichor that seeped through the window screens. Maya stood at the edge of the veranda, watching the raindrops slide down the leaves in the garden. The world seemed to shimmer in green and silver, like nature had been freshly painted. She turned slightly and smiled. “You always knew when to come,” she said. Across from her, seated in a wicker chair with a soft shawl draped around her shoulders, sat Lila—her oldest friend. Time had added a few silver strands to their hair, a few gentle lines around their eyes, but it hadn’t touched their laughter, or the comfort of their quiet conversations. “I think the rain sends me invitations,” Lila replied, smiling back. “And your tea seals the deal.” They laughed—softly, but freely. The kind of laughter that doesn’t chase silence away but fills it with light. As they sat with their tea, the garden unfolded before them like a peaceful painting. Birds rustled under leaves, the flowers swayed, and the occasional breeze carried the scent of jasmine. “Do you remember,” Maya began, “how we used to sit like this when we were twenty? Rainy afternoons with tea and dreams.” Lila nodded, her eyes twinkling. “We planned everything on those days. Where we’d live, the books we’d write, the cafés we’d open…” “…the mountains we’d climb,” Maya added, grinning. “We never opened the café, but we did find our mountains.” They paused, sipping their tea. The conversation wasn’t urgent—it never was between them. It flowed naturally, like the stream that ran just beyond the garden fence. “What I love about us,” Lila said after a moment, “is that we never stopped making space for days like this. Even when life got loud.” Maya nodded thoughtfully. “Tea, rain, and real words. That’s our ritual. No pretending. Just presence.” Outside, the rain thickened for a few minutes, softening the landscape into a watercolor. Inside, the warmth of the tea and the glow of their conversation made the room feel like a haven. “Do you think people still talk like this?” Lila asked. “Without phones, without noise—just words and wonder?” Maya tilted her head. “Some do. Some are learning again. I think the world is remembering the value of slowness. Of listening.” There was a silence then—not empty, but full of meaning. The kind of silence only deep friendship allows. They watched the world breathe. Suddenly, Lila reached into her bag and pulled out a small notebook, its cover worn and soft at the edges. “I brought this,” she said. “It’s something I’ve been writing. Thoughts, poems, little moments I don’t want to lose.” She handed it to Maya, who opened it gently, as if holding something sacred. The pages were filled with neat, flowing handwriting—some playful, some profound. One short poem caught her eye: Rain remembers every story, Even the ones we whisper in silence. Tea listens better than most people. And time— Time waits, when love is true. Maya looked up, eyes misty. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. Lila smiled. “You inspired most of it. Our talks. These afternoons.” They sat for a while longer, reading and sipping, until the rain began to slow, and golden light broke gently through the clouds. The garden sparkled as if it had been dusted with diamonds. Before Lila left, they hugged tightly, the kind of hug that says thank you for being part of my life’s story. As she walked down the stone path, umbrella in hand, Maya called out, “Same time next rain?” Lila turned, grinning. “Always.” Maya returned to the veranda, poured herself the last of the tea, and sat quietly. The sky had cleared, but the feeling of the rain lingered like a memory—soft, fresh, and full of life. She picked up Lila’s notebook again and wrote a line on the last page: Some friendships are brewed like tea—warm, strong, and better with time.
By Muhammad Saad 4 months ago in Fiction
A Puzzle-maker's Lament
Elias’s workshop was a sanctuary of silent questions. Wood shavings carpeted the floor like fallen leaves, and the air smelled of cedar and old secrets. He was a puzzle-maker, an artisan of exquisite confinement. The wealthy and powerful came to him not for furniture, but for beautiful prisons—intricate boxes to hide deeds, jewels, or shame.
By Habibullah4 months ago in Fiction
Shining Through: The Best World Record of 2025
In a year that many expected to be like any other, 2025 surprised the world with something extraordinary — a global movement so powerful, it set a world record no one had ever imagined possible. Not for speed, strength, or technology — but for kindness. It all began in January, when a small school in Finland launched a project called "Kindness Chain". The goal was simple: every student had to perform one act of kindness and then encourage the person they helped to pass it on. The idea quickly spread across social media, catching fire faster than any viral challenge before it. Within weeks, thousands of people in dozens of countries were joining in — planting trees for strangers, helping the elderly with groceries, sending supportive letters to people they’d never met, and donating food and clothes in record amounts. The hashtag #PassItOn2025 trended globally, and for the first time in years, positive news was leading every headline. Then, something unexpected happened. In March, the Global Goodwill Council, a non-profit international watchdog for humanitarian efforts, began documenting the movement. They counted over 700 million confirmed acts of kindness by April — an all-time world record. But more than the numbers, what shocked everyone was how the movement had spread to places once divided by conflict, politics, or pain. In a small town in Syria, children from formerly opposing groups planted olive trees together. In Brazil, a youth group cleaned up entire neighborhoods, then taught digital skills to elderly locals. In India, a community pooled resources to build homes for displaced families. Across oceans and borders, kindness became the world’s most powerful common language. By June, schools, companies, hospitals, and even governments began organizing large-scale "positivity days." Businesses gave employees paid time to volunteer. Hospitals saw patient recovery improve when kindness programs were introduced. Some cities reported a measurable drop in crime rates, linking it to the growing culture of empathy and community care. Perhaps the most emotional moment came on World Kindness Day, November 13th. Coordinated across 193 countries, over 1 billion people participated in the largest synchronized human chain ever recorded — physically and digitally. People joined hands in real life or shared live selfies online with heartfelt messages of unity. From the snowy mountains of Canada to the deserts of Africa, the image of humanity, hand-in-hand, circled the Earth. The Guinness World Records confirmed it as the largest collective human event in history. News outlets dubbed it “The Year the World Remembered Its Heart.” The story of 2025 became more than a trend — it became a testimony to the strength of compassion. The United Nations honored the movement with a new global observance: The International Day of Kindness and Unity, to be celebrated every year on the third Saturday of November. The event would serve as a reminder that the greatest changes don’t always come from big inventions or political breakthroughs — sometimes, they start with small, selfless acts. And while the official record was noted, most people involved didn’t care about the numbers. What stayed with them were the connections they formed, the smiles they saw, and the healing they felt — both in others and in themselves. As the sun set on 2025, one truth remained clear: in a world often overwhelmed by noise and division, the quiet power of kindness had shone through, louder and brighter than anyone ever expected. It wasn’t just a record. It was a revolution — of hope, unity, and the simple belief that one good deed can truly change the world.
By Muhammad Saad 4 months ago in Fiction
Free Me, Please!
To the now-adult children who were read Kolobok in childhood: Greetings from the Fox's underbelly. Literally. I've been ghosting here for as long as parents continue reading my story to their children. Quite frankly, I am fed up. Sorry for the pun but I want out. So hear me out.
By Lana V Lynx4 months ago in Fiction
Behind Bars, Beyond Borders: The Struggle of the Global Sumud Flotilla
Behind Bars, Beyond Borders: The Struggle of the Global Sumud Flotilla The roar of the sea had been replaced by the clang of iron doors. For the activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla, who had set sail with nothing but hope and humanitarian aid, the sudden transition from open waves to concrete cells felt surreal. Yet, even in captivity, their mission refused to die.
By Wings of Time 4 months ago in Fiction
Morning walk and exercise
A New Dawn The sun had barely begun its gentle climb over the horizon when Meera tied her shoelaces and stepped out of her front door. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the earthy scent of dew-kissed grass and the faint sweetness of blooming jasmine from a neighbor’s garden. For years, Meera had promised herself she would start walking in the mornings. But life—work, family, excuses—always got in the way. That changed three months ago. After a routine checkup, her doctor gave her a gentle but firm warning: “Meera, your body is speaking to you. You need to listen.” Her blood pressure was rising, her energy levels were dipping, and sleep had become a nightly struggle. The prescription? A simple daily routine of walking and light exercise. So, on a chilly July morning, she began. The first week was tough. Her muscles protested, her mind begged to go back to bed, and her feet weren’t used to early-morning roads. But she kept going. Now, it had become a ritual. Not a chore—but a cherished part of her day. As she walked through the quiet park, the familiar rhythm of her feet on the gravel path was comforting. Birds flitted from tree to tree, chirping their morning greetings. A pair of squirrels chased each other around an old mango tree. Everything felt alive, fresh, and full of possibility. She passed Ravi uncle, a retired army man who never missed his 5:30 a.m. walk. He gave her a cheerful salute, which she returned with a smile. A little ahead, she saw Anaya, a college student who jogged with music in her ears and determination in her eyes. Every morning, their paths crossed—strangers tied together by the same unspoken commitment to health and peace of mind. After her 30-minute walk, Meera reached the yoga platform by the lake. She placed her mat down and began her stretches. The lake shimmered under the first rays of sunlight, and the gentle sound of water lapping against the stones brought a calm to her mind. Breathing in, she raised her arms to the sky. Breathing out, she folded into a forward bend. With each stretch, each breath, she felt more grounded, more grateful. Her mind wandered to how far she had come—not just in distance, but in mindset. She was sleeping better now, eating more mindfully, and feeling more energetic throughout the day. Her colleagues at the bank even commented on her glowing skin and lighter mood. But the biggest change? Her outlook on life. She no longer woke up dreading the day. Instead, she looked forward to her mornings—the time she had all to herself, free from deadlines, emails, and chores. A time when she connected with nature, her breath, and her body. It wasn’t about losing weight or looking a certain way. It was about feeling alive. One day, after finishing her routine, she sat by the lake and noticed a young boy sitting alone on a bench, hunched over and looking anxious. Something about his posture tugged at her heart. She approached him gently. “Are you okay, beta?” she asked. He looked up, startled, then nodded. “Just… worried about my exams. Can’t focus at home. I come here to clear my head.” Meera smiled and sat beside him. “You know, when I started coming here, I was worried too—about my health, my work, my family. But walking and breathing in this fresh air… it helps. Try it. Just a short walk.” The boy looked hesitant, but the next morning, Meera saw him walking slowly along the trail. She gave him an encouraging nod. Over the weeks, more familiar faces joined her morning circle—a new mother pushing a stroller, a retired teacher doing tai chi, a teenager listening to audiobooks while jogging. The park became a small, moving community. Strangers began smiling at each other, sharing stories, offering fruit or tea from thermoses. The quiet walks gave rise to quiet friendships. Meera realized that her morning walk was more than just a routine. It was a ripple of wellness—starting with her and spreading gently through her community. As October rolled in, the mornings grew cooler and the leaves rustled with a hint of gold. Meera added a light sweater to her outfit but kept her stride steady. Her body was stronger, but more importantly, her heart was lighter. Every morning, as the sun rose over the lake, it wasn’t just a new day. It was a new Meera.
By Muhammad Saad 4 months ago in Fiction
