Latest Stories
Most recently published stories on Vocal.
I Hit Rock Bottom Before I Learned the Truth About Success
There was a time in my life when nothing seemed to work. No matter how hard I tried, I always ended up at the same place—tired, disappointed, and questioning my own worth. Every morning began with hope, and every night ended with regret. I watched people around me move forward while I stayed stuck, and slowly, that comparison started to destroy my confidence.
By Iazaz hussain13 days ago in Motivation
7 Common Types of Hair Extensions: Which One Is Best for Your Hair?. AI-Generated.
Hair extensions have revolutionized the beauty world, offering an instant transformation in length, volume, and even color without the commitment of chemical dyes. According to the comprehensive guide BELLECODE by New Times Hair (read the original here), selecting the right extension type is the secret to achieving a natural, comfortable, and seamless look.
By Emma Smith13 days ago in Blush
Lion and a Rabbit:
Deep inside the Emerald Forest, where trees touched the sky and sunlight danced between leaves, lived animals of every kind—deer, birds, elephants, monkeys, and even tiny ants. For generations, they lived in peace. But everything changed the day Raghu, the fiercest lion, became the self-proclaimed King of the Emerald Forest. Raghu was powerful, with a mane dark as midnight and claws that could slice bark like butter. At first, the animals respected him because of his strength. But soon, fear replaced respect. Raghu began to think strength was everything. He hunted not only when he was hungry but whenever he felt bored or angry. The forest grew silent. Animals hid in their burrows. Birds stopped singing. Even the wind seemed afraid to blow. One evening, the animals gathered near the Great Banyan Tree. “This cannot go on,” said an old deer. “If Raghu keeps hunting like this, soon none of us will be left,” whispered a mother squirrel. “Someone must stop him,” cried the parrot. But everyone knew the truth: no one could fight the lion. After hours of discussion, the animals made a plan. They decided that instead of letting Raghu hunt freely, they would send one animal to him each day as his meal. It sounded cruel, but it was the only way to save the rest. When the idea was presented to the lion, Raghu smirked. “Good,” he said. “At least you now understand your place.” Every day, one unlucky animal was chosen. Some went crying, some went silently, and some tried to run but were brought back. The forest lived in sorrow. One afternoon, when the sky shone gold and birds returned to their nests, the forest elders approached Rumi, a small grey rabbit known for her intelligence. “Rumi,” said the owl gently, “tomorrow is your turn.” The animals waited for tears or panic—but Rumi simply nodded. “I may be small,” she said, “but brains are not measured in kilograms.” The animals were shocked. “What do you mean?” asked the deer. “You will see,” Rumi replied with a mysterious smile. The next morning, Rumi set off slowly toward Raghu’s cave. She hopped leisurely, stopping to nibble grass, smell flowers, and even rest under a mushroom. By noon, she was still nowhere near the lion’s den. Back in the cave, Raghu paced without patience. “Where is my meal? How dare they keep a king waiting!” he roared, shaking the forest. Birds trembled on branches. Just then, Rumi appeared, tiny and calm. “You are late,” Raghu growled. “Give me one reason not to tear you apart right now.” Rumi bowed politely. “Great King, I tried to come on time. But another lion stopped me.” Raghu’s eyes widened. “Another lion? In my forest?” “Yes,” Rumi said, trembling just the right amount to seem convincing. “He said he is the true king. He even claimed that you are weak.” Raghu’s pride flared like wildfire. “Impossible! No one challenges me and lives! Take me to him at once!” Rumi led the furious lion deep into the forest. Instead of following the main path, she guided him through thorny bushes, slippery slopes, and rocky streams. “Where is he?” Raghu demanded. “Near the old stone well,” Rumi replied, pointing ahead. They reached the abandoned well, covered in moss. The water inside was still and dark like a mirror. Rumi whispered, “He is inside. He claimed he can defeat you.” Raghu, blinded by rage, marched to the edge and peered inside. At the bottom, he saw the reflection of a lion—his own reflection—but he did not understand. The reflection roared back because of the echo. Raghu roared louder. The echo answered louder. “He mocks me!” Raghu snarled. Without another thought, he leapt into the well to attack his “enemy.” With a huge splash, the water swallowed him. Rumi watched quietly. A few moments passed. Then silence. The mighty lion, who had terrorized the entire forest, could not climb out. The well was deep, and Raghu was gone. Rumi hopped to the edge and whispered, “Strength is nothing without wisdom.” When she returned to the forest, the animals were waiting anxiously. “Where is the lion?” they cried. “With the reflection he tried to defeat,” Rumi said playfully, “at the bottom of the old well.” The forest erupted in cheers. Monkeys jumped from tree to tree. Peacocks danced. Birds filled the sky with songs. The elephant lifted Rumi on his back and declared, “From today, Rumi is the Guardian of the Emerald Forest!” The forest came alive again. The trees felt taller. The wind blew freely. Flowers bloomed brighter than ever. From that day onward, whenever a young animal complained about being small or weak, the elders would smile and say: “Do not fear. Remember Rumi—the tiny rabbit who saved an entire forest.”
By Talhamuhammad13 days ago in Feast
A Jealous God. Content Warning.
My boyfriend and I had a conversation about religion the other day that sparked my thoughts on something that has long confused me. My God is from the Bible and jealousy is often deemed a "bad" emotion, so... why does the Bible say that God is a jealous God?
By The Schizophrenic Mom13 days ago in History
Between Rich Dad and Real Life
I was twenty-two when the book found me, or when I found it—depending on how destiny prefers to be credited. It was wedged between used exam guides at a railway bookstall, its purple cover creased like it had already survived disappointment. Rich Dad Poor Dad. I bought it with my last spare cash before rent was due, convinced that if a book could change my thinking, it could change my life.
By Maavia tahir13 days ago in History
The Lion and the Cat
In the heart of a vast, sun-drenched jungle, there lived a mighty lion named Raja. His roar could shake the tallest trees, and every creature in the jungle trembled at the sound of his voice. Raja was proud of his strength and power, and he ruled the jungle with a strict eye. Though feared by all, he felt that no one truly understood him. He was strong, yes, but he often felt lonely atop his throne of leaves and rocks. One day, as the golden sun filtered through the dense canopy, Raja lay napping near the riverbank. His mane glowed like molten gold, and his deep chest rose and fell with each slow, heavy breath. The jungle was quiet, for all creatures knew to stay far from the king’s resting place. But today, a small, curious cat named Moti was wandering through the jungle. Moti was not like other cats. She was tiny, with soft white fur and bright green eyes that sparkled with curiosity. She loved exploring, learning, and asking questions. Moti had heard tales of Raja, the mighty lion, and though she knew he was powerful, she felt no fear. There was something in her heart that told her courage was more than strength—it was about knowing when to act with wisdom. As Moti approached the riverbank, she saw the lion sleeping peacefully. The birds in the trees chirped softly, and the breeze played through the leaves. Moti paused and whispered to herself, “He looks so strong… but even a king can learn something from the smallest creature.” Gathering her courage, she tiptoed closer and gently touched Raja’s paw with her tiny paw. The lion’s eyes flickered open, and for a moment, he stared at the little cat in surprise. “Who dares disturb my rest?” he rumbled, his voice echoing through the jungle. Moti raised her head and spoke with confidence, “Your Majesty, I mean no harm. I have come to share a thought that might help you see the jungle in a new way.” Raja blinked slowly. He was amused. He had never been spoken to like this by a tiny creature before. “A thought? From a little cat? Tell me, then. I am listening,” he said, settling back on his paws. Moti sat on a nearby rock and began to speak. “Great Raja, you are the strongest in the jungle. Your roar can make trees tremble and animals flee. But strength alone cannot make the jungle a happy place. I have seen creatures suffer quietly, hiding their fears and sadness because they are afraid of you. True power comes not from fear, but from understanding and kindness.” Raja frowned. No one had ever spoken to him this way. He had always believed that power meant control, that fear was respect. But something about the little cat’s words made him pause. “Tell me more,” he said softly, curious despite himself. Moti continued, “Imagine a bird with a broken wing. If you roar at it, it will only grow more afraid. But if you help it, even in a small way, it will sing a song that reaches the hearts of everyone. Strength is fleeting, but kindness and wisdom make the jungle thrive.” Raja looked at her, amazed at her insight. The tiny cat’s words stirred something deep inside him. For the first time, he thought about the creatures of his jungle not as subjects to control, but as friends who shared the land with him. Days passed, and Moti and Raja spent time together. The lion learned from her small yet thoughtful ways, and the cat learned from his strength and courage. Raja began helping the weaker animals, protecting them not through fear, but through guidance and care. He discovered joy in listening, in sharing, and in understanding the needs of others. One day, a fire broke out in the jungle. The flames spread quickly, and panic spread among the animals. Raja roared, not to frighten, but to alert the creatures and guide them to safety. Moti led the smaller animals to a safe riverbank while Raja cleared paths through the fire, ensuring no one was left behind. When the fire finally subsided, the jungle was filled with grateful creatures. Raja realized something remarkable: he had earned their love, not their fear. And he owed this transformation to a tiny, wise cat who dared to speak the truth. From that day on, Raja and Moti became the most unlikely of friends. The jungle thrived under their care, and stories of the brave little cat and the mighty lion spread far and wide. Animals came to understand that true strength lay not in roaring the loudest, but in acting with courage, wisdom, and kindness. And so, in the heart of the jungle, the lion learned a lesson that changed his life forever: even the smallest creature can teach the greatest lessons, and the strongest hearts are those that show compassion.
By Talhamuhammad13 days ago in Feast
The House
A punk with spiky blonde hair snuck into a child’s bedroom and stuck a broken broom handle in his forehead. The child’s body was found a couple of hours later by his father. That was twenty years ago. A mother and her two young daughters Emily and Julie, were currently living in that home now. The address was 323 Washington Street and it was known around town as the Murder House. Kids would tease each other and dare each other to ring the doorbell on Halloween night. No kids would ever take the bait. This would win them the pleasure of merciless hazing from their friends.
By DJ Robbins13 days ago in Horror
Why Vocal is Goated
Vocal is an extremely underrated writing platform. I love writing short fiction. Writing short fiction and the six hundred minimum word count for Vocal stories is a perfect platform to publish my short stories. I was not sure about Vocal at first but once I received my first payment from them, I was hooked. I was a bit annoyed at first because of the 35 dollars withdrawal minimum threshold. My biggest saving grace was top story bonuses. The bonuses were five dollars a pop. Seven Top Stories and I was ready to cash out. I withdrew my cash to stripe on December 22nd. I was hoping to have the money by Christmas but did not receive the money in my bank account until after the holidays. While I was annoyed not to get the money until after Christmas; I was able to start the New Year getting paid to write. It started my year off right.
By DJ Robbins13 days ago in Journal
Fingering It Out. Content Warning.
It's not uncommon to develop feelings for someone after sleeping with them. I'm usually pretty good at remaining detached after sex, but after Zane and I slept together - after our first official date - I couldn't help but admit that while I wasn't in love with him, I was warming up to the idea of having him in my life. There weren't any guarantees that it would progress to a relationship, but I felt more comfortable with him - sexually - than I did with most guys, which I took as a good sign.
By Gabriel Bradshaw 13 days ago in Humans
Your AI Houseplant Coach: The 5 Most Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them. AI-Generated.
We bring plants into our homes as living pieces of joy, creativity, and calm. Yet, that relationship can sometimes feel fraught with anxiety—a yellow leaf feels like personal criticism, a drooping stem a sign of failure. Having analyzed countless care queries and plant health data at AI Plant Finder, I’ve seen clear patterns emerge. The journey from a nervous plant owner to a confident grower isn't about having a "green thumb"; it's about unlearning a few common, well-intentioned mistakes. Consider this your friendly, data-informed coaching session. Let's replace guilt with understanding and turn those common pitfalls into stepping stones for growth, mirroring how a supportive creative community helps us refine our craft.
By Emma Wallace13 days ago in Lifehack
