100-word Short Stories

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DREAMING OF CRYING JUST ONCE

The child lives on the streets, relying on the kindness of strangers.
Watching other children in their parents’ arms.
Talking.
Laughing.
And crying...
Crying over spilled milk, over scoldings, over...

The child doesn’t know how to talk. Doesn’t know how to cry. Only knows how to smile.
Happy—smile. Sad—smile. Begging for food with a smile...

Countless times in dreams, the child asks the Old Sage: "Why can’t I speak? Why can’t I cry?"
The Old Sage smiles.

The child dreams of crying just once in their parents’ arms.

At dawn.
Eyes dry.
Still smiling.



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