Saturday, August 13, 2011

Flash Fiction: Kindness

I'm a little bit late with this bit of flash fiction - some days are just busy, you know? Also, I really enjoyed Captain America: The First Avenger. (Edit - I know others didn't really like it, and while it's not a "must watch" it is a good way to pass 2 hours - it must also be remembered that it is made as a prequel to The Avengers, in which Captain America, Thor and Iron Man will be combined.)

It was also good to see Hugo Weaving in a role I could actually believe him in. (His role as Agent Smith in The Matrix meant I could never take him seriously as an elf in Lord of the Rings.)

Here is the full definition of kindness:
Charity, compassion and friendship for its own sake. Empathy and trust without prejudice or resentment. Unselfish love and voluntary kindness without bias or spite. Having positive outlooks and cheerful demeanor; to inspire kindness in others. (Vice: envy.)

I should assure you that I have done my best to avoid writing something that strongly resembles the movie I just watched.

After my "patience" flash fiction yesterday, which I was so pleased with, I feel like this is no where near as good, but my poor brain can't think of anything else.

I hope you like it, and can see what part of the definition I'm trying to address.

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Kindness

“I don’t understand how you make friends so easily. You’re amazing.” I gazed at my husband with mixed pride and envy.

“It’s not that hard to say ‘hi’ to people. Perhaps you could try it sometime?” My husband took every opportunity to tease me.

“I don’t have the confidence.” I looked down, hiding my eyes. “How do you know it’ll even be worth it? I mean, why do you want to be friends with nearly everyone you meet?”

“I love finding out about people.” He paused, thinking. “There’s no harm in being friendly, and it makes people happy, I guess.”

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To read what others have written, click right here.

7 comments:

  1. Oh, this is really sweet. I have the same problem, too, so I can really identify. Good job, Kathy!

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  2. Aw lovely. I love your writing style, it's so authentic. And it makes me smile! Also, I want to see Captain America!

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  3. That's a great reason to be kind, "I love finding out about people." That seems like the perfect source for the Virtue.
    I also loved Captain America, I think it hurt itself a little setting up for The Avengers instead of just being its own movie, but over all I still loved it.

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  4. Thanks guys!
    This one is based on real life - basically real conversations, just with characters changed, so I'm glad that you find it authentic!

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  5. It is nice when you are authentic and people actually think you're being authentic. Annoying when they don't.

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  6. From your comment sounds like you've experienced being authentic but not understood/believed, David. =)

    It is hard, because just as writing styles differ, so does that way people interpret when they read, and what can seem very authentic to one person may seem contrived and fake to another.

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  7. Eh, I have a reputation for saying things that aren't true (fantasy author, you know?). So people who can't tell when I'm telling the truth or not opt to disbelieve everything I say.
    I still hold it's not a bad idea to run everything you hear through a quick reasonableness test.

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