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101 Word Short Stories

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Kindness Rekindled

July 5, 2025 4 Comments

By Sivan Pillai

Working on a poultry farm, I killed hens by pressing their necks until their wings stopped flapping. Boiling water, knives, and other tools helped me clean, cut, and put them into bags.

My wife left, calling me cruel.

As a hawk swooped down on a brood of chicks, their mother took them under her wings and rushed to the nearest building. The hawk flew back, hoping to find unguarded chicks.

The form of the hawk merged with me for a moment.

The decision to change my job to that of a gardener made me happy.

I hope my wife will return.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stella says

    July 5, 2025 at 8:48 am

    The last line is so powerful and evocative. Hope she does return. Well done

    Reply
  2. Deanna Salser says

    July 9, 2025 at 11:34 am

    At first, I was like, ‘Oh, no, a flash about bird murder,’ but then I read on and discovered your beautiful ending. Very nice.

    Reply
  3. Ed Kratz says

    July 9, 2025 at 7:14 pm

    Powerful and moving. Well done,

    Reply
  4. Pamela Cartlidge says

    July 10, 2025 at 10:05 am

    Realistic. Sad but it happens.

    Reply

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