By Jonathan Mathews
Everyone was a mind reader except for Jill.
When something tasted funny, her mum would say, “No it doesn’t.”
If a book seemed boring, her teacher would insist, “It definitely isn’t.”
After telling a boy she wasn’t interested, he’d usually reply, “You are really.”
Jill wasn’t certain telepathy existed, but then again, she wasn’t certain of many things. Maybe everyone really could read her mind on some deep, unconscious level.
So she ate her peas, and she read her Dickens, and she married Robert Govett.
“You must be so happy,” gushed everyone she knew.
Perhaps they weren’t mind readers after all.
I really enjoyed this. It is concise and clever. But it also illustrates how difficult it is sometimes to simply assert oneself.
This is a well-constructed story. And powerful. VERY nice writing.
Loved this. Well done.
beautiful
I love this story for so many reasons! As a people-pleaser myself, I really identify with Jill. Clever and original!
Nice story. You really captured something here! Jill is like so many women in our society.
A great piece of writing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It touched a nerve and further enforced my need to trust myself no matter what others may think.
I found the story delicate and poignant
Clever. I enjoyed it.
Great! I loved this story; simple yet powerful and smart. Well done
Very well done.
Very clever!
Really enjoyed this one. Thank you.