Wednesday, January 4, 2012

A Little Kernel of Doubt

My newest story for the Three Word Wednesday prompt. It's a little different style for me, but I hope y'all still like it.

 
In the Realm of Possibility lived a little Kernel named Doubt. Nobody really liked Doubt because he was always causing trouble. Whether it was breaking up relationships, ending careers or just causing general unease, doubt was always being naughty, but the worst thing Doubt did, yes the worst thing by far, was when he committed murder.

Doubt didn’t mean to cause trouble; he just did what came naturally. He didn’t have a tactic or plan of action. He didn’t set out to hurt anyone. In fact, Doubt often wondered why bad things happened when he was around. It seemed that his mere presence made the optimistic people in the Realm of Possibility lose perspective and start wondering. He didn’t have to say a word.

Oh, but when he did start talking, things went from bad to worse. 

You could ask Joy what it was like to listen to Doubt, but she was no longer around. The people of Possibility missed Joy’s laughter and love, but what they missed most was her happiness. When Doubt killed Joy, he changed the very fiber of the realm. 

The things that made Joy Joy were also what killed her. The people of the Realm of Possibility thought that if only Joy had turned away when Doubt started talking, she would still be with them. But Joy couldn’t do that. She always wanted to help, to make others as happy as she was. So when Doubt started asking questions, she tried to answer, never knowing the answers were going to be the end of her, and that they would plunge the realm into sadness.

The first question of, “Why are you happy all the time?” was innocent enough. 

Joy gladly replied, “Because the world is beautiful, the people are safe and secure, and life is good.”

“What about Mary and Sam? They’re no longer together. Their world fell apart.”

Joy paused a minute before answering, thinking about the couple who had recently broken apart. “They will find their way. Maybe not together, but the world is full of happiness. We just have to be open to new things.”

Doubt shook his head. “Sometimes people can’t cope. I’ve seen them do terrible things to themselves and each other. How do you account for that?”

The thought of her selfish sister touching the inhabitants of Possibility made Joy weep. “Sometimes Despair reaches them before I can.” Joy answered. “She causes misery wherever she goes.”

“So life isn’t always good for people, but still, you’re always happy?” Doubt asked.

Joy hung her head as shame overcame her. She had never thought of it that way, but Doubt was right. How could she sit above the world, where nothing touched her, and talk about life being good, when those below were sad and upset. What right did she have to be happy when they were not?

While thoughts such as these swirled through her brain, Joy’s heart withered, until finally, her light went out, the last spark dying in sadness.

It took a while for the realm to figure out what happened. When they did, they went to the zenith to have a word with the Wise, but this time, it wasn’t enough. The Wise didn’t know how to fix things. He couldn’t bring Joy back. 

He told them that they could still be happy, that it was possible to make things better again, but they didn’t believe him. Because, you see, in the absence of Joy, even the smallest Doubt is too much, and the people in the Realm of Possibility were lost.

13 comments:

Cgull said...

Like this story, how easily we switch from one emotion to another. I have been reading Dhammapada, there Buddha says all these emotions are temporary, we should try to not get affected by either of them. Which is very hard to do, but I am trying.

Angel said...

Thanks for the comment, Chris. It is hard not to let our emotions take over sometimes.

Sheilagh Lee said...

yes its sad when we let doubt in

Daydreamertoo said...

And this is so true for real life and how it goes. When doubt creeps in, the rest isn't far behind. Trust, faith, it all goes and, you are right, so does any joy left.
What a wonderful way to use the prompt. Very original.

Wayne Pitchko said...

nicely done and thanks for sharing

Angel said...

Thank you all so much for reading and commenting. I love to hear what others think of my stories.

Marianne said...

What a great way to use the prompt words, Angel! Very clever story!

Angel said...

Thanks, Marianne. I really enjoyed writing this one.

Jae Rose said...

Yes, a wonderfully thought out piece..almost like a fable perhaps? Jae

Angel said...

Thanks, Jae, and it is sorta like a fable. My version anyway. :)

MaryA said...

It is so easy to let others steal our joy. Doubt can destroy it. It is a good message for everyone, but it is especially good for writers. We find it so easy to let doubt steal our joy.

Angel said...

So true, Mary. Too many writers give up when doubt rears it's ugly head.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful allegory. Everything fits.

Great use of three words. Please read my attempt.