Short Stories

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C O M M O N S E N S E - “Fear”

Walking home through the park, a stranger came upon a fight on a neighborhood basketball court. Two larger boys were pounding on a smaller child. Coming to his aid, the stranger quickly scattered the older boys. “You wait punk!” shouted the larger ruffian. “My gang will teach you about interfering in our hood!” Ignoring the treat, shouts and curses, the stranger gave his attention to the child that was hurt, cleaning him and sending him on his way.

Days turned into weeks and the stranger never gave another thought about the incident until exiting his favorite neighborhood store one day on the corner of Pleasant and Vine. Suddenly, two tuffs began grabbing and tearing at his bags strewing his goods all over the ground. Taunting and prodding the stranger, they showed no fear even in the openness of day and others about. Then slamming him into the store wall, they drew knives to finish the job. Reaching for his belt and a trash can lid, he returned a stare that made the thugs know that if there were to be a fight, he would end up the better man.

Surprised and taken aback, the two began to rethink their rash decision fearing more their fate at his hand than what would become of them should they succeed. “BOO!” the stranger shouted lunging at the pair. Retreating, the pair found him to formable to continue the attack. Again the stranger lunged striking one with his belt and the other with the lid. Cursing and calling out the name of their leader, the two thugs now wimps ran down the street. The strange simply smiled.

Late that evening a long dark shadow fell on the stranger's street. Walking slowly up the street draped in leather came the leader of the gang. With a creak of the poach step, a glance through the front window, the shadow fell on the front door. Immediately it opened with the smiling face of the stranger greeting him.

Come in and make yourself at home” was the invitation

You know why I am here?” questioned the leader of the gang. “Sure,” was the response from the stranger. “I have been waiting all day.”

Pawing over the stranger’s items as he surveyed the house, he said. “This is my neighborhood and I run it the way I see fit. You have twice interfered with my boys and I don’t like it.”

With a determined glint in his eye, the stranger turned and began trashing his own house. “Tonight you came to frighten me, maybe even take my life, but I think it will be I that has that pleasure!” And so the story goes.

COMMON SENSE SAYS: Fear is a two edged sword. The problem is to have it always swing in the other man's direction.

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