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Micro SF/F stories by O Westin

"Please," said the man, "can you do magic to make me be kind?"
"No," said the witch. "Magic cannot change anyone's nature."
"So there is no hope for me?"
"You ask the wrong question. Kind is not something you are. It is what you do."
"Is it that simple?"
"It is that hard."

I really like this short story of yours 💮

@MicroSFF this feels very much like Granny Weatherwax

@DocBohn @MicroSFF came here to say this. So much like Granny.

@DocBohn @MicroSFF I had the same thought. Her conversation with Mightily Oats on the nature of sin in Carpe Jugulum has become a fixed point on my moral compass.

@MicroSFF I'm so happy you're here and thankful that you're writing for us.

@MicroSFF Kindness, from a grammar standpoint may be a noun, but as the witch points out, it can only be felt in action - as a verb.

@MicroSFF This feels very much like the heart of Planescape: Torment.

@MicroSFF Our writing group used to do these micro story challenges. Now I wonder where mine went...hmmm...very nicely done, by the way.

@MicroSFF beautiful example of the story that is truer than true. #fiction #reality

@MicroSFF she was then promptly executed because of Exodus 22:17

@MicroSFF Oh good, one of the things I enjoyed about the bird site I can access again.

@MicroSFF Always listen to the #WiseWoman (except maybe the kissing frogs)

@MicroSFF This is a tale worth printing out and keeping. Well done.

@Fida I'm not him, though I've enjoyed his stories on Twitter for many years.

@MicroSFF that’s great! Now I can enjoy both :)

@MicroSFF

Kindness is a thousand decisions, some small, some big. Some hard, some easy.
It doesn't matter who you are, what people think, who you were, your future lies ahead.
Choose the kind path going forward.

@MicroSFF the man then killed the witch… well you know, because.. she’s a witch! Then looked sad and said “yeah being kind is hard! Maybe tomorrow”

@MicroSFF even just wanting to be kind is a step in the direction of love in action (kindness) beautiful short story that elicits heart responses! Thankyou

@MicroSFF I love these! Would you be OK with me recording some and posting to my Soundcloud page?

@MicroSFF Wisdom in a nutshell. Perfect, thank you!

@MicroSFF

The masochist said to the sadist hurt me hurt me!

The masochist said no

@MicroSFF And spend some serious amount of time on meditation 😃

@MicroSFF
Your story resonated with me... today I was justing thinking how so many of the important things in life are simple. But they're not all easy.

@MicroSFF

I love your microstory! It evoked a rich backstory of what could have unfolded to result in this scenario. Please consider my minor edits to see if they are worthy.

“Please! Give me a potion that’ll make me kind.”
“There is no such potion. I have no such spell. Magic cannot change a person’s nature."
“So… there’s no hope for me.”
"Kind is not what you are. It is what you do."
“It’s that simple?"
"It is that hard."

@rcs Do you do this with every writer you read?
I'm not claiming my stories are perfect, but when they're published they're done, and won't be changed apart from fixing typos.
Your edit removes "You ask the wrong question" which IMO is the key like of the story.

@MicroSFF , just mentioned this somewhere else, found it ages ago (can't remember where):
'First we attempt to cultivate loving kindness, later loving kindness cultivates us.'

@MicroSFF this was really good, and I thought I knew where it was headed, but then that last line hit and WOW 💖😭💖