The Least of These (1st Place)

The soft whisper of the wind trickled through my window. I laid in my bed thinking. A heavy restless feeling weighed upon me. What have I done with my life? Isn’t there something I could do to make a difference?

“Arise Jacob.” A low, soothing voice called.

My eyes popped open and scanned the room, but I saw no one. A dream? I arose from my bed and drifted toward the window. The familiar scene shimmered in the glow of the streetlight. I pushed my head outside and felt the cool breeze upon my sweaty neck. My hair fluttered, tickling my cheek.

I strained to hear the sounds of the night. Afar off, a train whistle chugged through the starry darkness. I stood there listening. While whistle died away, a murmured cry replaced it. I slipped on my shoes and bathrobe, rushed out the front door, and halted.

The cry ceased. I started a silent count to see if it came in intervals, but all was quiet. Something jostled in my peripheral vision. I stared at the old shed. I slunk through the shadows, and crept beside it. I peered in the open window. A child clung to a thirty-something woman like a young monkey to its mother. Tears, glistening in the moonlight slipped down her cheeks.

My heart ached with pity. I sensed they had nowhere else. I recalled the bible verse, “Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.” My eyes blurred with tears. Intent on helping these poor souls, I pulled open the shed door. A shovel, push mower, hoe, and several shelves full of lawn chemicals greeted me. No one was there.

“Go and find them. Your fate is decided. Do not forget.”


300 Words
Flash Story Must contain: Count, Dream, Monkey