She kicked a stone morosely into the stream and watched it ricochet off a rock, dance on the ripples and then sink into the blue depths. Shoulders hunched, she didn’t hear him walk up behind her.
‘What’s the matter, my dear?’
She looked up with tears streaming down her face. ‘Nobody. That’s what I am. A nobody and a nothing.’
‘Everyone is worth something. Why do you feel this way?’
She rubbed her nose and replied, ‘ Look around you. Do you see any value to my existence? I add nothing of importance. I may as well not exist.’
Holding out his hand, he guided her to a large mountain face. He drew a single, vertical line. ‘Do you know what this is?’
She made a face and said, ‘Of course! Everyone knows! Exactly my point.’
He smiled and said, ‘Here, stand next to it, on its right. What do you see?’
‘Nothing. Like I said, no change.’
‘All right. Now, stand to its left. What happens?’
She stood, looked at herself and a small grin appeared. ‘OH! I like this! Can I be here all the time?’
A gentle breeze stirred his hair as he helped her back down. ‘No, my dear. That is not your purpose.’
‘Why ever not?’she pouted.
‘For it is in your uniqueness that your value lies. You add the balance that is necessary. You can lift someone up or keep them grounded based on where you stand.’
That is your Zen.
Gratitude flooding her face, Zero looked up at her Maker and thanked him for the valuable lesson.
~~~~
My theme for the Challenge this year is
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Thank you for reading. I appreciate you stopping by 🙂
You made it to Z! Nice job at meeting the Challenge.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Road trippin’ with A to Z
Tossing It Out
Zen and Zero.. Nice one Shailaja ji :).
You nailed this one, Shailaja. 🙂 Awesome!
Thank you 🙂
A zen-tastic end to AtoZ by an equally zen-tastic Godmother. 😀 You totally rocked this challenge, Shailaja. Congrats!
*Shantala @ ShanayaTales*
Thank you 🙂 *blush* <3
Great one to end with a bang! I so enjoyed reading all your stories. Congrats Shailaja 🙂
Thank you 🙂
oh how.. how do you find such twists. Brilliant narration and story 😀
I think they are hiding in me somewhere 😉 Thanks Raj!
Zen is a good way to end the challenge.
Thank you 🙂
What a beautiful story.?
Thank you 🙂
Perfect ending to the A-Z. The very word “Zen” elicits calm. 🙂
Much like my name. I know 😉
Wonderful story!! Btw, I did the same word too!
Thank you 🙂 Lots to catch up on your blog! Will do asap.
You said goodbye with a bang 🙂 lovely post.
Thank you 🙂
Thank you for all the wonderful flash fiction you’ve shared with us throughout this challenge 🙂
Thank you 🙂 for reading each one of them! So touched!
Good one! I’ve enjoyed your short stories (I read every single one). Congrats on finishing the challenge! 🙂
Special hugs from across the oceans from me to you <3
Loved this immensely. Very inspiring! 🙂
Thank you 🙂 For reading and sharing 🙂
What a sweet touching post Shailaja! 🙂 What a way to end! Thanks for sharing all your brilliant writings with us: I have enjoyed reading each and every one of them..you are such a ‘master’ at it! 😉 <3
Thank you Elly <3
Lovely! 🙂
Congratulations on completing A-Z Challenge 😀
My A-Z posts: http://sundarivenkatraman.blogspot.in
Many thanks! Wish you the same 🙂
congratulations ! perfect summation ! my post http://poojasharmarao.blogspot.in/2015/04/zen-in-life-death-in-memory-of-my-late.html
Thank you 🙂
Zen and zero. Nice. You did it. Yay!
You are the only one who found the double ‘Z’ connection 😀 Thanks! <3
Naice!
Thank you 🙂
Lovely ending to the A-Z series, and it had to be “Zen” of course :).
You didn’t expect anything else from me, I know 😉
Nice
Thank you 🙂
This is your Z post. You’re done! Doesn’t that feel good?
BTW, I’m dropping in from a shout out to your blog from Rosie Amber’s blog https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/.
@dino0726 from
FictionZeal – Impartial, Straighforward Fiction Book Reviews
Yes, it feels great! Thanks for stopping by!
Truly a zen post. Congrats for nailing it:)
Thank you 🙂
That is sweet!
Thank you 🙂
Oh! How philosophical yet fun 🙂 Loved the ending.
Thanks a ton, Vinay!
Aww! So sweet! 🙂
Thank you Shilpa 🙂