https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja Made with good vibes en-us 2021-03-19 00:47:34 UTC 2026-01-20 20:54:28 UTC hello@padlet.com dalia919 https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1328165922 In this short story by author Etgar Keret titled "Fatso", the protagonist has been dating a beautiful woman whom he has been having a great time with and growing feelings for. One day she tells him that she has a secret which she cannot hide from him any longer. Not just a secret, a curse. Something so terrible that she fears he will no doubt leave her over once he finds out. The protagonist considered the possibilities of what her secret may be. And although some of the prospects he contemplated were dreadful, he did not seem to be willing to let her go no matter how terrible what she had to say may be. He certainly did not expect to hear what she would then confess. ]]> 2021-03-19 01:17:58 UTC https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1328165922 dalia919 https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1328198712 Every night I turn into an overweight, hairy man with a pinky ring, his beautiful date explained. After her confession, the protagonist concluded that she must be testing him, and he assured her that he would't leave her. That same day, she stayed over his house after sun down, for the first time. And right before his eyes the transformation occurred. It has to be a dream, the protagonist thought. But it wasnt a dream, the years pass and he remains in a relationship with this beautiful girl during daylight. At night, he parties and watches soccer with the "fatso guy". And he seemed perfectly happy with this arrangement. ]]> 2021-03-19 01:29:02 UTC https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1328198712 dalia919 https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1328295571 The beginning of this short story by author Jorge Luis Borges describes the arrival of an elderly man to the site of ruins so ancient they had been practically covered by the vegetation in the jungle. His goal was to dream a man. This supernatural site which was once a temple built for a God humanity no longer worshiped, gave him the power of vision and manifestation. The man dreamed of a classroom, but then focused on only one student he felt had the most potential to be enlightened. ]]> 2021-03-19 02:07:20 UTC https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1328295571 dalia919 https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1328318435 The man then began molding the body of his pupil and he created every organ and every living cell of this being. A God named Fire revealed himself to the man and instructed him to send his student to another deserted, ancient temple. Which the man worriedly did. The man then realizes through meditation that he too is simply another persons creation or dream. This particular story made me contemplate that this may be how some parents feel towards their children. They view their children as their creation and extension of themselves, and in a lot of cases are terrified to let them out into the world and be their own individuals. Yet them too are their parents children, and their parents may have shared the same feelings towards them. ]]> 2021-03-19 02:17:20 UTC https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1328318435 dalia919 https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1331879385 This profound and heartfelt story written by author Ken Liu begins with the protagonist recalling childhood memories of his mother. His mother was a Chinese immigrant purchased by his father as a mail order bride and brought to the United States to live in the suburbs of Connecticut knowing nearly no English and trying to fit in. She had the very special talent or magic of being able to make origami animals and breath life into them. During his childhood, the protagonist cherished the animals built for him by his mother and spent countless hours playing with them. However as he grew older and more aware of the criticisms of others, he began resenting his mother and his heritage.  ]]> 2021-03-20 02:21:47 UTC https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1331879385 dalia919 https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1331887343 Feeling ridiculed by others due to his Chinese ancestry and embarrassed that his mother was foreign and didn't speak English, the protagonist decided to stop talking to her and make every effort to forget her roots and focus on the American dream.The years passed and he felt no remorse, as he viewed his mother as a stranger he shared nothing in common with. His mother died of cancer at an early age and it was heart breaking to read that he didn't seem to care much. It wasn't until two years after her death when he once again held one of the origami animals his mother had made for him that he realized that she wrote a letter to him where she told him her life story and all of the hardships that she had endured. At that point it seemed that he wished he could make amends with his mother, but she was no longer there. I cried multiple times throughout this story. It really made me think about how judgmental human beings can be towards others not knowing what inner turmoils they may be struggling with. Also, sometimes we take the ones we love for granted, specially our parents. Many times we feel that they will just always be there for us. The words "we hurt the ones we love the most" came to my mind. This story was a great reminder to always appreciate our loved ones, and never judge because we will never be able to walk in another persons shoes.  ]]> 2021-03-20 02:30:35 UTC https://padlet.com/dalia919/b2mouvlvl8vcpbja/wish/1331887343