The Book

© Ayr/Gray

The Unicorn Challenge.

A magical new weekly writing opportunity from him – C. E. Ayr – and me.
The rules are
Maximum of 250 words.
Based on photo prompt.
That’s it.

Click here to read other stories from the prompt: 24/05/24

The Book

I wait by the market clock.
It is almost time.
Every evening he comes and takes his place by the old well.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he holds a book in his hand.
He writes in it by the light of the stars and the small candle that burns by his side.
They call him The Listener.
One after the other they come, some to boast noisily of their exploits, others slipping out from the shadows and kneeling by his side to whisper in his ear.
And as they speak, he writes.
Those who boast of their triumphs can think of nothing else, but those who speak of their shame, tell me it is as though he draws the burden out of them into himself and transfers it onto the book.
This evening I wait in hope…

I speak quietly to him – and honestly.
There are no claps of thunder, no flashing lights.
But as I walk away, I feel lighter.
The memories are still there of course, but the weight is gone.
What is left is the deep sadness of regret.

Eventually the day comes when he breathes his last and the book lies unopened on the ground beside him.
No-one dares touch it.
Some want it read aloud, others want it burned unopened.
While the dispute rages, I wait, heart in mouth.
A child, impatient and inquisitive as always, darts forward, snatches up the book, looks inside.
Then…
‘Look,’ she cries. ‘Look, all of you. It’s empty!’