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Inspirational

Khayal

This is a short story about care — how small actions can help someone, or leave a quiet regret. Even a little care can change a life.

May 27, 2025  |   2 min read

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Patrick Nithish
Khayal
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Care - a feeling that can be expressed in many ways, by anyone.

From human to human, animal to human, and vice versa.

It has the power to make the impossible possible.

Sounds exaggerated?

Maybe. But it's true.

Here's a short story:

There was a boy - average at everything, so much so that people began to doubt if he'd ever survive in the real world.

Those doubts became his doubts.

Slowly, he grew skeptical of every step he took, needing validation for even the smallest task.

One day, on his way to an exam, his cycle tyre got punctured.

Nearby, an old man was fixing tyres by the roadside.

The old man repaired the tyre without a word.

The boy, hesitant and unsure, asked,

"Will it last long enough?"

The old man smiled gently and replied,

"Don't worry about that. Go with courage."

Something about those words sparked a fire in the boy's heart.

He went on to clear the exam - with a result he could be proud of.

The old man's words fueled him to move forward... so much so that he no longer needed validation from anyone.

It's care that drives you forward.

"I'm here for you. You can do it."

And the best part? You don't always have to express it from your heart.

Sometimes, regret is intertwined with care.

"If only I had opened the door for him..."

"If only I had talked to her..."

"If only I had cared about them..."

These thoughts linger in your heart long after the moment is gone...

To animals, caring is instinct. But for humans, it's a choice.

Opening a door could save a life.

Again - sounds exaggerated?

Maybe.

There was a stray cat. And a boy.

The boy cared for the cat, and the cat came to his house for shelter when needed.

One day, the cat got into a fight - and it went badly.

The cat came back, wounded... trusting.

But that day, the boy didn't open the door.

Not because he didn't care -

but because his heart was too heavy, too scared to face the pain.

The cat waited outside, unaware.

The boy lives with that choice now - a quiet regret that echoes in his heart every day.

"If only I had opened the door for him..."

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Neena

May 27, 2025

Very well explained 👏

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Queen

May 27, 2025

Heart touching story... 👍

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