On human nature. Tatiana Bazhan

      In a busy crowded city nestled between even bigger cities, Zara endured relentless abdominal pain, a discomfort that seemed to attach itself to her with every passing day. Each ache whispered dark secrets, compelling her to the sterile halls of the local hospital, where she sought answers, convinced that appendicitis lay in wait within her.

      After countless tests and scans, the doctors were baffled. They probed her with questions, seeking a physical ailment to explain her torment. It was during such a visit that Dr. Levin, with his wise eyes and gentle demeanour, paused and looked deep into her soul. “Zara,” he said softly, “this is not a problem of the body. This pain… it stems from fear. Fear of life itself. You are blocking the good that wishes to flow into you.”

      Those words struck her like a revelation. In that moment, Zara understood that the physical pain she felt was a manifestation of her inner turmoil – a fear of vulnerability, of joy, of truly living. With a determined heart, she began to confront her fears, embracing the unknown, slowly unravelling the chains that had bound her for so long.

      Story 37

      In the most beautiful town, Arianna fancied herself the maestro of life. Every minute of her busy schedule was controlled, down to the exact moment when her coffee would reach the perfect temperature. She even had an app that reminded her when to water her daisies, which – much to her dog’s chagrin – she insisted bloomed exactly on schedule.

      But Arianna’s body had other plans. Her thyroid, a minuscule gland nestled like an uninvited guest, was staging a subtle rebellion. While Arianna was busy timing the bursts of her bonsai trees like the next Olympic event, her energy tanked, and her moods swung like a pendulum.

      Yet, she pressed on, undeterred. “Life needs control!” she declared, while sipping her meticulously measured almond milk latte. One sunny afternoon, she noticed that her prized roses refused to bloom on command. In a fit of indignation, she announced a “Blossom Summit” with her plants, armed with charts and motivational speeches.

      Alas, the roses, unconcerned with schedules, laughed in floral silence, leaving Arianna to ponder that sometimes, even nature craves a little chaos.

      Story 38

      Ellina had always been a fragile figure, wrapped in the shadows of loss. At three, she stood at the edge of an abyss – a cold, unyielding void that swallowed her mother’s laughter, leaving only echoes of what could have been. By twelve, the innocence of youth wore thin, replaced by a haunting resolve. She vowed to shield the world from harm, transforming into a guardian of sorts; she became the caretaker of playgrounds, the saviour of broken toys, oblivious to the facades she built around herself.

      Yet, something shifted one cloudy afternoon. As she looked at the trembling leaves, a wave of dread surged within her – a fear stitched from the fabric of the childhood. What if she could not protect them? What if her efforts were futile against the inevitable? The darkness loomed closer, whispering cruel truths of mortality. In that moment, the girl became an adult, confronting the specter of her own vulnerability.

      For the first time, Ellina felt the weight of life’s fragility pressing down upon her chest. As she was walking home, the sky darkened, mirroring the tumult in her heart. She understood then: true bravery was not merely in protection, but in accepting and embracing the unyielding truth of existence.

      Story 39

      At 35, Nathan discovered a wellspring of power within himself, a force that manifested as poetry. Words poured out of him, raw and vibrant, painting vivid pictures of the world. He felt alive, finally. Emboldened, he shared his verses, eager for connection.

      But the world responded with criticism, sharp and dismissive. The sting of rejection was a poison that seeped into his soul.