19
by Patrick Jan Franke
SHORT STORY: The Opposite
Rafael has a difficult life, he has always worked in an office. Since he started working he always worked at that same desk and, according to him, it was very boring and tiring. People looked like robots, they did not even looked like humans, they hardly ever spoke and when they talked they did not transmit any emotion. And the gray color was always present, the building looked the same every day.
One day while he was on his way to his tiring job, he found a copy of himself that was just the opposite of him: a happy, excited human being. They met in the cafeteria, and started talking about their lives. Then, Rafael asked this man how he had such a good life, he talked to everyone and worked very happily. The man replied" "start talking to the people you meet every day, like the people at your job".
Rafael then began to be more sympathetic, pleasing everyone he saw and talking more with people. The next day, when Rafael found his opposite, he thanked him very much, since he was happier now. After only one day being more sympathetic, Rafael already felt a great improvement in his life.
Artwork by: Patrick Franke