EMOTIONS # 18

Benny sat alone in his dimly lit cabin, the flickering light of a single candle casting long, wavering shadows across the walls. The room was filled with the heavy silence that comes after loss, a silence so thick it felt almost tangible, wrapping itself around him like a suffocating shroud. His eyes were fixed on the worn wooden table before him, where his hands rested, palms up, as if he were holding something precious that had been taken away.

The kite had been more than just a toy; it had been a symbol of freedom, of a joy he had rarely allowed himself to feel. It had soared high above the trees, pulling at its string, dancing with the wind. It was his escape, his silent companion in a world that often felt too overwhelming, too loud with unspoken demands and expectations.

Now, the kite was gone. The wind had snatched it away in a brutal gust, a sudden, cruel reminder of how fragile happiness could be. Benny’s heart ached with a deep, gnawing sorrow, an emptiness that felt like a bottomless pit within him. He replayed the moment over and over in his mind: the sharp tug of the string, the sight of the kite spiraling away, the helplessness that had washed over him as he stood frozen, unable to do anything but watch.

Anger came next, a hot, burning rage that boiled beneath the surface of his skin. It was directed at everything—the wind, the sky, even himself. He slammed his fist onto the table, the sharp pain a welcome distraction from the agony inside. “Why?” he shouted into the emptiness, his voice echoing off the walls. “Why did this happen? Why did it take my kite away?”

There was no answer, just the hollow echo of his own voice. Benny’s breathing was ragged, his chest heaving as he struggled to contain the storm of emotions raging within him. He wanted to tear the world apart, to make someone, anyone, pay for what he had lost.

But there was no one to blame. The wind had no malice, no intention. It simply was. Benny’s rage began to dissipate, leaving him exhausted, slumped over the table, his forehead resting on the rough wood. He felt a hollow ache where his anger had been, a numbness that spread through his body.

Then, a soft voice broke through the silence. “Benny,” it said, gentle but firm. He looked up, his eyes red-rimmed and weary, to see Ollie the Owl perched on the windowsill, his eyes wise and knowing.

“What do you want, Ollie?” Benny’s voice was hoarse, raw with the weight of his grief.

“I’ve come to help,” Ollie replied, his tone soothing. “I know you’re hurting, Benny. I know it feels like the world has taken something precious from you. But holding onto this pain, this anger—it will only make the wound deeper.”

Benny shook his head, a bitter smile twisting his lips. “How can I just let it go, Ollie? That kite was everything to me. It was the only thing that made me feel… free.”

Ollie nodded, his gaze compassionate. “I know, Benny. But acceptance isn’t about letting go of what you’ve lost. It’s about finding a way to live with it, to acknowledge the pain and still find a way to move forward. It’s about understanding that even though the kite is gone, the joy it brought you, the memories you made—they are still with you. They are a part of you.”

Benny stared at Ollie, his mind grappling with the owl’s words. Could he really find a way to live with this pain? Could he accept that the kite was gone and still find a way to be whole again?

He closed his eyes, letting out a long, shuddering breath. The ache in his chest was still there, but it felt less sharp, less consuming. It was a part of him, but it didn’t have to define him.

Benny opened his eyes, meeting Ollie’s gaze. “How?” he asked, his voice a whisper.

“Start by remembering,” Ollie said softly. “Remember the joy, the freedom. Hold onto those memories, let them be a light in the darkness. And when you’re ready, find something new that brings you joy. It won’t replace what you’ve lost, but it will help you find a way to move forward.”

Benny nodded slowly, a tear slipping down his cheek. He still felt the pain, the loss, but there was a glimmer of hope, a flicker of light in the darkness.

He would remember. He would find a way to live with the pain, to accept it as a part of him. And maybe, just maybe, he would find a way to fly again, even without his kite.

In this version, the emotions are deepened, showing the intense psychological struggle of accepting loss. The characters are portrayed with more complexity, highlighting the rawness of grief and the painful yet necessary journey toward acceptance.

Ollie the Owl feels deeply for Benny’s suffering. His compassion, patience, wisdom, and supportiveness make him a steady and reliable presence, guiding Benny toward acceptance and healing. Ollie’s own emotional state is centered around caring for Benny, offering empathy and understanding while providing a path forward through the darkness of grief.