Excellent Dad comforts me Fear Abated by HarryT Flash Fiction contest entry

When I was a boy, I was comfortable with the glorious description that flowed from the preacher’s lips, like sweet sap tapped from a sugar maple tree, as he described what shall be the heavenly reward for those who follow church rules.   Suddenly, like rolling thunder, came bombing bangs of his fist. I jumped in my seat. The preacher turned with fiery eyes, threw words flying like flaming arrows targeted at our souls. He spat, “You sinners out there, the conflagration of everlasting Hell awaits.”   Dad said, “Don’t listen, he only wishes to scare us, if we don’t follow his rules.  You see, he uses our fear to maintain his control.”   He put his arm around me and whispered, “Son, really there is no heaven or hell, no reward or punishment. Yes, we all should strive to be kind and love our neighbors, but death is sleep without a dream.”

© Copyright 2024. HarryT All rights reserved. HarryT has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.