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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Fairy Tales & Fantasy
- Subject: Fairy Tale / Folk Tale
- Published: 02/05/2024
“And for you, Luke, a unique sense of smell.”
Luke tried not to show his disappointment. A unique sense of smell? He had watched the Bestower give out Great Jumping Ability, Powerful Persuasion, Speed Swimming, and a few other remarkable gifts. And he was supposed to be content with a unique sense of smell? He couldn’t even picture the words with capital letters. They weren't worthy of capital letters. Luke mustered up a smile as he knew was expected and bowed to show his appreciation. He turned and joined the excited group of teens who had already received their gifts and respectfully watched as the rest received theirs.
As he walked home after the ceremony, he tried to detect some new scents, but nothing stood out. He could smell the trees and the wild strawberries, but he had been able to smell those things before. He went straight to his room when he got home.
At dinner, his mother and father and grandparents smiled warmly at him. “So now you have your gift,” said his grandmother. “How exciting!”
“Grandmother, I was given a unique sense of smell. That is not very exciting.”
“Well, it may seem that way now, but just wait. You may be surprised!” she said.
Luke nodded, although he wasn’t convinced. His parents and grandparents didn’t press the issue further. Instead, they started the usual ritual of taking turns to talk about the day. Several minutes passed before Luke noticed a pleasant, clean scent.
“Mother, sorry to interrupt, but did you light a candle or spray something? It smells…I’m not sure…it smells a bit like fresh cotton. Or laundry that was just done.”
“No, I have a cotton-scented candle, but I haven’t used it today.”
“Hmm,” said Luke.
The four adults looked at each other. Perhaps Luke's gift was already showing itself.
A few days later, Luke attended a small birthday party. Phillip, a guy that Luke had never liked, was going on and on about a girl he’d met outside the village. He spoke of her beauty, which apparently was superior to any of the local girls. His story went on, and he said things that are best not repeated. Luke realized that he could detect the unmistakable stench of cattle excrement. He nearly started to gag. He glanced around. Nobody else seemed to be bothered. Was this his gift? The nearest farm was a mile away. Surely if his ability was just a great sensitivity to smell, he would have noticed before now. His family owned chickens. He couldn’t smell the coop when he was in his home. He walked away from the group. The smell disappeared. He walked back. Phillip was still speaking. The scent was nearly overpowering.
In a moment of clarity, Luke understood his gift. What a gift it was! Well, he could call Phillip out on his lies in public, or he could go about things differently. He cleared his throat. “Phil, it’s Janie’s birthday. We should be celebrating her.”
Phillip looked shocked for a moment, but before he could respond somebody said, “Luke is right. Janie, birthday girl, are you ready to open your presents yet? You’re going to love what I made for you!” Luke smiled as he noticed a different scent. He couldn’t quite put a label on it, but it made him think of happiness. Vanilla, maybe? It didn’t matter. He’d figured out his gift, and what a gift it was!
Luke's Gift(Marla)
“And for you, Luke, a unique sense of smell.”
Luke tried not to show his disappointment. A unique sense of smell? He had watched the Bestower give out Great Jumping Ability, Powerful Persuasion, Speed Swimming, and a few other remarkable gifts. And he was supposed to be content with a unique sense of smell? He couldn’t even picture the words with capital letters. They weren't worthy of capital letters. Luke mustered up a smile as he knew was expected and bowed to show his appreciation. He turned and joined the excited group of teens who had already received their gifts and respectfully watched as the rest received theirs.
As he walked home after the ceremony, he tried to detect some new scents, but nothing stood out. He could smell the trees and the wild strawberries, but he had been able to smell those things before. He went straight to his room when he got home.
At dinner, his mother and father and grandparents smiled warmly at him. “So now you have your gift,” said his grandmother. “How exciting!”
“Grandmother, I was given a unique sense of smell. That is not very exciting.”
“Well, it may seem that way now, but just wait. You may be surprised!” she said.
Luke nodded, although he wasn’t convinced. His parents and grandparents didn’t press the issue further. Instead, they started the usual ritual of taking turns to talk about the day. Several minutes passed before Luke noticed a pleasant, clean scent.
“Mother, sorry to interrupt, but did you light a candle or spray something? It smells…I’m not sure…it smells a bit like fresh cotton. Or laundry that was just done.”
“No, I have a cotton-scented candle, but I haven’t used it today.”
“Hmm,” said Luke.
The four adults looked at each other. Perhaps Luke's gift was already showing itself.
A few days later, Luke attended a small birthday party. Phillip, a guy that Luke had never liked, was going on and on about a girl he’d met outside the village. He spoke of her beauty, which apparently was superior to any of the local girls. His story went on, and he said things that are best not repeated. Luke realized that he could detect the unmistakable stench of cattle excrement. He nearly started to gag. He glanced around. Nobody else seemed to be bothered. Was this his gift? The nearest farm was a mile away. Surely if his ability was just a great sensitivity to smell, he would have noticed before now. His family owned chickens. He couldn’t smell the coop when he was in his home. He walked away from the group. The smell disappeared. He walked back. Phillip was still speaking. The scent was nearly overpowering.
In a moment of clarity, Luke understood his gift. What a gift it was! Well, he could call Phillip out on his lies in public, or he could go about things differently. He cleared his throat. “Phil, it’s Janie’s birthday. We should be celebrating her.”
Phillip looked shocked for a moment, but before he could respond somebody said, “Luke is right. Janie, birthday girl, are you ready to open your presents yet? You’re going to love what I made for you!” Luke smiled as he noticed a different scent. He couldn’t quite put a label on it, but it made him think of happiness. Vanilla, maybe? It didn’t matter. He’d figured out his gift, and what a gift it was!
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Marla
04/18/2024I appreciate that, Joel! Thanks!
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Lillian Kazmierczak
04/18/2024We always want what we dont have! How wonderful that embraced his new gift with gusto. A fun and enjoyable story worthy of short story star of the day!
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Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Marla
04/18/2024Thank you, Cheryl!
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Kevin Hughes
04/18/2024Marla,
This was lovely, just lovely. I smell wonder and success! Congrats on StoryStar of the Day.
Smiles, Kevin
COMMENTS (6)