The Rent Collector

by Camron Wright

“Sang Ly, we are literature—our lives, our hopes, our desires, our despairs, our passions, our strengths, our weaknesses. Stories express our longing not only to make a difference today but to see what is possible for tomorrow. Literature has been called a handbook for the art of being human. So, yes. It will do that.”

Note

Words provide a voice to our deepest feelings. I tell you, words have started and stopped wars. Words have built and lost fortunes. Words have saved and taken lives. Words have won and lost great kingdoms. Even Buddha said, ‘Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care, for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.’ Do you understand?”

Note

he wrote this story over a hundred years ago, a fact I find stunning. While almost everything that surrounds us in life gets old and wears out, stories, like our very souls, don’t age.

, !

Ki wrinkles up his nose. “Who is buk-on-tape?” “I have absolutely no idea.”

Lol

“I came into the jungle this morning thinking only of myself, but now, I dearly need to thank you. I need to thank you, momma elephant, for truly needing me. You see, I haven’t been needed for a very, very long time. Today, you’ve made a difference—at least to me.”

❤️

You may say that my words are made up, that my story is nothing but a myth—and you may be right. But as a wise and great teacher once explained so patiently, all good stories—stories that touch your soul, stories that change your nature, stories that cause you to become a better person from their telling—these stories always contain truth.

❤️