The Teller of Small Fortunes

by Julie Leong

“People think they want true fortunes, but they don’t really. What they want are lies. Small lies, big lies, entertaining lies, comforting lies.

“What they don’t want is a stranger—an outsider—to see the full truth of them.

“And the suspicion turns to fear, and the fear, as it always does, turns to anger.”

“All cats are slightly magical, don’t you know? It’s why they’re so smug all the time.

“How Terrible For You. To See The Strings Upon Which We Dance. To Understand Fully That All Paths Are Predetermined, And Choice Does Not Exist.”

Aye, our lives are short and shaped by circumstance, and maybe we can’t control most of what’s to come. But we can control how we feel. We can savor the sweetness of a blackberry scone, and the company of our friends, and the warmth of the summer wind at night, and be grateful for it. We can be nothing, and choose to be miserable about it, like you—or we can be nothing, but choose to be happy, and let that be purpose enough. Which sounds more worthwhile to you?”

“I am sad that you have lost so much,” said the old man, empty hand falling back against his side. “I hope you find new joys to take their place.”

“I think,” she said matter-of-factly, wiping her hands, “that the old heroes were probably people just like us. And there’s nothing wrong with being just you.”

There’s no such thing as greater good—there’s just good, and the more of it we can do, the better.”