I meant to post this a few days ago, but I’m behind…

I’m extremely happy to say I had a short story published on Literally Stories called “Kiri.” You can read the story here, if you’d like!

For me, this story represents the supreme tragedy that can occur when a child simply wants to make their parents happy. Kiri had the opportunity to run away and save herself, but she worried it would make her parents sad, and so she sacrificed herself.

I think it’s also an example of what happens when adults ask far too much of children. While the father knew he could have taken Kiri’s place, he decided he was too valuable to lose, though I personally think he was just trying to make excuses. But it was a task he should have never asked of his child.

He also did all of this without talking to his wife. I know it’s not a decision any person should have to make, but I think it should have been one they made together, at least. And maybe the wife could have had a better plan in mind. I have no idea, and he’ll never know either.

The entire story is one tragedy after the next for me with a family put in an impossible situation, and my heart goes out to them (even though I know they’re not even real).