Too Much Pressure, By Mark Tulin – Friday Flash Fiction
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Too Much Pressure, By Mark Tulin
21/2/2020
The minister could have convinced me of anything. He was so confident, had a clear vision of how we all evolved. His spiritual energy was contagious. I felt an urge to make a difference, too.
But the more we talked, the more that I sensed something wrong. It was as if the minister were hiding a part of himself that he shielded with his beliefs.
I could feel his momentum steadily diminish until he began to cry.
“What is it?” I asked
“I have a confession to make.”
“Please, tell me.”
Tears welled-up; a brief pause followed. “I’m not perfect.”
Crow On The Wire 
I’ve yet to meet someone who is 🙂
Me, either. I’ve heard perfect songs and saw perfect works of art though.
And, oh, I wouldn’t mind writing a perfect poem.
I’m sure you have written many 👍🏻
Thanks, Elaine. 🙂
However much we try, I don’t know whether we can reach perfection.
Yes, and we need not feel bad about it.
So very true.
This is awesome.
Thank you.
Good story! I like the placement of the minister’s statement at the very end, so even if the story is cut off at a hundred words, the ending opens the door to speculation – – is it just a general feeling of imperfection, or will he go on to confess some particular transgression, etc.
The idea of perfection is quite ambiguous, Robert. It means different things to people. And it reminds me of the movie, the two popes, in which the younger man didn’t think he’d be capable of being a pope because of a perceived mistake he made in the past. The idea of perfection seems to run contrary to who we really are.
As a PK, I can attest to the emotional truth of your story.
Thanks, Liz. I was raised by two imperfect parents, thank god. 🙂
There is only ONE perfect Man, and He is the one the Minister serves. How good that he was able to show his humility to the character in this story. Thanks again!
Interesting perspective.