More than words

"A sudden explosion of attention, getting folks who do not understand what we are writing, not of the same wavelength, is not what we look for."

I stashed this in my pocket a while ago, and didn't quite know what to do with it. There is sweetness in its simplicity, and depth in its sentiment; I couldn't have put it better.

***

Behind her the discussion resumed, a few voices holding forth loudly against a background drone. Jinda was glad to be out of the room.

She caught up with Sri in the alleyway behind the building. The pale student's cheeks were streaked with tears, which she hurriedly wiped away when she saw Jinda.

"I'm not going back," she said.

"Nobody's asking you to," Jinda said. "I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you, for saying all that," she smiled, "without once stuttering!"

Sri smiled too, and took Jinda's hand. Together they walked down the street.

-- "Rice Without Rain" by Minfong Ho