The Last Interview
In a small bustling city lived Ethan, a retired postman. Despite his age, he had a youthful spirit and derived joy from the small wonders of life. However, he had one unfinished dream from his youth; he longed to have an interview at an eminent newspaper publishing house, 'The Track of Times.' As a child, he loved writing. He used to weave words to create beautiful stories and dreamt of becoming a writer someday. Life had other plans, though, including a working-class family to feed and winters that seemingly wouldn’t end. And while he passed his days in the mundane rhythm of letters and envelopes, his dream lay dormant but never quite forgotten.
One spring day, Ethan decided to rekindle his dream, without the fear of being brushed away by age. He picked up his long-abandoned pen and began to write. He covered stories from his youth, weaved poems about the autumn season and the nostalgia it brought with it, and poured life into the pages while reminiscing about his long evaporated dreams. The stories were weaved with such intricate emotions; they were a testament to his life's journey.
As he meticulously curated each story, the word of his writings began to spread throughout his small community. His neighbors, family, and friends nudged him to submit his writings to 'The Track of Times.' Encouraged by their support and reignited passion, Ethan reluctantly sent his writings hoping for them to find a place in the prestigious generational newspaper.
The stories reached the Editorial Director, Sarah, at 'The Track of Times.' Intrigued by Ethan’s depth and fresh perspective, Sarah saw potential in his writings and offered him a chance to come for an interview. The call rekindled the excitement within Ethan, that he had felt decades ago. He could hardly believe that he was finally one step closer to fulfilling his longstanding dream.
The day of the interview, Ethan woke up hours before dawn broke. Wearing his best suit, he set off to fulfill the dream of his youth. As he entered the venerable building, he looked around, taking in every detail – the rustling sound of the papers, the intoxicating aroma of ink – that, to him, was more like a dreamland.
During the interview, Sarah quizzed him about his writings, his inspirations, and his perspectives on contemporary issues. Ethan, with his raw and unfiltered honesty, weaved tales about his life experiences, sharing profound insights he had gathered over the years. Sarah was captivated by Ethan's unique perspective and endlessly fascinated by his rich experiences. Noticing his sincerity and zeal, Sarah knew that Ethan’s voice needed to be shared with the world.
As the interview reached its conclusion, Ethan, with a sparkle in his eyes, asked Sarah, 'What was it about my writings that moved you?'. She looked at him and said, 'Ethan, your writings aren't just stories; they are experiences encapsulated in words and emotions, reflecting upon years of living and learning. They have a cadence of their own. It's pure, unadulterated life seeping through the words.'
Moved by Sarah's words, Ethan couldn't help but shed tears of joy. It felt like years of his commitment and silence had finally found validation. And in that moment, he felt a sense of fulfillment he had never experienced before.
The interview was the last one Ethan ever gave, but the first of many stories he shared with the world through the columns of 'The Track of Times.' Despite coming from a humble postman, Ethan's stories connected with people of all ages and walks of life, reminding them that no dream is too insignificant and no passion too late to kindle.