Member-only story
THE QUiET THINGS: At the End of Life, What Truly Matters?
CHAPTER ONE
The classroom was almost empty.
The tall windows let in afternoon light, which created lengthy shadows on the wooden floor. Henry was sitting close to the rear of the classroom, staring at the blank page in front of him, while the most of the students had already left.
Professor John Keating noticed. He walked slowly toward Henry and placed a book on the desk.
Keating: You haven't written a single word.
Henry: I don't know what to write, sir.
Keating: That's rarely the real problem.
Henry looked up.
Henry: Then what is?
Keating pulled a chair beside him.
Keating: Maybe you're waiting for life to reveal its meaning before making a decision on how to live it.
Henry smiled faintly.
Henry: Isn't that what we're supposed to figure out?
Keating: Perhaps. But life isn't a textbook, Henry. There is no final chapter waiting to explain everything.
He paused.
Keating: And that's precisely why you must pay attention.
Henry: Pay attention to what…
