The Important Thing Is to Participate

Elia Ghinescu
His thoughts were already on the river that had swallowed his brother and the fire that had taken his father. God himself took his mother when he pushed her from the top of the house. Instead, He gave him rocks under his feet. Lots of them, and all pointy. And the power to bury his wife last year. What would you prefer, the asked the therapist. The clock on the wall was ticking faster and faster. I prefer a strong adversary so I can die well, he replied just as the session was ending. At home, the rope hung from the rafter was waiting for him, just as he had left it.

Monica Aldea
Manole, Ștefan thundered, is Ionut Jder in my service or not? I give him his pay, but he's still missing in action. Ilisafta must have stopped him, Your Highness, he still had some blankets to wash. The commissary went home, bitter. My lady, send that boy tomorrow, the Turks are coming. Spare him with those blankets and women's chores. The Turks retreated under the rain of arrows. Jder was leaning against a tree, had finished his pies and was yawning with boredom. The king appeared, full of anger. Are you tired? Long live my Lord, my dad said I should only attend.
 
 Eusebiu Cristian Toma
Meow, the way she's sounding, do you think he beats her? Nah, she likes it. Don't you know that's what they all do? Yeah, my brother-on-the-left. It sucks that the two of us are always outside while he's cozy and warm, locked inside. That's true, brother-on-the-right, but that's life, we adapt. Anyway, I see he's holding out longer this time, it's been 5 minutes and he's still inside. Last time after 3 he was already sticking his head out, he's been practicing. Well, don't we attend practice every night? Why should I feel bad that we're just spectators? What matters is we participate.

(Translated by Alina Bâznă / University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, MTTLC, year II / Corrected by Silvia Petrescu, coordinator of the translations)