As I sit here on this mound of snow and ice and the frigid wind slaps across my face with vigor, I think back to a wish of mine I had made many days ago. My wish for wealth and honor, prestige and love. I was born poor and thus would live my life poor but would I have been happy? Would I have been at peace? 

It seemed a miracle the day after I had made that silent wish in my rickety old apartment, that I found a wet newspaper on the street telling stories about the gold rush up north. “Overnight men are becoming rich,” it read. At that moment it was like a prophecy, now, mere hollow words on paper. 

My fingers feel as though they have already fallen off. I glance over to Robert. The poor fellow lay there on the sled motionless. He and I had been friends for as long as I could remember. We began as petty thieves stealing bread from street vendors for our mothers. Now Robert and I were rich thanks to the gold rush. 

Storytelling was Robert’s true passion however. He only agreed to join me on my lust for gold if he could open his own publishing house with the money we made. How would I ever write to his dear frail mother about his passing? Would I ever get the chance to write to my own mother? 

I doubt every thought that enters my head. No fortune and glory. No peace. The wind begins to pick up now. The wind gives out a howl, a blood curdling howl. Never in my life have I felt a greater need to cry, yet tears fail to leave the warm sanctity of my eyes. 

I take one last glance at Robert as the snow swallows him. A horrid rumination surfaces in my mind. I will die here rich in material but poor in heart. I will be lost to time and reside in a sarcophagus of snow and ice. I will die a man whose wish came true. 

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    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    1 year ago

    A very powerful story, Saad! Wonderful description and strong emotion. So sad but very well done!

    Bella Minyo
    Bella Minyo(@bella-minyo)
    1 year ago

    Saad, I love the different approach you took with the prompt! My favorite sentence is the last, “I will die a man whose wish came true.” Such a powerful sentence, delivering an impactful story about the danger of wishes. A true joy to read!

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    1 year ago

    Welcome the Voice.club, Saad. It is very nice to have yet another young and talented member. You have a very mature voice for your age. Your story is really quite heart-breaking, and brings to mind to be careful what you wish for. I think the sentence ‘I will die here rich in material but poor in heart’ really sums it up.

    Shobana Gomes
    Shobana Gomes(@shobana-gomes)
    1 year ago

    It is poignant and honest. Chasing riches can pay a heavy price in the end. You have captured the gist of the tale from poverty to riches, Saad. Well done.

    Margarida Brei
    Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
    1 year ago

    Your poverty to affluence tale is one of death and anguish; it is very powerful. Clever of you to write about the dangerous side of wishing. You have written a moving first story for Voice.Club, Saad. Welcome and well done.

    Preston Randall
    Preston Randall(@preston-randall)
    1 year ago

    Saad, I was thrilled to read this totally original interpretation of the “Wish” prompt, and I sincerely hope to read more from you. This story was well constructed and, as others have said, has a very powerful and satisfying ending.

    Marcello Whis
    Marcello Whis(@marcello-whis)
    1 year ago

    Fantastic ending

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Saad, welcome to voice club. Your story was very moving and very powerful. All the emotions were intense. I loved and enjoyed it so much. Very well done. I am excited to read more stories from you. Keep on writing.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Saad Mazumder
    1 year ago

    You are always welcome, Saad.

    Kieran T
    Kieran T(@kieran-t)
    1 year ago

    This is great! very powerful and emotive! Great job!

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    1 year ago

    Thanks for your story, Saad. What you describe was the truth for many optimists who went to Alaska during the last years of the 1800s. When I read your story and saw your picture, my thoughts went to the Alaskan license plate called “Gold Rush Centennial” where you can see a long line of gold diggers in the snow.

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    Reply to  Saad Mazumder
    1 year ago

    And thank you, Saad, for reminding me about that wonderful poem. Service made an unforgettable use of the words “heat” and “cold” in it.

    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    1 year ago

    Great story, Saad! “The Cremation of Sam McGee” was one of my father’s favorite poems and we all grew up reciting it by heart. My favorite line is “Since I left Plum Tree, down in Tennessee, it’s the first time I’ve been warm!” Whereas the poem is full of fun, your story reveals the pain and suffering of the gold miners and how useless the gold can be. Welcome to Voice club!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Congratulations, Saad. Well done. Keep on writing.

    Joseph Domino
    Joseph Domino(@joseph-domino)
    1 year ago

    Excellent Saad. A reminder about the true value of wealth.

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