/lit/ - Literature

"He was a coward. He let stronger men die for him."

I didn't say that aloud to the curious boy in front of me,
looking so hopeful for tales of adventure and fun.

I thought of the innocent question again,
"What was grandfather like in the war?"
I can’t think of anything but of that craven hiding in the dirt while the brave dropped around him.
Telling the truth was out of the question. How could I disappoint this boy?
He didn't need to know or fear that he had the blood of a gutless man within him.

I lied.

“I was… lucky.”

And that wasn't a lie.

I look now at the precious innocent life in front and my beautiful family surrounding me,
I am lucky.