VIGNETTE | WRITING PROMPT | FICTION | ZEN

The Flicker of Morning Dew Changes Everything — Changes Nothing

The Vignette Gazette Edition #91 — Shimmer

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Thích Nhất Hạnh — Gemini AI-Generated Image — Adapted with PowerPoint Designs.

Write a vignette (150–300 words) where shimmer suggests importance — but never quite proves it. Don’t explain what the shimmer is. Don’t decide whether it matters. Quiet, observant, a little strange works best.

Dawn settles gently over the monastery garden, leaving dewdrops along stone edges and on flower petals and leaves. The air is cool enough to make his breath visible for a moment. As the sun rises, certain droplets catch it briefly — brightening precisely and vanishing before the mind can fully comprehend the sparkle.

Thích Nhất Hạnh, “the father of mindfulness,” walks the path barefoot, the gravel unchanged by his soles. His pace is unhurried, each step placed as if it is of the utmost importance. His robe gently brushes the path.

Somewhere, a bell calls the monks to worship, but the garden has its own rhythm.

Near a broken statue, a shimmer appears. Not everywhere. Just there. A sudden flicker along the stone’s lips, and then it is gone. He pauses — not long enough to interrupt his stride — but his face softens into something like recognition, respect, and acknowledgment.

He breathes in — breathes out. Later, his brothers will remember what he said that morning. “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” The words pass through the garden like light through leaves — altering nothing, changing everything.

The sun climbs higher, and the morning dew loosens its grip on the world. The shimmer wavers, then disappears. Thích Nhất Hạnh continues on, his footsteps quiet, and the path remains unchanged.

The world stays the same; it is only our perception of it that is transformed.

Thanks to Michael John Scott, Mary Acton, and the Fiction Shorts editors for the daily challenge. 👇👇👇

[embed]Vignette Gazette Edition #91 For Monday, Feb 2medium.com

Discover how to participate in the Random Word Vignette Gazette (This is the updated update updated on the 26th of December)

[embed]Rules and Tips–Read Before Submitting Your First Vignette Updated on December 26, 2025medium.com

Recent vignettes from some of my favorite Fiction Shorts writers

Miriam Connolly

[embed]The Extra Column The Vignette Gazette Edition #91 | Shimmermedium.com

J. Crispin-Ripley

[embed]City of Shadows; City of Dreams Vignette Gazette Edition #91 | shimmermedium.com

James Parsons

[embed]Migraine Shimmer Vignette Gazette Edition #91medium.com

ICYMI, this was my last Vignette:

[embed]Honed to a Razor’s Edge The Vignette Gazette Edition #89 — Surrendermedium.com

That’s all for today. Come back tomorrow for another random word challenge.

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#ZenMagic #Mindfulness #ThichNhatHanh #EverydayMagic #ShortStories

About the Author Photo by Jean Springs from Pexels.

Stephen Dalton is a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Also, a Top Writer in Bitcoin, Business, Investing, Nutrition, Travel, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, and Short Story.

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mga