Short Story: The Nameless Craftsman

This is a story about misery.

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a nameless craftsman. He puts in a lot of effort and passion in his craft, and thus, he creates something that can be called an “art.” But his colleagues can craft better than him. So, he tries again, giving his all, but still his colleagues went ahead of him. So he muttered, “Oh well” and pretended to smile. Day in, day out, he gives it his all. But his passion and determination weren’t enough, for he has no faith in himself and his skill. Such a fool was he. He crafted again, but his efforts went in vain. He pretended to laugh when he grew tired of watching his colleagues and even his closest friend go ahead of him. Despite his failures and wasted efforts, he continued to craft and didn’t want to stop.

One day, he was reunited with his close friend, and along with a skilled yet prideful craftsman, they formed a team to make the best workshop in the land. Many people looked forward to their workshop. But their expectations were crushed when the group failed not once, but twice. At first, they failed because of pride, and on the second because of lack of communication and unity. Thus, they weren’t meant to be a group to begin with. The nameless craftsman left the group and his friend, both of them discarding their friendship. He blamed himself for their broken friendship and second failure, for he believes that such an unskilled craftsman as him, doesn’t belong to a group of skilled and talented craftsmen, and that his passiveness led to their group’s downfall. He pretended to not care about his friend or his former group, and wandered alone. Despite his failure and wasted efforts for the group, he continued to craft and didn’t want to stop.

Weeks have passed and the nameless craftsman decided to seek for a job.  He along with some of his skilled colleagues, got accepted in a big time job. However, they must first undergo a test. Only the ones who shall meet with the high expectations shall be qualified to take the job. The competition was fierce because he’s pitted against more skilled craftsmen than him. So he worked day and night, giving everything he has, not minding his physical condition that’s going bad. His friends cheered him on and believed in him and his skills, but he doubted in himself and his skills. Such a fool he really was. In the end, he along with other colleagues, failed the test. Luck wasn’t on their side and the fates jested on the cruel reality they faced. He pretended to be strong and cheerful as he left… and that was the last that was heard of him. The foolish, failure of a human, nameless craftsman rotted and died alone quietly somewhere, thinking of how stupid he is to continue crafting and giving his all despite having the same result in the end. And the nameless craftsman remained nameless forevermore.

The End.