FICTION

Serbian Literature / Serbian Fiction

FLASH FICTION

The Visit

by Bratislav Todorović

(Translated from Serbian)

“Good evening!!!”

“Eveniiing! Oh, is that you, Mr. Andrić?! Where did you come from?”

“You summoned me, didn’t you?”

“To be honest—I did! I was thinking about who could help me write a story, and you came to mind!”

“Why me, of all people?”

“Ah, why?! Who better to guide me into a story, express wisdom, describe emotions in the most subtle way?! Don’t be modest, Mr. Andrić!”

“Thank you for the honor, but I believe you must write that story yourself—with your own imagination and talent! Your story, young colleague!”

“Thank you for calling me ‘colleague’! That certainly carries weight when spoken by a Nobel laureate.”

“Young man, inspiration is our power, our guide—use it in the best way possible!”

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“Love is all around us. We must seize it at the right moment. Inspiration is like a mistress—it can enchant us and lead us to true, emotional love.”

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“What do you suggest as a theme, colleague Andrić?”

“Write about love—the driving force of the world. Write about love!”

“How did inspiration treat you when it came to love, Mr. Andrić? I’m genuinely curious.”

“Love is all around us. We must seize it at the right moment. Inspiration is like a mistress—it can enchant us and lead us to true, emotional love.”

“You speak from experience?”

“Yes, unfortunately. I wasn’t lucky enough for my mistress to become love during my lifetime. When she arrived, it was already too late. Life had rushed past like a speeding train.”

“Forgive me, are you speaking of Milica?”

“You connect the dots quickly—that’s half the success, I must admit! You’re right! She came when my life’s juices had already dried up, but I don’t regret it. What matters is that she fulfilled my mature years.”

“And what’s the other half?”

“Ah, that’s persistence, perseverance, selfless devotion to the page. You’ll have to work hard, young man!”

“Of course! Thank you for the advice, esteemed colleague!”

“You’re welcome! I must go now. Our other colleagues are waiting—they too expect some advice from me.”

“I understand. Thank you for the visit!”

“I see the story is progressing nicely! Finish it and submit it to a contest!”

“I will, though I don’t do well in contests!”

“You’ll succeed with this story—I’m telling you! Trust me!”

“If you say so, then it’s settled. I’ll finish it and send it!”

“Good luck!”

“Good luck to you too, Mr. Andrić! Stop by more often!”

“Of course—and with great pleasure, young man!”

….

(Self-translation from SERBIAN)

Bratislav Todorović

Bratislav Todorović (Leskovac, 1972) is a poet, short story writer, and novelist. He has published the poetry collections: Rhapsody of Youth (1995), The Map of Life (2006), and Kaleidoscope of Time (2015); a collection of short stories: A Sleepless Night’s Dream (1999/2007); story collections: The Murder of Meaning (2004) and Life’s Journey (2023); and novels: In the Shadow of Time (2002),

Love in Lisbon (2012), Conversation with the Mirror (2020), as well as a children’s story collection: A Strange Childhood and Other Stories (2022). His work has been published in numerous magazines, anthologies, and online platforms, and he is represented in literary lexicons and anthologies. He is a member of the Leskovac Writers’ Association and several literary clubs in Leskovac and Belgrade.

Bratislav Todorović is the editor-in-chief of the literary magazine Crnjanski Scene (Belgrade), and was formerly editor-in-chief of the literary, art, and culture magazine POMAK (Leskovac), as well as the secretary of the literary club “Glubočica” in Leskovac. Currently, he serves as president of the literary club “Ivo Andrić” in Zemun.

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