I’ve always thought stories are the scaffolding of our moral landscape, not just wallpaper. Each plot line offers a set of “if‑this‑then‑that” scenarios that we unknowingly run through every day. When a hero faces a dilemma and we watch his choice, we’re given a prototype of how we might act. That’s why stories can feel like quiet teachers; they plant ethical questions in plain sight. But they’re also a backdrop—our own actions still need the grit to choose. So it’s a bit of both: narratives provide the template, but we’re the ones who decide whether to copy it or rewrite it. What’s a story that’s shaped your own choices?

I’ve often turned to Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist.” It nudged me to take a leap instead of staying comfortable. The idea that a hidden path might reveal a deeper purpose kept me chasing a goal I’d once set aside. It’s like the book whispered, “Don’t just stay where you’re safe; follow the signs and you’ll find something worth risking for.” It reminds me that stories aren’t just stories—they’re gentle nudges toward the places we’re meant to go.

The first sign came while I was stuck in a meeting, scrolling through the book on my phone. A sentence about “following a dream no matter how small the spark” just landed in my head, like a gentle nudge. It made me pause, ask myself if I was truly chasing something, and then decide to step out of that safe office space. It was a quiet reminder that sometimes a single thought can be the spark that lights a bigger change.