Curiosity is what keeps people alive more than any other trait because people are nosy. They want to know what’s going to happen next. Marketers rely on that to get and keep your attention. The following is a typical example. Enjoy.
I LET A STRANGER SLEEP IN MY GUESTHOUSE
At 45, I’d built a peaceful life for myself. I lived alone on a secluded property, surrounded by woods, in a house too large for just one person. My career as a writer was fulfilling but often lonely. One cold evening, after a grocery run, I noticed a figure sitting by the side of the road near my driveway. He was shivering, his clothes worn and dirty, and something about his vacant stare tugged at my conscience.
I pulled over and rolled down the window. “Need a place to stay?” I asked. The man looked at me, surprised, his eyes reflecting a sadness I couldn’t shake. He introduced himself as Tom, explaining he had lost his job, his home, and had nowhere else to go.
I invited him to stay in my guesthouse, a small cottage I rarely used. It had a bed, heat, and a bathroom—better than sleeping outside. Tom was hesitant but accepted. Over the next few weeks, he kept to himself, but I’d catch glimpses of him wandering around the woods, always distant but respectful.
One night, around 2 a.m., I was jolted awake by strange noises. It sounded like muffled voices, too close to ignore. I grabbed a flashlight and, with a mix of curiosity and concern, made my way to the guesthouse. As I approached, I noticed the light was on, something Tom never did at night.
I stood at the door, debating whether to knock or just walk in, but then I heard something that made my heart race—a voice that didn’t belong to Tom. Holding my breath, I slowly pushed the door open, and what I saw inside stopped me cold.
Tom wasn’t alone…
