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080 · 12 panels

The Scratch I Wanted to Keep

A companion's answer nearly decided what would happen to his own belongings.

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Ara accompanied him to the small repair shop.
Story

Jin brought his old radio in to be checked.

Ara accompanied him to the small repair shop.

Jin told Ara what he wanted to preserve along with the object.
Jin

I want to keep the way it looks. Even this scratch feels familiar.

Jin told Ara what he wanted to preserve along with the object.

The clerk explained the options available for this fictional radio.
Receptionist

You can choose to keep the exterior or replace it.

The clerk explained the options available for this fictional radio.

Ara meant to make things easier, but her assumption got ahead of Jin's answer.
Ara

A new exterior will do. Jin would prefer something new too.

Ara meant to make things easier, but her assumption got ahead of Jin's answer.

The question went back to Ara. Jin noticed that his wish was missing.
Receptionist

Then shall I put it down for an exterior replacement?

The question went back to Ara. Jin noticed that his wish was missing.

Jin stated his request clearly without raising his voice or shoving anything.
Jin

One moment, please. I'd like to decide about my own radio.

Jin stated his request clearly without raising his voice or shoving anything.

Ara recognized her assumption and waited for Jin's answer.
Ara

You said you wanted to keep it. I went and decided for you.

Ara recognized her assumption and waited for Jin's answer.

This time, the options and explanation went directly to the owner.
Receptionist

Which option would you like, Jin? Let me explain again.

This time, the options and explanation went directly to the owner.

Jin expressed his wish himself, rather than through someone else.
Jin

I'd like to keep the exterior as it is, including the familiar marks.

Jin expressed his wish himself, rather than through someone else.

Only after Jin confirmed was the radio accepted on those terms.
Receptionist

Understood. I'll record that the existing exterior is to stay.

Only after Jin confirmed was the radio accepted on those terms.

The teal exterior and its small scratch were still there.
Story

Days later, Jin received the radio back with its familiar appearance.

The teal exterior and its small scratch were still there.

At home, Jin listened to the radio returned according to his choice. Ara listened beside him.
Jin

That's the look I wanted to keep. Shall we listen together?

At home, Jin listened to the radio returned according to his choice. Ara listened beside him.

A thought from the Talmud

Yalta protested strongly when she heard that the cup would not be sent to her.

The source idea in our own words · Not a direct quotation

Berakhot 51b:5–7 · Read the source ↗

A lesson for today

Ara assumed that accompanying Jin meant she knew what he wanted. Jin briefly stated that he wanted to choose what happened to his own radio, and Ara and the clerk returned that choice to him. Accompanying or helping someone can differ from deciding for them. Confirming what the person wants and addressing the explanation directly to them is the modern resolution chosen here, separate from the ancient story's violent actions.

A modern interpretation for this story

A question to take with you

Am I answering for someone simply because I came with them?

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About the source and this adaptation

In Berakhot 51b:5–7, Ulla gives the cup of blessing after the meal to Rav Nahman. When Nahman asks him to send it to his wife Yalta too, Ulla refuses, arguing that a woman's offspring is blessed through a man's. Paragraph 6 reinforces that argument through scriptural interpretation. Hearing the refusal, Yalta angrily breaks 400 wine barrels. At Nahman's renewed request, Ulla sends another cup with an explanation that wine from the same barrel is also wine of blessing. Yalta replies insultingly that peddlers produce empty words and rags produce lice. The wisdom line paraphrases her strong protest; it does not change the story into quiet patience or a completed reconciliation. This is separately invented nonviolent modern fiction about stating one's own wishes. Jin, Ara, the personal radio, service conversation, confirmed choice, return and dialogue were created with AI assistance. Male-mediated religious blessing is not made into gender superiority or medical fertility claims. Destruction, retaliation and insults are not adopted as modern examples to follow.

Read the source ↗

AI-generated artwork · Creative adaptation

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