The Hamster - By Zara Leask Baggesen

Written By: Zara Leask Baggesen

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Zara Leask Baggesen presents "The Hamster," a thought-provoking short story, as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This competition showcases diverse voices in the creative arts, providing a platform for writers worldwide. Zara's story delves into the intricacies of human emotion and self-reflection, inviting readers to ponder the depth of human experience and empathy.

About the Work

"The Hamster" offers a reflective exploration of the human psyche, drawing readers into a world where emotion and introspection intertwine. Zara Leask Baggesen masterfully crafts a narrative that juxtaposes the simplicity of a hamster's wheel with the complexity of the human condition. Through vivid imagery and contemplative prose, the story invites readers to question the nature of empathy, emotion, and the weight carried by a thoughtful mind.

The Hamster

Original Submission by Zara Leask Baggesen

I stared at the hamster running on the wheel, thoughts twisting behind my eyes in a quiet haze. I turn my attention to the group of people standing in a circle, chuckling fondly at the natural wonder before their eyes. My heartbeat reverberated into my neck, as I felt panic slowly floating into my bloodstream. Not initially alarming, but sort of as if on a lilo on a lazy river, knowing that the steep drop of a waterfall lies ahead. An animal dropped into an endless trap, unable to cease, whilst the parishioner’s eyes reflect the flames that mark this ritual of humiliation. “How cute is he? Darryl brought him in yesterday from his sister’s place while they’re in Aruba for the long weekend”. I swallow and manage a feeble nod. I used to spend quiet nights reading encyclopedias: “Serial Killers A-Z” and that sort of thing. Not in a way that my parents were secretly reading my journals in suspicion that I may have a human head hidden in my closet, but in the way that my brain could not comprehend how a man could stare into another’s eyes, as life wafted out of them, and into nothingness. The only conclusion I could draw, after tracing my mind for years, was that they had to be entirely devoid of emotion. No semblance of remorse. No conception of sadness. In the way that I imagined what blind people saw or ,I suppose, didn’t see. Simply an abyss that was bereft of pillars, nothing more than a shadow that could only use grey ink to blot the colours of empathy, of joy, of life and love. Emotional emptiness. In all of my sympathy for their apathy, I failed to see the parts of them that I, unbeknownst to me, deeply yearned for. To be able to walk through the day, without burdening the debilitating weight of your mind. To hug someone, and not pensively, wondering if it could be the last time you ever hold them. My feet on the earth, my hands in the soil, wind twisting between my fingers, my mind quiet. That made me wonder, in a strange way, if ,as a killer is numbly burying their latest victim, they feel the dry dirt as it hits the metal spade. If they feel oddly centred, the voices in their head hushed. If they chose the masochistic path over the tumultuous terrain that is an ear-splitting, unrelenting mind. And while I may have lost track of my mind’s distracted trajectory, it's never been lost on me how deeply immoral and heartbreaking the result of their actions is. I suppose my isolated presence in a jury that feels differently from me, has led to me advocating for the devil. Not because it's right, but because I often find myself wondering what it's like to yield to an all consuming, deafening noise.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating the richness of literary talent from around the globe. It serves as an esteemed platform for writers to share their unique voices and creative expressions. This competition continues to inspire and connect writers, fostering a vibrant community dedicated to the literary arts.

We extend our gratitude to Zara Leask Baggesen for sharing "The Hamster" with us in this year's competition. Her exploration of emotion and introspection provides a compelling addition to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Thank you, Zara, for your contribution to this celebration of literary creativity.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.