The Right Path - By Teneal Naidoo

Written By: Teneal Naidoo

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In a gripping short story titled "The Right Path," Teneal Naidoo takes us on a compelling journey through the life of a paramedic named Devan Green. This entry is part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, an event celebrating diverse voices in literature. Naidoo's narrative focuses on the challenges and decisions faced by those who choose a path less traveled, highlighting the theme of courage in the face of adversity.

About the Work

"The Right Path" captures the intensity of emergency response situations through detailed, vivid scenes. The story is layered with themes of courage, resilience, and finding one's true calling. Teneal Naidoo's adept storytelling portrays the emotional and physical demands that come with the paramedic profession, beautifully illustrating the profound impact of choosing the right path in life.

The Right Path

Original Submission by Teneal Naidoo

The right path

After a few more chest compressions, the man's breathing returned with a sudden, sharp inhale. His eyes stayed closed, and his pulse was weak. Green relaxed, but his partner was still alert and looked unhappy. The following items were addressed: the large cut across his abdomen and the cut in his forearm. They worked together to stem the bleeding, clean the wound, and dress it. The man was then moved over to the gurney. He was wheeled out of the house, past the traumatised children huddled together on the stairs and past the frantic woman standing in the hallway talking to the police. A home invasion had gone wrong. Mr Jones here had managed to fight off the assailants, knocking one unconscious while the other escaped.

Green drove while his partner, Daniels, was in the back with Mr Jones. Green always drove; he didn't mind much unless the roads were chockablock with traffic for some unknown reason, like right now. Progress wasn't all that great, even with the sirens blaring. Daniels shouted for him to take the next off-ramp and keep right. He always listened to her directions. She had lived in this city her whole life, whereas he had lived there for only four years.

Devan Green, a former resident of Cape Town, had a tall, lean build, light blue eyes, and wore a pair of small glasses, with sandy brown hair. Looked more like a lawyer or accountant. Which is what his parents had seen for him, too. At their insistence, he went on to attain his BCom Law Degree. Much to their dismay, however, just one month later, supported and funded by his grandparents, he moved to Joburg to become a paramedic, which he'd been doing for almost a year.

Following Daniels' directions, whose eyes barely left Mr Jones', they arrived at Parklands Hospital. After moving him into the ER and giving the doctor and nurse a quick breakdown, they were back out there. They decided to stop at a KFC for an early supper. Daniels could eat as much as Green, if not more. The difference was that he had to work out regularly to keep his lean build, while she kept her slight build-the luck of a fast metabolism.

Viola Daniels, with long flowing black hair that she kept in a messy bun while on call, serious hazel eyes, caramel skin, and a petite frame, usually turns a head or two when she goes out. To the dismay of her conventional family, she was forty and unmarried. Her busy work schedule and tangy disposition didn’t make her easy to get along with anyway, but Green, who identified as introverted, found they made great partners.

She had made it plain at the start that she wasn't thrilled about being paired with a rookie who had just obtained his paramedic science degree. But ten months later, he had grown on her.

They settled into their routine, sitting in comfortable silence as they waited for their next call. Green sipped on a coffee. After eight straight years of studying, he'd found strong and black was the way to go. Daniels was enjoying a hot chocolate; she disliked the taste of coffee and the smell of tea. Green found this fascinating.

It was late April, and the Autumn chill hung in the air. It had rained the night before and well into the day, which was uncommon for this time of year. Rain, whenever it fell, meant slippery roads and people suddenly forgetting how to drive.

As if on cue, a call came in. There was a two-car collision just off the Daveyton/Springs turn-off. They made it there in record time, but a small crowd had already formed when they reached the accident site-a blend of curious, well-meaning bystanders and those looking for a dead body. An SUV had its front smashed where it had hit an older model Mercedes, whose side was smashed in.

Daniels went straight for the SUV; the driver was in and out of consciousness, and there was a deep bruise on his forehead; he was responsive as she checked him over. A concussion and a case of severe whiplash, she made him get out and slowly stood him next to his car, where she could keep an eye on him and ordered him to stay awake.

Green checked on the Mercedes, which had the most damage. The little girl was trying to wake her mother, on whose side the impact had been. Blood gushed from her head where it had hit the window. Besides some cuts and what appeared to be a sprained wrist, the girl seemed fine. Daniels ran up to him as he finished examining the girl. His eyes flew to the driver, and she saw he was anxious and unsure of where to start. Her voice was soft as she informed him backup was on the way and reminded him time was crucial; she needed him to stay in the moment.

They were unable to open the door, so, with Green working from the back and Daniels from the side, they ensured the mother was breathing. They also cleaned and dressed her head the best they could from their respective angles. Then, they put a brace around her neck while they waited for the fire department to arrive. They were there in five minutes, which felt like five hours to them.

Two firemen ran over, one with a portable generator and the other with a device with two large metal fingers pressed together into a narrow tip. Green recognised it instantly as a hydraulic spreader.

Daniels got back into the car to make sure the woman was stable. The device was inserted into a narrow space between the door and hinges, and slowly, the metal fingers spread apart, opening the door. Once the door had been completely removed. Green rushed over with the gurney, and steadily, they moved her down onto it. They returned to their ambulance; Green was carrying the girl in one arm. On their way, they saw the SUV driver being attended to by another paramedic while he spoke with the police. The man watched the woman being rolled past as tears of regret stung his eyes.

The girl drove up front with Green, which wasn't procedure, and they would be called out on it. But it had gotten her to stop crying. He dropped them off in the ER and promised to check up on them, which he did two nights later. The mom was doing well in recovery, and the girl was with her father. Green saw them reading together as he walked past her hospital room.

No courtrooms or case studies could ever have filled his soul as sight did. As he returned to his partner, he said a silent thank you to the one who had allowed him to find and follow this path.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is an esteemed event that invites writers from around the world to showcase their literary talents. Focusing on poetry and creative writing, the competition aims to celebrate the power of the written word and the diverse perspectives of its participants.

We extend our gratitude to Teneal Naidoo for sharing "The Right Path" with us. This short story, part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, offers a poignant glimpse into the life of a paramedic. Thank you, Teneal, for your contribution and for reminding us of the strength found in following one's true calling.

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.