Gen-AI example.

Example 1. One of Us

Logline: A disillusioned priest grapples with his faith when a seemingly ordinary man claiming to be God appears in his life.

Characters:

Scene 1:

INT. CHURCH CONFESSIONAL – DAY

Father Michael sits in the confessional booth, listening patiently. A young woman confesses her sins. He offers absolution, but a weary look crosses his face.

LATER

Michael sits alone in his office, surrounded by religious texts. He picks up a worn Bible and flips through the pages. He sighs, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

EXT. BUS STOP – DAY

A beat-up bus pulls up. Among the passengers is Ethan, dressed in worn clothes and carrying a guitar case. He looks tired and lost. He sits down next to Michael, who is waiting for a bus.

Scene 2:

INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY

Michael and Ethan are having coffee. Ethan tells Michael about his rough life. There’s a sincerity in his voice that resonates with Michael.

ETHAN: Seems like everyone’s lost these days, you know? Lost their faith, lost their way.

MICHAEL: (Quietly) I can understand that.

ETHAN: You wouldn’t happen to be one of those guys with a collar, would you?

MICHAEL: (Hesitates) I’m a priest, yes.

Ethan raises his eyebrows, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

ETHAN: Well, Father, maybe you can help a guy out. I… I’m kind of in a bit of a bind. You see… I’m God.

Scene 3:

INT. CHURCH – DAY

Michael recounts the encounter with Sister Mary. She listens intently, her expression thoughtful.

MICHAEL: He just… showed up on my bus stop. Said he was God.

SISTER MARY: And what did you feel?

MICHAEL: Confused, scared… intrigued. I don’t know what to believe anymore.

SISTER MARY: Sometimes, the most important questions don’t have easy answers. But perhaps this Ethan, whoever he is, is here to remind you of something.

Scene 4:

INT. MICHAEL’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Michael is on the phone with the Pope. He tells him about Ethan, his voice filled with trepidation.

POPE JOHN PAUL: (Voice frail) These are strange times, Father. Faith is tested in many ways. Observe, listen, and trust your heart.

Scene 5:

INT. CHURCH – DAY

Michael confronts Ethan in the church.

MICHAEL: If you’re really God, why are you living like this? Where are your miracles?

Ethan: Miracles aren’t always what you expect. Sometimes, the greatest miracle is simply being there for someone. Sometimes, even God needs a helping hand.

Scene 6:

EXT. CITY STREETS – DAY

Michael and Ethan walk side-by-side, helping people in need – feeding the homeless, comforting a grieving child. They share a genuine connection.

Scene 7:

INT. CHURCH – NIGHT

Ethan is playing his guitar, singing a melancholic song. Michael sits with him, a newfound peace on his face.

ETHAN: You see, Father, sometimes even God gets lost. Lost in the doubts and prayers of humanity.

MICHAEL: But maybe… maybe that’s what makes us human. And maybe, that’s where faith truly begins.

Scene 8:

EXT. BUS STOP – DAY

Ethan stands at the bus stop, his guitar case in hand. He looks at Michael with a knowing smile.

ETHAN: Thanks for the company, Father. It’s been… enlightening.

A bus pulls up. Ethan gets on and disappears into the crowd. Michael watches him go, a mix of hope and uncertainty in his eyes.

Scene 9:

INT. CHURCH – DAY

Michael delivers a sermon. His words are filled with newfound conviction, speaking of faith in the face of doubt, of finding humanity in the most unexpected places.

FADE OUT.

Also, from another source:

Title: One of Us

INT. BUS – DAY

A crowded city bus with passengers lost in their own worlds. We see a diverse mix of people, young and old, from various walks of life. Among them is a MAN (40s), ordinary-looking, sitting quietly, observing others.

MAN
(whispers to himself)
What if God was one of us?

A YOUNG WOMAN (20s) sitting across from him overhears.

YOUNG WOMAN
Sorry, did you say something?

MAN
Oh, just thinking out loud.

YOUNG WOMAN
About what?

MAN
What if God was one of us?

YOUNG WOMAN
(chuckles)
Like, a slob on the bus?

MAN
Exactly.

YOUNG WOMAN
Or maybe someone walking among us, unnoticed?

MAN
That’s an interesting thought.

The bus stops. PEOPLE get off, new ones get on. Among the new passengers is an ELDERLY WOMAN (70s), frail and carrying a rosary.

ELDERLY WOMAN
(sits next to the man)
It’s a comforting idea, isn’t it? That God could be right here, with us.

MAN
You believe that?

ELDERLY WOMAN
I believe God is everywhere. In the ordinary and the extraordinary.

YOUNG WOMAN
But what if seeing Him meant we had to believe in everything? Heaven, Jesus, the Saints?

ELDERLY WOMAN
Belief is a personal journey. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to understand.

MAN
(looking thoughtful)
So, you think God might be trying to find His way home, like the rest of us?

ELDERLY WOMAN
Maybe He’s always been home. And maybe we’re the ones trying to find our way back to Him.

YOUNG WOMAN
That’s a beautiful thought.

MAN
(smiles)
It is.

The bus continues its journey. The passengers, each lost in their thoughts, share a moment of connection, united by a simple question: What if God was one of us?

FADE OUT.

THE END.

Example 2. Typical Desi

The Chai Stain

Every morning, the chipped mug sits by the kettle, a familiar blue adorned with a faded image of the Taj Mahal. It’s my immigrant ritual, a steaming cup of chai, the strong, milky concoction that bridges the gap between continents. As I stir, a brown halo blooms around the rim, a permanent stain chronicling countless mornings spent yearning for home.

Today, the stain seems bolder, mirroring the weight on my chest. Yesterday, at the market, a stranger mistook me for someone else, a flicker of recognition replaced by disappointment when I wasn’t who they expected. It’s a small incident, yet it stings. This mug, with its imperfect beauty and constant comfort, reminds me – I am both here and there, a desi hyphenate with a chai stain for a soul.

(38 words)

Autoethnography: The story uses the personal experience of drinking chai from a chipped mug to explore themes of cultural identity and displacement. The chipped mug becomes a symbol of the narrator’s immigrant experience – imperfect yet comforting.

Micro Fiction: The story is concise, under 50 words, focusing on a single, evocative moment.

Typical Desi: The story captures the essence of the “desi” experience – the comfort of familiar traditions (chai) mixed with the complexities of navigating a new home (the market encounter).

Also, from another source:

Title: The Sari Story

In a dimly lit room, adorned with photographs of generations past, I found an old sari folded neatly at the bottom of a dusty trunk. It was my grandmother’s, a vibrant silk with intricate embroidery that spoke of stories untold. The fabric felt like a whisper from the past, urging me to unfold its tales.

The sari unraveled memories of my grandmother, a strong-willed woman who defied societal norms. She wore this sari on the day she stood up against traditions, choosing love over arranged marriage. The threads held the warmth of her laughter and the strength of her convictions.

As I draped the sari around me, I felt its weight, not as a burden, but as a legacy. It was a bridge between generations, a tangible connection to my roots. The fabric moved with me, dancing to the rhythm of my heartbeat, echoing the resilience of my ancestors.

In this sari, I found my voice, blending the lines between past and present, tradition and rebellion. It became my armor, empowering me to navigate the complexities of identity as a desi woman in a rapidly changing world.

This autoethnographic micro-fiction captures the essence of the typical desi experience—a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the timeless allure of tradition. Through the lens of a single sari, we glimpse the rich tapestry of culture, history, and personal narratives that shape our identities.