Flash Fiction of Canada – "The Hypnotist and the Criminal" by Xiaojie Rong

Flash Fiction of Canada –

"The Hypnotist and the Criminal" by Xiaojie Rong

(Advertisements – Scroll down for the magazine.)

Read and Submit to the Poetry and Art News
Get a Free Writer's Page at Writers, Poets, Playwrights
--

Home | Published | Submissions | About

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Visit waxpoetryart.com to explore poetry (including haiku and spoken word), visual art, photography, play, and fiction submission opportunities. Experience the thrills of the Weekly Poems Contest.

May 15th, 2026

Flash Fiction of Canada Contest #2 – First Place

The Hypnotist and the Criminal

by Xiaojie Rong

A prison invited a famous hypnotist, hoping he could reform criminals through
hypnotic suggestion.

A repeat offender who sincerely wanted to turn over a new leaf — but could never
control himself — volunteered to be the first subject.

Under the hypnotist’s guidance, the criminal quickly fell into a deep trance.

“As a human being,” the hypnotist began to suggest,

“You must give selflessly, never seize or plunder, and devote yourself
wholeheartedly to serving others...”
 
Several days later, the hypnotist returned to the prison to check on the results.

“Incredible — absolutely incredible,” the warden said excitedly.

“The man has completely changed. He spends all day doing good deeds.”

“Excellent,” the hypnotist said proudly.

“That means the experiment was a success. Let’s continue with the other inmates.”

“I’m afraid there’s a problem,” the warden said awkwardly.

“You went a little too far with your suggestion. None of the other prisoners is
willing to undergo the treatment now.”

“Why?” the hypnotist asked in astonishment.

The warden spread his hands. “They all say they don’t want to turn into a fool.”

About the Author
Xiaojie Rong resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Read the writer's biography and Flash Fiction Takeover publications on Xiaojie Rong's Artist Page.

Flash Fiction Takeover Collection
This flash fiction is also featured in Flash Fiction Takeover Collection #2, published in the Flash Fiction Takeover Library.

Keywords: psychology, hypnotism

Previously published in Flash Fiction of Canada:
You Never Even Told Me Why
by Mary Anne Griffiths

Home | Published | Submissions | About

Flash Fiction of Canada is part of Flash Fiction Takeover and waxpoetryart.com.
- Visit the Flash Fiction Takeover Submissions page to see all opportunities.
- Visit the Flash Fiction Takeover Library.
- This website and all contents ©Florencia Bay Books and specified artists.
- AI training is not permitted on this website.

(Advertisements)