I love those drabble rewrites. You're right, the changed ending does rebound on how you read the start; partly of course because it's so short you can compass the whole story in an instant. I think 4 stings the best, of the rewrites.

I may have to add a caveat to my own 'all rules are bad rules eventually' rule because that character motivation idea does pretty much work across the board. Unless someone's going for surreal, like the cheese man, I suppose. But he's not exactly a 'character'.

...and thank you! *blushes*