The Genie

lampost-s-pier-sandra-crook

The Genie

Words 100

 “Dadu, what did you get from the haat*?” His grandchildren crowded him.

Snehlata cracked another areca nut and spoke through a paan* stuffed mouth, “More junk for this junkyard.”

Ignoring her, he held up his treasure.

“What is it?” Rina wondered.

“I know!” Deep’s eyes sparkled. “That’s Humpty Dumpty. They put him together again!”

“No.” Dadu coughed. “It’s Aladdin’s lamp.”

“Rubbish!”

“Didu’s right,” Rina spoke hesitantly, “it doesn’t look…”

“They fooled us all these years.” Dadu spoke in hushed tones.

“Call the Genie Dadu,” Deep urged.

“Genie!” Dadu coughed. “Bring my inhaler!”

Snehlata held out the inhaler. “Dinner is served.”

 ***

*Haat: Local market in rural areas in India

*Paan: a preparation combining betel leaf with areca nut among other ingredients such as tobacco. It is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects and prevalent in India since the 3rd Century A.D.

Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Sandra Crooks for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.

Published by

Dahlia

Email me at mysilverstreaks@gmail.com or tweet me @mysilverstreaks

35 thoughts on “The Genie”

  17. a very depressing scene with a disillusioned, drug chewing (mother?) and a motivated dadu who keeps up the fantasy and dreams to mop up all the misery! What is the use of the inhalator…it means Dadu is ill?…Well a visit of the genie would be surely a blessing!

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    1. I tried to portray a (so called) typical Indian family with grandchildren visiting grandparents at their ancestral home for vacations. She is resigned and longsuffering of her husband’s whims and fancies. He is asthmatic and hence the inhaler which appeard magically as always provided by the omnipresent genie…his wife😁 Paan though not a habit to be encouraged is considered to be good for health and even auspicious and is taken by many esp after a heavy meal tho personally i dont like it. Hope that clarifies things a bit more and isnt as depressing!

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