Author: Dahlia
Email me at mysilverstreaks@gmail.com or tweet me @mysilverstreaks
The Joy of Little Things
For a long time now, perhaps since 2005 that I have begun to click pics with my phone. Yes, you guessed right, of trees 😀 They had begun to work their magic on me and I just had to capture them, keep them with me so to speak. I often wished I had someway of documenting them, cataloguing them so that I could browse at leisure. Just a pipe dream, a waste of time. Time passed, I focused on home, career, academics until fan fiction happened. Blogging was the next logical step for my stories and yet some guiding prescient hand named my blog Stories and more.
And now after two years, the more bit often gives me greater happiness than the stories 😀 Anyhow to cut a long story short, this week I target two of my favorite photo challenges – Cee’s Happy themed fun foto challenge and the Daily Post’s Smile challenge. Let’s see if I can spark a bit of happiness and bring a smile to your face with my selection:
Good food can bring back the spark to the dullest of days and lives doesn’t it? Like my son declared some years ago “It’s almost impossible to be angry on a full stomach.” Since then I have noticed, it is harder to be upset after food – the next time someone at home is cranky you know what to do right? 😉
Then there’s nothing like some precious chillax time with friends while riding out the upheavals of academic pressures and life in general. This is one of those times when nothing matters but now 🙂
A beautiful sunset at the end of a less than idyllic day. A new day awaits and hope surges things can only be better.
You are just fooling around, clueless and untrained – something clicks and you have the near perfect shot, good enough to please even your own nitpicking self. The wonder of learning something new can give quite an unparalleled high, don’t you think?
When a little boy shows off his Tarzanic genes 😀
While his elders (and little girls!) prefer to take the more sedate route and dress up like their ancestors did.
Then there are other things that are guaranteed to bring a smile to my heart – chancing upon the white blossoms (or are they leaves?) of an unknown tree
A prefect green circle in the midst of a chaotic entangled bushy jungle
When life clings on and persists in the unlikeliest of places.
How the internet allows us to be there while sitting here – be it at the fag end of a day
or the beginning of a new day.
Of trees that perk up after long cold dreary overcast days and engage in a bit of arm wrestling under a perfect and gorgeously blue sky – from all the way from Dublin, Ireland.
Do you find joy and happiness in the little things of life? Did anything here make you smile? Do let me know!
But before I go, just in case these pics didn’t strike a chord, I must share this little piece to make up for taking up so much of your time:
“No sight so sad as that of a naughty child,” he began, “especially a naughty little girl. Do you know where the wicked go after death?”
“They go to hell,” was my ready and orthodox answer.
“And what is hell? Can you tell me that?”
“A pit full of fire.”
“And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there for ever?”
“No, sir.”
“What must you do to avoid it?”
I deliberated a moment: my answer, when it did come was objectionable: “I must keep in good health and not die.” ― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
May you all keep in good health and not die – at least not a moment before one has to!
Life and Death
As I come out of my shell and explore my surroundings I can’t help but notice a unique seasonal feature around these parts. Spring and fall seem to coexist. Leaves carpet the roads and mounds of leaves dot the sides of the roads until they are carted off to their final resting place. And yet gardens are abloom with a riot of colors – pink purple yellow and magenta. The peepal tree outside my office is a case in point. It is almost bare with a few green leaves determinedly hanging on until they turn yellow and reluctantly make their way down to whence they grew to such dizzying heights. And yet whilst this tussle is on, a new unruly batch has already sprung up gung-ho and eager to make their mark in this world. I have been feeling too inhibited to click this particule tree but I did mix and match some photos in an earlier post – Peepal in Spring.
For this post I have captured a few contrasting images from the world around me. Come scroll with me…
Clutching at straws
Brilliant and defiant in death.
Life towers over and mocks at death – it is not for me!
Yet some die before their time
While others bloom despite all odds
Even when there appears to be no hope or escape
Only when we accept that ups and downs, life and death will happen can we move on and live life as she deserves to be led – wholly completely, entirely and unabashedly.
Wish you all a wonderful day.
The Journey Within
I missed Becca’s Sunday Trees but here I am on Tuesday. Have a wonderful day people!
Skipping along the dirt road
she stopped to
stare and ponder
Poor old tree
No respite
No escape
Imprisoned
Forever and ever
The tree swayed with gentle laughter
A single curled leaf
Twirled its way down upon her head
Little one
Not all journeys are without
If you would
but look within
Friends Forever
Friends Forever
Words 101
“Here comes Her Highness.” Trishna muttered as Sapna floated down to join them.
Sapna stuck out her tongue.
“Enjoy your last day as Queen,” Prakriti said maliciously.
“Excuse me?” Sapna frowned.
“Maya’s coming.” Trishna burst out. “With fresh gossip.”
Sapna flickered and then rallied. “She must be ancient!”
“Remember how vain she was of her looks?” Layla’s husky murmur was still a killer.
“A bad hair day saved her from the car crash.” Leena rued.
“I wonder if she has any hair left?” Trishna patted her flowing tresses.
“I can’t wait to see her as a doddering ghost.” Sapna said gleefully.
***
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Fatima Fakier Deria for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
PS. Any readers of Silver Streaks here? Or fans of IPK? This may be of interest to you (or at least I am hoping it will be!) 😉
SPF: A Letterbomb
A Letterbomb
Words 200
Dear Mom,
I am going away. Far away. You won’t have to wake up early, send me to school, or pack my lunch. You’ll be free. Don’t bother looking for me. I am going to another planet – Zeutron, my home planet.
Didn’t Dad always say I was good-for-nothing trash? Turns out that I fell out from the spaceship hovering over Earth into the garbage dump. They’ve been searching for me ever since. After all, I am the Prince and heir to Zeutron. My parents, real parents were so desperate to find me that they stationed one of their best undercover agents (better than 007!) on Earth with orders to find me or die here.
You remember the guard at the mall? He’s not human. He’s a Zeutronian and his name is Gerkle. He recognized me right away, but he had to play his cards well so as to gain my trust. He told me everything once we became friends. We are leaving on the spaceship that arrives tonight. I’m not taking anything along except for a photo of you and me. Maybe you can come and visit me sometime. To see how I am doing.
Lots of love
Dan
***
Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Alistair Forbes for hosting the challenge and the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Peepal in Spring
The Peepal tree or the Ficus religiosa (sacred fig) is a common tree and I seem to see one no matter where I go. Except when I want to photograph one 😦
But this time I got lucky or rather created a bit with some mix and match 😉
Can you see the massive windblown and rather harassed looking tree in the background? That was taken just under 3 weeks ago.
And look at it now – it is as if it had never been bare.
I also managed to snap some lovely fresh colorful leaves growing at the roots of a massive dour staid Peepal 😀
And one more, simply because I couldn’t resist – purple leaves too! And to think I spent all my life around them. What on earth have I been doing all these years?!!!
Sometimes,
a cleansing wash
is not enough
and one must
shed the old
and
start anew
WPS: Into the Maelstrom
Photo from Google Maps
Into the Maelstrom
Words 151
“Exams over?”
She gave an ecstatic twirl. “I am free!”
“Free?” I queried. “But what about admissions, career…”
“None of that nonsense for me,” she dismissed with her nose in the air. “I have my future all planned.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“First college for some graduation course…”
“Which course?”
“Whatever I qualify for.”
“Okay. Next?”
“Prince Charming will find me and sweep me off my feet. I will lead him to a merry dance, before agreeing to marry him.”
“Wow.”
She smiled dreamily. “A stupendous destination wedding with both Shah Rukh and Salman Khan dancing and then go abroad for our honeymoon.”
“Where abroad?”
“Anywhere! The States to do lots of shopping.” She giggled. “Visit all the famous tourist spots, go trekking, camping, just him and me.” She clasped her hands. “It will be the most romantic time ever.”
“Nice.” I said. “And then what?
“I haven’t thought further than that.”
***
Written for What Pegman Saw – a story in 150 words or less based on locations chosen from Google Maps. This week we are off to Yellowstone National Park in the US and on my bucket list. Thanks to K Rawson for hosting the challenge. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here.
Enough of Double Standards
Enough of Double Standards
Words 100
“Belated happy birthday!” Shipra greeted Deeksha.
“Thanks.”
“How did you celebrate?”
“We didn’t. We are still in mourning.”
“Oh I am sorry.” Shipra offered her condolences. “Last year too you couldn’t celebrate as your father-in-law was unwell.”
“Yes.”
“It must be over six months since he passed away?”
“Yes.”
“Yet your husband attended his cousin’s wedding last week?”
“It wouldn’t have looked nice if he hadn’t gone.”
“So only you’re expected to mourn?”
“That depends.” Deeksha said. “As I am integral part of their family, they made sure I participated actively in the wedding festivities soon after my father’s death.”
***
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Bjorn for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
SPF: Blast From the Past
Blast from the Past
Words 199
“Aren’t you too young to be a face-reader?” Madhulika looked her up and down.
“It’s a gift.” Tuhina said.
“But to give you a booth at the event, I’ll need some proof of your talent.”
“I know what you did Muddy.”
Madhulika gasped. “Wha…what do you mean?”
“Don’t you remember your friend, Muddy?” Tuhina shook her hair free and leaned forward.
There was a crash. “Vrinda’s dead and you…you…”
“…I possessed Tuhina,” the voice was cold and unemotional, “and set out to avenge myself.”
“It wasn’t me, I swear it wasn’t!” Madhulika edged towards the door.
A hollow laugh echoed. “Still lying Muddy?”
“It was Shail. It was his idea to kill you…”
“And my unborn child.”
“Child!” Madhulika was stuttering. “I…I don’t know…”
“Shail knew. And if he knew…”
“Don’t kill me please!” Madhulika begged.
“I wouldn’t do anything so passé Muddy.” She bared her teeth. “I’ll just have some fun.”
“Fun?” Madhulika quavered.
“Shail has a new girlfriend. They are plotting a murder.”
“Vrinda!
But she was gone.
.
.
“What have you been up to?”
“Nothing.” Tuhina grinned at her mother. “Just settling some old scores.” She fingered the scar on Vrinda’s neck like she had since childhood.
***
Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Alistair Forbes for the photo prompt and hosting the challenge. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here.
Stories and more 