Category: Flash Fiction

It’s Sunday Photo Fiction time once again. Scroll down for my story in 200 words or less and click here for other stories on this prompt.

Something Fishy

Words 198

“Mom!”

Trisha’s shriek brought everyone running to the verandah.

“Look!” Trisha pointed, “The river is flowing in our garden.” She turned to Shweta, her mother, “How will I go to school? You know I have my spelling test today.”

“Don’t worry, the other side is clear.”

“I better go and revise my spellings, especially of ‘tongue’ and ‘stomach’…”

“Owww!” Samrat doubled over.

“Oh my poor baby!” Granny crowded him.

“What’s the matter?” Shweta asked. “Homework not done?”

Samrat straightened. “That’s not fair!” He hurriedly bent over again, leaning heavily on his grandmother. “That’s all done,” he gasped painfully, “My stomach’s hurting.”

“Really? Since when?”

“Oh come on Shweta! Are you his mother or stepmother? Can’t you see the poor boy is in agony?” Granny butted in. “Come child, let me give you some homeopathic medicine.”

“But what about school?”

“No school for you today,” Granny threw Shweta a challenging look.

Shweta glared at her husband.

He promptly vanished.

.

.

“Mom! I got 10 on 10 in my spelling test.” Trisha ran in. “Has the water gone down?”

Trisha stopped short.

Her ‘ailing’ brother was waist deep in water.

He grinned. “Here catch!” He threw her a fish.

***

“You can drag my body to school but my spirit refuses to go.” ― Bill Watterson, Creator of Calvin and Hobbes.

Exactly what my brother and son thought. I, however, loved school, including (especially) spelling tests although tongu did have me (and that much more fun). As you may have guessed by now, the above story is based on a true (more or less) incident from my childhood.

Do be generous with your thoughts and experiences on the matter 🙂

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 83.And Calvin is back.

And if you have a few minutes to spare – Hop on for a ride

Written for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less based on the photo prompt provided this week by Vijaya – Thanks Rochelle, thanks Vijaya 🙂 For remarkable stories on this prompt click here.

2084

Words 99

Diwali celebrations were on. Only Om’s house was dark.

Vidya paced the terrace. She didn’t have time to mourn his passing. She had other things on her mind – would the years of experimentation pay off? Had they achieved that elusive fusion of ultramodern technology and ancient mind control?

Vidya pressed the amplification button implanted in her wrist and concentrated.

Nothing.

Foreboding assailed her. What if they had again miscalculated? Would Om go Dev’s way?

Focus dammit focus!

Her wrist throbbed.

The button vibrated emitting waves in Om’s distinctive handwriting – Netherworld cooler than Delhi. No pollution either. Dev says Hi.

***

 Do drop in for a glimpse of Nature and for a bit of fun

Thanks for visiting.

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Coat of Arms

Words: 200

 “Chanda! Chandaaa! Where’s that dratted girl?” grumbled Chandni as she stirred the pot. “Always reading some book or the other.”

“If you could read, you would understand the pleasures of reading,” said Ramesh.

“Yes Mother?” Chanda hid the book behind her back with a guilty look at her mother.

Chandni shot her an exasperated look. “Do you think I am blind? That I can’t see the book you are hiding?”

“You should be proud of her.” Ramesh said. “How many girls in the village can read English?”

“Don’t you encourage her,” snorted Chandni. “She is bad enough with her obsession not to mention questions.”

“Questions?” Ramesh looked from one to the other.

“Yes! Questions!” Chandni flared up, “You are either busy at the tailoring shop or with your friends. I am the one she nags with her questions.” She looked at Chanda. “Go on. Ask your father.”

Chanda promptly sat down on the floor and asked, “What is the ‘Royal coat of arms’ Father?”

Ramesh coughed. “What’s the sentence?”

Chanda rifled through the pages. “The cloak fell away and he caught a glimpse of the Royal coat of arms.”

“It’s a special coat worn by Kings. It has long sleeves.”

***

Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. For more stories on the photo prompt click here.

 

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 81. And do check out the Eye on the Tree photo challenge post as well - thank you!

 

Written for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less based on the photo prompt provided this week by Georgia Koch. Thank you Rochelle and Georgia.

For other stories on this prompt click here

The Stowaway

Words 102

“Accept it darling,” he said, “my time’s up.”

“What about me?” she held his hand in a death grip.

He smiled. “Your boat is yet to dock. I’ll just go on ahead and arrange things…”

“No!” she flared up. “I don’t like your ‘arrangements’. Remember how you messed up the kitchen?”

“But you loved redoing it.”

A tear rolled down her cheek.

“I thought you believed in destiny? That we are married for seven lives?”*

“I need to buy medicines.” She dashed across the busy street.

Impatient (and skeptical), she thought it prudent to give fate a helping hand.

—

*According to Hinduism, marriage between a couple is not limited to this life only, it extends to seven or more lives.

A Fatherly Lesson

Words 195

“You don’t want to go to school?” Hariya shook Ramu, his 8-year-old son. “You want to play in the jungle all day?”

Ramu nodded.

Enraged, Hariya dragged him into the jungle. “Then stay with the animals and ghosts of the jungle.” Hariya walked away.

Ramu explored the jungle to his heart’s content but it wasn’t much fun without his friends. Plus he was hungry. He decided to return home, but to his despair, he couldn’t find his way out. “Amma! Babuji!” Ramu screamed loud and long but no one came.

Darkness fell abruptly and closed in on him. Fear gripped him. He ran to the lone lamp and looked around in dread at the shadows hovering over him. He clung to the lamppost and held on for dear life. Then the unthinkable happened. The bulb flickered and died. Darkness engulfed him, threatening, choking, strangling, “Amma! Babuji! Where are you? Please take me home. I promise I will always go to school.” The wind howled and the trees swayed. Leaves blew into his face. Terrified, Ramu bolted but something held him back.

He opened his mouth in a soundless scream and collapsed in a dead faint.

***

 Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less.

Note: Unfortunately, the above narrative is not completely imaginary. Recently there were reports of a 7-year-old boy being abandoned near a bear infested jungle by his father as a punishment for misbehavior. Fortunately, the police rescued him after a week of intense search. But another 12-year-old boy wasn’t as lucky as his father stabbed him to death for not studying for a school exam.

 

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 79 along with Hobbes having  fun at Calvin's expense :D

 

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt. Thanks to Sandra for the photo 🙂

Off the Beaten Track

Words 95

“Mom!” Ravi protested, “Why did you take this road?”

“Didn’t you see the massive traffic jam on the main road?”

“Mom, main roads are always a safer bet. Here, on this track, who knows when it will clear or even whether we will reach our destination?”

“Patience Ravi, patience.” She was unperturbed. “Look, the sheep are all going the other way. In just a while, we will own the road.”

“So tell me Mom,” Ravi turned to her, “what were your objections to leaving my job in the US and taking up farming in Kerala?

***

Look forward to hearing from you 🙂

Reminder: Today’s the 15th of July and time for Story Club # 2. Do read Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat and drop in for a review by YP of In the Zone later in the day. Anyone interested in posting a review of their own – most welcome! Please create a pingback to the post Story Club #2 – coming soon at a blog near you 😀

Click here for Story Club #1

For the readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 75 and Calvin - he never gives up trying does he?

Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

SPF: Exposed

Words 198

“Reeta!” Sheila burst inside her house, “did you hear the news?”

“What news?” Reeta asked her easily excitable neighbor.

“Don’t you ever watch TV?”

“Not if I can help it.” Reeta said drily. Besides, who needs a TV when you are here?

“Didn’t you hear the TV vans whooshing past – or the ambulance? I checked the news and sure enough, it’s all over the TV!” Sheila’s eyes glittered with pleasurable glee and something else. “Look at you, sitting here cool as cucumber.”

Reeta made a wry face and got to her feet. “My apologies. Would you like a cup of tea?” She began walking to the kitchen.

Sheila grabbed Reeta by the arm and burst out, “The well-known socialite Mrs Sisodia committed suicide.”

Reeta froze. She paled and her eyes widened.

Sheila watched these developments with ghoulish delight. “Oh! Now I remember, she and your husband were very good friends weren’t they?” Sheila looked around. “Where is he? Does he know? Call him up and let him know.” She urged.

The doorbell rang. It was the police.

Reeta mentally cursed the inconsiderate Mrs Sisodia.

She could brush an affair under the carpet but not a dead woman.

***

Do let me know what you think…

For the readers of Moonshine, here’s Chapter 74 and Hobbes up to no good :D

And please do check out my latest photo challenge – Look up or here for a laugh (or a shock depending on your view) or… never mind, I arranged all my picture posts at one place for easy access – Clicks and Pics.

Have a super day and look forward to hearing from you 🙂

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle for the picture prompt below – a story in 100 words or less. For amazing stories on this prompt click here. Thanks to Jan Marler Morrill for the photo.

 

Sons and daughters

Words 99

“This alley is so tiny.” Sheena laughed. “I remember it as a long dark highway!”

“Useful for sneaking back inside.” Her brother winked.

“And learning the facts of life,” Sheena said.

“Meaning?”

“When I was about 12, I overheard Dad telling Mom – if it is again a girl, I will get another wife.”

Sheena shook him by the arm. “Make your peace with Dad. He loves you!”

“Yeah right. After my bike accident, I overheard him – Thanks to God for saving my son. I cannot afford to lose him. It’s not like I have two or three sons.”

***

Thanks for reading. If you have time and the inclination, do check out the Macro Moment photo challenge and one-liner Wednesday post. Though I should warn you, it isn’t exactly one line

Have a great weekend. Oh I almost forgot! For the readers of Moonshine, here’s Chapter 73 and Calvin on a water conservation spree 😀

If you are a first time visitor, welcome aboard 🙂 Click here for more Short Stories or here for more information About the Blog

Dont forget to leave me a note.

This is written for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers  (100- 175 words). Thank you Joy for hosting the challenge and thank you Louise for the photo. For other stories on this prompt please click here

The Reunion

Words 165

“Hi Alisha.”

“Hi Bijooka.” She laughed.

“Come on!” He spread his arms. “From which angle do I look like a scarecrow?”

“Sorry. That slipped out.” Alisha apologized. “We were really mean to you.”

“It doesn’t matter.” He said. “Not now.”

“It must have hurt then?”

“Yes.” He swallowed. “Some. I often fought with Ma for more food. But there never was enough…”

“I am sorry.”

“How come you’re all alone?”

Alisha turned away. “Very hot outside.”

“Or is the reunion no fun?”

Alisha sighed. “Yeah. It was a bad idea.”

“Where’s Rohit?”

“School sweethearts should never get married.”

“What happened?”

Alisha shrugged. “The usual. I thought I was the Princess. Rohit thought he was the Prince. In the battle for supremacy we both lost our kingdom.”

“I can’t say I am sorry. I always thought you deserved better.”

Alisha stared.

He grinned sheepishly. “I had a massive crush on you.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

He looked down and scuffed his shoe. “I am now.”

  ***

Hello and a happy Monday to you all 😉 Those of you who didn’t log in after Friday, do check out my photo posts – here,and here (and just in case you missed the Clouds Galore here too) 😀