“Resting? At your age, you should be running.” A middle-aged man chastised Raghu beside him on the park bench. “I do 20 laps and you gave up after just 10,” he snorted.
“I am trying.”
“Yeah right. All you youngsters are lazy lumps. Only good for junk food and video games.” He cast him a scathing look. “No wonder you are overweight. Look at me, so fit. If I were younger,” he broke off staring at the ground, “what’s that? Did you injure your leg? You’re bleeding!”
Raghu looked down. “Ah. Just a bit. I’m still adjusting to my new foot.”
***
Inspired by the Jaipur foot and Sudha Chandran who reclaimed her place on the stage of dance after losing her leg in an accident with the help of the Jaipur foot.
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 Rochelle for the photo prompt.
Into the Ring
Words 101
Diwali was here.
Time for some clean up.
And new beginnings.
After days of dithering over the messy clutter, she took the plunge.
Choking, she tripped over the lamps – but alas, no genie appeared.
The sunglass display rack looked promising but it wobbled and swayed.
She let it go.
The pressure cooker?
On second thoughts, no.
Still fragile, she wasn’t ready to explore that angle yet.
She steadied her gaze and began.
Once upon a time,by the edge of the forest, there lived an evil witch alien. They had two smiling eyes, three ears and no lips.
The doorbell rang.
***
Happy Diwali to everyone. So happy to be back after ages. Hope all of you have been well. Looking forward to be able to reconnect with you all 🙂
Hello and here’s hoping you are doing well in these difficult times. I am trying to get back to blogging but nothing new as of now. Unless you are into #IPKKND and Silver Streaks. In which case, Season 2 is now underway. See you there 🙂
Photo (c) Susan Spaulding
The Christmas Gift
Words 200
“I wonder what Santa will gift me this year.” Rimi mused.
“Lucky you,” Rimi’s grandfather was jealous, “In my time there was no Santa.”
“That’s not possible!” Rimi protested. “Perhaps you were a bad boy.”
“I was always a good boy.” Huffed Dadu. “It’s not fair that I didn’t get any toys. Not even on my birthday.”
“Aww.” Rimi commiserated. “I’ll ask Santa!”
“As if he’ll agree.” Dadu snorted.
The next morning, Rimi ran to Dadu. “Guess what I saw last night?”
“What?”
“A thick blanket of snow covered the garden…”
“But it never snows here!”
She stamped her foot. “It did last night.”
“Fine!”
“Elves sat around the stumps talking when a sleigh drew up in a shower of snow. I jumped out and asked Santa why he didn’t give you gifts.”
“What did he say?”
“He said his GPS wasn’t as advanced then.”
Dadu coughed.
“I said, why not gift him now? But Santa said he brought gifts for only children.”
“I told you so!” Dadu grumbled.
“But I managed to convince him!” Rimi was triumphant.
“How?”
“I said what about those in their second childhood?”
Dadu laughed and enfolded Rimi in his arms. “My best gift ever!”
***
Written (after ages) for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Susan Spaulding for hosting the challenge and for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
My second submission (first one here) this week after my ‘inspirational’ walk 😀 Would love to know which one you think is better. Thanks!
Photo (c) Adam Ickes
His First Pair
Words 102
“Dadu you came!” Rimi ran to hug her grandfather.
“Soon our village will get electricity…”
“Great! Dad will have no choice but to take me.” Rimi pulled him.
“Wait. Let me wash my feet first.”
“Why are you bare feet?!”
“I couldn’t wear leather on my feet!”
“But Dadu shoes are also made of synthetic material.”
“Really?”
“Yes! Let me buy you a pair of shoes.”
“I love my new shoes.” He carefully tucked them into his bag. “Thank you.”
“Aren’t you going to wear them?”
“Oh but I couldn’t!”
“Why not? They aren’t leather…”
“They’ll get dirty and frayed.”
***
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Adam Ickes for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt (and showcase your story) click here.
“There!” Mohini huffed from the gentle climb on to the dam, “This is where I grew up, beside the mighty Ganga. Beautiful isn’t she?”
Sia blew on the bubble till it popped. “Sure.” She ruminated, busy taking selfies. “The mountains in the distance look better. She’s too dull and bloated, like an over-fed slithering python for my liking.”
“She wasn’t always like this. She was free, fresh and sparkling, singing her song while skipping and dancing her way over boulders and stones.“
“What happened?”
“She was dammed up for the greater good.”
“How much longer Mohini?” Her husband called. “I am hungry.”
***
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Dale for the photo prompt. If you want to read the other stories inspired by this prompt (or add your link) click here.
Oh the pain the anguish the isolation – all for what?
Doubts racked me.
Why struggle so much?
Who cared whether I lived or died?
Why not just give up?
Give in.
I tried.
Believe me, I tried hard to give up.
But I didn’t know how.
I only knew one thing.
My time would come.
And it did.
That’s my story. What’s yours?
She swayed and dipped, offering me yet another luscious mango.
***
Written (after eons) for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
“Yes. A thousand times yes. My love for you shines brighter than the moon.”
“That I agree.”
“Then…?”
“Your love lives off my love. No wonder it’s fickle and ever-changing.”
“Don’t say that!”
“Why not? It’s the bitter truth unlike your sweet lies. Your game is up for I can see through your fake protestations of undying avowals of love.”
“Don’t be so mean. My love for you is pure!”
“The only thing pure about you is the darkness of your soul.” He picked up his bag.
***
Written (after an eon and this one too almost slipped out – or perhaps it would have been better if it had missed the bus) for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Gah Learner for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Amidst thunderous applause Kali walked up to the dais to receive her award from the President of India. Not just a wife and mother, she was a woman of substance – of the likes of Madame Curie. Pride and exultation filled her as she surveyed her family cheering and clapping until their throats and hands were sore.
“Wonderful groundbreaking work Madam,” the interviewer gushed. “You are truly an inspiration for all women and we are extremely proud of you.”
“Thank you.” Kali said modestly.
“Tell us Madam who was your inspiration on this long and difficult journey in a male dominated field?”
“My inspiration?” Kali laughed. “Everyone!”
“That’s interesting. Could you elaborate please?”
“I was named Kali because I was dark. I was also given other names because I was fat and short.” Kali shrugged. “Rejected by suitors and reviled by society I turned to my first love, academics.” Kali smiled. “So here I am.”
“What about your husband?”
“He’s been a pillar of strength all throughout. He took care of home and children while I slaved away in the laboratory…”
“How long does it take to make a cup of tea?” A querulous voice demanded.
“Coming.” Kali switched off the gas.
***
Written (after a long time!) for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Susan for hosting the challenge and Anurag for the awesome photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Stories and more 