Tag: Life

WLC#39: The Viewpoint

Hello, hope you are having a grand day. Today I am attempting to participate in a new challenge hosted by XingfuMama which is about Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge – It could be anything: a picture or you can go into detail and tell it as a reflection, story or poem.

I would like to present a true story. It happened on my recent travels to Gavi near Thekkady, Kerala, India, where I found myself guilty of being biased and judgemental.

Here we were at a viewpoint deep in the midst of the rolling gorgeous greenery of the Gavi inside the Ranni reserve forest. The sky was overcast and breeze was cool and I was in seventh heaven of delight. I gobbled up the sights – the short tree, the light green, the stocky one, the balding one, while the driver-cum-guide attempted to spot wildlife for our perusal.

To be honest, there were none. Just a couple of dogs, mom and child, gambolling about. What do they eat in this wilderness I wondered. I was distracted by another jeep load of chattering tourists that drove up to ‘our’ point and disembarked. There goes our peace and silence.

One of the tourists went straight to the parked truck. Can you imagine? At this scenic sight, all he could think of was food? Or perhaps a try at the balloons? Sheesh. I rolled my eyes.

I flushed and cringed at my petty thinking. He had rushed to buy biscuits for the dogs. Hats off to the kind gentleman with his heart in the right place.

“Individuality should be celebrated, not judged.” From the internet

Thanks for visiting. Have a super day.

MWWP: Tanka #1

Hello and a very good day to you. I am attempting to participate in Eugi’s Moonwashed Musings Weekly Prompt – Gingered Sky. It can be any variation of the prompt or the image (below). Click here to read the other entries on the prompt.

I am attempting to present a Tanka inspired by the image. For the uninitiated (and also for myself as I struggle to grasp the finer nuances) Tanka is a popular Japanese form of poetry that is a total of 31 syllables or less separated into 5 lines. Tanka are not (necessarily rhyming) poems about seasons, nature, desires, mood or emotions, using literary devices, such as personification, metaphors etc. Tanka is characterized by a turn, known as the pivot (third line), which marks a sudden shift from one image to that of another such as a personal reference.

The haiku on the other hand is a Japanese poem with three lines of not more than 17 syllables usually referencing a season with a twist or an ‘aha’ moment in the final like.

It also may be noted that the Japanese form of poetry avoids the use of titles and capitalization of any word. If I may add, that since this is a very short poem, each word is important and may hold different connotations and perhaps best read slowly, absorbing while picturizing what each word is trying to paint/convey. Otherwise, one tends to miss the ‘aha’ moment. At least, that has been my learning.

More than a decade ago, when I first developed an interest in writing, I had dabbled in haiku and tanka forms before switching to fiction writing. Once again, I am going where the muse leads me. Thank you for your company on this journey.

twilight –

the sun sets on another day

reflections

of all that which could

have been

***

I struggled with these five lines for over five hours. Seriously. I gave up and posted this. What do you think? Does it work as a tanka? Any suggestions? I am open to constructive criticism. Do let me know. Thanks. Have a great day 🙂

FF: Of Choices

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

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

FF: Of Choices

Words 100

“Stay here for a bit.” She instructed and vanished.

Devika didn’t even notice that she was alone.

Red!

Blue!

Green!

The rectangular ones?

But the square yellow ones were the most sought after.

What about those on the topmost shelf?

Dare she climb that high?

What if she fell off and hurt herself?

Perhaps the nearest ones would be safest.

Yet, the pink ones tugged at her heart.

She looked around wishing, wanting, dithering until she was dizzy.

“Dear Mother,” she folded her hands, “give me what You think is best for me and let me be content in that.”

***

Thanks for dropping by. Have a super day 🙂

WWP #287: Not So Sweet Revenge

Hello! I am back with a piece for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt – Revenge in exactly 79 words. Hope you like!

Not so Sweet Revenge

Words 79

“Where’s Deva?”

“Daddy!” Chotti ran to him sobbing. “He’s gone off to play football. He has an exam tomorrow as well.”

“That boy.”

““He’s always playing.” Chotti rubbed it in. “Or teasing me.” She pouted.

“Hari Prakash!” Her father shouted. “Go get Deva home immediately.”

Chotti skipped, but stopped short.

“Daddy, let him play today.” She wore her most angelic expression. “Scold him later.”

“Why?” He frowned.

“Because, he promised to get her an ice cream today,” Khushi revealed.

***

Thanks for reading, would love to hear your thoughts. Have a super day ahead

FF: Foot in the Mouth

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

PHOTO PROMPT © Starsinclayjars

Foot in the Mouth

Words 101

“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.

Thanks for visiting!

FF: Parked

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

PHOTO PROMPT © Brenda Cox

Parked

Words 100

“Namaste Sharmaji! Congratulations on your new car.”

“Shukriya Guptaji. The kids insisted. Have some sweets.”

“Sweets and a spin!” Guptaji countered, “But, I will miss your company during the office commute.”

“Don’t worry! Metro is the best. Traffic!” Sharmaji shuddered.

“So much shopping Sharmaji!” Guptaji said one evening, “where’s your car?”

Sharmaji wiped his sweat and grimaced. “The wife insisted I take a walk.”

“Surely, you are going to Tanu’s wedding? Can we squeeze into your car?”

“Great idea. We can share the cab fare.”

“Cab? What about your car?”

Sharmaji coughed. “I am afraid to lose the parking spot.”

***

FF: Into the Ring

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 🙂

SPF: The Christmas Gift

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 🙂

SPF (2 of 2)
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.

His First Pair

My second submission (first one here) this week after my ‘inspirational’ walk 😀 Would love to know which one you think is better. Thanks!

adamickes-childsboots
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.

 

 

 

 

Enslaved

dales-waterfall
Photo (c) Dale Rogerson

Enslaved

Words 102

“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.