A Father And A Patriot: “Abba, how come Nanaji does Puja while Ammi and you perform Namaaz?” eight year old Muskaan asked her father Imtiaz Hussain. They were sitting in the balcony of their flat on a Sunday morning munching groundnuts – the year was 2023. “Before I answer your question let me tell you a little story.” “Wow! That’s …
Read More »Dadima’s Stick: Fun filled Mystery Story
Dadima’s Stick: The first thing Govind and I noticed as Dadima (paternal grand-mother) came out through the glass doors of the Bombay airport in a wheelchair was the stick in her hand. Dadima had gone to Dubai for a short stay with Gopal Chacha (father’s younger brother). A week later, she had had a fall, and her artificial left hip …
Read More »A Wisp of Straw: Making Of A Bird House
Pinky was standing at the kitchen window when she first saw the bird fly past. A small black and brown bird, when a patch of pure, dazzling white on the wings. In its beak it held a wisp of straw. Pinky strained hard to peep out of the window but the bars held her back. She only saw the bird …
Read More »The Neighbour: Short Story by Sigrun Srivastava
The mob came down the road; it came – a group of infuriated men – roaring; dancing; kicking; at everything in their way. The men cried, “Get them all! The cowards have to pay with their blood.” Many of them were drunk. They did not know what they were doing. The girl heard them come towards the house. She was …
Read More »Blue Bike: Story of a road accident & repentance
It was the most beautiful bike and it belonged to Ranjan’s Uncle. A magic, kingfisher-blue with a matching pannier and two smart rear-view mirrors. A real beauty of bike and the first of its kind in the neighborhood. Overnight, Ranjan had become a prince among us boys. We clustered around him in class the next day, eager for details. Story …
Read More »Time Pass Uncle: Heartwarming Story Of Hindu-Muslim Harmony
“Time pass chana- phalli,” Hari heard the all-familiar booming voice as he stepped out of the school gate. “Nampalli, Lingampalli, Kukatpalli, Marredpalli, time pass chana-phalli,” the voice rose above the din. Hari ran towards the owner of the voice. “Time Pass Uncle!” “Hari beta, I was looking for you,” replied Shauqat Ali. Hari’s Time Pass Uncle. Shauqat Ali sold chana …
Read More »A Lantern As Big As A House: Sybil Wettasinghe
The festival of Vesak takes place in May, at a time when the full moon seems to shine with special brightness and splendor. It is a feast in honor of the Lord Buddha, and people’s hearts are filled with fervor as they flock to their temples to honor him. They bring offerings of milk-and-rice gruel and long thin sticks of …
Read More »Saved by the bell: Grandmother and Holi Sweets
With Holi coming up, Dadi (Grandmother) wants to start preparing the sweets but how can she without the right ingredients? Dadi had started dictating her list of items to be bought for Holi since last evening. “Who can match the flavor of mouth-watering dahi vadas and crispy golden gujhiyas prepared by Dadi?” said Garima excitedly. mom smiled in agreement. Dadi …
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