Little Brinda could not comprehend how it happened! All she saw was a jar containing some spice getting attracted to the old lady’s fingers. Her hand seemed to be sort of magnet! Was this lady a witch?
She watched as the scrawny lady grinded all kinds of spices. She kept murmuring something and Brinda got scared to even breathe in that strangely aromatic house.
“I shouldn’t have listened to grandma,” Brinda thought. But grandma had bad cough and the doctor’s medicines were ineffective. That morning granny said to Brinda,”Only old Khakhra can help me. Can you get the cough mixture…but don’t tell your parents.”
She agreed for grandma’s sake but knew that Khakhra was weird!
The mixture was almost ready and Khakhra smiled revealing crooked teeth. Brinda accepted the medicine bag and planned to run.
But Khakhra clutched her hand. Brinda held her breath as she pressed something into her palm and released her.
Once home, panting and jittery, Brinda opened her fist – it was her favourite orange candy!
(The character of Khakhra is based on a lady in my maternal grandmother’s village. She was rumoured to be a witch but actually she was quite nice. I met her when I was little.)
This is my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the lovely Priceless Joy. We are given a photo prompt and approximately 75-175 words with which to create our stories. This challenge is open to all who would like to participate. Please CLICK HERE for more. Thank you Maria for the image!
I was really pulled in to this story and could relate to this little girl and her fear of the old woman. I loved the ending where she was given her favorite candy, dispelling her fears of the old lady. Wonderful story, Shavangi! I think it is great that you knew a lady from your girlhood years that was simlar to Khakhra.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot PJ. Actually her name was also Khakhra. And little Brinda’s character is based on my elder sister who was very scared of her and would often dream that Khakhra was trying to hold her. We still talk about her and laugh about our fancies. So glad that you liked it😀😀😀
LikeLike
She sounds like an interesting person to know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was PJ and was quite a lively person in real life. 😀😀😀
LikeLike
LOL! That’s too bad that your sister was afraid of her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes PJ!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well done. The so called witches are a harried lot in our country – and hardly anybody raises a voice for them. Kudos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True YS… Even today women are burnt in the name of witchcraft especially in the rural areas. Thanks a lot for your nice comment😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very talented, Shivangi! This is wonderful. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sweet of Tonya… Thank you😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
cute little story…took me back to my childhood days…cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sweet! All little children think old ladies are witches 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot Ali😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very evocative piece of childhood memory. I liked that she was a sweet old lady in the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely story 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot😀😀😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Throughout recorded history wise women have been called ‘witch’, with all its negative connotations, simply for having an understanding of the natural world and all of its properties. At least young Brinda is able to see beyond the label, even if others are unable to do so. Great story, Shivangi. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot Louise.. Perfectly true – women were and are not supposed to be wise, so wise women are witches😀👍. Thank you for coming over!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. I’m incredibly behind on visiting blogs at the moment, so it’s nice to catch up with those I haven’t been to in a while. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot for catching up😀😀😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm! A childhood fear that was unfounded. Lovely story. I like how it ended.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a ton Jacqueline!
LikeLike
This post brought back memories of my childhood terror. Her name was “Hooryait” ( Why I don’t know ).
But then, I was too scared to know the meaning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha… Even I don’t know what Khakhra means… Except it is a Gujarati dish but we belong to Bihar😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
beautiful peace of writing…….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot Sudhir😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😄😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
You write beautifully…!!
Congratulations!
I have nominated your blog for the “The Versatile Blogger Award”
There is no compulsion to accept it.
More about this nomination is at
https://atrangizindagieksafar.wordpress.com/2016/10/24/the-second-versatile-blogger-award/
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so kind of you dear… Thanks a lot😀. I am grateful for your lovely gesture. 😀 If I find time I will write a post… Otherwise know that I am really thankful for this😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very intriguing story, Khakhra.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I follow some , whose work I like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great Seenu… but do follow more people and participate in a few challenges like Flash Fiction For Aspiring Writers or Cee’s share the world challenge…and then through mutual cooperation blog goes…
LikeLike
I am not that good at writing Now, maybe shortly I will do so with blessings of God and fellow bloggers. I am just reading the blogs stories. Thanks for your help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
From what I have read… you are real good! Take your time and keep writing😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks friend, actually I started this just from 7th of this month only. Seriously although I tried since July. I do. Photo blog in EyeEm Collection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok… great…still you have quite a nice number of followers… i have been blogging on and off since almost three years back…the catch is just keep doing the good work. All the best to you!😀😀😀
LikeLike
You do have good number of following. Above 391, it’s not about how many follow you but whom you follow. Quality is important not quantity. That I found in You and other bloggers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great thinking Seenu😀👍. You will go a long way!
LikeLike
Hopefully . I have already seen your article in Twitter, Zeenews etc. You are the best in what you are doing. Best wishes for all your ventures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very kind of you… I am just learning😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are being very modest…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reality hai… ek se barhkar ek bloggers hain…😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haan ji magar aap be Kise se Kam name.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haan ji Haan , Aap bee Kise se Kam nahi . Barosa rakho Uupper Wala Hain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haan ji bharosa hai😀😀😀😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again for being kind to me and my expressions. 😴😴😴
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good night😀
LikeLike
See I told you know,that you are smart to read between the lines. I mean 😴 Good Night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good night .
LikeLiked by 1 person
😴😴😴
LikeLike
I started this blogging since very recently, from 7th Nov only. I do blog in EyeEm and Instagram.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great… way to go dear!
LikeLiked by 1 person
With your blessing’s.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your encouragement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always welcome… thank you for encouraging me😀
LikeLike