The Legend of Luma

Six Uri tribals saw the double rainbow from a distance and rejoiced! The time had come. For centuries, they had closely guarded the secret of Luma!

Everything had changed, the tribe had shrunk in size, and nobody believed in Luma anymore. But for those seemingly modern Uris, the legend of Luma was the very basis of their existence.

“Let’s drive towards the end of the rainbow. We will find her,” Bali, the leader said.

Their hearts sang when they found her in a car – a woman in labor. “I..I was trying to drive over to the hospital…,” she said weakly.

“Don’t worry we’ll take care of everything,” Bali said respectfully. And the others cheered in their hearts as Luma was about to be reborn!

(This my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the amazing 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. Thank you @any1mark66 for the image. Please CLICK HERE for more.)

The Love Letter

Ella observed the displays and memorabilia closely at a Marine Museum along the shores of the mysterious Lake Superior. One particular love letter caught her eyes. It was written by an officer to his beloved in OCTOBER 1917.

DEAR ELLA

JUST COUNTING DAYS TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN HONEY. HOW QUICKLY DAYS PASSED WHILE WE WERE LAST TOGETHER. WILL YOU MARRY ME?

JACK

How sweet, Ella thought! And then noticed the names of the couple and the date. What a coincidence! “What makes you smile, honey?,” Jack came near her. “100 years back, on this day, you wrote that love letter to me proposing marriage,” she pointed out.

“Whoa, and you took 100 years to accept,” Jack said, fondly hugging his bride and marveling at the coincidence.

This my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the amazing 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. Thank you BarbCT for the image. Please CLICK HERE for more.

Seven Deadly Sins and Me!

 

Now that I am almost on the 24th out of 28 magic steps, I can see what joy lies beyond! But first, I must sit to catch my breath! Looking down the steps, I can see the Sins hovering around to stop those who try to come up the stairs. 

I was almost killed by the Sins. Initially, Pride puffed me but I prayed and got delivered. Then came Greed in form of precious pebbles, I ignored it. Lust tried to blind me with dirty images but I did not fall. 
But unfortunately, a bug bit me and Anger took over. I rolled down. But thankfully, I persisted and started again. This time, I dodged Gluttony and Envy to rush right up here.

But… aah… what is making my body so heavy? I feel soooo sleepy! Oh, no Sloth is still around, getting better of me. I hope I make it…

Partcipating here after a long break. Had missed it! This my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the amazing 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. Thank you J S Brand for the image. Please CLICK HERE for more.

Gulliver Travels to PoliPut

Beyond distorted trees and barren lands, situated half on Earth and half in the Sky, was the mega city – PoliPut. Gulliver consulted his map once again to ensure that he was nearing his destination. 

As he cautiously entered the noisy City, a volley of tweets just missed his ears. Monstrous boards and placards full of accusations stood at every corner. The Politikians were enjoying rowdy rallies where slippers and boots were being hurled. And every nook and corner stank of black wealth.

The Politikians were short in stature but giant shadows accompanied them. The leader was chosen after a round of Yelling Match.

Gulliver also noticed one queer thing. The Politikians used just one emotion – the smiley. They even killed with a smile! It was the strangest land ever! 

(Gulliver did not write any further. Like most honest journalists, he was muted by a smiling Politikian.)

This is my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the amazing 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. Thank you Yarnspinnerr for the image. Please CLICK HERE for more.

The Chattering Housemaid

The Astons always look picture perfect. In gatherings like this, Lady Aston sings while Lord Aston displays his skill at the piano. And the usually haughty Miss Matilda, tries to be genteel.

But today, crack in the picture is showing. Look, doesn’t Lord Aston appear stern? Yesterday, the footman had confided that a perfumed letter arrived for My Lady. But Lord Aston grabbed it and tore it to pieces!

Lord Aston has no right to do that. Since his character is not without blemishes. He even tried to be sweet on me but I am a housemaid of integrity.

How I wish my peep hole in the kitchen was bigger! Soon, a drama is about to unfold in the parlour. I hope the author of the letter arrives and I get a chance to see My Lady blush.

I feel, Old Lady Olivia, whose portrait hangs in the parlour, disapproves of my sneaking ways but then, what harm can she do…she is dead! 

((This is my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the amazing 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. Thank you Louise with The Storyteller’s Abode for the image. Please CLICK HERE for more.)

When Mary Met Gary…

Mary Smith loved to write songs. During lunch breaks, she would often escape from her clerical job to a nearby park and create heart-breaking songs.

One day, as she was writing a love song on paper, a naughty gust of wind blew it out of sight. With a heavy heart, she returned to her job.

Few days later, on way to job, she heard a soloist singing her song! She stood there nervously, clueless how to claim her song.

“May I help you! I have been watching you…you look extremely agitated!,” a young man, who had been filming the soloist, asked her. 

“Look, that’s my song he is singing. I had lost it, I don’t know how to tell him,” Mary cried.

“Wow…! Well, we can claim it back. I have an idea,” he smiled. “By the way, I am Gary…”

He looked familiar… but of course, he was GARY ANDREWS, the genius composer! And this is how Mary met Gary…

((This is my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the amazing 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. Thank you Sunayana for the image. Please CLICK HERE for more.)

Comic Relief

As they watched a movie in the theatre, little Avi fidgeted. “When will spiderman come?”, he asked. “Hush, he will come soon,” his mom whispered, making sure others watched in peace.

In the film, the dreaded biker’s gang was wrecking the town. And the heroine was murdered. Mom had teary eyes, when Avi interrupted again. “What about Spiderman?”, he asked. “Eat the popcorns, Spiderman will come at the end,” she tried to distract him. 

He ate for a while and began to play with the popcorns. While in the film, the hero was about to be killed and there was pin drop silence! Just then, to mom’s horror, the spidey fan vocalized loudly – 

Spiderman, Spiderman, 

Does whatever a spider can

Spins a web, any size,

Catches thieves just like flies, look out…

Embarassed, she scooped the little singer up and walked out of the theatre but the crowd cheered. The film was too intense, they needed comic relief!

(This is my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the amazing 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. Thank you Sunayana for the image. Please CLICK HERE for more.)

The Big Brother

He knew it was late. His mother would be anxiously waiting for him but he wanted to dilly dally. He wished, she could come down to receive him at the bus stop just like she used to do! But these days she was always busy with the whining little thing, they brought from the hospital. 

It was his dream to be a big brother but now he realised how challenging it was. The baby was a cranky one. If only they could replace her with a sweet, sleepy baby! He no longer liked being a big brother. He wanted constant attention from his parents more than ever.

Dragging his feet, he went home. His mother was at the door with the baby. She reproached him for loitering around. But the cranky one smiled. He ignored her. But she cooed again and held out her baby hand. 

His feelings changed from dejection to exhilaration! She was quite cute, after all!

(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. Thank you Jessica Haines for the image. Please CLICK HERE for more.)

The Family’s Tree

As I leaned towards the ground before my final fall, her anxious face peeped through the glass. I knew I would miss her smile.

The kids were there too – noses pressed against the patio glass, anxious to see their tall friend being killed slowly. “Mumma, look they are pulling our tree!”

Yes, I was ‘their’ tree. Their only friend, after the family had migrated to this new land. Since the first day, they warmed up to me as I stood guard in front of their apartment. 

I entertained the kids by hosting squirrels, birds and insects on my barks. When spring came, I bore berries and flowers, cheering mom and dad. I adored them all.

Every morning, I waited for the lady to draw curtains. She would give me the sweetest smile before starting daily chores.

Today, she was not smiling rather frantically calling up someone in an attempt to save me – her dying companion! But it was too late now…

( Written in memory of a lovely tree that stood in front of our house when we moved to the US in 2013. It had to be cut last year due to maintenance reasons but we had spent some deeply touching moments with it. It had a beautiful soul.)

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.

Soham!!!

In the lotus position, he sat viewing the derelict pier. It was godhuli bela, the time when the grazing herd of cows returned to his village in subdued light. The calm lake, sounds of fauna, the gentle air settled him for a deep meditation.

As his half naked body relaxed, thoughts surrounded him. He did not try to stop them, just floated with them like a detached companion. Somewhere someone was playing the flute, it was magical! His mind aligned with the music, enabling him to be deeply aware of his breath. SOHAM!!!

Strangely, a cold creepy thing moved along his back. For a second he thought, it was due to Kundalini awakening but no… it felt terribly slimy! It was a KOBRA, crawling on him.

Crippled with fear and holding his breath, he waited till the snake crawled away! Then, leaving the mat behind, he ran as fast as he could!

(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 Barb for the image!)

From Mad Man to Mountain Man

Dashrath Manjhi sat viewing the mighty mountains surrounding him. They were the barriers, the hurdles, who had played with the lives of so many of his loved ones.

The mountains arrogantly stood between his village, Gehlaur and the nearest town blocking medical and other facilities. And not long back, the love of his life had slipped from one of these rocky terrains, leaving him alone.

He wanted revenge now! It was his will against the daunting mountains. Angrily, he took out his hammer and chisel and began to hurt the mountains. 

The villagers called him mad. But he just stopped listening. For twenty two years, he single handedly struggled against the mountains. 

Finally, he succeeded in carving a path 9.1 metres (30 ft) wide and 110 metres (360 ft) long through a hill 7.6 metres (25 ft). The distance between his village and the town got reduced from 55km to 15km.

Today, the world knows him as the noble Mountain Man!

(The picture reminded me of the poor labourer Dashrath Manjhi from India, who spent his entire life doing a noble task. His life has inspired many documentaries and films as well as stories.  In August 2015, a Hindi movie Manjhi – The Mountain Man, based on his life got released and was well received.)

(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 Grant for the image!)

Shashibala, The Brave Servant Girl!

I felt as if I had walked along that bridge, a long time ago, in a different age. Strange! That was my first visit to the historic Fort in a small town called Monger.

The guide went on and on describing every little detail about the kings and queens. But I was not listening! The lake was holding me in a trance.

I was seeing a pitiable face down in the lake, crying out to me, asking me to rescue her. 

Instinctively, I screamed, “Hang on girl, I will help!”. 

“Who needs help? Are you okay?,” the guide asked me. I nodded with some embarrasment.

Later in the tour, the guide showed us the portrait of a brave servant girl who had drowned in the lake while saving a princess from drowning. 

It all came back to me. I looked closer and whispered – Shashibala!!!

(This post is dedicated to the maid, who saved my grandmother from drowning. When my grandmother was a little girl, she used to swim using an inverted earthen pot (matki), which slipped out of her hand on that fateful day. The brave girl died saving her.)

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 Joy Pixley for the image!