Deep Ties

ParentCircle This is a story that was told eons ago, back in the hoary past A story of two young brothers and a challenge they took to their heart, The prize was an exotic fruit their mother promised one of them as a repast If he won the challenge set before him by truly playing his part.   Before their divine parents, the two boys with bowed heads, knelt “What is it that you want us to do?” they asked, with folded hands, Their mother smiled, not hiding the immense pride she felt At the promptness with which they heeded her commands.   “Dear boys, this is the challenge before you I set, I want you to circle the whole world, embark on an odyssey, You may begin right away; use your vehicle, don’t fret; The winner will be the one who returns first after the journey.”   The two boys glanced at each other, their nimble minds awhirl, They smiled at their parents, and rushed off their task to begin, The younger one climbed on his peacock and was...

                                                                Pixabay When a true challenge comes my way When I need to write a page a day, I scratch my head, keep my doubts at bay To make up topics before my nerves fray! Day one is fine, the sun shines bright Day two follows, I can still see the light By the end of the week, I have lost the fight As ideas vanish, my brain is set to take a flight.                                                              Pixabay There are times I slump over, as tiredly I gaze Days when I want to rest, lie down and laze, Suddenly a brainwave strikes, I am up, ablaze There I am, avidly writing, back to the chase. How ...

Pixabay Meena could not keep the smile off her face as she looked at her little bundle of joy. After ten years of marriage, he had been born, this little mite who had been so eagerly expected. Som, her husband had a dazed expression on his face the whole time. They had both wanted a little boy, and he could still not believe that their dreams had come true. “You are Destiny’s child!” Meena whispered. “You will be the light of our lives.”  She gently kissed his tiny soft feet.                                                                      Pixabay Vikram grew up into a strapping young man, winning prizes with ease. Academically, he was bright, but his personality sparkled even more. He had friends of all age groups and people naturally gravitated towards him. He was the heart and soul of every gatherin...

  Filling the Jars  If there is a phrase I have heard my entire life, it is “Cut the clutter!” We Army people find this extremely tough, the reason being that wherever we are posted, we tend to pick up artifacts just so that we can keep snapshots of the place in our minds. As an Army brat, and later as an Army wife, I collected reams and reams of memories, being a writer. So, apart from my scrap books and my newspaper cuttings, along with greeting cards presented with love by my students and letters from loved ones, I already had a library of books which were worth more to me than all the clothes in my wardrobe.                                                                           Pinterest Another wonderful saying that rings in my ears… “Collect moments, not things.” Easier said than do...

                                                                   Unsplash The red hearts and teddy bears drew Sumitha’s attention as she looked for the perfect gift for her Valentine. Somehow, they seemed too lurid and overblown. Besides, what good would they be in a tiny flat once Valentine’s Day went by? Would chocolates be a better bet? The gift chocolate boxes beckoned her, each one more attractive than the last. She took down one, wincing at the price stamped outside. It was clearly beyond her modest budget, even though she had pooled three months of her pocket money for this. Sumitha knew that the gift gallery was overpriced. Her mother had warned her about it. “Sumi, I doubt whether you will find anything that suits your pocket there,” she had smiled, unwilling to quash her daughter’s enthusiasm. “Would y...

           Pinterest Childhood was the time when so many faces loomed around, loved, treasured, Taken for granted, almost as if they would always be around, a security blanket. Life was a cocoon, where I was enveloped with a love that kept me warm, As I danced through life, too young to foresee a world that could also be grey. My grandfathers, erudite, strong and capable to holding a world of knowledge Within their heads. My grandmothers, pious, talented, homemakers to the hilt, They smelt of sandalwood and camphor, of fresh hair oil made of karaga grass, Smells that wafted into my life decades after when they were no longer around. My sisters and I hung about the kitchen when my grandmother treated us to Pinwheel sandwiches after school. My other grandmother would open  Her cellar and out would appear the softest cupcakes, thoughtfully  Procured from the best bakery in town,  days we could never forget.  The cruellest st...

 " A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.” Dave Meurer Thirty-nine years have gone by since we tied the knot. It has been an eventful journey, replete with companionable moments, squabble major and minor, smiles and surprises. Neither of us would have had it any other way, I guess! Since it had been an extremely hectic week, with a quick two-day trip to Mumbai thrown in to attend a close friend’s son’s wedding, we decided to go the Hyatt Regency for a celebratory lunch. This being our maiden visit, we were quite looking forward to it. The impressive building loomed before us as we drove in around noon. As we strolled through the well maintained lobby, it quite took our breath away. The Regency restaurant welcomed us in, and ushered us to a glass enclosed area from where we could see the greenery outside. It had the semblance of the outdoors with the perks of air-conditioning, which...