Arvind stared at his mother in utter confusion. She went on talking rapidly, noticing his look and ignoring it deliberately. His brain seemed frozen. He felt stupid as if not only his power of comprehension but also of hearing had shut down. He couldn’t deal with the intent of her words. Shutting down seemed the […]
WpLongform
The Gift of Language (Conclusion)
Read the second part at The Gift of Language- II In the hands of a master, the words can be made to convey a lot more than they mean. They can create a mood of poignancy or nostalgia. They can create the exquisite anticipation of the moment before the sun breaks over the horizon and […]
Modesty Anyone?
A friend opened a Pandora’s box inside my head today. At the crack of dawn (read 10 o’clock) she posted a status on FB asking why we seem to have lost the art of gracious giving- and what’s even worse- gracious receiving (compliments). To top it all, she asked for opinions. It is my policy […]
Raising A Genius
You want your child to be a Genius. I know you said yes because it would have been grossly unpatriotic of you if you had said no. To want the mark of pure, unadulterated genius on the forehead of your progeny is a national characteristic. No, I didn’t say obsession, you just hear noises in […]
An Impulse to Excel
I’ve been lagging behind on reading the blogs I subscribe to. I decided to read first today and then, if I was a good girl, I’d get to write. Most times this game works but sometimes, like today, it falls flat on its face. I’m so pleased. I was reading away contentiously when I came […]
Soul Food
If you could get all the nutrition you needed in a day with a pill, no worrying about what to eat, no food preparation, would you do it? On some, rare day I might want to pop a pill. But on a permanent basis? No way! Food is not just nutrition for us, just as […]
The Journey is Everything
Sir Ernest Shackleton was an Irish polar explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic. He is best known for what is now called the Endurance Expedition. The expedition more than justified its name. It was a true test of endurance. In August 1914 Shackleton set sail with a crew of 28 men and […]
Hot Chocolate
“My my! Someone’s looking like thunder today? What happened Amrita?” Runoo Mosi’s (Mosi: Mother’s sister, aunt. Forming bonds with people one is not related to is very common in India) voice was concerned, her brows puckered up. “Nothing Mosi”, said little Amrita looking utterly woebegone. Her eyes lowered, she took her place amidst the other […]
A Cheap Silver Ring
Somali was excited. Her mother’s birthday was barely three days away. Somali had decided that this birthday she would buy a gift for her mother. And it would be a surprise! Somali was going to be eleven a few days after her mom’s birthday. They shared a birthday month. The thought made Somali glow with […]
Hippocratic Oath
I read a post by a fellow blogger today. It reminded me of an incident which might have turned out as hers did. My son was two and a half at that time. He and I were both suffering from viral fever. We had both been running a temperature for two days and were both […]