Short Stories Should Change..

"Once the mighty emperor Akbar went to a forest on hunting and there he saw a few women cutting trees for fire-wood. He said to himself, "how are these women able to do such tedious jobs!" On his way back home he kept wondering how the women are able to perform such jobs and saying the same, he laughed at his Queen who never watered a plant. The Queen felt embarrassed and called for Birbal and asked him to teach a lesson to the King in this matter. Birbal called the gardener of the Royal garden and asked him not to water the plants in the royal garden. A few days later, the king observes that the plants of the royal garden lost their lustrous green glow and sent for the gardener, who said that it was Birbal's oreder not to water the plants. Stunned, Akbar asked Birbal for explanation. Birbal then said, "Huzur, I observed that the trees in the forest are never watered, but they grow well. So I thought that our plants need not be watered regularly". Akbar understood that Birbal meant to differentiate between the forest women and the ladies of the court and nodded silently. "

Since childhood I am a die-hard fan of short stories. Chandamama, Balamitra, Bommarillu, Bujjayi--- the list of my favourite story books is endless.. Thanks to the todays newspapers for a short story each day. My favourite stories are those of SriKrishna Devaraya -Tenali Ramakrishna and Akbar-Birbal, the most powerful kings and their favourite courtiers who advised their kings on various matters. Spontanity, quick-wittedness, presence of mind of Rama Krishna and Birbal in those stories entertain as well as enlighten the minds!!

When I read the above story in a newspaper, I am stunned.
What does this story convey? That the mighty emperor Akbar is not capable of understanding such a small thing?! I observe the same in the stories of Devaraya and Ramakrishna being published in the papers these days.
In order to sketch Ramakrishna and Birbal as quick-witted persons, todays stories are presenting their kings as absent minded and witless persons.
A student of History can tell how powerful and important those kings were.
I wish the print media publishes more interesting and enlightening stories for children.

Your Eloquent Expressions..

The smile that adorns your face,
Whenever you see me,
Says that you know me..

The relief that reflects in your eyes,
After your long talk with me,
Tells that you are intimate to me..

The triumph I see in your eyes,
Everyday when you are the first to greet me,
Reveals the fact that you always remember me..

Those consoling words you speak to me,
When I am in great distress,
Affirm that you will never leave me..

The grave look you wear,
When moving away from me,
Expresses that you desire my presence..

When the whole world turns against me,
Your act of facing them to support me,
Unfolds your strong belief on me..

The pain your tender heart experiences,
When I am seriously hurt,
Assures that you care for me, the most..

Your acts and expressions speak a lot,
Thus conveying your eternal love for me;
But, I wonder whether I am able to do so...?!?


This message is from my heart, to my heart.. :)
Written by me, 3 years back, these lines brings me nostalgia of those wonderful days when I used to derive the inspiration for poems from my every experience! When people ask me what/who the inspiration for my writings is, I simply answer, "Myself"! Whenever I watch a movie, or read some novel, my imagination places me in the role of each character and emotions flow as words into my heart which I reproduce as verses.. :)
Penning my thoughts is the first thing I do when I find time and it brings ineffable joy to my heart..

10th June 2009..

A day of mixed feelings!!
Actually planned to visit Simhachalam temple along with my mommy and her sisters, but couldnt make it because of my sickness.. So, I stayed home, promising them that I ll take rest (= have a good nap). After their departure my beautiful mind suggested that sleeping is not the only way to rest.. I threw myself in front of my PC watching the movie "Jodhaa Akbar" for the first time..
All my pains are relieved once my favourite stars are seen on the screen.. I was dwelling in the world of Mughals for more than an hour when I was interrupted by an uncle, who brings us the "prasaadam" from Ganesh temple every month. I greeted him, took the sacred Laddoo and resumed my movie.. I really enjoyed the movie, but might have enjoyed it more without any distractions... I had too many of them, mummy and aunts arriving from temple, lunch break etc etc.

Afternoon was hot and the powercut made it worse.. My heelpain returned and I was unable to bear it. So, in the evening was my visit to the Doc. The pain which was unbearable till then vanished after I paid the bill. These kind of experiences are not uncommon in my day.. The pen I shakedown the whole house for, is found only after I buy a new one (maybe a variant of Murphy's law or Murphy's law itself). Later, I went to my friend, a voracious reader, retired employee from Ship Yard, and had a great discussion about things for an hour and a half and came home flushing with happiness, mother knew why.. I brought (borrowed) another book from him-- Lust for Life by Irving Stone, my friend for a few days!!
A discussion with this uncle waters my waking thoughts and my heart blooms with happiness.. Literature and Philosophy are my greatest interests in life.. With the thoughts about renowned poets-- SriSri, KrishnaSastri and others a palpable wave of happiness rushed to my heart..
The day ended with a pain in my heart, pain of missing my companion the whole day.. The day would have been a different one in his presence..
There was some unknown turbulence in my thoughts which engulfed my night's sleep... And when I finally tried to close my eyes, I found that the stars added another day to history and Sun is already waiting to bestow his early gift upon me...a new day!!