“Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Melissa…” A group of girls sang in the background as Jack rushed through the corridor. Not because he was in a hurry, but because the cheerful voices brought hot tears to his eyes. As he walked into the classroom, a red Spiderman bag and a chubby boy caught his attention. Continue reading A New Leaf
Monthly Archives: November 2020
The Ephialtes
The abode. The only one in the entire area, sat on the crest of a low valley. In this two-storeyed duplex resided a couple – Rohan and Rhythm. They set up their dream house in the outskirts of the city where they could catch the view of fields of cotton dotted with flowers, a turquoise crystal clear lake with a bench near by, many baya weaver nests dangling from the twigs of trees and holy worshipping places too.
Book Review – Against All Odds
The book “Against All Odds” tells us a creative and thoughtful story, but the only problem with it is that you can’t put it down once you start reading it. Kavya and Kartik are twins who shift to Rourkela from Kolkata. Kartik is one-armed since birth and hence, has many apprehensions about how he would be treated in the new school in Rourkela. What happens next is for you to read and discover, but I can vouch for the fact that it will be an emotional and motivational experience for you.
The Evil Bracelet
‘Ting-tong!’, rang the bell of Brianna’s house. Brianna Steve was a 14-year-old teenager who lived with her 8-year-old sister Wendy. The sisters never got along! All they ever did was try to get each other into trouble.
Book Review – The Canine Chronicles
Book Title: The Canine Chronicles – Love & Laughter in the Times of Corona
Author: Ramendra Kumar
Published By: Blue Pencil
“The Canine Chronicles” is a humorous, entertaining and heart-warming tale written from the point of view of Aryan, a lovable black 6-year-old Labrador ‘guppy’ or ‘grown-up puppy’. The book focuses on how he spends his days in the Covid-19 Lockdown with his family of four, his conversations with his best friend and neighbour guppy Priyamvada or ‘Pri’, and includes anecdotes from the point of view of ‘Papa’ – Aryan’s human dad.
Write-A-Thon Story – Group 2 (Adults)
Vaani was fumbling to reach out to her buzzing mobile on the bedside table, while her little one was clinging to her left hand in deep slumber. “Hello”, she managed to say as she was groggy and tired. The response from the other side shocked her. A shiver ran down her spine. “Not again,” she thought to herself as the long-forgotten voice whispered on the other side of the phone.
“I need your help,” he said, but Vaani was only half concentrating. Her mind was travelling down through the sands of time, dredging up blurry images of broken toys, a garden shed, running by the river, and of course, lots of blood. But there was one face amongst them all, a face so cruel and menacing, a face that she would never forget.
“Yes,” she finally managed to say faintly, “I understand. I’ll be there.”
Write-A-Thon Story – Group 1 (Adults)
Vaani was fumbling to reach out to her buzzing mobile on the bedside table, while her little one was clinging to her left hand in deep slumber. “How have you been?”, a familiar grave hoarse voice blurted out immediately, breaking the dark midnight silence. Vaani couldn’t utter a single word in response as sudden overwhelming inexpressible emotions numbed her completely. After what seemed like a decade-long minute, she regained her composure with a deep breath. She had already recognized the voice by that time. It was Raman, her husband, who had been missing for the last five years. Her eyes instinctively darted to the calendar on her desk; the date took her by yet another surprise. Meanwhile, Raman kept on calling her name on the other end, asking if she could hear him.
The Corona Virus
This virus is called Corona;
It came from China.
The roads are silent;
Many people can’t go camping in the tent.
August Writing Challenge Winning Entries
Category: Kids
Winner – Anshika Kodukula
The beam of the scorching sun invaded through the window pane awaking me with a startle and very soon I opened my eyes. Eyes were replenished with a glistening glow as it was my spesh-quarantine birthday. Birthday is often special for teenyboppers like me but, of course, not for few of those who are a generation ahead of me because it reminds them of their age. Age is just a number, besides a bunch of golden experiences, blended with sorrows and happiness. Happiness for a boarding schoolgirl like me especially lies in meeting parents after a long time. “Time just flew. EIGHTEEN you’re now, damsel!” my mom uttered telling that I’m no more a nipper but matured. Matured mind is what I need to turn into now from my puerile, a change in my contemplation and behaviour. Behaviour wholly reflects one’s character, which is how people judge others. Others are stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and braver than you believe. Believe in your potential and the world will give you a number of opportunities every single day. Day has come, to celebrate and nurture my childish Einstien’s mind to be a matured one.
September Writing Challenge Winning Entries
Category: Kids
Winner – Rajit Singh Gour
They shouted in glee, sighting the Ferrero Rocher box. The prize for digging in the shrubbery for two hours! The children sprinted into the house, proud to show mommy how quickly they solved her puzzle. She commended them, but chuckled inside – the children ended up digging out the weed for her! She hit two birds with one stone. Firstly, the kids got the divine indulgence they were longing for. Secondly, the plot got weeded!
Continue reading September Writing Challenge Winning Entries