The balloon floated around like the cloud men drifting off,
The balloon flew like the phoenix basking in the glory of the sun,
The balloon was as weightless as a dandelion riding the wind,
The balloon shone like pearls on the beach.
Category Archives: BTB
Book Review – The Gopi Diaries
Cover Image Source & Credit: HerStory
Today, I was going through an interesting book by Sudha Murthy. The book’s name was ‘The Gopi Diaries’. It is actually a series that comes as a box set, and in all the books, Gopi the dog is the main protagonist. The story I read was about how a dog came into a stranger’s house and how they treated him.
MYSELF – AN OPEN STUDY
Yes, Mama, let’s have an open talk.
Like any living being, bound by two eternal truths – birth and death –
I entered this world on 03.05.2001, in a way different from my Guddi Nani.
My poor Mama and the whole family were simply shocked on seeing me, my physical condition.
All were in great pain – Mama and I, both physically as well.
Nobody was responding to me, reciprocating to me, or understanding my needs – not even my strong Mama. It was a typically frustrating environment.
The Night of Hidden Truths
“The darkest nights reveal the most terrifying truths.”
Once upon a time, there lived a group of friends. In the group, there were two boys named Rahul and Sam, and two girls named Ananya and Kriti. They all decided to go out on New Year’s Eve. As planned, they went out together.
Why Me?
“Why me?” We all ask this question at some point in life. Through the constant trials and tribulations thrown at us, the fragile heart yearns for the answer. Rich. Poor. All men pose this question to the universe in some manner. This question approaching the meaning of the suffering we all endure is also explored in different branches of Philosophy. Existentialism. Nihilism. Absurdism. Determinism — you get it. Billions of people are all stuck around finding the question of this WHY…including me of course.
Two to Tango by Smayan & Ashvik
At Beyond the Box, we are constantly thinking of ideas to give something unique, refreshing as well as challenging to our community of writers. Two to Tango is one such endeavour to encourage the participants to work along with another writer as a team and bring about a creative synergy. 44 teams participated in Season 4 of this one-of-its-kind contest held in Sep-Oct 2024. Below prompt was given to the writers and they were asked to narrate the same story from two different points of view.
Prompt – Write a fictional story in which a letter gets delivered ten years late, impacting the present in some way. Feel free to interpret this in any context/style/genre.
The Special Mention winners in the kids’ category were Smayan & Ashvik (Team 40). Enjoy their story!
Vivid Moments
I remember the moment vividly,
The Moment of despair,
Realizing that I am so different from others,
Belittled by society,
That looks down on different ones.
Revering Cultures And Traditions
Retired IG of police Krishnamurthy walked home after his session at the Gymnasium.
The temple bell rang, indicating the morning Deep Aradhana time. His spacious apartment in a skyrise was opposite one of the famous temples in a South-Indian-dominated locality in the heart of Mumbai city.
Krishnamurthy entered the house, feeling the heavy weight of the impending emotional storm. He braced himself for the drama that was sure to unfold.
Marissa and the Moonlit Mystery
“Every year since then, the divine Moon chooses an apprentice to learn its secrets.”
“Grandma, how does the Moon choose who its apprentice will be? And who was it this year? Oh Grandma, I still have so many questions!” Marissa’s voice was filled with wonder.
“You’ll understand one day, Marissa. One day,” she said reassuringly, gently holding her soft hand.
The Forgotten Path
“Sometimes, a single step in the wrong direction can lead you to the most unexpected adventures.”
Once, there lived a boy named Rahul. He was 10 years old. One day, while he was sitting and watching TV, his mother asked him to bring a pack of milk.
When he was going to bring the packet of milk, he tripped over a stone. As soon as he tripped, he saw that he had landed in a beautiful place. It seemed as if it was a whole new world. He started to explore it.