But why?

It remains a hotly debated topic among them. Was it an act of foolishness or valor? Is there any truth in all the silly rumors? The phenomenon was unprecedented. She was truly a pioneer. Humans think it is just a joke, but birds at the farm still wonder – why did the chicken cross the road?

Appears on the blog 55WordStory on the theme Perplexed

Break free

He navigated his bike through the narrow dirt road between soaring mountains and steep gorges. This road trip with his buddies was like a dream. Looming landslides didn’t intimidate him. Barrage of power point slides did. Sitting among his rambling colleagues in the board meeting that day, he felt like a nomad waiting to break free.

Appears on the blog 55WordStory on the theme Nomadic 

Image: Amit Pande

No exceptions

It was 5 am on a damp Sunday morning. He was the first one to get there. But others would be there soon. The fights were unavoidable. They all wanted one but it was always in short supply. No other fish would do. A Bengali deprived of Hilsa is like a fish living without water!

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Solitary"

The end

They finally bumped him. It was breaking news. Facts were sketchy, but news channels looped the story all night. Schedules were adjusted to accommodate programming on his life story. Experts were lined up for panel discussions. There was no shortage of creativity in newspaper headlines the next morning. Some called him smut. Few others, Bhai.

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Smut"

No escape

She was a nervous wreck. Waiting was as agonizing as the experience itself. Three more to go before her. In a bid to escape her misery, she closed her eyes and let her imagination take flight. Skinny dipping on the sandy beaches of Hawaii. Rays of the warm winter sun cutting through the chill to kiss her cheeks on a sunny morning in the hills. The delicious sensation of eating a spoonful of chocolate mud pie ice cream sundae. It wasn't helping. There was no escape. She braced for the worst and mustered all her courage to endure the impending root canal treatment.

Perfect dress

“This is so embarrassing.”

“Why are you so coy? Just look around.”

“Hmm…let’s see…tuxedo, gown, jeans…oh, and sherwani too!”

“Isn’t it cool?! And you’re looking so dapper.”

“Yeah, right! Dunce would be the right word.”

“What’s your problem!?”

“My problem is this week’s theme. What’s the point of an ‘undress’ theme in a nudist colony?”

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Undress"

Freedom

She has been broken up and divided in the name of freedom and religion. Yet, there is no respite in scuffles between her now estranged children. Tomes have been written about her glorious culture and history. Yet, the plight of millions starving on her streets makes a mockery of this rich legacy.

 

We proclaim our love and respect for her by calling her Mother. Yet, perverts and chauvinists among us continue to disgrace her daughters. We celebrate our freedom with slogans full of patriotic fervor. Yet, she weeps silently for independence from the blot of casteism. Today, as we raise the tricolor and fill our hearts with pride, let us give her freedom from malice and prejudice of every kind.

Image: The Hindustan Times, via Wikimedia Commons

The long wait

Fourteen days was a long time, especially in this age. “I’m not going to let him get away easily today,” she thought, as she saw him approaching their block. He had barely parked his cycle when she charged out to confront him. “Where is the letter from my new pen-friend. It has been two weeks?”

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Asocial"

The gift

I expected something special. After all, it was my 16^th birthday. A blueberry cheesecake. The new Xbox 360. Maybe a treat at the exclusive diner.

He gave me the truth. It was his boyfriend, not mom, who died when I was an infant. And their love had lived on, in me, their only surrogate son.

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Gay"

Distorted reality

There is a fine line that separates them,

Yet keeps them from breaking apart

Conversations are rare;

Dialogues a plenty

Punctuated liberally with

Periods of uncomfortable silence.

They stare at each other

With a look of bewilderment,

Like time travelers from different eras

Living in the present.

The present seems confounding;

The past like a confinement,

Yet, the future holds no promise

It is nothing, but distorted reality.

Image: Clément Massier, via Wikimedia Commons

The name is Sutra

The name is Sutra, Kama Sutra. My father was a philosopher and I was conceived in the 2^nd century AD. I was born in India as an idea of liberation and modernity, but today I’m ridiculed in name of morality. It’s an incredible story. To learn more, just pick up the latest India Tourism brochure.

As published in the blog "55WordStory" on the theme "Pervert"

Grandpa vs gadgets – Part 1

“Once upon a time,” said grandpa, smiling at the little boy in his lap. The boy’s eyes twinkled as he heard the magical words that would take him on a journey to the enchanted world of unbridled imagination.

Grandpa’s world was intangible, but felt more real and abundant than the plethora of electronic thingamajigs offered to the boy for amusement. Grandpa’s world was full of ideas and meaning while gadgets awarded him worthless treasures along with random error messages.

"There was a brave tiger cub named Cheeku,” continued Grandpa “who lived in a big jungle near the foothills of the Himalayas. Cheeku had a magic car that could transform into any shape or form. A little fairy had gifted him this car as a reward for his bravery and good deeds. One day...” With his eyes wide open and mind racing with excitement, the young boy curled up in a warm embrace in Grandpa’s lap to hear the rest of his bed-time story.

War of words - Take 2

 His mind was in a state of anarchy. It seemed like he had lost control over his senses. He was facing a formidable opponent, one which had rendered several people of his ilk unproductive. Brushing aside his anxiety, he put pen to paper and watched in delight as his scattered thoughts marched in harmony again.

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Anarchy"

War of words

He had lost the war of words last night and it was time to warm up for another battle today. Although he was not the only one fighting it, he always felt like a lone warrior. He fought the anarchy in his mind and thought about his formidable opponent. It was a weapon of self-esteem destruction that had rendered many a writers sterile. Bravely, he put pen to paper and watched in delight as his scattered thoughts came together and conquered his writer’s block once again.

Angry...

It was a scene of mayhem, there was bloodshed everywhere. There was no hope in sight as people scampered for cover. The sound of bullets being fired resonated cries of their innocent victims. Suddenly, everything fell silent. The audience shrieked with joy as the camera panned to a shot of Bachchan walking into the frame.

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Looking back in anger"

Element of surprise

Squinting in the dim light, she treaded softly in his direction. Her gaze sharpened as she spotted him around the corner. Books may be food for thought. Some call them a feast for the senses. But she couldn’t let him devour them. Element of surprise was the key. The rodent’s luck ran out that evening.

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Of bookstores and bookshelves"

Virtual reality

You took hold of my heart when it soared with desire. I let go of my inhibitions as you held me together. Thus began a remarkable journey. Boundless joy shaped our cherished memories as one.

You know, I do. I know, you don’t. Let’s pretend to be strangers again. Let’s liberate this love from reality.

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Virtual Love"

Give and take

It was called the jewel of her coastline. An isolated wasteland had become a bustling metropolis. Now, waste from the land was dumped into her. She shaped its destiny as reclamations disfigured her shores. It was gone in a flash with the tsunami. As if the sea swallowed its pride in a fit of rage.

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "City by the sea"

Lesson learnt

"Go inside your room and don't come out unless we ask you."

"I am sorry. Please let me explain."

"I don't want to hear any excuses. There is nothing to talk about."

"What if I'm hungry or I need to use the bathroom?"

"You are not coming out, no matter what! This will teach you how to behave."

"Can you hear me dear? Please come out and say something."

"Leave me alone!"

"You can tell me what's bothering you. Let us talk about it."

"Go away!"

"But you haven't eaten in two days. Why are you behaving this way? Is this what we taught you?"

Life in death

A cool breeze cut through the warm sunshine as a shiver ran down her spine. She walked gingerly towards him. He always greeted her with a smile and enticed her with goodies. She never gave-in, mindful of her mother’s advice. But today, she was enamored by the sight. He had only one thing on his mind.

They spotted him from a distance. The bright, pink-colored candy floss and the bunch of red, yellow and blue balloons gave him away that day. The gunshot left her in a state of shock for sometime. But it saved the little girl from being scarred and leading a shattered life.

Image: Milliped, via Wikimedia Commons

Love without luxury

His hugs were so warm and cozy. Her kisses were full of tender love and care. He flashed his sunny grin again. She matched it with an endearing smile. It was such a dilemma each night. In the makeshift asbestos shelter near the construction site, a mother did not have the luxury to pick sides.

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Love and other wars"

Monkey, Man

One could sense the tension in the air. The chief scientist nervously scanned the room full of researchers. It had been six years since the first one was rolled out, and now, latest performance reports had confirmed their prognosis. “Humans are getting dumb and dumber. These apps are turning us back into apes,” he concluded.

 

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Apps for apes"

Image: Ziko, via Wikimedia Commons

Bastards!

It was just a trickle at first. Soon, it became a flow. It was beyond my control now. As the trespassing continued, I began losing my bearings.

"Get out of my head! You don't belong here," I heard myself yelling. “Hell we do,” they replied in chorus, “we are the bastards of your fertile imagination.”

As published in the blog 55WordStory on the theme "Citizens of no place"

Lovelorn

When the days always seem dark

And merge into nights of gloom;

Wandering like a lifeless soul,

You fade towards your doom.

Cherished memories, lingering dreams

Nurtured with desire and anticipation;

Alas, the heart is easily broken,

Leaving behind a treasure of emotions.

What was an affection, becomes devotion,

Unbridled, it blooms into romance,

Unrequited, it's an endless heartache.