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