Monkey And The Crocodile
Long time ago, a Monkey named: Raja was used to live on a mango tree. His place of residence a.k.a. tree was near by a lake that was full of crocodiles. Raja’s tree was full of sweet mangos; hence it often used to attract lots of species in the hope of some falling mangos in the rainy season.
One day, monkey was eating some mangos when a crocodile came there. Money ate the mango and threw its residues near his tree, which was then eaten by the crocodile. Tasting the sweetness of mangos, crocodile was highly allured and beloved with the kind of sweetness those mangos had.Crocodile kept coming nearby mango tree everyday in the hope of more mango residues. One day, Raja himself threw some fresh mangos to crocodile, which were highly liked by the crocodile and gradually both of them became close friends. As time continued, crocodile started coming everyday and Raja kept offering him fresh mangos.
One day, crocodile asked Raja some extra mangos for his wife; Raja agreed, and gave him extra mangos. Crocodile took those mangos to his wife; his wife too was thoroughly impressed with the sweetness those mangos had. She cleverly thought if mangos were so sweet; how much sweet would be in the heart of that monkey who uses to eat these mangos every day.
She asked her husband to bring his friend Raja on a dinner some day. Crocodile predicted her wicked intentions and refused to deceive his friend in such a way, but his wife insisted and even warn him not to come back till he is accompanied by his friend Raja.
Crocodile found himself into dilemma and finally decided to make his wife happy by carrying his friend at home. He went to the tree and requested Raja to come with him to his home as his wife wanted to meet him. Raja agreed, and they started their journey to home. Raja sat on crocodile’s back and they moved onto the lake. In between of the lake, crocodile went deep into the water to kill Raja. When raja asked him why he is doing so, crocodile told him that his wife actually wanted to swallow his heart for its sweetness.
Raja got stunned and told crocodile that he left his heart on the tree, and they would have to return to the tree, so he can bring his heart with him. Crocodile brought him back on the tree, and Raja jumped on the tree telling crocodile to be a fool animal who has no sense to identify his friends and enemies. It was since the end of sweet mangos for crocodile. Moral of the story: Mind is always above strength!
Helping Hands
Long time ago, there was a boy who used to travel long inside a jungle for fun. Since his family was living nearby for long, he did not afraid of moving within a jungle, perhaps, it was his daily routine to go inside the jungle and collect some useful playing material.
One day, when he was passing by the jungle, he collected some woods and continued walking. After some time, in the middle of the jungle, he saw an old man who was very thirsty and asking for anyone who could offer him some water.
Boy wanted to help him, but since he had no water, he continues moving in the jungle. While going,
he was thinking if could manage to bring some water for old man who desperately needed water. Moving further, he saw a bear who was very hungry and crying for food. Bear had become so weak that he could not even stand on his feet, coz of his long hunger. Boy looked everywhere nearby, but could not find any food source to offer to bear, hence he moved again.
Boy was feeling very guilty for not been able to help old man and bear that needed his help desperately. Anyways, he went deep inside the jungle where he saw a family who lived there. The family needed some woods to use as fuel for their food preparations.
Boy was having some woods, which he collected in the beginning. So, he offered his woods to the family, who used them as fuel and prepared food for their family members. Since, boy gave them much needed woods, family offered him some food and water to take back with him. Boy happily accepted family’s gifted food and water, and quickly moved back to old man and bear.
Both old man and bear were surprised to see boy carrying some food and water for them. Boy gave water to old man and food to bear, and both of them could eventually save their lives coz of boy’s kind support.
One day, boy was again passing by the jungle when he suddenly fell down for a hill. The family, who gave him food and water, saw him falling, and they jumped for his immediate needed help. Old man and bear, who had been helped by the boy, came together to save his life.
Bear quickly collected some herbs for boy’s deep wounds, and old man bandaged boy’s wounds. Soon, boy recovered from his injuries and thanked family, bear, and old man for their instant help. Hence, in our real life, too, if we help others, others will also come forward and help us.
The Four Friends
The Four Friends
Long time ago, there was a place called Janakdham, which used to be lived by numerous families. The main source of livelihood in Janakdham was agriculture; perhaps, it was only source of food there. Four friends were extremely popular in Janakdham village, out of them, three were well educated and clever while fourth one was a straightforward person who used to follow the practical approaches.Once, the village was hit by a long draught, perhaps, outcomes of drought were so apparent that it brought a massive food shortage in the whole village. Families started their migration to a better place where they can have a better chance of living. Four friends also decided to leave the place for a better living. They decided to migrate to a nearby village where agriculture was flourishing and had lots of water sources. The only problem was the route to that place that passed by the forest, which was full of lions. Yet, they decided to follow the forest route to reach the nearby village earlier.
Three of the friends have supernatural powers to do magic; perhaps, they were proficient with their blessed powers. When they were passing the forest, they saw lion’s bones were spreading here and there. One of then quickly collected all the bones at one place, and made a lion skeleton joining all the bones in required order. Second friend used his powers and converted lion’s skeleton into lion’s body by putting lions muscles, hairs, and teethes.
When third friend was planning to put breathing powers in lion, fourth friend: the practical one, warned them not to do so as it could cost them their lives. But third friend didn’t listen to him. Before third friend could put life into the lion, fourth friend climbed onto a tree to safe himself. Foolish third friend used his blessed powers and gave lion’s body a new life. Once lion came into existence; he immediately killed all three friends. Three friends exaggeration cost them their life. However, fourth one was safe coz he was on the tree!
The practical approach followed by fourth friend overshadowed three friends intelligence, which actually saved his life. So, in our real life too, we should practically supplement our knowledge to come up with overall gradual skills, otherwise we might hang up with some unsolicited consequences! Always remember a practically skilled person is always better than a skilled person without any practical experience of life.
Sand and Stone
Short Story Sand and Stone Two best friends were walking on a desert in search of some water, and a shadowed place to take the rest. At one place, they found some water, but that was too little for both of them, and, eventually, their start fighting with each other for a larger share out of tiny found water.
During the fight, one friend stroked on the face of other, perhaps, second one was so badly wounded on the face that blood started flowing. Injured friend covered his wounds with some dry sand, and they again started walking for a bigger water source. Meantime, injured man wrote on the sand, “Today My Best Friend made me injured – badly.”
Second friend could not understand why first one is writing those words. Anyhow, they both started their journey again until they found some place to rest, and after some time, they found a decent shadowed place to rest and to have some food.
They started to hunt down some food for themselves, and during their food’s hunt, the friend, who had badly been injured in earlier fight, got stuck in a deep mud. He loudly called for help, and another friend quickly jumped to him and saved his life with a long and strong stick. Survived friend deeply thanked him and wrote again, but this time on a solid rock with an unerasable hard marker, “Today My Best Friend Saved My Life.”
The friend, who saved his life, confusingly asked him, “My friend when I first hit you critically; you wrote on the sand that I made you injured, and now you wrote your thanks giving a statement on a Rock.” Why? Second one politely replied, “when you hit me, it was your bad behavior, which is easily forgettable to me, and so; I wrote on the sand. While the second time, when you saved my life, was a true life savior moment for me which is unforgettable; hence I wrote that on a solid stone, so I can never forget it.”
Our life also moves on the same path where we should take lightly all the tiny things happening in our life, however, if someone has done something good for you, you should remain oblige to him for the rest of your life. So, the moral of the story: “Never forget someone’s act of grace and leave behind the foul plays you have been given through anyone.”
Tamil Short Story “Here and Now”
Here and Now
“Here, have a look at yourself.”
Srina looked up at the reflection in the small round mirror her cousin held up in front of her. She couldn’t help but smile, her small white teeth flashing between darkened lips of rose-colored lipstick.
“Like it, eh? Don’t you worry. You’re going to amaze them. He won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.”
At the mention of ‘him,’ Srina’s heart fell. Outwardly, she kept her cool. It wouldn’t do to let people know of her apprehensions. After all, this was something long in the making, and it was supposed to be a happy day.
There were limits to how much one could tell one’s heart though, and though she had been promised to her childhood friend long ago, she could not dictate to her heart whom to love. For her family’s sake, however, she had to go through with the match or mire them in shame. That would never do. One might as well put a gun to her old father’s head and pull the trigger.
Srina realized that her unconscious knowledge of the fact that she was going to enter an arranged marriage probably explained the excesses she felt she needed to indulge in as an expatriate’s daughter in England. Now it was all over. The waters were figuratively closing in over her head, and there was nothing she could do about it, no one she could appeal to. All those nights with their Western excesses had paid, she told herself over and over again. It had paid.
The tickling sensation on the back of her hand brought her back to the present. Henna was being applied in intricate patterns on her hands and feet. To smudge them was to invite more fuss and bother at a time when she just felt like being alone. Like a bird in a cage, finally realizing it was trapped.
The last she had seen him was way back when they were both in elementary. To cement the bonds between their families they had been betrothed to each other since they were children. She remembered a simpering weakling she had saved from a couple of teasing bullies. She had seen him weeks ago at his family’s beach resort. He hadn’t appeared to have changed much. But then again, she hadn’t spent much time with him at all, so she was wary of judging him.
When it was all over she found herself alone with him, a bit tired and a bit frightened. In the shadows of their honeymoon suite she saw him turn to her. “Are you all right?” she heard him ask. “If you want to rest…” He moved enough that the light filtering in through the windows highlighted his eyes. They showed his concern.
“No, I’m alright,” she said. “A little tired, that’s all, dear husband.” Suddenly, saying those last words didn’t seem so difficult.
“Then rest,” he told her, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I am new at this, and would like to make it work between us.” His voice was hesitant, unsure.
“I would, too,” Srina murmured. After all, a bird, though caged, could still sing, couldn’t it?
Keeping the Flame Alive
Keeping the Flame Alive
The Gupta’s house was finally silent.
“Are they asleep?” Malar asked as he took off his robe, waiting for his wife to come to bed.
“Yes,” Damayanti whispered and suddenly grinned. “Alone at last with my wonderful, wonderful husband!”
He laughed as she sat down on the bed with him. “Yes, alone at last.”
But Damayanti suddenly slid off the bed. “The champagne, dear husband? I forgot to chill it!”
“It’s already on the wine bucket over there, chilling.”
“The caviar?”
“On the table by the window, and yes, the crackers are also there and the shrimp cocktail, my loving wife, so don’t worry. Now come back to bed,” he said.
Damayanti sighed as she climbed back on the bed and rested her head on her husband’s shoulder. “I do love you, you know that, dear Malar?”
“As I do love you, wife,” he said as he kissed her on the forehead.
“We really are lucky, aren’t we? We have great children, three wonderful and very healthy boys and – ”
“And a very sweet and very beautiful daughter,” he finished for her, “Yes, wife,” he agreed, “We are blessed. Now, what is the celebration about? When I found your note to prepare for a little celebration tonight, I was pleasantly surprised. We’ve never done this before, you know, have a date inside our own bedroom,” he laughed.
“Well,” she said shyly, drawing circles on his chest, “It’s been ages since we have had a night spent like this. We’ve always been busy, you at work, and me with the kids. And really, even though we always see each other and we’re always together when time permits it, I still miss you very much. And I admit, I’m missing those years when we have only each other,” she laughed softly. “I do love the kids, no doubt about it, but I love just being with you. And since going on a vacation by ourselves is out of the question, I thought why not bring the vacation into our house. Hence, this little celebration thing, and we’re celebrating the start of our new relationship with more occasions like this where we celebrate nothing. Well, we ARE celebrating our love.”
Malar nodded, “I understand”
Just then the heavens lit up with lightning the heavens clapped with thunder.
“Perfect,” Malar whispered as he began kissing her, “Rain for a more romantic night together.”
She sighed, “Yes,” and leaned over to receive his kiss. Then she bolted upright, “Oh, no!”
“What?!”
“The kids are afraid of thunder!”
Malar groaned as he heard the children running towards their room. Pretty soon, they heard them knocking frantically, “Let us in, Mommy! Let us in, Daddy!”
Damayanti sighed once more as she looked at her husband. They both laughed as they opened the door to receive the frightened kids.
Second Chance
Second Chance
Jenani can still remember the day she met Appasami. The memory is so vivid in her mind, it’s as if it just happened yesterday. Has it really been 13 years since they said goodbye? Appasami was Jenani’s first love, and she never got over him.
Oh yes, she had other relationships, but Appasami was always on her mind and maybe even in her heart. She now realizes that she never stopped loving him all these years; that’s why none of her relationships lasted long. Thirteen long years and she still loves the same man.
She doesn’t even know where he is now. Is he married? Does he have children? Since they broke up, they haven’t been in touch. It was better that way anyway. Out of sight, out of mind. But lately, she’s been having dreams about him again. They were together and happy.
Imagine her surprise when they bumped into each other one afternoon. It was him who actually saw her first. She was standing on the sidewalk waiting for her turn to cross the street when she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
“Jenani? Is it really you?! I can’t believe it!” Appasami enthusiastically said as he gave her a warm bear hug.
“Appasami?! Good heavens! How are you?” Jenani uttered, hugging him back.
“I’m good. Listen, do you have time for coffee now?” Appasami inquired.
“I’m actually on my way to the art gallery. They offered me an exhibit.” Jenani replied.
As they said their goodbyes, they promised to meet up later to catch up over dinner. With a quick kiss on the cheek from him, they went their separate ways.
All afternoon, Jenani felt as if she was walking on Cloud 9. She couldn’t believe she saw him again. On her way out the gallery, she saw Appasami waiting for her outside the door.
“What are you doing here?”
“You’re having an exhibit here? That’s so great!” Appasami said with much gusto.
He said he couldn’t wait for dinner anymore. He wanted to be with her so much, and he had a lot to tell her. Over dinner, Appasami monopolized the conversation saying how much he missed her and that it’s still her he loves after all these years.
All Jenani could think of was that Fate brought them together once more and gave them a second chance at love. This time, she knows it’s forever.
Dutiful Daughter
Dutiful Daughter
“These are hard times, Kamya.” Her parents would often say.
She knows the underlying meaning of that statement. These are hard times, and therefore, everyone must pitch in to help out in the family’s financial burdens. She knows that their parents are not forcing her or her younger siblings to take care of their household finances, but in her heart, she understands her obligations as the eldest child.
Kamya has always been the one to give up anything for the sake of her younger siblings. She put herself through schools, working part time while earning a degree in business. Now that she’s found a good job, she can help out even more in paying their bills and sending her siblings to school. After all, education is very important so she doesn’t mind scrimping to have money for her siblings’ tuition.
Through it all, Anbumadhi was always there to support her. They have been together for four years now. They met way back in college. He was a study buddy in the beginning, but love soon blossomed between them.
Her parents approve of Anbumadhi. They like him because they can see that he takes good care of Kalai, and they can see how much he respects her. He was almost like a part of her family already.
Lately, however, Anbumadhi has been giving hints of wanting to settle down and starting a family of their own. Kalai knew that she still had responsibilities towards her family, and Anbumadhi knows that her family always comes first. But Kalai also knew that it was selfish of her to ask Anbumadhi to understand her all the time. He has been very patient all these years.
Sometimes late at night, Kalai would ask the heavens to help her in her dilemma. She didn’t know what to do. She loves Anbumadhi, but she also loves her family.
“Help me, please!” She pleaded. “Show me what to do.”
Painfully and regretfully, Kalai realized what she must do the next morning. Her family comes first. No matter how much she loves Anbumadhi and how painful it will be to let him go, she knows that the only solution to her problem is to give one up for the other, and she cannot give up her family.
Anbumadhi deserves to have the family he longs for, and at this time, that’s something she cannot give him. Once again, Kalai was ready to sacrifice for the sake of her family.
Drought – Part One
Strengthened by the meager sip he took, Manas strapped the canteen more securely to his waist, intent on moving onward. The sooner he reached their camp, the better. He picked up the standard issue machine gun that he had dropped earlier and started to stand up.
Just as soon as he rose to a crouch, however, a volley of bullets erupted and the ground around him exploded in dust and soot. Machine guns. The enemy had located him.
Oh no, not now. Please. Not now. He would’ve prayed to his God had he not given up on religion months ago. No, there couldn’t be a God. The world wouldn’t have fallen this low if there was.
He couldn’t understand. He had covered his tracks perfectly. They were –
“Mohan, hurry, come on, brother. You can’t give up now. Here! We’ll hide – aah!”
Manas found himself face to face with a boy who didn’t look to be older than eith years old. The boy’s face was dirty, smeared with grime and blood. But that wasn’t what Manas found interesting. No, what he noticed was the Machine gun that the boy was holding.
He was about to say something – a threat, a warning, anything to get the upper hand – when another boy, who looked to be about a few years older, limped into the site. It was obvious that, of the two, this new one was worse for wear. He was clutching a broken leg, and there was an eggplant-colored bruise covering half of his face.
Manas stared as the first boy broke their little staring contest, focusing on his brother instead, propping the injured boy against the rock.
“Muni! Muni! G-go, save yourself!”, the older one said weakly.
“No, Mohan, I – no! I won’t leave you here!”
“Go!!” the older one barked before dissolving into a fit of coughing. It was obvious to Manas that the boy didn’t have long to live. He was even going into delirium, his pupils rising until only the white in his eyes could be seen while his body trembled in a weak spasm.
“Wa…ter…”, the older one muttered, the shadow of death clouding his mind. The younger boy leaned into his brother, straining to hear what the boy was saying.
“Water! Right, yes, Mohan, I’ll find some for you…just don’t…please don’t leave me…” the boy was crying now, looking around frantically for something that he probably wouldn’t have found – and then his eyes found Manas’ canteen. The boy stopped and stared, as if verifying if what he’s seeing is real. And then his eyes trailed up and met Manas’ own wide eyes. Muni looked up at him pleadingly, and Manas clutched his canteen tighter instinctively.
They kept on staring at each other then, until another volley of shots erupted around them. Manas sighed and closed his eyes, recalling memories of the old watering hole, his friends, his family, their smiles…his life, before undoing the strap that held the canteen of water to his body.
Drought – Part Two
Strengthened by the meager sip he took, Manas strapped the canteen more securely to his waist, intent on moving onward. The sooner he reached their camp, the better. He picked up the standard issue machine gun that he had dropped earlier and started to stand up.
Just as soon as he rose to a crouch, however, a volley of bullets erupted and the ground around him exploded in dust and soot. Machine guns. The enemy had located him.
Oh no, not now. Please. Not now. He would’ve prayed to his God had he not given up on religion months ago. No, there couldn’t be a God. The world wouldn’t have fallen this low if there was.
He couldn’t understand. He had covered his tracks perfectly. They were –
“Mohan, hurry, come on, brother. You can’t give up now. Here! We’ll hide – aah!”
Manas found himself face to face with a boy who didn’t look to be older than eith years old. The boy’s face was dirty, smeared with grime and blood. But that wasn’t what Manas found interesting. No, what he noticed was the Machine gun that the boy was holding.
He was about to say something – a threat, a warning, anything to get the upper hand – when another boy, who looked to be about a few years older, limped into the site. It was obvious that, of the two, this new one was worse for wear. He was clutching a broken leg, and there was an eggplant-colored bruise covering half of his face.
Manas stared as the first boy broke their little staring contest, focusing on his brother instead, propping the injured boy against the rock.
“Muni! Muni! G-go, save yourself!”, the older one said weakly.
“No, Mohan, I – no! I won’t leave you here!”
“Go!!” the older one barked before dissolving into a fit of coughing. It was obvious to Manas that the boy didn’t have long to live. He was even going into delirium, his pupils rising until only the white in his eyes could be seen while his body trembled in a weak spasm.
“Wa…ter…”, the older one muttered, the shadow of death clouding his mind. The younger boy leaned into his brother, straining to hear what the boy was saying.
“Water! Right, yes, Mohan, I’ll find some for you…just don’t…please don’t leave me…” the boy was crying now, looking around frantically for something that he probably wouldn’t have found – and then his eyes found Manas’ canteen. The boy stopped and stared, as if verifying if what he’s seeing is real. And then his eyes trailed up and met Manas’ own wide eyes. Muni looked up at him pleadingly, and Manas clutched his canteen tighter instinctively.
They kept on staring at each other then, until another volley of shots erupted around them. Manas sighed and closed his eyes, recalling memories of the old watering hole, his friends, his family, their smiles…his life, before undoing the strap that held the canteen of water to his body.
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