As he woke up he looked at the wall-clock to notice that it was only two-thirty in the wee-hour then. No point in trying to invoke and restart his sleep. It’s good to get up and take care of the morning chores. Body would like to stroll on the soft bed for some more time…… Continue reading AROMA OF SANDAL PASTE By Sri Virinchi
Month: October 2014
Are Old Folks Spiders? by By Avasarala Ramakrishna Rao
The average age of Sarma, Sastry and Chalapati is seventy. They are not happy unless they gathered on the terrace every evening and had a chat. On that particular day, the events took an unusual turn after Sarma made a remark. This is what he said, “What’s the matter with him? Chalapati curled up in…… Continue reading Are Old Folks Spiders? by By Avasarala Ramakrishna Rao
LODESTAR by Pellakuru Jayaprada Somireddi
The colony looked like a socialist society; the location was filled with huts, middle-class homes and multi-level buildings. On that day, in front of one hut, a serious wrangling was going on between the hunger of a poor man and the fierce longing of a little child. “No, I will not go to work. I…… Continue reading LODESTAR by Pellakuru Jayaprada Somireddi
TWO ASCETICS by Ghandikota Brahmaji Rao
It’s two years since I retired from my job. After that I never tried for another job. I went to Benares several times while I was working. I never stayed for more than two days there though. Now I am not in a rush. I arrived here this morning along with my wife, I was…… Continue reading TWO ASCETICS by Ghandikota Brahmaji Rao
Waiting for Bhagavantham by Tripura
It was 4:45 p.m. He told me to wait here. Forty-six minutes passed by after the scheduled time. Bhagavantam was not here yet. Would he come today? Would he come any day at all? I lit up a cigarette, Virginia brand. It was turning black as it burned. A bus far off was sighted. It…… Continue reading Waiting for Bhagavantham by Tripura
SATIETY by Vasundhara
Food that is cooked in the best of tradition, doesn’t taste palatable unless one is hungry. The sweet water in the river too feels refreshing only when one is thirsty. A dire physical need when satisfied gives an immense pleasure and relief to the individual. In fact the deeper the need, the more intense is…… Continue reading SATIETY by Vasundhara
STEPPING TO THE FAR-AWAY MUSIC by R. Vasundhara Devi
It was recognized all-round that Kalindi’s husband Vijayarama Rao was not a practical man, but nobody said it in so many words. Everyone seemed to respect him. When he spoke about worldly affairs, they listened attentively. But Kalindi felt a vague unease. It took some time for her to understand that there was a problem.…… Continue reading STEPPING TO THE FAR-AWAY MUSIC by R. Vasundhara Devi
kasiratnam Vine By Nidadavolu Malathi
“Babu! Pour me some coffee, please,” the old man said, standing on my front yard. I just returned from work and was about to sit down on the front porch with my usual cup of coffee. I was taken by his request. I stared at him and wondered—a new breed of beggars? I might say…… Continue reading kasiratnam Vine By Nidadavolu Malathi
FEAR OF DEATH by K. Meerabai
“Sir, a paisa, please! help a lonely man, sir, please, be kind…” The words sounded like a wake up call for Veerasamy. He was a little beside himself. The beggar was hoping and praying that somebody would be kind to him today. He was rolling in the dust like a worm. The scene was ugly…… Continue reading FEAR OF DEATH by K. Meerabai
THE PROMISE OF A COWARD By P. Sarala Devi
Prabhakaram was in a huge dilemma. He wanted to tell her that he wanted to marry her. But, how could he word it? For one thing, he had been struggling for over an hour now; which form of address to use? Should he say mimmalni or ninnu.[1] Up until now, he was using meeru. How…… Continue reading THE PROMISE OF A COWARD By P. Sarala Devi