Wordplay: The Reading Spot

Gold with the heart's touch.... Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a young and poor farmer named Horatio. Horatio was a very hardworking man, but lately his business had been going really rough for him. This was because his land had been infested with the seasonal pests and a strange crop killing virus. Due to this, most of his plants died out before he could even collect them. Despite his losses, he made it a point to help anyone he came across who was in need. He was very generous at heart, and never let someone leave his home with an empty stomach. But things had changed now. He barely made any money, and was really worried about whether he'd have to leave the kingdom. The kingdom, Avion, was ruled over by the ambitious king called Matthew Naples. Matthew was a very ambitious ruler, and like every other ruler, wanted to conquer most of the southern continent for exploiting its metal ores. This was his ultimate goal, and each month since he became the ruler, ...

"Going Dutch" refers to each person involved in a transaction contributing to the total sum by dividing the amount among the people equally, rather than one person paying for it entirely. Today was going to be an awesome day for two reasons; firstly, my company was going to give us a vacation starting from tomorrow, and secondly, for the first time in 5 years, I was going to meet my cousins for dinner!    Ever since I moved to this state, my days have just been full of meetings, breathing, and more meetings. Especially this year, we worked on a new project and it was literally hell. Even our vacations were short lived, unlike the one that would start tomorrow, which would last for a whole fortnight.    So I left my place in a very happy and cheerful mood, very hopeful and excited.     ***     After work was over, I quickly went home to freshen up. 5 whole years! Even though we're all grown up now, I just couldn't stop thinki...

[Extra-post, theme interval] When you're in need of help  Or you're feeling low, Who'll give thy an ear Or shield you from your foes? When you're stuck in a mess And need a way out, Who's going to come through And put trouble to rout. True, it is your friend; He'll help whenever, you're in need And he'll do so without Expecting a prize for his deed. This is a true friend And she'll be with you throughout, Despite the clouds in your life She'll be the light ray striking out. So happy friendship day, dear friends! Ya'll have been pretty great; Now that I've finished wishing you, I guess I'll patiently wait. -Armaan Kothare

[Extra post, theme-interval] I was once just a common man, Who wanted to become a lawyer, true; But today I tread down another path, Still a man, but my role is new. Today, my people are gathered around me All of them energetic and free, However, just a few days ago Mere freedom they would seek. We were ruled upon by an invader And we weren't treated well, And living in this place was like Living in worse than hell. People were miserable  And wanted a change soon For everyone had had enough  Of dancing to this evil's tune. So, I stood up and called out to My people and my friends, I guided them all through the way And we drove out the fiends. On this day my people stay Surrounding me with roses And on this day I felt more blest Than even Him, the holy Moses. I acknowledge each blessing with A smile across my face,  But out of all the friendly faces One held a gun, raised. I felt the bullets pierce my chest But they didn't hurt as much  As compared to what feeling I h...

They're calling you.... A Jog Through The Woods I put on my shoes, got out of the house Any later I wouldn’t move Closed the door and saw the scurrying mouse Scuttling over to the woods. I made my way into the coverts Went past through the fog I was busy that rainy night But just had time for a jog. I ventured deeper through the woods, Would have run if I could When I heard a quaint voice call, “Turn back, you really should.” I stopped jogging, turned around But, saw no one at all All these days when I’d ever jogged I’d never heard a call. I was in two minds whether to continue Or to go back home Had a lot of work to do  So, I turned back for home. Heard lotta voices on the way, They echoed off the logs of wood Whose cries they were, I still don't know, I’d heard on my jog through the woods.

These days parents have this phobia about letting their children handle any responsibility, for example, take my friend, Ned. His parents don't even let him keep a pen of his own, and I'm pissed off because he takes my  pens to write!!! He tells me everyday, "I wish I had something to take care of..." and "Oh Jeff, could you lend me your things  for safekeeping?".  And the type of smart guy I am, I already have a responsibility: Keep my things away from Ned. Okay, maybe Ned isn't even capable of it, but how can we be sure without even trying? And even if he isn't capable enough, why do I have to suffer? So, when he came to my house for another shot at convincing me to allow him to keep my things for the day, I told him to ask his parents to give him one chance of proving himself. And guess what, they did. After an hour or so, an 'earnest' Ned showed up at my door, house keys sticking out of his mouth. I had to tell him how stupid and daf...

Meena was an ordinary girl, with some extraordinary devotion towards science, mainly robotics. In the middle of an aimless day, Meena saw something that made her jump with excitement. There was a notice which said: "SCIENCE EXHIBITION". She could not believe her eyes! She continued to read the notice, and the word 'robotics' caught her eye. The exhibition was scheduled for a month later. Meena worked really hard. Her parents helped her a bit, but they didn't even know what she was making. She worked every night, almost every minute. One night, her parents decided to find out what she was making. They pretended to sleep, as that was when Meena started working. So they tiptoed along the corridor, not making a sound. They peeped into her room. But alas! She had just made a metal leg. And how angry her father was! He scolded her for wasting his time and money just on making a piece of metal. Meena just stared at him, her eyes swelling with tears. She pushed them ou...

[Theme Free-style, Tween Ranged] "Dad! Dad!”, called Abby, “ Can Peter and me go to play in the woods?”  “Yes, but make sure you come back by noon.”, said Dad.  Peter was sixteen while Abby was fourteen. Peter lost his parents in a plane crash. He saw the plane crash in front of his eyes; he had become an orphan.  Fortunately, he met Abby. She took him to her own parents and her parents accepted to take good care of him. “Did dad give us permission to go to the woods?” asked Peter curiously.  “ Yep”, chattered Abby.    In no time, they were in the woods. There was a gate, which led to the woods, and Abby had the keys to unlock it. Abby unlocked the gate and off they went into the woods. “Whoa! That was so close!”, said Peter, after Abby found him hiding in a bunch of long grass. They were playing hide and seek, and Abby was taking the den. After playing a few games, they soon got bored. It was time for lunch. They decided to go home....