Wordplay: The Reading Spot

Hello Reader...here's a story 1. The Shoemaker  In a small town, one shoemaker was walking back home to his little hut on the outskirts of the area. It had been a long, sad day, for the shoemaker had received just a handful of customers, barely making him enough to buy some breadsticks the next day. Tired, he trudged back home, freshened up, and starting pouring out his soup, which was the only supper he could afford.  It was twelve minutes past midnight; normally, the very thought of staying awake would be enough for the person to bail on the idea, but not this man. After years of staying alone and being up till late at night, nothing fazed the shoemaker anymore. Not the sleep, and nor did the rumours about the monsters that lurked at night. According to the rumours, there was once a trader who was denied refuge due to his appearance during his short visit to the town. He died of starvation in the woods, and now his ghost would return to haunt the town.  It's been two ye...

You wish you could, but never truly can... Today was Blue Ridge College's final year farewell event. All the students and teachers of the final year batch had appeared at the college for one last night of academic togetherness. Hordes of students strolled through the corridors, reliving the past few years of their lives, essentially the last of their childhoods. Due to the pandemic, many had missed a considerable chunk of college life, but had already caught up with reality. To some extent, at least. A bittersweet aura had filled the air. Students were eating, drinking, chatting away with friends for what could be the very last time they'd see each other, as nobody knew where their lives would take them in the future.  Amidst the reasonable chaos, Amit sat in a corner of the building, near the stairs, deep in thought. It was clear that Amit was different from the rest. Quiet, always thinking, reserved, academically weak; these were the labels assigned to him by the people in hi...

Rest in peace, Ms. Lata Mangeshkar (1929-2022) I still remember that day When I was new to this town Nobody got out of their way Nay, didn't even show me 'round. The town's people were a quaint folk Did nought but incessant work And the only signs of esprit were  The Nightingale and these trees of birch. The Nightingale, o, what a divine soul! Seemed as though she channeled light Her sweet and melodious harmonies, They'd drown away the blues of the nights. Each night I returned to my home Exhausted, drained and in a sulk, The only soul out there for me Was that little bird in the tree pulp. Whenever I wandered through The darkest alleys of my mind, The soft voice of the Nightingale  Would help me leave the past behind. It had been o'er a few decades since She'd been singing songs for me But good things must leave you once, As when I returned one day,  She was nowhere to be seen... It had the voice of an angel Had returned to where angels belong, "But, true ...

Life However advanced humans have become till date, there are certain questions that we just don't know the correct answers to.  Maybe it's because they don't have a single answer....maybe it's because these questions are better off as questions, for the answers could be something totally unexpected. However, that doesn't stop us from trying to find explanations for them. You see, one of the most primary characteristics of humans is "curiosity", and we just don't stop looking for an answer. One such word, or rather question, has been one of the most challenging of them all. Life.  What really is the meaning of life? One may say, "to exist in this world". Well, some entities that "exist in this world" are labelled as non-living ones...to explain that, people say that they cannot carry out the basic functions of life. But...what exactly defines these functions, because these objects still continue to exist. Lets try and dive deeper in...

The darkness gives light meaning... My hands drenched in blood And my feet all pale and sore, Because of me, tonight A soul lay dead and no more. I think about how it happened About how I'd scarred his head, About how a little girl's father now In the freezing snow, lay dead. He'd tried to move after the stab, Told me to get him help, But I paid his request no heed "It's for the greater good",  I said. At least the man was now set free His soul was free to roam, But I can't trudge back to my place Since my house isn't my home. I cover my mouth, let out muffled screams, Tears forming in my eyes, Never listened to all of them before, But now my actions, I criticize. I collapse into the snow The knife heavy in my coat, The man who I murdered today Didn't he deserve a cut throat? Yet, I scream in agony, Unable to forgive myself What's been done can't be thrown away, Or buried behind the shelves. The knife looks sharper to me, Sparkling with a d...

"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...

Alright first off, I wish you a very happy Diwali and I hope you have an absolute blast of a time. However, trust me, I really hate writing these kind of articles. Its because I feel like I'm basically repeating already well known facts again and again, which may seem annoying. But do you know what's even more annoying? It's that the people STILL continue carrying out the acts I talk about.  If you haven't caught on, I'm referring to the slight but sure increase in the rate of firecracker bursting. Literally wrote on this issue a few years back, and I've noticed a few of the readers to have burst crackers this year. Like just understand this one fact, CLIMATE CHANGE ISN'T A JOKE. And I'm sure you're already rolling your eyes because lets face it, you already know this. What I don't understand is, people are still bursting the crackers, and this time the rate has increased too! And why? Just because Diwali doesn't feel the same without that ki...

Ricky wasn't your average teenager boy that you'd call ordinary. He was, well, different. He did everything differently. Didn't go down, wasn't very social, didn't play many sports. He had very little inclination towards academics and the list goes on. He was unlike anyone else in his family. That's what he was aiming to become, after all. He hated his family, and wanted to be different.  His family wasn't bad, but they weren't the best either. Ricky was a different kid, but they didn't understand this. They tried to change him to become like everyone else, which deeply angered Ricky. He was born with immediate anger tendencies, which only showed now, when he was 14 years old. Even though they weren't physical, it was kind of abuse for Ricky. Despite all this, Ricky never showed any anger, frustration or sadness. For his family, he was the ideal punching bag to relieve all their stress.  He was blessed with one good ability though: he had a very ...

The violets are always redder on the other side of the fence... "Not everyone is as lucky as me" , I thought to myself, switching off my phone and setting it on the table. Maria, my sister, had called just seconds ago, and all she did was complain about her new neighbors. However, Maria has never not had a problem with them before, so coming from her this was no surprise at all. But its almost a stereotype these days.... " neighbors are obnoxious and interfering freaks ". I however, have never understood this.  My neighbors are this young couple that go by the names Michelle Jackson and Anthony Jackson. I have had absolutely no issues with them. They have always seemed like a busy, happy and peaceful couple.  They're the most non-interfering people I've known. Alright I'll stop with the praising....they seem so... perfect at times...I envy them. Like they seem to have the best lives ever. Peace, happiness...they have it all. Whereas me? God seems to hate...

He walks past you with a smile each day And when he passes you, he waves; And you too, wave back at him You say, "He's a happy man on a happy day". Why wouldn't he be happy though? On the outside he does smile; But its not that simple, my dear friend, The human sense is fragile. You saw his face, yes, he was smiling But did you look deep inside? Do you see those implying eyes? Yes, on the inside, he cries. He yearns for help but doesn't speak And conceals this with a smile, Wishes to keep his sadness hidden Until in his will's file. If in his eyes you glanced, you'd see The extent of the consuming darkness It pierces him, it suffocates him, Until his mind's a terrible mess. All these battles he fights everyday, But doesn't shed a tear, he'll lie, For when they'll ask him about his state He'll simply say, "I'm fine". Hence, before judging someone else Just know that they too have a life, And who knows? While they're wor...

[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...

[Extra post, theme-interval] If you think this lockdown hasn't been crazy enough, you're right. I had a zoom call with this alien yesterday and managed to ask it a few questions. I think you should read one particular answer it gave me....I asked it,  "What are a few things you've always wondered about us humans?" I managed to write down its answer....here's a summary: "I’m PRJ-11, a resident of Planet-C41 from the Stellar galaxy, and I’ve been studying all sorts of planets my entire life. One particular planet that has never seemed to leave my mind is planet Earth. It’s one of the few planets that allows and sustains life, and is part of the solar system sector.  It has water, it has a life-supporting atmosphere, and its beings are fairly intelligent, although there are a lot of things they do that leave me quite puzzled. For one, they have every possible resource required to live and survive, unlike most planets in this universe. However, one probe dr...

Let me introduce you to this family of three, Mr. Michael, Mrs. Jenny and their son, Sammy; It was a normal September evening Where one event would change everything. The family was quite busy that evening Both Michael and Jenny were working While Sammy was using his creativity, To make a card for his parents' anniversary. The next day would be a celebration Many plans would be set in motion Michael and Jenny'd celebrate five years Of happiness, and they'd be happier. Young Sammy just could not resist Waiting for the party to give his gift To his happy parents the next day, But had to wait patiently anyway. It was a silent dinner that night For everyone was waiting for the next light They grew impatient each hour But knew that the day wasn't far. A few seconds before the clock struck twelve A strange noise grew loud, and the sky turned red All wondered whether they were still sane But that's when it began, the "Bombing Rain". Mr. Michael ran out to the lif...

A poem on the pandemic... ( Image: this is supposedly a symbol of positivity) Do you remember the days when all kids begged For no school for a week, and a vacation instead? Do you remember yearning for rest at home And laying back, forgetting that colleague's tone? Do you remember when a holiday was all you wanted, And photos of travels and trips were flaunted? Well, its sad, and sadly true Times have changed, and no one knew That their lives would change so much, in a way That would make every day a holiday. But this change, too, had a twist The outside world, now fear has kissed. There are people crying everywhere, They feel helpless, drowning in despair Loved ones lost, to an enemy unseen But waiting, enveloping everywhere we've been. A virus has cost us these lives and souls Leaving us shaken by the events that unfold. A child, young, and new to the world Was ready to play, and happily learn The new topics his mother decided to teach him,  But that's when the news hit ...