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S Govindraj

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2022

Stories (30)

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30 Stories

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SOUNDS OF SILENCE

S Govindraj

In a 5 storey building apartment 401 was occupied by Fred a famous song director. He was nearing middle age, was tall and thin with a bald head and a thin grey moustache. That morning he was seated browsing through a film journal when his wife Leena joined him. She was short and rotund but was even better known than Fred for her voice: She was an acclaimed playback singer. She said “Fred, you remember I was telling you about Charlie in 501 directly above us” ”What about him? I see he is arrogant. I was told he is moneyed as he has...

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BOOKED FOR STARDOM

S Govindraj

I am Leena and I am 23. I am a graduate. I am tall and fair and I am said to be quite good looking. I wrote an exam to enter government service and was called to face an interview. The chairman of the interview committee said “I see you’ve had military training while in college. Why didn’t you try to join the defence services?”I said “Sir I would’ve also preferred it but parental pressure prevented it. I was selected for forestry service but again my parents didn’t approve.”“Why didn’t you try to join the police?”“I couldn’t qualify for...

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UNEARTHLY POWERS

S Govindraj

Despite incessant rain I was at the airport well in time to board the plane. But a delay was announced as the incoming flight which I was to board couldn’t land with the airfield being flooded. Passengers were told that free refreshments were on offer in the airport cafeteria. I went in, and carrying whatever was served, sat at a table which was free. The cafeteria was getting overcrowded and in a few moments another man had to join me at my table saying “Excuse me! May I sit here?” I nodded. He was a coloured man dressed in brow...

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MYSTERY OF THE BOOK

S Govindraj

There was a library almost next door to me which contained books and periodicals. The librarian was a middle-aged widow called Ruth. She was tall but corpulent and had her greying hair in a bun. She wore spectacles with large sized lenses, slung on a chain around her neck. She was a type almost always smiling and so was quite popular. I am a retired male and would go into the library often to read or borrow books. That morning when I went in Ruth was seated alone. She said “We’re early. My staff hasn’t come in yet. Go ahead and pick wha...

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FACE TO FACE

S Govindraj

There was a telecast of the correspondent of a TV network interviewing the leader of the opposition in the government (LOP). Here are excerpts: TV interviewer (TVI): Sir, as LOP it is your duty to analyse correctness of legislation introduced or envisaged by the ruling party. You do it conscientiously as sworn by you when you took office. You criticise the government when they go wrong and you oppose some of the government’s moves which you or your party considers inappropriate. May I have your views on some moves made by the ruling par...

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FROM POETRY TO WORSE (VERSE)

S Govindraj

I am an office bearer of a literary society and am in touch with names in the field. This year the Byron Society announced its awards and poet Grace was awarded a cash prize: Only her entry was rated one star. I knew Grace was a prolific composer of poetry in different forms. Grace wasn’t her name it was only her nom de plume. She had studied in England for two years and had obtained a degree. I decided to congratulate her on her poetry award and we met at the Rose Bower restaurant of the Metropole Hotel. I am a senior citizen with a partial...

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SOUL IN THE MIRROR

S Govindraj

My novel SOUL IN THE MIRROR was hard work for over a year. It reflected a part of my life and I thought I had done a good job in my writing. I requested an acquaintance Lola Marquez – a popular book reviewer – to read the draft of my novel and comment. She agreed and at the end of almost two weeks I got her review. I was shocked as it was unflattering! I studied her comments comparing them mentally with what I had in mind as I had composed the work: Lola’s comment: This is a novel and not an autobiography. Title needs to be changed into...

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VOICE OF EXPERIENCE

S Govindraj

The Chief Minister (CM) of Rubi Isle on planet Tellus would be kept informed about the arrival of prominent citizens from other parts of the country. That day CM was told that philosopher Sez from Coaxa had arrived when CM went and received him. Sez looked outwardly healthy despite having crossed the age of 90. He walked with a stick to support himself. Only a tremor in his voice as he spoke indicated his advanced age. When told about Sez’s arrival king Fez invited him to a special audience when CM was also present. As Fez talked he said “A ...

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A MEMORY OF SINBAD

S Govindraj

I remember Sinbad. I am giving you an episode about him. I am Popeye the sailor man. I was on my ship along with my friend Wimpy and girlfriend Olive Oyl sailing near the Sarandib coast. It was bright and shiny and the weather caused no problem to sailing. Oyl suddenly shouted pointing “There’s a man overboard. There, there you can see.” I noticed someone struggling in the water and at once jumped into the sea. I swam towards the man who was holding on to a spar and helped him to climb into my ship. I changed my dress and helped the rescued...

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CAUSE AND EFFECT

S Govindraj

When someone close to you chooses to call you by a shortened name it sticks. I was known as Jug. How do I look? Handsome, fair, of average height, with slim moustache, and a receding hairline. I had bought an old age home to live in retirement with my wife. That house was smaller than the spacious one we are accustomed to. I got busy trying to identify surplus items to be discarded. For instance I have that big wooden standalone cupboard containing my diaries which could be thrown out along with contents. Before that I opened it and sa...

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SEEDING THE FUTURE

S Govindraj

Zeema was only 18, a widow, and was a citizen of Rubi Isle on planet Tellus. Though she was good-looking, she was a bit on the heavier side. She lived with her sister Soki. Soki was a year elder and was also a widow with two children. Zeema was a thinker who would analyze matters scientifically. That day Soki and Zeema were seated talking after lunch. Zeema said “Soki, nobody is taking care about the future. I’m prepared to sow some seeds in regard to our future.” “I don’t understand what you’re saying. As far as I can see there is no need ...

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A DAY IN LIFE

S Govindraj

That Friday morning Inspector of police Luke was ready in uniform to be at his station at 9 AM. His wife who was in the kitchen to get Luke’s breakfast and lunch ready got a phone call. She rushed to Luke and said “My sister wants me to go over and help her. Her baby is it seems ill. I’m leaving immediately. I’m taking leave from my job for the day. You can make breakfast and eat lunch outside. Bye!”Luke decided he would make his breakfast a little later and fell asleep on a chair watching TV. When he got up it was late and he knew he couldn...

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LE DEJEUNER SUR L'HERBE

S Govindraj

Jez was a landlord and farmer in Rubi Isle on planet Tellus. He had married but his wife had predeceased him. He was contemplating marrying again. Jez would visit the tavern run by Chumsi, a middle aged woman. That evening Jez was at the tavern with Chumsi sitting near him as he sipped his drink. In the course of talk Jez said “Chumsi I’m looking for a woman to marry.” Chumsi asked “Why did you wait so long for it? You lost your wife over a year ago if I’m right.” “Yes. I wanted to remain a widower but then I had second thoughts.” “You’re a...

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FIRST LOVE

S Govindraj

I am male and work as a software architect in a multinational company. I commute by the 7AM metro to my office. At that hour the train is very crowded. Getting in I usually see a young woman seated as she would board from an earlier station. Something about her caught my fancy and I would look to see her every day. She would usually be dressed in grey pants with a white shirt and a coat sometimes. I had usually seen her with large earrings reaching almost up to neck and I felt it added to her attraction. I hadn’t seen any other jewellery on ...

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A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME.........

S Govindraj

King Fez was in a discussion of affairs of state with his Chief Minister (CM). Fez ruled the island of Bugbe on planet Tellus. After they had finished the discussion Fez was in a less serious mood and said “CM, we reward poets who praise me but ignore people who contribute to our knowledge.” “Not so Your Majesty. I had suggested that you honour the midwife Wizma. But you had laughed and said she only knows the insides of women.” “What’s there that we don’t know about women’s bodies? Every man handles those parts and consigns the women to Wiz...

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