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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019
Submitted to Contest #85
Lecture delivered to a historical society by a distinguished professor of history on the occasion of its centenary at Chennai in India: Ladies and gentlemen, It is my privilege to be here this day. I was asked to address you about the importance of preserving the past. When I arrived in this city after nearly three decades I cast my eyes eagerly to look at a certain equestrian statue of Sir Hector Munro which had graced an important road. It was no longer there and I asked the reason. The answer was the statues of British rulers were no long...
.The city has its good side and its bad side. Kravan belonged to the latter. The good side was the mayor Marge who was constantly trying to change the city’s neighbourhood for the better. Kravan was the head of a mafia which was running rackets like smuggling, extortion and so on. He was about 40, was short, dark, bald, and had a bloated body. The only thing people initially noticed about him was his genial smile beneath his massive moustache which masked his real self. That morning, as he was at his desk, Riki dropped in. She was probably t...
He was called Pete and he worked for an oil marketing company. He was only 26 when he was offered a building site for sale by a real estate company. He was told “This would be a very valuable investment. All sites have been sold except this one. You would be lucky if you could land this one.” Pete consulted his father and wife. His Dad said “It’s no doubt a good piece of real estate to invest on. It will surely develop in future. However there’s a man who has lived in that region. He is about 90. I know him well. He told me that to build a h...
Submitted to Contest #84
Ken was 29, was tall and handsome with large biceps. If asked about his parentage he would say “I didn’t know my parents. A distant relative was kind enough to bring me up and he is also now no more.” He had finished school when he became apprenticed to a plumber and learnt the job. He was at it only a year when he got money from an unexpected source: A prolonged litigation had ended leaving him money. Using the money he opened a shop selling sanitary ware. He was lucky in that he got the garage of a big house in a business area to trade in....
The next day would be my wife’s birthday and I had almost forgotten to buy her a gift due to the problems I face in life. I will list some of the downs in my life to tell you about my forgetfulness. That evening while I was taking my usual walk, I reached the open ground where political parties held rallies and meetings. Loud speakers blared the speech by a party stalwart - a female - which was being translated into the vernacular by someone. I listened and found the speaker was promising the sky which would transform the country into ...
Fred and Kate had been married 5 years. Fred was now 45 and Kate was 30. She had been charmed by the pharmacist 15 years senior and had married him. He was self-employed as he ran a chemist’s shop, whereas she worked for a finance company. Though his shop was doing well and had a regular high income, he remained wary about expenditure. He lived in a one room apartment of a high rise apartment complex. That morning Kate brought Fred his breakfast when he was in bed. He sat up and drew a foldable tray to his bed. Kate laid out the dishes on th...
Submitted to Contest #83
In the kingdom of Colada, on earth ‘s twin planet Gaia evolving 800 years behind, there lived on Island-55, Jenk a judge who was about 40. He was tall, fair and handsome. One day while he had gone marketing he saw an elderly man paying the lighthouse toll and asked “Where’re you from?” “I’m from Anaka. I’m a wizard. I’m here for a 10 day stay.” Jenk said “I’m a judge here and have lived all forty years of my life here. I’ve never been out of I-55. I long to visit Anaka about which I’ve heard a lot.” “It’s very simple. Think ...
This story is set on planet Gaia2 – earth’s twin which is still evolving about eight centuries behind. The state of Colada on the shore of the Serelia sea was normally prosperous, but it was now hit by Nature’s calamity and the king was desperate for money. He had created a lottery with a big sum as reward. Agricultural baron Talifer said he would make a significant contribution provided he was given Island 55. The king conferred with his chief minister. The CM said “Island 55 is mainly mountainous and, who knows, it could face volcanic acti...
Monica was 32, tall, fairly good-looking with her shoulder length hair combed neatly and flowing down her shoulders. She had studied to be a vet and had become a competent animal surgeon. She lived in the third floor of a flat in a high rise apartment complex with an elderly live-in woman to help. Monica would be at the elevator exactly at 8 when a tall young man would come down from the sixth floor and pause at the third floor to pick her up. Though bald he was handsome and they became acquainted, and after a time love blossomed. When ...
Another lap and he was out of the Serelia sea and was resting on the sand on the shore. The Serelia sea is on the planet Gaia2 which is earth’s twin and is still evolving behind earth by about 800 years. Though it was only early morning the sun’s rays were still hurting and he closed his eyes. A batch of fishermen now came as usual to fish and they crowded around the man lying on the sand. The man in control said “Who’re you? Why are you lying here naked?” The man said “My name is Harpo. I was crew on a boat which was wreck...
Submitted to Contest #81
I was in the stationery department of the mall to buy paper. I told the sales girl “This paper you’re offering me looks too thin. I’m sure if I write even lightly on one side the other side would be smudged and I wouldn’t be able to use it,” “That’s the only paper we now have sir.” “Right now I won’t buy. Thanks.” As I was walking out I saw Kitty walking past and said “Haven’t seen you in a long time. You look the same. I succeeded your late husband Dinshaw as the general manager of the bank. You chose him rejecting me. Why are we standing ...
Rahul was about 30, was handsome, tall, slim and fair with a clean shaven face. Not very far from his house lived dancer Malaika. She was about 27 and was quite good looking. She had shifted from dancing to run a dance school. Rahul had been introduced to Malaika by one of his cousins and he had started moving closely with her. People who knew Rahul and Malaika would say they were sure to get married. Rahul was a chartered accountant and worked for the family firm his father headed. The firm had an important client - a large overseas conglom...
I am Paul Harvey, a retired Brigadier of the Indian Army. I am becoming 75 and the date coincides with my 50th wedding anniversary. How do I look? I am very tall, fair, bald and with a big moustache which has also greyed. Besides I’ve become a bit paunchy. I had told my wife Nancy that our 50th wedding- cum-75th birthday should be observed very quietly at home. Nancy was also one who disliked publicity and she agreed. She had decided the menu with me and the dinner for two was delivered at my place. The cake had been delivered earlier. I had...
Submitted to Contest #80
The museum group consisted of Dame Penelope Finch, John and Silvia Reed, Henry Hilton and Gloria Bentley. Penelope 55, was widely read, had travelled extensively, and was the author of a book on museums of the world. Reed now 60 had been part of British legations and Silvia who was 55 had shared life with him. Henry Hilton at 45 was an American and had been the head of Hilton Foods and taking a break was now interested in museums. Gloria Bentley 35 was British, was the daughter of a British diplomat and was interested in museums. The gr...
Submitted to Contest #79
This story occurs in the Yala territory of planet Gaia2 which is earth’s twin but is still evolving, and is behind earth by about 800 years. The river Ubangi flowing in Yala made the place fertile. Agriculture flourished and people there were happy. In the region in which this story is sited there were two small kingdoms Nuttum and Ragala next to each other. The chief of Nuttum was Beira. One day as per custom, Beira summoned representatives of his people to make an important announcement:” I Beira, have this day crossed the age of 90. As yo...
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