Picture it & Write

May29

ermilia

 

“Have you brought it?” asked Sam

“Yes.” said Dilip, taking out a pack

Sam snatched it from him and opened it. It contained soft brown powder. He knew it would taste great.

Dilip and Sam, in their early teens, always met in the lighthouse, far from their village. They were already privy to robbery and smoking. The powder was a new attraction.

They heard a cough behind them. An old man huddled in a corner.

“What is that heavenly fragrance?” he asked in a shaky voice, coughing.

“This is nothing for you, grandpa.” said Sam, hiding the powder.

“Whom did you call, ‘grandpa?’”, asked the man, rising up. “Are you blind? I am just 29.” He fell down, shaking weakly and coughing again. His hands were shrunk and bruised.

The two boys stared at him.

“Give it to me. I have been using these for the past 15 years.”

The boys looked at each other and slowly edged away. The powder lay alone behind them. They would never touch it again.

This was written for Ermilia’s Picture it & Write.

Old & Alone – Alastair’s Photo Fiction

May27

alastair photo fiction

Shaaf sat alone in the house, nursing his tea. He had been alone since Firdous left him. He did not even remember the time now. The delightful rhythm of drizzle grew into heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning. Water leaked from the ceiling, soaking the entire kitchen. Shaaf tried to shield his eyes from the flash of lightning when he beheld Firdous outside the door. She held two bags filled with groceries and vegetables.

He shouted for his son, Taariq, to open the door. Had he gone to college or left home already? No, he was still sleeping in the cradle. Shaaf walked out with muddled thoughts.

He plucked a rose on the way. He would propose to Firdous today. He needed to hurry before her cousin got to her. He knew that her cousin had the same intentions. Shaaf fell heavily on the muddy pavement. He was still as petals scattered over his body.

Written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction.

Ligo Haibun Challenge

May27

Welcome to this week’s Ligo Haibun Challenge. As always, we have two choices for you. One is a topic and the other is a picture prompt.

The topic is ‘Cartoon’

Or

photo

The rules below:

  • The haiku/collection of haiku related to the text to close. The haiku should be as authentic as possible, with therefore no syllable count, no capitals or full stop, all ideally making 220 word max.
  • Wear the Ligo badge to the right with pride on your blog! And pin the Circle of Appreciation to your blog if you haibun is selected as an honourable mention!
  • Prizes are given on special occasions

Don’t forget to add your haibun to the link collection below.

The special mentions for the previous week’s Ligo Haibun Challenge are as follows:

1. Penny: The painstaking effort of an artist and his joy in creation. And the narrative ends with a perfect haiku.

2. Eric M. Vogt: We travel with the character on an emotional journey, which culminates in peace. Do not miss this haibun.

 

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The Final Book – Picture it & Write

May22

woman-reading-by-a-lake

Larry woke up, cold and shivering. It was the same dream again. The girl lay by the lake, reading, ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’ by Charles Dickens. Below the title, it read, ‘The finished draft’. How did she get hold of the completed version? This was Charles Dickens’s last incomplete work.  Larry just stood in the shore, looking at her. He could not swim.  The girl took her eyes from the book and her eyes widened in fear as she looked at him. She dived into the lake with the book. Larry noticed that her red shoes were in fact a tail as she disappeared into the water.

Larry was sure that there was a finished version. He was a fanatical bookworm and had read all of Charles Dickens’s work. He asked all the libraries in the city. He even put up advertisements. He is still searching for the ‘final’ draft.

This was written for Ermilia’s Picture it & Write.

Two Sides – Alastair’s Photo Fiction

May21

photo fiction

Jase rowed slowly; his eyes filled with pain, thirst and hunger. He laughed aloud. Out of desperation, he had drunk the seawater a few minutes ago.  He could see a whale eying him from a distance. No, it was just a dolphin, which held something in its mouth. A box! Jase reached out and grasped the box, almost dropping it. Some patterns were engraved on the lid. He opened the lid easily.  Upon glancing at the contents, Jase shaded his eyes. The box was divided into two parts. On the left side were sparkling diamonds, emeralds and other jewels. On the right side was a package. He opened the package to find a bottle of water and candies.  Jase gulped the water thirstily and gorged the candies.  He reached for the bottle again and noticed a paper sticking on it.

It said, ‘One side of the partition belongs to you and the other to the sea’

With renewed energy, Jase looked at the box for the last time. He took the package containing the remaining candies, closed the lid shut and threw the box into the sea.

Written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction

Ligo Haibun Challenge

May18

Hi Friends,

The Ligo Haibun Challenge is back. Our last challenge was held on the 29th of April. We sincerely apologize for the delay in getting back to you.

We have two choices for you this week. You may choose either one of those mentioned below.

Bells

or

Strike while the iron is hot – Chaucer

Here are the rules:

  • The haiku/collection of haiku related to the text to close. The haiku should be as authentic as possible, with therefore no syllable count, no capitals or full stop, all ideally making 220 word max.
  • Wear the Ligo badge to the right with pride on your blog! And pin the Circle of Appreciation to your blog if you haibun is selected as an honourable mention!
  • Prizes are given on special occasions

After you are done, do add your haibun to the link collection below.

The special mentions for the Ligo Haibun challenge held on 29th April are:

Sarah Ann Hall: A writer’s struggle and anticipation brought out so well in a few words. All of us can empathize with this haibun.

Peripatetic Eric: The writer brings each scene alive as you travel with the character. The haiku are brilliant.

KZ: Obstinacy is a gift, especially if you are all geared to achieve the impossible. An inspiring haibun that will lift your spirits.

Aesop Clerk: Aesop Clerk presents his knowledge and unique thoughts on foolery. The narrative concludes with an interesting haiku.

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Unrest (Part 3) – Friday Fictioneers

May15
Copyright - Sarah Ann Hall

Copyright – Sarah Ann Hall

This short story was written for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers. It is a continuation of my previous two stories. You can find Part 1 and Part 2 here.

The doctor waited in the bushes to meet Sal. Nobody knew Sal’s full name. He knew all the happenings in both the enemy camps.

“Did you give those fake pills to Mary?” Sal asked.

“Yes.” said Tony.

“We learnt that Mary’s husband wants to go back to her. He is too valuable a soldier to lose.” said Sal. He outlined their plan for a few more minutes before walking away.

Tony stood there, looking at him. He had betrayed the government and turned to the rebels for the safety of his family. But, he could not be untrue to his profession. He had given Mary the required pills to cure infection.

Mary looked at those tablets. She had made a quick decision while hurrying from Tony’s bunker. She had thrown away the pills given by him. Her heart condition, which she had kept from everybody else, was getting worse. She could not imagine the plight of her children left to the enemy’s mercy.

With both her children dead, it was her turn now. She chewed the sweet pill.

Unrest (Part 2) – Picture it & Write

May15

ermilia_pic&write

Friends, This story is a continuation of my previous story with the same title. This was written for Ermilia’s Picture it & Write.

Mary fell down as she limped ahead. But, she gathered herself and walked to the doctor’s bunker. The doctor opened his eyes to the sound of footsteps and touched the gun beneath his pillow. He identified Mary’s voice when she called out to him.

“Why have you come here?” he asked her, looking around.

“My son is very ill, Tony. You have got to help me.”

Tony disappeared into the bunker after he listened to the symptoms. He examined some tablets in the dim torch light.

“He is to take one tablet thrice a day.” He thrust the tablets into her hand. “I will drop in as soon as possible. Now hurry.”

Mary’s legs hurt as she tried to move fast. She heaved a sigh of relief as she reached her bunker.

Her son, Rod, felt the tablets. They were soft and spongy. He chewed one as Mary fetched the water.

“It tastes so good. I don’t need water.” he mumbled.

After two minutes, Rod fell down, dead.

Continued in Part 3.

Unrest (Part 1) – Alastair’s Photo Fiction

May13

alastair photo fiction

Mary walked stealthily, her legs throbbing with pain. Yet, this was the right time. She had to reach for the doctor before dawn.  Her children were sleeping in the underground bunker, her youngest still very sick. They had taken to underground bunkers from the time when civil unrest plunged their country into chaos. Her husband was with the opposing ideologists. She heard that he had married someone else now and was living a life of opulence. But, she refused to deviate from her support of the overthrown government.

Mary clutched her heart as a bullet flew, narrowly missing her. It was probably her husband or one of the rebels, she thought wretchedly. She looked at the sky, fearfully. The dawn was breaking through. She hurried to the doctor’s bunker, limping.

This was written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction.

Friday Fictioneers – In the Bar

May10

icon-grill-ted-strutz

“They have given me a week’s notice.” said Ronnie.

“For what?” asked Mike.

“To find a new job.” said Ronnie. “I fell asleep during the teleconference yesterday. They found out that I have been sleeping for the whole week.”

“Of course, they would notice. Why don’t you give up drinking altogether, man?” asked Mike.

There was a buzz near the bar. The bartender, after vigorously shaking the cocktail, spilled a considerable portion on the customer. There were curses all around.

Ronnie quickly walked over to him. “They lose their taste with shaking. This is how you do it.” He mixed the ingredients in perfect portions and stirred them gently. “Done in 30 seconds. There!”

Customers murmured appreciatively, while throwing tips at him. Ronnie looked up, embarrassed, to see Mike showing him the victory sign.

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers and Ted for the photo.