Tag Archive | story

Friday Journals 19.4.19

Apr19

Three wishes

She looked at him; he was lying on his bed, snoring loudly. His mouth was open wide, bare gums were visible. He looked like a small baby.

His false teeth and specs were waiting for him on the bedside table. The night lamp was creating a blue circle on his sleeping face.

The curtain on the window was softly stirring in the light breeze. She sat up and opened her hand bag.

After fumbling for a while she brought out a small box in her shaky hands. It was a old ivory made box, she pushed a small button after quite a few futile attempts; the box sprang open.

A thick fume came out of the box and filled up the room.

“What’s going on dear?” Jay asked from his bed.

The smoke vanished before she could answer and a strange creature was standing in the middle of the room.

He was barely four feet tall but his face was old, shriveled and white hair and beard hung low down to his knees.

“Thanks for liberating me creatures.” He said with a smile. Rita noted that he too had too little number of teeth in his mouth.

“Ask me for any three wishes, I will grant them, but be careful about what you ask.”

“I want to live again.” Jay blurted out.

“OK!” the creature nodded.

“I want to die in peace.” Rita said.

“Granted.” the creature said.

She looked at her husband’s bed but could not see him.

“What did you do to him?” she asked in panic.

“He is right there. Sleeping.” The creature said.

She got up on her wobbly knees and made her way to his bed. A small infant was sleeping on the bed.

She gulped hard and then uttered her third wish, “Take care of him when I am dead.” The creature nodded and vanished.

Rita thought that she noted a naughty twinkle in his eyes.

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Thursday Fun n Frolics 18.4.19

Apr18

have a great day!
Love.

Sharmishtha Basu
https://shoptly.com/sharmishthabasu
https://paypal.me/sharmishthabasu
https://patreon.com/sharmishthabasu
https://www.amazon.com/author/sharmishthabasu

Some reviews on my Amazon books!

Apr14

The document with links for the reviews, in case you want to dig in further!

https://agnijaat.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/2.docx

1.
New! Troy reviewed wildflowers in bed of rocks
Touching in its elegance January 18, 2017
A collection of sixty-nine poems, with such themes as love, beauty, and fantastic wonder, I found this book an excellent read on a cold winter’s night when the skies are clear, with the stars alight so very far away.
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2.
Troy reviewed durgapujo duti shishur duti jagat
The Bengali text is wonderful for my practice in reading the script June 1, 2016
In this, the same celebration seen through two different perspectives, I found the poetry quite pleasing to the mind’s ear. The Bengali text is wonderful for my practice in reading the script, as well as a good resource for practicing translating between it and English!
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3.
Troy reviewed barir pujo durgapuja and kalipuja
Excellent! June 1, 2016
As a big fan of things Indian, this collection of stories is not only informative in its depiction of Bengali worship celebrations, but I found the illustrations throughout with a charm evoking mystery and wonder!
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4.
F. E. Esparza reviewed The prisoner of Sand Castle
A Thinker December 27, 2015
I found this book to be interesting to read. The stories are very short and entertaining but I feel they don’t end properly as some feel like cliff hangers. I don’t know if that was the writers intention to do. On the flip side it does give a reader thoughts to ponder on what happen next. So I do have to say this book does make a reader think and captures a persons attention.
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5.
Troy reviewed myriad colours of earth
Beautiful stuff! September 9, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, with the lyrical feel of its verse, and the accompanying digital paintings that enhance it. Most excellent!
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6.
Troy reviewed of dreams and reality
This is stellar! September 9, 2015
This one evokes thoughts like a those of a mind lost between misty puffs of down in the sky, reaching for, but always out of grasp, of answers to the very deepest of questions. Well done!
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7.
Troy reviewed the heart beats on
Fascinating stuff! September 9, 2015
A collection of poetic verse and digital painting, this book was well worth an evening’s read. Congratulations to the authoress to work done well!
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8.
Troy reviewed Meghparir Gaan song of clouds
Wonderful! September 9, 2015
As a collection of poems both Bengali and English by the authoress and her own art, this made my thoughts soar to realms afar, captured perfectly in graceful script and color!
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9.
Troy reviewed Butterflies from life’s garden
Wonderful! July 5, 2015
This collection of verse got me thinking about those little questions of life that seem so difficult to articulate in words, yet whose answers can be deceptively simple once properly considered. They are butterflies of thought, flitting about the mind’s eye and avoiding one’s direct gaze until viewed out of the corners, as it were, of that same mind’s eye. Great stuff!
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10.
Troy reviewed waves that became songs
I enjoyed this! July 5, 2015
As a collection of poems, this one was a pleasure to read through, while taking in the authoress’s evocative imagery, which supplemented the text wonderfully!
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11.
Troy reviewed Moments from the journey
Awesome poetry! July 5, 2015
This is a brilliant collection, with lively and enchanting images that add a great deal of color and feel to the text.
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12.
Troy reviewed Serenade of brush and quill: colours and words waltz
Very good! May 16, 2015
This is a wonderful collection of seven line poems, and made an excellent late night first reading. This does not disappoint!
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13.
Troy reviewed For Tagore – rabikare agnishatdal
This is so cool! May 12, 2015
I love that, not only is this a book of poetry and evocative imagery, but also that it’s written in two languages, including one I’m learning while still a novice.

I must thank the authoress for this wonderful learning opportunity, and a fitting tribute to the great Bengali polymath himself!
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14.
Kevin Cooper reviewed spirits of darkness and light
Sharmishtha’s stories are captivating. Her characters although purely original … May 6, 2015
Sharmishtha’s stories are captivating. Her characters although purely original bring some of India’s mythological creatures to light with a style of writing that can only be attributed to that of a true mistress of story-telling. Nothing is what it seems as each incredible tale keeps you wondering what is going to happen next with endings that are in no way predictable. A thoroughly enjoyable read!
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15.
Troy reviewed The prisoner of Sand Castle
Enchanting! April 30, 2015
This is an excellent collection of short fiction with cool Indian themes. I’ve always enjoyed Ms. Basu’s paranormal fiction, and this is no exception! My favorites from this are the collection’s titular story, a chilling piece titled Scarecrow, and The Woman in White, of strange goings on in a nightspot. Three thumbs up!
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16.
Gayle Walters Rose reviewed The charons: the ferrymen to hell
Evil pitted against an innocent March 29, 2015
This is a gripping tale that pits evil against the innocent. The story begins with the cruelty that our own family members can sometimes inflict on us and continues with a vindictiveness that sees no end as road blocks and terrorism are used to take down an innocent human being. And as unbelievable as it may appear, this scenario is being played out with many other innocents worldwide as those in power try to take down and…Read More

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17.
Troy reviewed The charons: the ferrymen to hell
Another good one! March 11, 2015
I’ve been following Ms. Sharmishtha Basu’s blogs and writings for some years now, and I’ve just finished reading this. It is perhaps the grimmest story I’ve read in a while. It’s dark realism is different in both style, outlook, and execution from the paranormal fiction she also writes. A story of life in India, it does not paint a pretty picture, but offers a warning, along with the discoveries and hard-fought lessons of the…Read More

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18.
David Stewart reviewed The charons: the ferrymen to hell
This is a great story of senseless malevolence and the petty cruelty that … February 15, 2015
This is a great story of senseless malevolence and the petty cruelty that people can inflict on each other. It’s an interesting look into the culture of family relationships and business dealings where everyone is out to get you.
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19.
Troy reviewed A bouquet of wild flowers
Thought provoking! February 1, 2015
A collection of 70 poems, this is an insightful work by Ms. Basu. If I must choose favorites among these, they would be her verses ‘Heaven or Hell’ and ‘Change your ways India.’ Good stuff to warm a Winter’s night!
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20.
Troy reviewed spirits of darkness and light
A good read, be it a dark night or brightly lit afternoon! January 14, 2015
Ms. Basu has in this book, a compelling portrayal of supernatural beings both benign and malignant. Here, she shows her skill in writing tales on the paranormal beings of India and the mortal characters who interact with these creatures as well. Very enjoyable!
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21.
David Stewart reviewed The Lotus of Fire
Five Stars January 12, 2015
This is a great little book with great poems and wonderful illustrations.
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22.
Teagan reviewed Serenade of brush and quill: colours and words waltz
Five Stars January 7, 2015
What a treat to have this at such a great price!
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23.
Teagan reviewed The Lotus of Fire
Lovingly Crafted December 14, 2014
This book of poetry and illustrations is lovingly crafted, and the contents are imbued with it. Kudos to the valiant spirit of this author/illustrator for getting her work out there and learning about indie publishing.
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24.
Troy reviewed Tell me a story
1 of 1 people found the following helpful
Great collection! December 8, 2014
This is a terrific compilation of micro-fiction, featuring a wonderful mixture of genres and skillfully done as well. This is one of Ms. Basu’s works that showcases her considerable talent as an authoress!
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25.
Troy reviewed songbird sings to sun
Wonderful! November 23, 2014
This is a wondrous collection of seven-line poems! Ever since reading Ms. Basu’s many blogs over the last few years, she has shown herself to be a woman of astounding energy and vibrant imagination, and it shows in her considerable ability as a published authoress, and this work is no exception!
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26.
Troy reviewed black mist and other stories
Brilliant stories! October 31, 2014
Perfect for Halloween reading! I love the way the author has with so many different genres of dark fiction! I must say, these are good!
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27.
Brieuc Martin-Onraet reviewed The Lotus of Fire
1 of 1 people found the following helpful
Great work! October 24, 2014
Lovely texts and art. Great work!
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28.
Troy reviewed The Lotus of Fire
2 of 2 people found the following helpful
Excellent work! October 11, 2014
This is a wonderful collection of musings, and a wonderful collection of insights into Indian culture, life, belief, and love. It would be interesting to see it also in Bengali language and script to practice translations on in study. Just beautiful!
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Friday Journals 12.4.19

Apr12

The tree
11.8.11

The ocean could hear his mournful sigh, carried to him by wind.

“Why me God!” he softly sobbed as calmer winds softly played with his limbs. It was full moon that night, the bridge from moon to earth was formed, fairies came down to earth, they scattered all around.

None came to him, ever.

Why will they? The powerful gusts ripped off the leaves at bud, forget about fruits and flowers. They have tried to decorate him in the first few years but now they have given up.

Someone walked his way this night, she was not a fairy; she was made of pure light, a soothing calm light.

“Tell me, what’s in your heart my dear? What’s tormenting you?” she sat down underneath him, her soft light made him glow like a magic tree.

“Why me?” he moaned.

No bird built their nests on his branches; they knew the violent winds will rip them away. But they sat down on his branches to recover their breath, to ease their tiredness and talked with him. They told him stories of the inland, where thousands of trees lived together, full of leaves, flowers, fruits; they gave home to the birds and other creatures.

“It was not God that ripped you away from your mother and placed you here. We thought you will not germinate, but you did. You became a symbol of courage to us.”

“We watched you every day, the way you braved all the storms in their full fury; the way you gave a resting place to tired birds that just could not fly any more- they may not have been able to build home in your arms but you were the harbor for their battered bodies when they could not take it anymore.”

“How can you tell your life is a waste? It’s lesser than those fruit-bearing, blooming trees of inland?”

The tree fell silent. A sweet light started to glow inside him. The angel returned to moon after giving him a loving embrace.

A young man with dreamy eyes submitted his canvas to his gallery- a lonely tree without a single leaf, right on the shore of an ocean, titled “courage”.

Sharmishtha Basu
11.8.11

Friday Journals 5.4.19

Apr5

The thing
11.12.11

She stared at the crib. A thin ray of moonlight was playing on it; right now it looked like the pale finger of some unseen monster reaching out to its own kind.

Yes, own kind.

She shuddered as a chill ran down her spine.

“Don’t be a jerk! It must be the effect of the drugs and lack of sleep. You must have been half asleep and half drugged!” she scolded herself.

The occupant of the crib, her new born son was absolutely silent, like he was supposed to be. He was only a week old; he was not supposed to recite poems right now, was he?

Well, that’s what he was doing, or at least she thought she heard him doing.

That’s what snapped her out of her sleep, the strange sound in room. She heard it as her senses struggled to come out of the haze created by tiredness and drugs.

It was not the voice of a baby, it was an ominous voice, it sounded cruel, cold and centuries old- hollow. It was babbling something in an unknown language. But that was talking, not senseless cooing of a small baby. She could feel the sentences forming and the punctuations used.

She sat up on her bed, trying to grasp what was going on.

The sound was coming from her son’s crib. The nurse was not in the room, she quickly went to the crib, as quickly as her groggy senses allowed her to go; she has been drugged heavily by the doctor because the pregnancy and the delivery was a hellish experience. \

“It will let you recuperate.” She has smiled warmly. “Poor girl! Sometimes it gets nasty during late pregnancy but I have never seen a case like yours.”

“Monalisa will take care of both of you in the meantime.” The young nurse has smiled at her softly.

She stood over the crib, holding its railing for support. The room was still swimming in front of her wide eyes,

The thing in the crib turned towards her like an adult being, it was not her son! Its face was white as chalk; two red eyes were glowing like embers in that drawn face; it snarled baring razor sharp fangs. She jumped backward in reflex and crumpled on the floor.

She lied there huddled in the cold floor too weak and scared to get up.

Then she felt a touch on her body.

“What happened? Why are you out of bed didi?” Monalisa held her arms to softly pull her back to her feet and then lead her to bed; her tone was full of compassion and worry.

She expertly laid her down on the bed and pulled the blanket to her neck. “I was in the toilet. You both were sleeping peacefully when I went in…” she said a bit apologetically.

Something is wrong with the baby.” She babbled.

Monalisa rushed to the crib, looked down and reached out to the baby.

“Don’t!” she whimpered.

“He is alright didi, sleeping as an angel.” Monalisa turned towards her.

“Are you sure?” she asked incredulously.

“Yes didi!” she smiled as she lifted the baby and carried him to her. “They sometimes look unconscious when they are sleeping, but actually they are just sleeping deeply.” She said in a reassuring tone.

She cringed as Monalisa placed the baby on her bed and switched on the light.

Of course it was absolutely normal! A week old infant bundled in a pink Johnson and Johnson’s baby blanket with Mickey Mouse printed all over it.

She stared at him for a long time then reached out with apprehension to feel his pink skin, it was warm and soft. He gurgled sweetly baring its puckered mouth to display his gums.

Monalisa laughed fondly. “He did not acknowledge me when I touched him. They can feel their mother’s touch even when they are fast asleep.”

She smiled wanly.

Days started to roll, the memory of that night was fading away, Monalisa never left her bedside after that night; that is, whenever she woke up she always found her on the small bed placed near the crib.

“I will be back on 10th of next month.” His warm voice spilled down the chord of the telephone.

Her husband was away from the country for last eight months, they both were heartbroken that he could not be there when Resham was born, but his promotion was announced right on the day doctor announced Resham’s upcoming entrance in their lives.

That will be the day when Resham will become a month old. She smiled softly as she watched him playing, wriggling his tiny limbs, exploring his own pink toes and making cute sounds.

She was sleeping deeply when she felt something was choking her. She gasped for breath and opened her eyes.

The room was dark, the night lamp was either out or electricity was out. The light of full moon was swimming in the room, making visibility quite possible.

That thing was sitting on her chest, something dark was oozing out of its mouth, then she felt a sharp pain in her neck, her hand automatically reached out to the spot and she felt something warm, wet. Her palm was smeared with her own blood. She pushed the thing from her chest rudely it slithered away in a lightning speed to a dark corner of the room.

She screamed and fainted.

Sharmishtha Basu
11.12.11