This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 37; the thirty-seventh edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The theme for the month is "Truth is stranger than fiction"
"Maa,
today I have a strong desire to listen your bed time story," I pestered my
mother to narrate me a story. I always remember that my mother used to narrate me
stories that happened around her. She used to tell me about the home she visits
every day. Every day she came back , she would tell about the woman, her
husband and her daughter.
"No,
darling! Not today," she replied me.
"Mom..Not fair," I grimaced and continued, "You have to tell me."
"Mom..Not fair," I grimaced and continued, "You have to tell me."
"Please
understand," she said and added, "I am tired today." She seemed
tired. She used to visit every house in the neighbourhood and would accumulate
food that she finds. She would get those for me. I could say that I gorge over
a variety of food items collected by my mother.
"Nooo...Momma...you
have to tell me," I got vexed for once.
"You
can never understand your mothers plight, darling," she said with a
straight face.
"Fine,
you will know when I die because of fatigue and tiredness," she said , her
voice low.
"Mom..Please
don't say that for God sake," I said and continued, "I only have
you...I have neither my father’s support nor any relative who would provide me
with guidance in case of your absence."
"So
you care for me, right?" she asked.
"Yes,
maa."
"If
it is so, then allow me to take rest," she said. "But maa!" I
said and continued, "I only told you what my heart desired."
"Ok.
Maa, you sleep," I smiled at my mother.
"Good
Night, darling," she said, closing her eyes. I looked at my mother as she
slept. She looked like an angel. I wish I could do something to support her. I
was being young and I was depended on my mother for all my basic amenities.
I
contemplated for a while on ways I could do something to help my mother. I feel
unhappy to see her loitering around every house and street in search of food.
My eyes turned moist for once.
"You
remember I used to talk about
Brinda." I heard my mother’s voice.
"Maaa...I
thought you were asleep," I riposted.
"Can I sleep after seeing tears on my loved ones eyes? " she asked and said, "A mothers heart is
vulnerable and fragile to see her children in distress," she smiled.
"Yes,
I do remember her," I said and continued, "You always used to tell me
about her life."
"What
happened to her, mother?" I curiously asked her.
"Nothing
happened!" She replied.
I
remember that Brinda used to love a guy. Maa would tell me about that girl. I
was so impressed by her narration that my heart would yearn to meet this
beautiful girl. It seemed her parents never wanted her to get married to the
man she liked. Of course, any parents would think about the betterment of their
children. It’s sad that people these days have to be constantly reminded about
their responsibilities that they owe towards their loved ones. Unconditional
love is special and one cannot forsake their loved ones who have been following
you since you were young.
"What
happened to Brinda?" I asked.
"Today,
I overheard what she told to her parents," she replied.
Mother
said that Brinda was planning to elope with the guy she loved. She was already
planning something. It seemed mother was soon turning into an eavesdropper who
overheard all that Brinda spoke to her boyfriend. I knew it was inappropriate
to intrude into someone’s privacy but she was my mother. I can't explain the
goods and bads to her. "But isn't that wrong, mom?" I, like an
innocent child asked her.
"It
is wrong. How could one think of betraying someone who cared and loved
you," she said and asked, "you won't forsake me no, darling?'
I
looked into her eyes and said, "Maa, do you really think I would do
that."
We
remained silent for a while and said, "Mum, you are everything to
me."
"How
can I hurt you by doing anything of that sort," I smiled at her.
"I
trust you, darling!" she replied.
Brinda
was a part of our everyday discussion. Mother would not get tired talking about
her every day.
"But
Ma , you used to tell me that Brinda loved her parents."
"Who
never does?" Mother replied.
"Everyone
loves their family and at one point of time when you meet someone, you do get
blinded by someone's extreme care and love." she added.
"Thats
not good , maa," I said.
"I
know.." she replied and said, " Love is cruel... and truth is
stranger than fiction, darling."
"I
am not in a position to even inform her parents about her plans," she said
and continued, "How I wish to prevent her from eloping?"
"Mum,
I do admit that this society doesn't listen to us," I said and added, "We
have a lot to say but they don't listen to us."
"Summers
have already started and some people are so cruel that if we knock their doors
for thirst , they would shoo us." Mother exhibited a frown as she uttered
each word.
"Maa,
I want to meet Brinda," I said.
"Okay
fine, I will take you with me when I visit homes tomorrow," she smiled and
we crashed for the day.
The
next morning we woke up early and I got ready.
"Are
you ready, darling?" Mother asked me.
"Yes,
ma," I smiled.
"Let’s
go," she asked. It was the first time I was visiting a region outside my
neighbourhood. I was flabbergasted to see the little ones of my community
strolling around the gardens and playing with the beautiful kids. I observed a group of society kids playing Cricket.
"Maa,
look at that beautiful flower," I said and screamed,
"Flamboyant."
"Don't
go close to it," she said, pulling me away from the flower.
"These
flowers shelter the hazardous green bee's who tend to hurt everyone," she
said.
"Do
you see that blue building?," she asked.
"Yes,
I do see that," I nodded.
Mom
told me that Brinda lived in that house with her parents. "Let’s
peep," she said to me.
We
soon went close to the window from where we could get a clear view of Brinda's
room.
"Vishal,
I am packing my bags now," Brinda was talking to someone on phone. I
assumed that it was her boyfriend whom she loved.
"Yes.
My parents would not be home at that time...you could come home to pick
me," she told to him.
"Oh
she is so bad," I said to my mother.
I
derived one thing about her. She was too beautiful. She looked so simple with
her long wavy hair and that was enough to mesmerize anyone. I seemed to have
fallen for her beauty.
"Maa,
she is adorable," I said to my mother to which she smiled at me.
Time
passed and we both were dawdling at a nearby garden. We returned back at 6 pm. We peeped in from
the window of their main room.
"Mom,
dad, I guess you were going somewhere," Brinda smiled at their parents.
"Brinda,
our plans have been revised at the last minute...we are having a guest at our
home at 6," Her father said.
"Yes,
we have seen a guy for you,” her parents replied to her in unison.
"Maa..I
told you I can't think of anyone except Vishal," she riposted. I could see
tears rolling down her cheeks.
The
bell rang at 6 pm. "Brinda, I guess our guest has arrived," her
mother said and rushed to open the door.
"Wipe
your tears," her dad said to her.
"Namaste
Aunty!" the guy sought blessings from Brinda's mother. He bend down to
touch her feet. It was the traditional way of seeking blessings from elders. He
looked as if he belonged to an affluent family. He had a dashing personality. I
desperately wanted Brinda to listen to her parents and marry this handsome lad.
"Maa...he
is so smart and handsome," I said to my mother.
"Indeed,"
she replied.
Brinda
finally arrived to the main room with a platter containing tea glasses and
biscuits for the guest. As she came, her eyes met the eyes of the guest. She
dropped the platter and one could witness the broken shards of glass pieces.
"So
how is our selection?" Her parents asked her.
"Vishal..I
love you," Brinda hugged the handsome man.
"Maa...it’s
the guy whom she loved," I said, smiling at my mother.
"It’s
her boyfriend,” she replied.
"Mom,
Dad! I love you," she hugged her parents.
"As
I always said, truth is stranger than fiction," my mother said to me.
"Things
are changing and people want to see their loved ones happy. Brinda's parents
have certainly identified her plight and they have appropriately done the right
thing to see her happy,” Maa said and continued, "People are so
unpredictable at times."
We
both smiled at each other. "Maa, fly....Brinda is coming towards us,"
I alerted and warned my mother.
"These
sparrows can never stop chirping....such an irritating creatures," she
said to her parents and closed the window slide. With a jiffy of a second, we escaped.
"Darling,
life is indeed harsh for us. We don't deserve such crude treatments but they
can't understand us nor would they understand our chirpings," mother said,
exhibiting a sad face.
"We,
birds are special," I said and we both flew back to our nest.
The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Introduced By: Vipul Grover, Participation Count: 13
Great post.. never thought it would be some sparrow narrating this story. Great!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shrikant!
DeleteSuperb climax...nicely woven..btw when did your reach australia?
ReplyDeleteThanks Meow! Yes Australia! don't ask me how!
DeleteYes, indeed birds are special and who doesn't love sparrows :) A lovely story, hope the day comes when all parents would be understanding and yielding as Brinda's parents :)
ReplyDeleteYes Prasanna! :)
DeleteAs your story goes , time is indeed changing. Now a days parents yield a lot more when it come to love marriages . Let the good times prevail :)
ReplyDeleteI like your comment ;)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteToo Good- the ending was superb - Sparrow's Narration - tht came unexpected.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if it is intended- but i cud read a silent msg- on Humans behaviour towards birds. ( in the last line)
All the Best for BAT
I thought the theme could have been easily guessed.
DeleteI had given a hint someone in the trailing para.
"Summers are approaching and ..........."
Thanks Viyoma!
The ending came as quite a twist! And as Viyoma noted, I too felt a twinge at that last part where Brinda shooed away the sparrow from the window. One one hand, it is heartening to see growing understanding between parents and their children, on the other hand, we humans are still as insensitive as ever when it comes to our interactions with animals.
ReplyDeleteA very nice write!
Mixi (My BAT entry)
Thanks Mixi. I am glad that you like this story!
Deletethe climax was simply amazing...wonderfully written...loved it to the core :)
ReplyDeleteATB for BAT
do drop in at:
- Don't Whine
Thanks Karan!
DeleteNice twist dude. You have justified the pen name with such gripping take.
ReplyDeletecheers.
Thanks Pramod! :)
Deleteloved it. did see it coming that the mom and child duo are not humans! but liked the play of emotions,true to all living beings, man or not! :)
ReplyDeleteTell me how did you find out that the duo were not humans ;)
DeleteA good one... keep up with the emotions angle.. it's great...I hope it is directly from the heart.
ReplyDeleteThanks brother
DeleteThoroughly enjoyed reading your post. Though you have developed a fiction story but still in reality we could see that kind of love between mother and child in all classes and at the same time discrimination on poor by rich in terms of proudish, lack of respect attitude. I know everybody writes but not put up in implementation. Rich becoming richer and poor becoming poor..but one can analyze that love comes from humanity but not from possessiveness,discrimination after reading your post. ATB for BAT37
ReplyDeleteThanks bro!
Deletebro. don't panic, A leibster for you dude.
ReplyDeletehttp://likemymusings.blogspot.in/2013/03/leibster-award-ahoy.html?m=1
Thanks Pramod! :)
DeleteWow.. the narrator was the real mystery! I was wondering all the way about the mother and the child .. but did not imagine them to be birds! Good work. The end gives a different perspective altogether :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Aativas!
Deletesparrows are rare these days and so are such mother child relation,society is changing and sometimes for betterment
ReplyDeleteThanks Cifar
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteAnother award coming your way...
http://nehasharmahere.blogspot.in/2013/03/time-for-some-recognitions-liebsters_9.html
Thanks Neha. I should say that you are too kind :P
Deletea small token of appreciation for you HERE
ReplyDeleteThanks Apa!
DeleteWhat a story! Very imaginative and heart warming at the same time! Kudos!
ReplyDeleteThat was a very sweet end to a fantastic story ! You might wanna proof check it a bit as I caught 2-3 grammatical errors. But a beautiful narration nevertheless :)
ReplyDelete