Short Stories | Fish-eye Perspective – Page 55

Free Pictures for Your Site

Posted on May 15, 2020Jun 12, 2020 by Shaily Agrawal

It has been around eleven months since I started this blog. At 290 posts, it is a little less than a post a day. Most of these posts are accompanied with amazing free pictures from Unsplash.com.

What I never tell is that nearly half the times, the stories are photo-prompt.

A lot of times when I am struggling for an idea, I go and check the website, save some pictures with photographer credits. And let the idea stew…After, say a few seconds or may be a couple of months, I reopen the photo and bingo! I have a new story!

So, I wanted to thank Unsplash for the awe-inspiring and story-inspiring images. I would encourage all of you to use this website to make your site look even more amazing.

No payment is required.
Crediting the photographer is not required, but still I’d do that to encourage photographers.
You can download low resolution pictures from the download option to save site space.

Please note that I get no money from the site to advertise for them. But I can never thank them enough.

Poetry

The Siren

Posted on May 15, 2020Jun 12, 2020 by Shaily Agrawal

She was a mermaid,

or perhaps a siren,

for her voice pulled

my heart strings

and her touch

made me sing.

I know not her age,

for I never could

come out of the spell

she’d put on me.

To me she was ageless

and so was our love.

She may have had

many lovers

but I was

her only constant.

She would hold me

against her heart,

and sing

and cry.

For decades,

or centuries perhaps,

I’m hers,

as she’s mine.

Fiction

Will-o’-the-Wisp

Posted on May 15, 2020Jun 12, 2020 by Shaily Agrawal

I light the lamp

in the deep woods.

Travellers beware

of dreams under

the forest floor.

They come back

to seek revenge

from men

who buried them alive,

like me…

Photo credit: Marko on Unsplash

My life, Poetry

Echo

Posted on May 13, 2020Jun 12, 2020 by Shaily Agrawal

Love was when I dragged you

to the college library

to finish your assignments;

when I forced you

to sit with me in the front

rather than with backbenchers

so you would study;

when I forced you

to attend college

on mass-bunk days;

when I gave you

quick lessons before exams

and kept raising the bar

until you could do no more.

What we have

in marriage today

is an echo of that love,

where you take

my place,

and I take yours.

Blogging

Hold Your Horses

Posted on May 12, 2020Jun 12, 2020 by Shaily Agrawal

‘Hold your horses’ is an old phrase to remind people to be careful with their words or else…

It is far more relevant in today’s world of internet publishing aka blogging.

Ever since I’ve started blogging, I’ve come across a lot of posts. Most of the wonderful stories. But some of them were just stupid concoction of information collected from random sources, thrown together in a mishmash, sprinkled with very strong words bordering on being rude.

One such post that compared Nicola Tesla and Albert Einstein called Einstein an average-minded man who seemingly stole the glory from the genius Nicola. There were no references to theories, no scientific comparisons–just flat disrespect. The writer must have been below 30 years since he seemed to lack the insight into the world in which these scientists operated–a world without internet where scientists work in closed labs and information travelled slowly through either telegrams or scientific journals.

Had Einstein’s existing family found about the post, and had they considered the writer worth it, he would now be facing a suit for libel. A screenshot of the post would serve as evidence.

Yes, unlike your personal diary, group chat or local gossip, your blog is a published piece of information. It can be used as an evidence against you.

Hence, be careful when you name anyone in a derogatory blog, whether Albert Einstein or your ex-husband. Make sure that you have strong evidence. Or you can add a disclaimer that you are a Blogging Jackass.

Else, be ready to pay the price. I promise it wouldn’t be cheap.

About the Author: Shaily Agrawal is an Instructional Designer with double Bachelor’s in Law, and Psychology and Drawing, and Masters in Business.

Fiction

The Pool

Posted on May 11, 2020Jun 12, 2020 by Shaily Agrawal

The pool in his estate, built on his brother’s suggestion, was meant to be decorative, until, in a drunken stupor, he tripped over his girlfriend’s long legs.

His brother ran out of the huge house at the hue and cry, and took off his expensive Rolex and Ray-Ban– dallying just long enough to ensure the ‘inevitable’–before jumping in the pool after him.

When the Police arrived, his brother was wiping tears off his girl’s face, while the Rolex and Ray-Ban lay by the poolside winking in the sun.

Image by Unsplash

Blogging

Invitation for Guest Posts

Posted on May 8, 2020Jun 12, 2020 by Shaily Agrawal

This is an invitation to all blog writers. If you love to write, or live to write, or write to live, or write for a living, please be my guest.

Working alone can get lonely sometimes.

I love company. Be my partner in crime.

My offer: My site gets 500+ views per month and a variety of readership from around 40+ countries, majorly from India, Australia, UK, Ireland, USA, Spain, Nigeria, Malta and Pakistan. The story with a link to your site is a chance to woo my 150+ followers to check and follow your site.

Challenge: Write an engaging post:

In English.
In around 100 words (10 lines) and/or one picture.
In one of the following genres: Poetry; Story; Memoir; Random thought.

Rules:

The final verdict on whether the post will be published on my site lies with me. I am not very picky but I share only what I enjoy.
The piece must be something you wrote.
It could be fresh or already published on your site or another.
I will not edit it.
Do not share a graphic post. Using obscene language or theme is a strict “No”.

Modus Operandi:

Do not send a link to the post.
Write/Paste it on the email and send it to shailygrwl@gmail.com
Attach pics separately. Do not send more than 1 image.
Send the link to your website, if you wish.

Since I am a working mother, I may take around a week to respond. I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

So, put on your writing cap. See you around, Partner.

Fiction, Poetry

The Night Bus

Posted on May 7, 2020May 7, 2020 by Shaily Agrawal

I took the night bus

draped in my wedding sari,

still adorned with the jewels

my parents had scrounged for me

over the years,

breaking their tender hearts

for raising a daughter unworthy.

I sought you

and the answer to

why I wasn’t enough for you.

I hope, they wouldn’t

cremate my body

before I reach you.

Photo by @5tep5 on Unsplash

Nature stories

My Neighbours: The Performers

Posted on May 5, 2020Jun 12, 2020 by Shaily Agrawal

Author’s note: More backyard news–A huge number of our neighbours have been knocking on our windows for various reasons. I have dedicated them a series.

My favourite Bulbul (Indian Nightingale) had been singing too many solos of late. I, as his dedicated fan, would stand at my window and watch him perform. But I was getting worried about his bachelor status and the desperation creeping up in his notes.

A few days back, I saw him take a quick bath in the famous birdbath across the street. A few minutes later, he was stalking another Bulbul from one tree to another. He would perch right next to her and she would fly away, then he would tail her closely. I wanted to tell him that it was creepy and rude, and a sure way to piss off girls, but well, what do I know of avian courtship rules? Anyway, it might not even be a girl…I mean, how would I know? There are no gender markers.

Yesterday, he knocked on my window in the afternoon–my star had brought a co-star along. He hopped back on the branch where she(?) was perched as I walked to my window with my camera. On the count of three, the rockstar couple started performing. They filled my room with Love-filled twittering for the next 9 minutes, while my husband sat with his headphones on, oblivious…

Their first duet inspired this poster. After lockdown ends, I’ll print it on T-Shirts and Coffee Mugs, and become a millionaire.