Year 1920
“Of course we don’t send our daughter to school. Who will marry her then?”
Year 2020
“We are sending her for a professional degree. Helps in finding good grooms.”
Year 3020
“Yes, she is in the team flying to Planet Isis. Heard there are many bachelors over there.”
She had run to the park like a crazy woman where Britishers had opened fire on a peaceful gathering. “But surely, they would spare a four-year old”, she had thought.
Now she stood petrified, looking with glazed eyes at the mountains of dead bodies and wondering which one search first.
Image by unsplash.com
Daughter: Mommy, would you please read a story for me? I can’t sleep.
After 70 years
Mom: Honey, would you please read the letter for me? I can’t find my glasses.
The cuckoo looked intently at the crow’s nest. The baby was making hungry noises while the dedicated parents took turns to feed it with their beaks.
She sighed. It was a little too late to regret…
I had a frustrating day at work. I was worried about timelines, office politics and impending performance appraisal.
When I returned home, my tiny daughter ran up to greet me. Once in my arms, she cupped my cheeks in her little palms. Looking in my eyes, she said, “Mommy! I love you!” She kissed me and ran back to her dolls.
She left me smiling from ear to ear…
Daughter: He broke my knee!
Mom: If I see the boy again, he will be sorry.
After 16 years…
Daughter: He broke my heart!
Mom: If I see the man again, he will be sorry!
Mother (on the phone): I stayed up till 3 am waiting for the baby to sleep!
16 years later
Mother (to daughter): I stayed up till 3 am waiting for you to return!
Mother to daughter: Would you stop painting yourself? I just gave you a bath!
16 years later
Mother to daughter: Would you quickly finish painting your nails? We are late for the party!
Mother: The ‘baba’ (old man) outside our door takes away naughty kids…
16 years later
Daughter: A girl at school has invited me to her home for a girl’s night out…
There was a bounce in her steps as she walked home after accepting the job offer with a reputed company. She finally had a chance!
Reaching home, she eagerly gestured to her mother. After a few seconds of silence, her mother raised her head and said, “Dumb as you are, has the new job crippled you as well? Get to work.”
Short Stories | Fish-eye Perspective 