Short-story

The Tale of Birdsville

Published

3 years ago

February 2, 2022

Stuti Manda
Gitanjali Vedika, Hyderabad

Urbanisation has altered the way of living. Even the animals have started adapting to the evolving environment and social transformation.

Interestingly, the birds’ lives have changed in Birdsville too. So many new opportunities flared up, more jobs showed up, and most of all, their lives have become almost similar to ours. Tina, a House Sparrow, owned a real estate company, ‘Nests for All’.

It was yet another typical day in Birdsville. Tina was in her nest, reviewing a nesting plan for one of her clients, working on her Tweet-top, eating her birdseed cornflakes. Getting a client’s call, she quickly gets ready for work. While flying to her office, memories flooded of how her parents were not convinced of her becoming a real estate agent. But, Tina visualising good opportunities persuaded them. She had built an empire now; every bird who wanted a nest came to her. The words had spread to migrating birds too. Her parents were proud of her and regretted not supporting her back then. Reaching the office, her assistant Jenny, a purple Sunbird, came in and said, “Ma’am, the Camson’s are here, the Red Vented Bulbuls. Should I let them into your office for a meeting?” Tina nodded. Jenny scampered to the waiting room and brought them into the office.

Mrs Camson saw the office covered in green moss; the walls had Tina’s achievements framed and nicely polished. Two pieces of bark from a willow tree were the doors, and the table was made of Balsam fir. It was a sight to behold. Mrs Camson was impressed.

“Please sit”, Tina said.

“Good morning,” Mrs Camson stated, “I am Lilly, and he is my husband, Keto. We recently came to Canyon Park and heard that you were the best bird in real estate. I want to know your ideas before we discuss them.”

Tina said, “We have built a variety of nests and made them as close as possible to the nest one would make on their own, like old days with available materials.” She handed them a brochure. Lilly takes the brochure and flips through the pages. While looking at the designs, her eyes gleam.

Seeing this, Tina shows them another picture and says, “We have built a nest for Coots. They had a special requirement that the nest float on water with possible amenities. You wouldn’t believe it when Coots saw our design, they were ecstatic. And now they are our premium customers.”

Tina flips to a picture and says, “We have built nests for Baya weavers. Their requirement was several rooms with two entrances to the nest to accommodate hot and cold temperatures during the day. We customised it as per their specifications.”

Jenny adds, “We have built several office nests, also one that can camouflage for maximum security. The iconic Infocorp office nest complex was designed and built by us.”

Camson’s were quite impressed by the estate agents profile. Lilly persuades Keto to sign the contract, and they finally do so. Tina signals Jenny to take control and leaves the room. Jenny moves out of the office to get Homat, a Caledonian Crow, their design engineer. She gets him and introduces, “He is Homat, your designer; please tell him your specifications.”

Lilly gives all the details, and Homat takes note of it. He confirms the design and ensures that all specifications will be sent to their Birditt ID in two days.

While leaving, Keto says, “We have two chicks and are worried about their safety.” Homat replies, “It is a very safe space as Tina mam has an agreement with predator birds, and they would not attack.”

Homat sends the nest plans to Camson’s Birditt ID. It gets approved. Next comes the decision on the construction site. Lilly wanted a densely populated location so that they could socialise.

Tina called Clara, Clark’s Nutcracker, as she had comprehensive knowledge of the area. On Lilly’s specifications, Clara suggests the Banyan tree complex. The complex was ideal as it had two trees with above 200 nests built. The design work for the new nest took three days to finish. Camson’s were delighted to see their new nest and lauded the teams’ efforts.

Nest for All company celebrated their success; they stayed late-night dancing and singing, and the birds slept in the office. The following day, Jenny flew in with the Birds’ Daily. Tina was sleeping on her desk. “Mam, look at this,” she said, handing the newspaper to Tina.

“Tree cut down in Canyon Park, 15 birds lose Nests” was the headline. Tina was shocked and shaken; numerous thoughts pounded. She immediately called for an emergency meeting.

Her entire team, including Jenny, Clara, Homat, Jacob (a Eurasian Jay and their field agent), Kelly (Kea and a troubleshooter) and Amy (an eagle and birds-prey), rushed in.

“As we all have seen from the Birds’ Daily,” Tina stated, “A tree has been cut down. Our hard work and company reputation will turn to dust. We should stop humans immediately.”

Hearing this, Kelly takes charge and starts assigning initial tasks –
“Jacob, go to the area to analyse and report back to me.”

Jacob flew to the site and found tents were set up; heavy equipment, trucks, and a construction crew were on the site. He saw a banner and understood that a big mall would be constructed. He flew back to tell the news.

Kelly understood how serious the issue was, and they quickly come up with the plan. Tina was worried that her years of hard work were going to crumble. Kelly shared her plan to Tina, “Only way to stop this is to get the Environmental Activists attention. But, first, we should send pigeons in the 10’s and 20’s near peoples’ houses around the park and create disturbances. Then, eagles and bats sit near the park and scare the people coming near it.”

Plan executed. All the birds came together and started creating havoc on the people near the park. The people were vexed and could not understand how the calm and serene area filled up with the sweet chirping of the birds turned out to be a nightmare to live in.

The area soon buzzed in the news headlines, which grabbed the attention of several Environmental Activists. They started protesting near the park; the residents also joined in.

Kelly and the rest of the team watched this and were happy that their plan worked. Next, Tina calls all the birds and says, “We are about 100 now and, more will be joining from other parks too.” She instructs the birds to occupy all the trees. Canyon Park was filled with annoying chirpings, and the sky was covered with hovering birds. The sudden strange happening came to the notice of all people walking, driving and residing around.

News reporters broadcasted this occurrence, that how the birds are fighting for their homes. People started tweeting pictures from the park; this became worldwide news.

Finally, the government stepped in and ordered the company to immediately stop the mall’s construction and find another suitable place that would not destroy so many trees and nests.

Tina’s team was delighted as the park was restored to the birds.

Next day, Tina was on her Tweet-top, eating her birdseed cornflakes.

Photo Courtesy- Unsplash

Short-story

The Abandoned Soul

Published

2 months ago

February 25, 2025

VOV Writer

Short Stories – Kumbh Series

Garvit Agarwal
Lucknow

Writer attended a Creative Writing Course by Takhte Writers and Publishers

The sun hung low over the Kumbh Mela, casting a warm golden hue across the throngs of devotees gathered along the banks of the sacred Ganges. The air buzzed with chants, laughter, and the rustling of colourful saris flapping in the wind. Pulkit and Ragini moved through the crowd, their hands intertwined but their expressions distant.

“Look at them, Ragini,” Pulkit said, forcing a smile as he gestured toward a group of children splashing in the water. “So carefree.”

“Carefree,” she echoed, her voice tinged with bitterness. “Must be nice.” Her gaze drifted to their son, Akash, who stood a few paces behind them, his eyes wide as he took in the chaos around him. His fingers fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, a habit that had grown more pronounced in recent months.

“Let’s just find a spot,” Pulkit replied, his tone clipped. “We can’t stay here all day.”

As they settled near the ghat, the chanting grew louder, drowning out the silence that had settled between them. They exchanged a glance, a shared understanding of the growing weight of their decision.

“Pulkit,” Ragini began, her voice shaking slightly. “Are we really—”

“We have to,” he interrupted, the determination in his eyes hardening. “It’s for the best.”

Hours passed, the sun dipping lower, casting long shadows on the ground. Ragini watched as Pulkit knelt beside Akash, who was now fixated on a butterfly fluttering nearby. “Hey, buddy,” Pulkit said, his voice softer than before. “Want to chase that?”

Akash didn’t respond, lost in his world. Ragini felt a pang in her heart but quickly pushed it away. They were here for a reason, after all.

“We should go,” Pulkit said, rising to his feet. “It’s time.”

“Pulkit, I—”

“Ragini, we’ve talked about this.” He took a deep breath, his brow furrowed. “We can’t keep pretending everything is fine.”

With a heavy heart, they turned their backs on their son, leaving him by the ghat. “I’ll be right back, Akash,” Pulkit called over his shoulder, though he didn’t look back.

As they walked away, Ragini felt the weight of their decision settle in her chest like a stone. The laughter and chanting faded into a dull thrum, replaced by the sound of her heartbeat.

Later, as they listened to the preachings of a saint, a shift occurred. The saint’s voice boomed through the crowd, reverberating deep within Ragini. “Love is the greatest sacrifice,” he proclaimed. “To abandon those we love is to abandon our very souls.”

Pulkit stiffened beside her. “Did you hear that?”

“Yes!” she whispered, her heart racing. “We need to go back.”

They rushed back to the ghat, but the crowd had thickened, and panic set in as their eyes searched frantically. “Akash!” Ragini called, her voice rising above the chaos. “Where are you?”

“Stay calm,” Pulkit urged, though his voice trembled. “He can’t have gone far.”

Hours turned into days, and the relentless search for their son felt like a nightmare from which they could not wake. Each day, they returned to the ghat, calling his name until their voices were hoarse.

“Why did we leave him?” Ragini sobbed one evening, her tears mixing with the river’s water as she knelt by the bank. “What have we done?”

Pulkit sank to the ground beside her, his own eyes brimming with regret. “I thought I was doing the right thing,” he murmured, his voice breaking.

“Where is he?” She cried, her heart shattered. “What if—what if he’s alone and scared?”

They were lost in their remorse, the vibrant colours of the Mela fading into a blur of sorrow. The river flowed steadily beside them, indifferent to their pain, as they clung to the hope that somehow, some way, they would find their son again.

Photo Courtesy – Mr Rajesh Balouria by Pixabay

Short-story

Triumph of Connection

Published

2 months ago

February 25, 2025

VOV Writer

Short Stories – Kumbh Series

Rutbik Gupta
Bilaspur, Chattisgarh

Writer attended a Creative Writing Course by Takhte Writers and Publishers

The Kumbh Mela pulsed with life, colours swirling like a painter’s palette. Krish and Shreya squeezed through the throngs of pilgrims, their parents trailing behind, eyes wide with wonder. The air buzzed with chants, the scent of incense thick around them.

“Look at all those people!” Shreya shouted, her voice barely rising above the chaos. “I feel like we are in a river of heads!”

“Just stay close,” Krish replied, his grip tightening around her hand. “We can’t lose each other here.”

Suddenly, a small voice broke through the din. “Mama! Papa!” A boy, no older than six, stood alone, tears streaking his dusty cheeks. Krish’s heart sank.

“Shreya, we have to help him,” he said, kneeling to the boy’s level. “What’s your name?”

“Teerth,” he sniffled, wiping his nose on his sleeve. “I can’t find my parents!”

“Don’t worry, Teerth. We’ll help you,” Shreya promised, her voice softening. “Where did you last see them?”

“By the river… I was looking at the fish,” Teerth whimpered, glancing around, panic rising. “They were right there!”

“Okay, follow us,” Krish said, standing tall, determination setting in. “We’ll find them.”

They moved through the crowd, the rhythm of drums and chants echoing around them. Krish scanned each face, searching for a hint of recognition. Shreya whispered encouragement to Teerth, who clung to her hand.

“Look!” Shreya pointed, spotting a frantic couple searching through the crowd. “Teerth, is that them?”

Teerth’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Mama! Papa!” He bolted towards them, the sound of his small feet hitting against the ground.

Krish and Shreya exchanged relieved glances, hearts racing. The couple raised Teerth into their arms, tears streaming down their faces.

“Thank you! Thank you!” the mother cried, her voice breaking.

“Thank you so much, children. You’ve been our saviour”, said the father, with teary-eyed.

“No problem,” Krish said, a smile breaking through the tension. “Just doing what’s right.”

As the family embraced, Krish and Shreya shared a knowing glance. The chaos of Kumbh Mela swirled around them, but at that moment, they felt the triumph of connection.

Photo Courtesy – Mr Rajesh Balouria by Pixabay

Short-story

Fury of Tomato

Published

2 years ago

August 16, 2023

VOV Writer

Advika Bhatnagar
Shikshantar School, Gurugram
Grade 3

Alice, a nine-year-old boy, lived in the countryside of Tinseltown with his Granny. He was a stubborn and edgy child. He liked to eat whatever he wanted and didn’t care much about Granny’s words. This made the old lady very sad.

“Granny, Granny, hunger pangs! I want pizza and chocolate ice cream for dinner,” said Alice

“Wait, child, I’m making delicious chicken soup, healthy multigrain bread, and a fresh salad,” answered Granny.

Alice got angry when he saw salad on the dining table. He yelled, “Again, cucumber, bell pepper, carrot, and tomato. Is that what I will eat? “No, no, no, never, not at all. No dinner tonight.” Granny got worried and left the house to get his favourite food.

Alice was all alone. In anger, he picked up the tomato and threw it at the wall. The red pulp of the tomato almost covered the mid-wall. He was shocked to see the pulp turning into a monster.

“Ha, Ha, Ha, you stubborn boy. Every day I see you trouble your Granny for food. When you hit me against the wall today, I felt hurt. I will teach you a lesson. I am the new king of vegetables. I rule the meals,” said the tomato monster. And then the monster followed him everywhere in the room.

Alice was so scared that he was running in different directions. Sitting under the table, he quietly prayed, “Oh God, please save me from this deadly monster.”

Alice rushed to his Granny’s room, wears her hat and robe. He picks up the embroidered, favourite napkin of the Granny and moves slowly towards the wall. He wipes the tomato pulp, and the monster disappears right away.

Alice gets the lesson of his life to value all food. He vows to take care of Granny, as her belongings protect him. When she was back, he hugged her and said, “I love you so much. I will eat whatever you cook for me.”

The writer attended Takhte Writers & Publishers’ Story Writing Writeshop at Kalasthali, Gurugram.

Photo Courtesy – Andre Taissin (xRUJcUTEp6Y) Unsplash