Short-story

The View of a Wasp

Published

2 years ago

December 27, 2021

VOV Writer

Keshav Kadyan
Arwachin international school
Grade – 8

Chapter 1

I am a wasp. Yes, a wasp. Don’t be alarmed.

I do not sting until I am put in danger. So many of you must be scared of me. I am not going to bite yet. So yeah, this is a story about me interacting with a human for the first time.

It all started at my nest. My nest is in a red ’letterbox‘, as I have heard from the humans over time. The letterbox is on a red metal thingy, which I have listened to humans call a door. So the human moves the door every day and shakes. Yes, shakes! My whole colony is almost like an earthquake. One day, I saw why he did it, then I saw it.

Chapter 2

He was taking out a monster. At least I thought it was a monster.

It was a ‘cycle’. That’s what the human called it. Oh, did I tell you that I can understand humanese (as my folk call it) all well, but humans don’t even hear it when we are behind them, flying and shouting? So, one day, I tried finding out why he bothered us, and I decided to deal with him for once and all. A secret weapon is why human beings are scared of us—my sting.

Chapter 3

The next day, when he opened the door and shook my nest, I went and flew out of my nest. He got a little scared after seeing me, but I ran away and hid, and as soon his defense was low, I climbed on his back. You might think I should have bitten him there and then, but no, I would attack when it hurts the more; I needed to make sure I would kill or put him in pain for the rest of his life. I know it is a little harsh, but they make medicines for us as if we are some illnesses. So, I climbed on his back and held on.

As soon as I was fit, I started climbing his back to the neck. I knew it would hurt on his face the most. I was petrified of falling, and I couldn’t fly after him because he was too fast. So I held and climbed up. Then I reached just below his neck, and the wind was too strong up there, and I saw some water nearby and thought of my idea!

Chapter 4

I would bite him on the neck he would misbalance and fall. I have seen that people fall from their cycles many times. I stung him right there three times and left him. I knew I would die, but I didn’t hesitate—anything for my family. While I was falling, I waited for him to fall too, but he didn’t. He did not fell. I didn’t know what happened the plan was perfectly executed.

Afterwards, I saw that he had two layers of skin. One was blue, the other peach coloured. I had stung the wrong skin. I thought of flying away, but I damaged my wing. I fell. This was the end. I was going to die; I didn’t do anything. I felt sadness in me.

Chapter 5

I somehow saved and healed myself. And then I was flying, trying to find my nest, but then I saw that human again. Human and that cycle. You can’t imagine how furious I was with him. I flew towards him as fast I could. Yes, finally, my revenge, I thought. What a fool I was to think? I arrived quickly, but he went away without even realising my arch-nemesis. He escaped. I encountered him many times; nonetheless, he ran.

Chapter 6

Now I had the last chance, or I would give up my life. I saw and followed him and observed for a few days. After watching his routine, I sat on his outer skin that had changed colour and went to my home for the first time. I had no idea how much time. I went in and saw that those human medicines murdered my entire family and every wasp. I went to the human and started stinging him, but before I could even touch him, a giant human sent this smaller one away and put the medicine in my face.

Chapter 7

I died at the spot. And that’s how I am here as a soul in the upper world. So how about you? Are you a human soul? I hate humans, but we can’t be violent here. So tell me how you reached here?

Human said, “Well, you see the human down there. Yeah, he killed me. Nice folk his parents were. They are in the inner cleansing spa, I think”.

Wasp retorted – “Nice”.

(Photo Courtesy Eduardo-Gorghetto-Unsplash)

Short-story

Fury of Tomato

Published

9 months 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

Short-story

#Anecdotes of India@75

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2022

VOV Writer

India, an enigmatic and epochal country, has an unparalleled and flourishing cultural legacy, which we are proud to represent. It is steadfast and unyielding, and it will never be lost to future generations. This year marks the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.

Writers are synonymous with bringing about a renaissance, whether literary or social; they function as negotiators to mediate the country’s social and cultural difficulties and, at times, become reformists. They have a legendary imagination, a distinct voice, flawless creative control of wordplay, and the ability to represent reality.

Takhte Writers & Publishers in collaboration with StoryMirror launch the literary contest ‘Anecdotes of India@75′

‘Anecdotes of India@75’ acknowledge the unacknowledged. It could be a person or an incident adding to national ethos, and you as a writer feel that others should know about it. So, start thinking, exploring and writing it in a stimulating story.

Rules:

Participants have to submit their content on the above theme.
Winners will be decided on the basis of editorial scores.
Participants should submit their original content. There is no limit to the number of content to be submitted.
There is no word limit.
There is no participation fee.

Categories: Story

Languages: English, Hindi

Prizes:

Top 2 winners will be felicitated with the Coffee Table Book of Rs2500/- authored by Takhte Writers
Top 20 winners in each language will be published in an ebook by StoryMirror.
Winners will receive digital certificates of appreciation.
All participants will receive a digital participation certificate.

Submission phase – May 29, 2022, to June 28, 2022

Declaration of Result: August 11, 2022

Contact:
Email: takhtevov@gmail.com
Phone/ WhatsApp: +91 9311845524

Short-story

Twisha and Alex on Moon

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2022

VOV Writer

Reyaansh Bhardwaj
Scottish High International School
Gurugram
Grade 4

Alex was in his science lab carrying out his usual experiments. But, this time, he had thought of making a robot, which he wanted to gift to King Andrew during his birthday celebration. At that moment, Twisha came into the lab with Oreo.

Twisha, a year younger than Alex, is a sweet, pretty and short-tempered cousin. She asked Alex about his new experiment and shared her thoughts about going to the Moon.

Alex said, “Wow! Moon. I know you always wanted to go there. However, right now, going to the moon is more like a dream as we do not have a spacecraft. One day, I will take you to the moon”.

“One day! Seriously Alex. It doesn’t seem that near now. I surely want to go now,” said Twisha.

“Oh, Twisha! Don’t lose heart. I just remembered that Dr Peter is a Rocket scientist. He lives in the U.S.A, and I’ll talk to him about it,” said Alex.

Twisha replied, “Don’t make it tough. I will take you there.”

Alex was wonderstruck and astonished and teased her, “You are not a scientist. Are you a magician? HA HA HA HA HA HA.”

Twisha frowned. Seeing her annoyed, Alex said, “Ok, ok, so when are we going? How are we going? For how long are we going? What are we taking along?

Oreo heard the word going. He whined as if he should not be forgotten in their plans.

Twisha replied, “So many questions in one go. Bro, relax. We’ll go after two days on the full moon night.“

Twisha patted Oreo and said, “My Lil pup, I’m sorry you can’t go this time, but I’ll treat you with your favourite bone and peanut butter.”

As planned, on the full moon night, they both go on the terrace; Twisha asks Alex to lie down on the spread carpet. It was attractive, multicoloured with stars on it

Alex gets grumpy, “Are you serious. Is this your plan? Just lying down, and we’ll reach the Moon.”

“Have patience, this carpet has magical powers, and it will take us to the moon,” said Twisha. Her mind is burdened and overworking how to calm Alex and end his curiosity. Then, as in a trance-like state, she can take him and bring him back quickly.

Twisha picks up the crystal ball and asks him to focus on it and take deep breaths.

In no time, Alex exclaims, “Wowww! We have finally landed. It’s giant. Twisha, you know other names of Moon, its Luna, Selena or say Artemis. Moon is the only natural satellite of our planet and the second brightest object in the sky after the sun. Any object on the Moon will weigh six times less than on Earth. It rests on the tallest mountain, the Mons Huygens. Twisha, you would have read too, that Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the Moon.”

Alex, for hours, kept gaping and looking around in awe. He is surprised that Twisha has not spoken and asks her, “Hey! Why are you not saying anything? You also know so much. So you should share your learnings.”

Twisha giggles and pats Alex’s shoulder, “Hey, Bro, how are you doing? I think you completely enjoyed your visit to the Moon.” Alex rubbed his eyes and looked at her with his mouth open.

Photo Courtesy – aron-visuals-unsplash