“I Write because…

January’s Writing Prompt Contest for all Writers and Poets

I write because behind me is a Cinderella box holding a beautiful story that was in deep slumber for over a half-century.

A shy, about 9 years old frail girl went to the dais to receive her prize. The school teacher holding the mike said this girl has written a wonderful story. It was the annual day function* at the primary school.

The chief guest smiled and stuck the medal on the collar of the frock, patting on the shoulder he said; when you grow up, you should write nice stories. The girl smilingly shook her head and excitedly returned to her mother with her pride medal and the certificate.

That shy girl was me over a half-century ago.

It was a holiday and while playing with my dog, I fell asleep. When my mother woke me up, I started crying loudly.

Why do you cry? You have slept for such a long time……

No, I was not sleeping, I was eating chocolate. I am upset. You should have allowed me to eat chocolate at least in my sleep. You never buy and always you say I will spoil my teeth. (I banged my feet).

Heh; I know you always dream of chocolates….. Ok, I will buy you a bar of chocolate provided you don’t sleep during the day, instead read storybooks with your younger sister.

That was the deal between me and my mother. Once a week thereafter, I would earn a chocolate bar for reading the storybooks borrowed from the library to my sister instead of sleeping in the afternoon.

So, the story that fetched me a medal was ‘about how I earned a chocolate bar every week by cultivating the habit of reading storybooks to my younger sister’.

During the function the teacher mentioned to all the parents; you must always encourage your children reading habits with a small gift at the beginning at least.

….

Years have passed; life is a journey, it sets its path; education, job, family, children, so many ups and downs……omg, such an endurance….

While swimming across the breadth and depth of my life I found no time to read any storybook.

In the middle of 2020, I could find some free time and decided to read storybooks that pushed me to think about writing. I entered Medium.

“I write because I still feel in me from the childhood memory, a shy girl with the touch of the pat holding the inspiration and now, a flaring vision. Whenever I find oneness with the amazing nature and surrounding life, I phrase my emotions and fantasies to share with my like-minded literary friends”.

Writing is for my bliss

Thanks for your attention Tara Desai …..

*In India, we used to have several competitions in the school like indoor competitions; drawing, flower arrangement, elocution, singing, story writing, etc., and outdoor like running, jumping, relay, etc. All winners will get medals at the annual day function.

Many thanks, Warren for your initiative that inspires several writers to phrase their thoughts. Warren "Storyteller" Brown