Learning to Breathe

We were given an assignment by our English professor to change the end of the story "The Jewels", written by Guy de Maupassant. And here is my version. Hope you like it!          After Madame Lantin passed away, M Lantin nearly followed her to the grave. His grief knew no bounds. He couldn't imagine life without her. All those days of bliss he had spent with her were now over. He yearned to see her smile once more, but he knew it would never be possible. His plight was now clear to him. The meager income that he earned was not enough to fulfill his own needs. Despite his grief, he continued to work at the Ministry; and he worked even harder, knowing the loneliness that would greet him at home.             A day after the tragic incident, M Lantin had received a letter from a wealthy man of Paris. The letter was meant for Mme Lantin, and it was obvious that the man had not heard about her sudden dea...

     I was just filling in some new recipes in my Cook - Book, when I thought of scribbling something too! So here goes; MESSY KITCHEN! Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ilaichi, How many sticks of Dalchini?? How in the world will I make chicken gravy, When I don't even know how to clean the chickens' body?! Mix, Fold, Beat and Bake, Why won't my stupid cake break? How many jars of sugar will it take, To finally sweeten this bitter milk shake? Oh Lord, Why am I in this dreadful dilemma? I've even forgotten my good, gallant Grammar! I wonder why I'm making dessert from Batata, I bet my brain's up to some attention drawing drama! If I don't grow up to be a kitchen smartie, I guess I'll just have to survive on Maggi! It's high time; I should stop being lazy, Get up girl, and learn from Mommy! - Maryam Kaleem

SHE FLED Days and weeks slipped by, And the Little Child with her dreams ran. On the endless Road of Adventure, With every step, she sang. She befriended the birds, She befriended the lambs. In her innocent, innocent world, Cobras didn't have fangs! Then dawned on her the dread of the night. Where would she hide herself? Where would she take her respite? Afraid was she on hearing the wolves howl, Who made these creatures, so furious, so foul? How would she escape from times of fear, When the tiger's growl was drawing so near! 'Think, O Little One, Think with all your might. All fear shall disappear If only you kindle the light.' Fire, she whispered, Fire is the key. Fire shall get me, Out of my misery! With strength and courage she kept on her fight, From start to end, she never lost her sprite. She relaxed in a cave after her long day, And thought of the miracle that had come her way. Did Fire speak to me? Did Fire itself guide me? She looked ...

      THE GIRL WHO SOLD A BASKET        Every morning my father made me go to the station at Deoli and sell the baskets which my younger sister and I would make. Deoli is a very small station and only a few trains would pass by. Father had met with an accident a year ago, and ever since he has been unable to work at the wood factory. Selling baskets was the only means left for us to earn money. With what little we earned, we managed to survive.        I was only fourteen then, and being the chirpy sort, I found it troublesome to sell baskets each day. The Deoli station hardly had any excitement; a tea stall, a fruit vendor, a newspaper seller and the office of the station master. That was all. No one got on the trains that passed, and no one got off.        Summer was the only time I enjoyed my duty. Deoli itself didn't bring any change, but the trains did. The passengers were more and there would be more noi...

One Step Forward Is it the hour of farewell, Are there only minutes left to say good bye? Has Time taken away my childhood, Do I have to leave with a sigh? But hasn't it been my dream, To witness the Wild? Now when the Time has come, Why do I behave like a child? The Little Child had dreamt, Always for adventure. Now when the hour is here, With fear, why does she shiver? It's been easier to dream, She said to herself. Adventure is a long road, And I don't know where to begin. I had once dreamt of the Ocean, I had once dreamt of the Wild. But I have no will to place my feet on this road, Grieved the Little Child. She felt the Breeze touch her soft face, Smiling, she breathed the new clean air. Outside is a fresh new beginning, With open arms is someone waiting for me there? Be free like me, Be free, hummed the Wind. Believe in yourself, Only then will you win! The Little Child stared blindly, She had once believed in herself. Even with the Road waiting for her now, S...

THE CALL OF THE OCEAN The sound of the gushing waves, Brought a smile to her young face. Running to the window, She witnessed Nature's grace. She placed her hands against the window pane, Far away, she noticed something coming her way. Wiping her tears, she gazed on, earnestly, At the Ocean spread all around - O what a wonderful scene! The rays of the sun danced on the ship's mast, Just like a net, on the ship - it's Light it had cast. Curiosity took over the little girl's mind, Behind the glass, is it not beauty that she'll find? In the dark of the night she listens to that Voice, Every night it says to her: Make Your Choice. With open arms, I call out to you, I yearn for dreamers, just like you. The waters receded, giving her a chance to speak, Ocean, do not be mistaken, for my dream is weak. Never will I be able to break these bonds, The view from here is more than I could want. On this the Ocean rose once more, Trying to move across the shore. Don't yo...

THE CALL OF THE WILD Loud goes the call of the wild, A cry, sometimes scary for the little child. Far away it is, beyond the setting sun, Deep inside, where the adventurous souls run. Can I ever go with them, The little child wonders. And at the same time, at the Thunder - she shivers. The little child feels that It's all a little game. But the Elders say - in it There is nothing so tame. Can I ever live my dream, The little child wonders. However hard it may seem, She knows, she can still do wonders. The Day comes around, She begins to creep. Without a sound, She is ready to leave. In the wild, she disappears, In the wild of her dreams. For all the coming years, She can do as she'd please. The ray of light touches her soft face, Her pretty eyes open, Unleashing her grace, Her determination - unbroken. The world around, although not mild, Seems sweet to her, Despite the dangerous rides. Flawless and free, in her world she glides, For after all - she is none But the litt...