Pooja Mukandan

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IVE WRITTEN ANYTHING....SO ITS FAR FROM THE REST OF THE ARTICLES, POEMS ETC. THAT HAVE BEEN PUT UP!!! 
PLEASE BEAR WID ME!!! MY VOCAB ISNT AS HIGH!!!


HUMPTY DUMPTY (version of 2010)


HUMPTY DUMPTY SAT ON THE WALL..
HUMPTY DUMPTY HAD A GREAT FALL..


HE FELL ON HIS PAUNCH
BOUNCED UP AND DOWN
FLEW UP ABOVE
AND FELL BACK ON THE GROUND!!!


HE WAS HURT REAL BAD
HE WAS IN ALOT OF PAIN
BUT, HE KNOW NO MATTER WHAT
HE HAD TO GET UP AGAIN!!!


HE BATTLED AND FOUGHT
TRIED WID A HUFF
THE JOURNEY SEEMED ENDLESS,VERY TOUGH!!!


SLOWLY AND STEADILY
HE WAS GETTIN THERE
NOW HE WAS SURE HE COULD DO IT
WITHOUT A SCARE!!!


HE WENT ON AND ON
AND NEVER GAVE UP
GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER
STILL GOING STRONG!!!


FINALLY!! HUMPTY WAS BACK ON HIS FEET
STANDING UPRIGHT, IN VICTORY!!!


HUMPTY DUMPTY JUMPED BACK ON THE WALL
FEELING PROUD OF HIMSELF,HAPPY AND TALL!!!


THE MORAL OF THE STORY
IS VERY SIMPLE, SOMETIMES
LIFE CAN BE HARSH
A NEVER ENDING STRUGGLE!!!


REMEMBER,YOU WILL ALWAYS
FIND A WAY
DO WHATEVER IT TAKES
TO MAKE IT THERE!!!


KEEP TRYING YOUR BEST
UNTIL THE VERY END.....
ALL YOU NEED.... IS THE WILL!!!!

Riccu Varghese

Pain, agony, melancholy and suffering,

Are what my bare heart echoes.

The sun shines all over, except in me,

I’m all alone, living an uncared life.

Touch your gentle heart just the once,

You would know what I go through.

Sometimes I wonder why not end it all,

But only for the three divine virtues.

You are not cruel, neither are you cold.

If only you open those benign eyes,

And be witness to the desolation I live.

Will you realize I have only cared.

Neha Malhotra

Following is the reproduction of an assignment we were given in one of the creative writing sessions. We were asked to list 5 things we’ve learnt.

I’ve learnt:

1.     I’ve learnt to eat out if my Dad volunteers to cook.

2.     I’ve learnt that an overdose of American soaps, Hollywood films and chick-literature can completely mess up an Indian woman’s idea of a man.

3.     I’ve learnt that individuals are far more fascinating than mindless groups with herd mentalities.

4.     I’ve learnt that the most predictable thing about Bombay rains is its unpredictability.

5.     I’ve learnt that sometimes it is important for things to end, people to go and for goodbyes to happen. 

Zoha Mahdi

Actually...
Somehow nothing is inspiring me at the moment  to pen down thoughts upon. One fact which did repulse me was that the beggars here don't put in any efforts to look needy in order to gain sympathy of the crowd passing by. You find fatsos, perfectly fine fellows asking for monetary help; wish I could tell them that "look miserable" or put in the efforts to have a shocking or a ghastly facad and perhaps you might see change ringing in!! The second thing is my concern for the kids selling trinkets in the locals, hope there is some organization backing or facilitating them with their basic requirements, they really go about earning the tenners very sincerely. Bomland (Bombay/ Mumbai for me) is a great experience which gets to you in an averse way at times as well.

Amal Shah

Inevitability…

At times I wonder what could have been,

Pondering over the sheer futility,

The sheer amazement over things I’ve seen,

Never cease to question my credibility…

Sometimes I ponder, is it worth the pain,

Pain and confusion, abundance galore,

My heart keeps bleeding again and again,

Continues to cause a constant furore…

My beliefs are changed, my faith does totter,

Chipping away at my pride and prestige,

Things continue to crumble and cause me a bother,

Until there’s nothing but a mere vestige…

I question myself, if it will ever change,

Then reiterate that my life is in vain,

Difficulties continue to hover in the range,

Proving to me, that I have nothing to gain…

Depression prevails, I’m disconsolate,

Overcoming it is a vague probability,

Until then, my life I commemorate,

Knowing what awaits me is inevitability…

Akshant Dhruvraj

At the End of Infinity

Remember me, I am what you left behind

I am the one that was waiting along the way

Screaming silently my name, and saying I am fine.

Questioning myself in the name of your faulty religion

Finding your follies and making them mine

I am that which you cannot contend with, and yours to fool

Stupid and ignorant, I am what you will bend and twist to your rules

Me, a demigod whose power is terrible but always misguided

I am who you promise utopia in the name of sacrifice

The face of your spears, who preaches a vice

I am the bastard child of anger and apathy

Who was standing within your ranks, waiting to be used

The one you taught only the religion of hate, the final weapon that you loosed

Surrounded by my mind, and your tainted ideas in which I was suffused.

I have come back to claim my much procrastinated revenge

I am the face of the misguided youth

The cannon fodder that was your muse

Your murderer, the one that killed with indifference

Do you remember me now, you so called vassals of a greater god?

Do you fear me my words and my many weapons?

Quake in your boots holy man, pray to your lord

And now read my thoughts and hear my voice

Preach your anger, hate and malice

Your gibberish that is nothing but a grating noise

Know this from now and to infinity your ideas will live on

Destroying the world like an everlasting song

You will baptize yourself in the vice that you find satiating

But at the end of it all, at the end of infinity, I‘ll be waiting.

  

Vaishnavi Lakshman

9,952 years of solitude

You ever noticed how a tree never seems to make mistakes, except probably when one of its branches falls on some poor souls head , who was walking under its shade blissfully unaware of the tragedy falling from up above. This mistake however, is debatable you see. A tragedy such as this could have occurred due to several circumstances none of which being the trees fault, perhaps the wind god up above blew his nose too hard , thus , caused a rushing wind to knock off the tree’s branch. Perhaps, Termites living on the tree woke up one day and found out that shifting from a tree bark to a tree branch diet would make them look a lot less uglier/creepier/gross-ier .Whatever the strange case maybe, point being ‘Trees do not make mistakes’. Everything about a tree seems to function perfectly, from bearing fruits to flowers, to shedding its green leaves in the appropriate season. This perfect tree is utilized by nature’s most wondrous creations, from a single celled protozoan to a complex primate such as you and me. However, the death of this life giver tree is not really a “big deal” for me or most of the 6.6 billion humans living on the face of this earth.  I don’t remember anyone mourn for a dead tree. Heck! I don’t remember myself even remembering a tree up till this moment of course. There is this strange perfection of a tree which makes it seem so solitary. Whether it’s a tree growing in an orchard, by the road, or beside a house, there is a sense of silent solitude that surrounds it. I am not really a Joyce Kilmer fan make no mistake, but as this devout catholic poet once wrote “Only God can make a tree”. A tree so flawless, that it has nothing to say to the lesser mortal world around it. A tree which is so inconsequential, yet important. So perfect, yet so alone. That tree in silence gives. That one single tree on a vast empty plain grows.

Sreekar Ch

As I walk away,

I look over my shoulder,

To see what was wrong where,

Decided by insane days,

My contemplation,

Of suffocation,

Could someone shed some light,

Let this pain wash away my tears and drown my fears,

Its just the way that life works and so does destiny.

The ones i called friends,

Turned out to be my worst foes,

My self destruction,

Creeping frustration,

Its all because of you,

Let this pain wash away my tears and drown my fears,

Its just the way that life works and so does destiny,

Let this pain wash away my tears and drown my fears,

Its just the way that life works and so does destiny.

I deserved more than i could get,

But something told me im special,

Thought otherwise but it ain't easy,

And maybe i could do better.

Let this pain wash away my tears and drown my fears,

Its just the way that life works and so does destiny,

Let this pain wash away my tears and drown my fears,

Its just the way that life works and so does destiny.

Kapil Sharma

Influence of Media in my life

The time and age I am born in I have since I can remember been surrounded by media in all forms. It has been sole source of information and knowledge. Doesn’t all information that reaches us in current times actually travels through some form of media? If I know my history today, that’s because I have been interested  in historical movies and listening to the All India Radio in my early childhood days is responsible for introducing me to some classic English music I wouldn’t have  found otherwise. Today these are the things that have shaped my choices, the fact that I had at my disposal knowledge of all that the world holds and then be able to choose what I like and dislike. From the soaps that I buy to the books that I read, media definitely has an important role guiding my choices by making me aware of them. Well, in the end I would just say it wouldn’t be called the age of information if not for the media and for me media has opened the doors of the world leaving nothing out of my reach.

Afshaan Karim

The prof walks into class, swaying slightly. The usual restlessness is replaced by dull shifting and moving as all of us take our places. While the mic is tested and the attendance sheet is passed around, there's an unusual murmur rippling through class. "Something's different today" says archit. Ignoring his observation, i try to work on being invisible so that i can catch up on sleep when suddenly, he jumps up and declares he's drunk! That's what they're all talking about. He breaks into a pathetic story about the unsuccessful stint in the industry, his hopes being crushed, his marriage not working out. Already very comfortable, some of us click our tongues sympathetically from time to time to express our (albeit fake)solidarity . He rambles for what seems like hours and now it's beginning to seem a little comical how we ever looked up to this person. Finally, he stops weeping, looks at our disgusted faces and realises at that moment, it's time to leave..

Priyanka Bonamis

It's another crowded train morning. The world flashes by in a blur of
green and gray, slowing down and speeding up with the steady rhythmic
beat of the train. She stood by the open door, the wind in her hair,
her colourful dupatta billowing out behind her. 'Just another shit
day,' she thought to herself thinking about the last couple of hours.
It began, as usual, at 4 am. Her much needed precious few hours of
sleep were interruped by the sound of the baby crying. Her husband who
lay asleep beside her, nudged her asking, 'Will you get that, jaan?'
Of course she would get that. Who else would, Ani, her husband? Oh no!
Heaven forbid he ever woke up to console the crying baby! What would
his mother say? She got out of bed, crossed the room and walked
towards the baby. It was times like this she hated herself for
finishing that third bottle of wine 14 months ago. Looking down at the
unconsolable girl crying in her cot, she softly said to her, 'Next
time i'm just going to leave you there to cry yourself out.' But she
knew that wasn't true. There was no way she could let her angel cry
like that. It broke a piece of her heart everytime she saw those big
eyes fill up. She picked up the child, putting her over her shoulder,
patting her back to sleep. Finally comforted by the presence of her
mother, the little tot fell asleep, thumb securely corked in her
mouth. And that's how it began, her day. What followed was the usual
morning madness. Breakfast for her husband, the in-laws, feeding the
baby, preparation and packing of lunch, one for herself, one for Ani,
a 3 minute shower, ironing Ani's clothes for work, her own too.
Kissing the baby good-bye and the mad rush to the station in the
crowd. Now she stood by the door-way with her few cherished moments of
alone time. Just her, her thoughts, her dreams, her memories and about
a hundred other women packed into a tiny space. 'How did my life get
like this?' she thought to herself. It was going to be one of those
days at the office again. Her ambitions for herself as a big shot
corporate bitch were replaced by feeding schedules, Ani, her in-laws
and a mundane routine that was repeated everyday without change or
variation. As she silently began to mentally list out the day's work
to be done at the office, the train pulled into CST. Waiting for it to
come to a complete halt, she stepped off, disappearing into the crowd,
just another soul in the sea around her.

Suruchi Pawar

“She has a beautiful heart” had said someone,

“She has a beautiful heart” had mocked someone,

But “she has a beautiful heart” had known someone.

Someone who knew all about her…

The love she could give and the power to hold it back,

The vengeance, the hatred, the guilt, the sadness…

But always more love that she could never lack.

Her eyes said it but her words never could.

Yes she could change it but she never would.

“God made me like this” was what she always said.

And, indeed, he did, a heart as beautiful and as red.

How lucky was someone to be with her,

To live each day with love that pure.

How blessed was someone to be a part,

A part of her and her beautiful heart.

Rajat Mahendru

A little something i wrote at espn for the website..

 

World football - The year that was

The dramatic qualifiers once again proved there is no bigger tournament on earth than a FIFA World Cup scheduled in South Africa in 2010.

‘Ke nako!' said South African president Jacob Zuma, as he inaugurated the 2009 Confederations Cup. ‘The time is now.' The time, in fact, will be next year when they become the first African country ever to host the FIFA World Cup

As the nations entered the final stretch of qualification in 2009, all eyes were on which 32 teams would finally make it to the 19th edition of the World Cup. Top favourites Spain and Brazil qualified easily, along with other big names like Germany, Italy, Holland and England. Czech Republic and Russia were the biggest names to miss out. Regular participants Sweden also did not qualify.

There was a brief period in the middle of the year when football fans the world over worried that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would not feature in next year's tournament. Their countries' stuttering form in the qualifiers had many fearing that the biggest competition in football would be devoid of two of the best players in the world. However, in the end, both Argentina and Portugal managed to make the cut.

The South Americans, led by Diego Maradona, made a real mess of their qualification campaign, especially in the final phase, leaving matters until the very last day. Maradona's eccentric formations and team selections faced criticism from all sides.

Maradona may be regarded as the best footballer ever to have won a World Cup, but his managerial ineptitude looked certain to rob next summer's edition of today's finest player, Messi. However, the team secured qualification in their final match in a dramatic fashion, although the coach's explicit rant in the post-match conference saw FIFA hand him a 1-month ban.

Portugal, meanwhile, endured a shocking qualifying campaign, but got the results when it mattered most. Though missing Cristiano Ronaldo in their final few matches, the team managed to scrape through via the play-offs.

France also afforded under-fire coach Raymond Domenech some respite as they booked their place through a controversial play-off tie. Their qualification was marred by Thierry Henry's hand-ball assist which took them to the World Cup finals at the expense of Ireland. The incident had the Irish crying foul and requesting for a rematch, something the FIFA blatantly refused. Reports of an impending ban for Henry also came to nothing.

Based on form in the qualifiers this year, Spain and Brazil look to be the firm favourites for the 2010 World Cup. European champions Spain maintained a 100 per cent record in qualification and did not concede a single goal at home.

Meanwhile, five-time world champions Brazil struggled slightly but still topped their group. Dunga's men have been criticised for their style, but they are effective on the counter and have plenty of experience.

England, managed by the shrewd Fabio Capello, exorcised the demons of missing out on Euro 2008 and won 9 out 10 matches in an impressive qualification run. Their form has raised hopes, and they are touted to have their best shot at the title since their famous 1966 triumph.

Defending champions Italy are weaker than four years ago. They were not very convincing during the year and did not fare well away from home. However, they still managed to top their group. Germany were virtually unbeatable at home and put up a gritty performance to overcome Russia twice.

With experienced players in their sides, both teams can be expected to be among the mix once the tournament gets underway. Germany, though, will have to deal with the shock death of goalkeeper Robert Enke, who had been tipped to seal a place in the national team for the World Cup before a depression-caused suicide brought a promising career to a sad end.

There are many teams that may not go all the way in South Africa next year but, going by their qualifiers, look capable of causing upsets. One of the first teams to wrap up qualification, Holland also finished with a 100 per cent record and conceded only two goals on their way to the finals. Serbia held France and trounced Romania 5-0 as they went on to top their group, while Denmark only lost one qualifier and defeated Sweden. Paraguay beat both Argentina and Brazil in the South American qualifiers.

Among African countries, Ghana and Ivory Coast impressed, topping their respective groups, with the latter remaining unbeaten in the process.

Australia were the dominant force from Asia in 2009. They hammered all their opponents at home and conceded only a couple of goals. Japan, who finished second in qualification, will prove to be formidable rivals as they were impressive away from home as well. South Korea scored 22 goals on the way to topping their group.

For some other countries, it proved to be a memorable year for different reasons. North Korea made the finals for the first time since 1966. New Zealand are back after a gap of 28 years, though their qualification was largely thanks to Australia's move to Asia. Honduras are among the 32 finalists after a gap of 28 years while Algeria are in the World Cup having last featured in Mexico 1986.

Across the Atlantic, the US cruised through qualifiers with an impressive home record. There will be a lot of expectations from them after their impressive show in the Confederations Cup. Their side's fairytale run to the final was the story of that tournament.

In fact, the eight-nation event in South Africa, that also featured Spain, Italy and Brazil, gave a small insight into how things might pan out at the World Cup next year. Having outdone Spain in the semi-final, USA led defending champions Brazil 2-0 at half-time in the final.

However, the fact that Brazil came back to win 3-2 hinted at what could be in store in 2010. Add to that upsets like Egypt's 1-0 win over Italy, and rest assured next year will not be devoid of surprises either.

All in all, 2009 was more of a prelude to the mega-event next year and it has set the tone for a cracking contest in South Africa come July. Ke nako, indeed.

Mehak Jain

BEAUTY IN AN UGLY THING – A GUTTER

Most of us by hearing the name itself think of the foul smell and the pathetic looking mixture of dirty water, waste materials, polythene bags,etc. without realizing that a gutter alleviates water buildup on a street, allowing pedestrians to pass without walking through puddles and reducing the risk of hydroplaning by road vehicles.

A Gutter absorbs the ugliness of the streets so that the common man is saved from the hassles of walking on the streets full of all the filthy things that are dumped in it and prevents road accidents. The dark coloured water takes along with it all the negativity that we do not want in our lives leaving behind a smell that reminds us of its presence. The cluster of mosquitoes and insects are continuously around it just like the honey bees around their beehives. The sound of the running water in a gutter reminds one of the fresh water of a river flowing by.The water  and some other waste material feeds the stray animals who are homeless and no other access to proper food. There are people who need to attend to nature’s call at any point of time and use these gutters as a medium to lighten their full bladders.

Gutters were a frequent talking point of English playwright Oscar Wilde who claimed that all of humanity lived in gutters, and attributed the worth of an individual to whether they were lying face down or face up in said gutter.

The Gutter reminds us that all the bad things in life are unwanted and sooner or later they come to an end just like the gutter water goes through the drain and finally loses its identity in the huge sea that engulfs it into itself.  

Benjamin Anthony

Greetings.

It has been long and I decided to make my come back by writing about one of my obsessions. Shit. Many people find shit repulsive, I wonder why. Anyway, given my liking for the above said shit, I decided to classify the types of shit (Yes, there are types.) much like my previous article on farts. So let the shit flow! =)

I'll get right down to it,

Shit-cyclopedia:

1) The Shart - This is a crossbreed of the Shit and the Fart. Causes problems in your underwear.

2) Ghost Shit - You know you've pooped. There's poop on the toilet paper, but no poop in the bowl. Magic.

3) Teflon Coated Shit - Comes out so slick, clean and easy that you don't feel it. No traces of poop on the toilet paper. You have to look in the toilet bowl to be sure you did it.

4) Rabbit Droppings - When you finally get the turd moving it comes out extremely fast in small pellets that make your bum feel like a machine gun. On rare occasions these small pellets will come out uber slow and you will spend a good half hour getting just three pellets pushed out.

5) Hershey Squirts - slang for Diarrhea.

6) Second Thought Shit - You're all done wiping your butt and you're about to stand up when you realize it. Damn! you've got some more!

7) Pop a Vein in Your Forehead Shit - This kind is the kind of poop that killed Elvis and Catherine the Great. It doesn't come until you're all sweaty, trembling and purple from straining so hard. (They say it killed Kurt Cobain too. I dont know.)

8) Bali Belly Shit - You poop so much you lose 5 kilos. Say goodbye to Weight loss programmes.

9) Right Now Shit (a.k.a. The Prairie Dog) - You'd better be within 10 seconds of a toilet. Usually it has its head out before you get your pants down.

10) King Kong or Commode Choker Shit - This poop is so big that you know it won't go down the toilet unless you break it into smaller chunks. A coat hanger works well. Warning: This kind of poop usually happens at someone else's house.

11) Sopping Coin Crack Shit - This poop hits the water sideways and makes a BIG splash that gets your Ass-a-drippen'!

12) Wishful Shit (a.k.a. A Figment of Your Imagination) - You sit there all cramped up and fart a few times, but no poop!

13) Holiday Shit (a.k.a Relaxed Poop) - The kind of poop where you can take hours, without worrying about anything and think about all beautiful things in the world and relax your butt muscles.

14) Book Worm Shit - The kind of poop which takes a long time and you end up finishing a novel. Its a relative of Holiday Shit.

15) Cement Block Shit (a.k.a 'Oh God!' shit) - You wish you'd gotten a spinal block before you poop.

16) Snake Shit - This poop is fairly soft and has the circumference of your thumb and is at least three feet long.

17) Cork Shit (a.k.a. The Floater) - Even after the third flush, it's still floating in there. This poop usually happens at someone else's house.

18) Mexican Food Shit (also called Screamers) - You'll know it's alright to eat again when your butthole stops burning. Can also be called the Indian Food Shit. Use Water. Toilet paper catches fire easily.

19) The Frightened Turtle - The kind of poop that just pokes its head out then quickly goes back in.

20) The Bungee Shit - The kind of poop that just hangs off your butt before it falls into the water.

21) The Ring of Fire Poop- The kind of poop where you eat really spicy food and your butthole feels like the inside of a cigarette lighter. Relative of the Mexican Food Shit. This type of poop has a complication. A phenomenon I call "Great Balls of Fire" happens when you have "The Ring of Fire Poop" and you wipe back to front.

22) Gone in 60 seconds Poop - The kind of poop that happens so fast you don't realize what happened and you wonder whether the poop in the toilet is yours.

23) The Fast & The Furious Poop - A very close relative of Gone in 60 seconds Poop but this time you realize what has happened because your butthole is burning and is overstretched.

24) The Crippler - The kind of poop where you have to sit on the toilet so long your legs go numb from the waist down.

25) The Shitty Shitty Bang Bang - The kind of poop that hits you when you're trapped in your car in a traffic jam.

26) The Incredible Hulk Poop - The king of poop that sits in the toilet overnight and mysteriously expands to twice it's normal size.

27) Jack the Ripper Poop - The kind of poop that yanks out your butthair as it pushes its way out.

28) The Party Pooper - The giant poop you take at a party. And when you flush the toilet, you watch in horror as the water starts to rise.

29) Dirty Bowl Poop- The kind of poop that comes out in a million pieces a second, reminiscent of an avalanche - but with rocket propulsion, and splatters all over the toilet bowl.

30) Smearing Poop- A turd that's just barely able to fit through the drain and leaves marks at the bottom of the bowl as it slides slowly down. (I bet you HATE this one!)

31) Dry Dump - A poop that is really hard to squeeze out because it's really dry. Drink plenty of water to avoid putting yourself through the pain of taking a dry dump.

32) Sausage Poop - Long, slightly squishy, and liable to float. Generally regarded as a cross between a smearing poop, a dry dump and the party pooper.

33) The Windy City Poop - When you sit down, and fart for so long and hard that you no longer need to take a poop.

34) Oh shit!! Poop - You poop so much and wipe your butt so furiously you run out of toilet paper.

35) The Never Ending Poop- It's the poop that keeps running out, and just when you start wiping your butt your stomach gargles and splash! more poop runs out. This always happens after eating at K.F.C.

36) Fire-hydrant - It's like a fire hose shooting brown, sometimes chunky water.

37) Cannonpoop - A combination of poop and fart. The poop lies on the end of the barrel blocking the way. Behind it is a giant fart wanting to come out. After a series of lurches (the pressure keeps building) you blast out the poop so hard it will blow the shit out of your toilet. Quite literally.

38) The Mothershit - A turd so big that it can barely fit in the toilet.

39) Havana Omelette - Brownish-Yellow diarrhea with some unprocessed food particles in it. Usually known to come out with a big splash. Once settled, this abomination floats on the top of the water resembling an omelette while it fries in the pan.

40) High Quality Shit - Doesn't stink.

41) The Whistlebomb - A fart preceding the shit. The shit and the butthole form a small opening for the fart to pass through and make the "whistling" sound, after the whistle, the poop pops out of your ass and splashes into the toilet bowl.

42) The Water Fairy - A piece of shit that drops perfectly into the water below causing the splash of water to shoot directly up your butt. Rather ticklish.

43) The Basketball Shot Shit - This is when you are so desparate for a shit that you begin to shit as soon as you drop your trousers, this inturn means you have to aim for the "hoop", you just want to make sure you don't hit the backboard or the rim.

This is the shit, nigga!!!!

Karthik Nambiar

Change is not inherent. 
It is environmental.
The myth of people changing,
Is just that – a myth.
Change is never welcome
It just takes over.
Men have hated change,
Ever since it came.
Fighting it is brave
But giving is wide.

Aditi Naval

Gods among Men

Since the dawn of human civilization, change has always been our constant companion. No other species on the planet has changed so much, and in so little time. From hunting, to farming; from caves to bricks; and from beasts to wheels. Change has been to our race what a caring mother is to a impish child, chastising and rebuking where necessary and giving a nudge in the right direction when needed. But for all the roles change has played in shaping our race, there is one thing that has always remained constant – Death.

Empires have risen, only to perish; lands have been conquered, only for the conquerors to meet their demise at the hands of conspirators; great deeds have been accomplished, only to fall into obscurity. No matter the respect that he commanded, or the power that he amassed, every man who has walked this earth has knelt before Death. This at least, is the notion believed by most. Perhaps, this is also what gave rise to the myriad of myths and legends regarding ‘The Fountain of Youth’ or the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’. What else are they, but the poetic creations of man seeking to defeat his greatest fear, if not in reality, than in fiction?

Why are gods depicted as immortal beings capable of great feats? In the Ramayana, the great gods and demons are said to have ridden into battle on great flying chariots, then surely the pilots and co-pilots of today must be gods, for they fly chariots carrying hundreds of passengers across distant shores.

Why are gods immortal? What is immortality? Does it merely involve living forever, doomed to wander the plains of Heaven and Earth? One thing that I do know for certain is that it involves besting man’s greatest foe, Death itself.

Immortality does not mean that one lives forever; it means that one is remembered forever. The gods are not undying because of some mystic power that they possess. They refuse to fade, because it is we mortals who refuse to let them fade. It is we men who remember them when we behold something wondrous. It is this faith, and remembrance that blesses a god with his immortality.

This leads me to believe that the ultimate harbinger can indeed be defeated. Not with a sip from the Fountain of Youth, for Death is sure to strip us of your physical husks. The power lies in our actions during life that strike the final blow in our battle with Death. Deeds so great, that they are recorded in tombs, retold in stories, and sung in poems. It is with our actions during life that we can achieve immortality in death. Plato, Aristotle, Archimedes, Isaac Newton, Leonardo Da Vinci, Babur, Akbar, Shivaji…these are all men whose actions have reverberated through the ages. If immortality is the right of the gods, then are these mere humans not gods among men?

Arjun Nayyar

POP! Goes the Weasel

Tick tock..

Tick tock…

I am a baby; I lie there in my mother’s arms, yearning for the sweet nectar of life. Hungry for a comforting touch or a loving embrace.

The board is set…

I am an infant, learning to walk and aching for attention. Ever demanding, I will be the center of your world whether you like it or not. There is nothing more important than me.

The first piece falls into place…

I am a child, going to school with a frown on my face and a tear in my eye. I hate my teachers; they keep me apart from my mother. I envy the sixth graders; they seem so happy, so cool. I want to be like them.

The second piece falls into place…

I am a teenager. I will get approval through any means necessary. But man, life is hard! Studying for parents, going for tuitions, finding time for soccer practice and TV, I’m tired of it all. I can’t wait to grow up and go to college.

Another piece falls…

I’m a young adult now, and it’s not what I hoped it’d be. Assignments, teachers, girls…they all drive me up the wall. Life was much simpler back when I was in school. Maybe things will start to look up once I start to work.

The tenth piece…

I’m finally working! Making my own money and settling my own bills is a wonderful change. But I’m responsible for myself now. I hate my boss. When I get to his stage, I swear that I’ll treat my employees with respect. Maybe I should settle down with a nice woman.

The board is half full.

Married life is fun, but it’s hard to find a balance between work and home. It’s about time I found a better job. This place doesn’t deserve me anyway, this way; I can earn more, and keep my wife happy!

The fifteenth piece falls into place…

I don’t know how my parents did it, but raising a child is hard. My wife nags me all the time, and my employees are completely incompetent. But I have to see this through, for the sake of my kid.

Almost there…

My son’s settled abroad. He’s married to a nice girl, and has a large house now. I’m glad my efforts bore fruit, he’s finally happy! Now I can finally focus on myself and my sweet wife…but I can’t, still need to pay the bills.

Any minute now…

My wife, my nagging, beautiful wife is gone. My son won’t get back in time. My health is failing and my eyes don’t see so well anymore. I yearn for a familiar touch, I don’t ask for much, just a soft caressing of my cheek would do. Why am I alone?

I stare at the black robed figure welcoming me with open arms.

My wife is there…smiling, but there is sadness in her eyes

The puzzle is finally complete. I see it now.

65 years of life, and I never truly lived a single day

But now, I’m out of time.

Tick tock…

Tick tock…