Two Accidents

 The India poetry circle's WhatsApp group  gave a challenge to its members to write a drabble every day for a week starting January 4th 2026. A drabble is a 100 word story with a beginning, middle and end. However, being a  first attempt the word limit was fixed as anywhere between 100 to 200 words. 

<a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/image-auto-accident-involving-two-cars_25866280.htm">Image by fxquadro on Freepik</a>

A screenshot of two similar accidents involving a family travelling in a car struck by another vehicle at a busy point near city market; one in the year 1964 and the other in 2025.

In the 1964 scene, as soon as they hear the thud sound on vehicle being hit, all the people around including the driver of the other car, bystanders on the road and those in the nearby shops rush to provide relief and to take the injured to hospital.

In the 2025 scene, the culprit driver immediately speeds away. Bystanders are mostly engaged in watching and commenting and expressing anger at the behaviour of the culprit driver. Hardly anyone comes out from the nearby shops. A few are busy on their mobile recording the proceedings for a viral reel on social media.

When finally, an ambulance is arranged, it gets caught in the heavy traffic with most people reluctant to give away as they are concerned about their own individual priorities. (161 words)

Hope

The India poetry circle's WhatsApp group  gave a challenge to its members to write a drabble every day for a week starting January 4th 2026. A drabble is a 100 word story with a beginning, middle and end. However, being a  first attempt the word limit was fixed as anywhere between 100 to 200 words. 

Courtesy: Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

He had lost his job. His wife abandoned him, six months after the crisis. They had no children and his parents were long deceased. An only brother hated him on account of long standing sibling rivalry. What is the point of living? For whom should he live?, he asked himself and moved towards the sea with a single track mind. 

 Then a folk story he had learnt at school flashed through his mind *"Turn again Whittington, Lord Mayor of London". He turned back. He would live for the society, humanity at large. Next morning he received a communication informing of dream job commensurate with his experience. (104 words) 

*NB: The  Dick Whittington story is about an orphan who facing lot of adversities decide to leave the city of London. As he is leaving, he hears the church bells ring to the chimes "Turn again Whittington, Lord Mayor of London". Subsequently it turns out that a ship loaded with merchandise for sale at distant lands also had a cat of Dick. At one place the people who were struggling with rat menace were overjoyed to welcome Dick's cat and overnight Dick became a rich man. The story was written after a real life mayor who served with distinction for three terms doing lot of welfare activities for the city.

Duty Supreme

 

"Kuta thava karthavyam", my school princi wrote 

in the autograph book, at the time of leaving school 

Though long ago, seems like yesterday that the

sane advice to "Do your duty"

was given by teacher to student

At that time though, I hadn't paid much attention

to what was seen as "Big talk of adults" 

yet years later, I dwell and rely on those words 

for guidance and inspiration.... 

An advice so very relevant and most essential for current times

times, when people give scant regard to 'Duty' 

it is 'Rights' that they are concerned about

"What's in it for me?" 

Another valid quote to ponder over is

"Ask not what others or the country has done for you

Ask what you can do for the society and country" 

When duty is top priority 

performed without fear or favour 

if to this is added, as icing on the cake 

 "Duty towards the next generation" 

preparing them for future challenges 

then, success and a sense of satisfaction

 cannot be far behind! 

When more and more people, all over the world 

join the bandwagon, it's celebration time 

for it is thumbs up, not just for one nation

but for all of mankind! 

NB: This poem was composed for and published in the 2025 anthology of the Chennai Poetry Circle which was released in January 2026. 

Opportunity to Stitch

The India poetry circle's WhatsApp group  gave a challenge to its members to write a drabble every day for a week starting January 4th 2026. A drabble is a 100 word story with a beginning, middle and end. However, being a  first attempt the word limit was fixed as anywhere between 100 to 200 words. 

Work was becoming scarcer and scarcer in their village. As a tailor Pandu felt the brunt the most. Earlier they came to him at least during the festivals. He could then earn enough during the bounty season to see through the lean months. But now people preferred readymade dresses available in the nearby towns. 

Pandu was considering relocating to a town or leaving the very occupation. Someone came running to inform Pandu that there were visitors from the city at the “Big House”. “I saw three kids whose dress required some tailoring support.”

Pandu rushed immediately only to return his face crestfallen. “The holes in pants don’t need repair. They are meant as fashion in city”, they smiled. It is called ‘ripped jeans. (123 words) 

Birthday Wishes to a Special Four Year Old

Oh now, you have become a big boy Aiden

You have turned four years old !

Also have responsibility to care 

For a one year old, toddler brother 

Yes, you have mixed feelings with addition to family 

Not getting the same attention from everyone 

A sense of insecurity, prompting you to wonder 

 "Do they love me?" 

It breaks my heart as grandpa to hear 

You ask "Do you love me amma?" (Mother)

"Do you love me achan?" (Father)

Just look around you

Your little brother adores you

Look at grandpa, grandma on  mother's side

Or at us grandparents from father's side 

For us, you will always be our first grandchild ever! 

As for your parents, you will always be the first one 

to gift them the status of "father", "mother" 

Sweet child, never be in doubt, all of us

 Including elechans/uncle and elemas/aunt on both sides 

Love you and will always love you 

More importantly the good God 

Is watching over you, and every child on planet 

Showering blessings so that  little buds 

Blossom into beautiful flowers!

Happy birthday Aiden!!  

The Dream that Stayed

The India poetry circle's WhatsApp group  gave a challenge to its members to write a drabble every day for a week starting January 4th 2026. A drabble is a 100 word story with a beginning, middle and end. However, being a  first attempt the word limit was fixed as anywhere between 100 to 200 words.

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 He was nine years old then studying in class five. Those days boys and girls sat in separate rows not expected to interact. Their eyes met sometimes when students came to the corner assigned for keeping lunch boxes and water bottles. Then abruptly she disappeared, her father was transferred to another city.

The face of the girl lingered in his mind, came sometimes in dreams, sometimes in daydreams. What came of her? . How did her life pan out?

Years later, he accompanied grandson for a singing audition. Beside them sat a person accompanying her granddaughter. The face seemed familiar. On interaction, he got his answers. Same lovely face,  grey haired yet alluring as ever! (115 words)