SOULspace

  Like all stories, mine is a nested story. Stories within stories. Yet it starts at the very beginning - a very good place to start. When we sing we begin with DO RE ME , when we read we begin with ABC, when we tell a story we begin with... One upon a time.... there lived a 10 year old who knew a huge big tree! We had a huge tree near our lunch ground in school and the moment bell rang we would call dibs on who would get to climb the tree and eat while sitting on it. Life was full of adventure. The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton was my favorite book growing up and climbing trees was my favorite thing to do. Every day was an adventure. I was the Flame of the Forest ( Gul Mohur) bursting into movement, full of curiosity, colour and carefree was what everyone who met me told me. At that young age of 10 years, of curiosity and adventure, 40 seemed so far away and old. 50 was the age my mother would go onto have her first grandchild! I am now 49 years old and turning 50 ...

  Usually we drag our feet to go to school. But Hari dragged his feet to go home. He hung around the school until security chased him out, then he would slowly make his way down the foot path towards the bus stop. Almost everyday he would miss his stop and have to get off at the next and walk through the cross roads that finally led him to his apartment complex. He hated being alone in his house. Both his parents were working and reached home late. Every day for the past three months he had to go to their neighbors house pick up the house key and open the door. “Why cant I take the key with me Appa?”   “I am 9 years old, “Why do I have to go the Varma Uncle's  house everyday?” “Look Hari, you refuse to go to day care anymore and say you are old enough to take care of yourself. We allowed you to take the key but you lost it. This is the best way to keep the key safe and that way we also know Varma Uncle will keep an eye on you.” Hari almost choked at his father’s...

  Mala was very excited because Rani ma'am had announced in class that they were going on an excursion to Mysore and everyone was to bring 500/- rupees for the bus and other expenses. "Amma please give me 500 rupees, Rani Maam is taking us to Mysore in a bus!" "Mala Kannu, I will be able to come only on Friday to give it your ma'am, I have office work." "No Ma, Miss asked us to give it by Thursday only. Please give it to me, I will give it to her. I will keep it in my note book." said Mala "Mala, I am not so sure 500/- is a lot of money." said Amma "Please please Amma. I will be very careful." pleaded Mala. Then Mala had taken the money and carefully put it in her note book.  School was 2 bus stops away and that day the bus was pretty crowded. She reached school and first thing she did was to open the book. Hayooo, It was not there! She searched and searched, but just couldn't find it. For sure Amma is going ...