THE WITCH WHO LAUGHED

Listen closely for my story is old
listen hard for the tale be told
long time on the edge of the fey land
dwelt all manner of creatures gay
elves and pixies
fairies and goblins
wizard and witches
and all so strange

Strange and mysterious
was the land
strange and fantastic
if truth be had
All manners of magic
curse and cure
could be found under
every stair

In that land fantastic
lived a clumsy witch
Butterfingers was her name
it suited her all the same
Not a curse ,nor a cure
Not a bubble, nor a trouble
could she get right though
try she did with all her might

Still a merry lass was she
who laughed to see
her curses sprout wings
and ride across the toadstool ring
Her garden was home to many ideas
A bucket duck and dancing toys

The others laughed to see her fail
and she laughed too with all
never did she curse and shout
for everything to her was a hoot
Merry was she, merry as the birds
that flit across the skies
and laughed till she thought
that she would die

One fine day as the rumours flew
the king and queen with the prince
were passing through
They said the king was sad
They said the queen was sad
For the prince never smiled
nor ever said a word

The learned wizards said
Take him out
Let him roam the world
Let him see life is not for the sad
for there's beauty and laughter everywhere
Let him feel the power of laughter
Of an unfettered pure heart
Let him feel it set his heart and soul free
 And then he will be cured

Then as their chariot came rushing by
who should come but butterfingers passing by
As she saw the prince with a face so sad
She laughed and laughed oh so hard
The chariot stopped at a command
and the prince leaped out for a royal reprimand

The passerby all stood scared
oh what had butterfingers done so bad
Now she's had it, whispered they
She will be in prison till she is grey
The prince looked at her up and down
why was she dressed like a clown
Instead of a hat a huge flower adorned her head
and yet she laughed at the prince like no one dared

Why are you wearing a flower huge
and why does your bucket waddle
What strange being are you
that can laugh without a hurdle
Butterfingers bowed and said
A thousand pardon i beg you prince
but truly it was funny to see you so sad
with the horses  jolting you from side to side

The prince smiled and asked her name
Butterfingers is my claim to fame
The royal parents were shocked to hear
the prince talk and see him smile so clear
Ten thousand questions asked the prince
and Butterfingers answered without a hitch

She took them to her garden dear
and the prince laughed for all to hear
My heart is glad, he said
Nothing pleases me more my lad
said the king and the queen with tears
For we have waited for long your laughter to hear

Butterfinger forever you are welcome to our palace
Never fear for we hold you in our heart
Let it be known far and wide
with glory and deep pride
Butterfinger is the witch that leaves laughter
by the newborn babes and dreams
When anyone with a pure heart laughs
know that butterfingers is near
for laughter has no fear.

Daughter of the sky
a fairy tale to gladden the heart

In the days long past there was a princess
who lived in the palace of the clouds, high above the world
A pretty girl was she, the daughter of the sky
Her hair was dark as night and cheeks as red as a new born sun
She was graceful and slender;
 and a joy to watch for all and sunder
At dawn every day she would sit at her window
Combing out her long locks,
as the fog lifted the curtains to the world below.
Just then a sly crow perched near the window
grabbed the pearl pin from her hair and flitted away
as the princess tried to stop it.

Down in the valley a prince riding like the wind
felt the drops which rained down from the princess's hair
reining the horse he looked up, and saw the radiant girl up in the sky
"Sir, can you help find that thief of a crow who took my pin?",asked the girl
"yes, of course " said the prince as he galloped after the marauding crow
High over hills ; low over dales sped the black ribboned horse with the prince on its back
It ran through the nights black as coal and sharp shinning days
Never swaying or stumbling and still the crow flew high
At long last; the crow settled to rest on the highest nook of the tallest pine
And there the prince too cantered to stop.
Tying up his steed for a well earned rest, he climbed up the tall tree
for hadn't he given his word to the daughter of the sky to fetch her treasure
 though it lay at the edge of the world .

The crow looked on as the prince climbed the last few branches and then it spoke,
"Well, my friend, you have come far and in earnest
to take from me what i stole from the princess of the sky.
Tell me, why have you ridden so far for a trinket that has least value?"
The prince said, "I don't know what value she places on that clip but for me
her words and smile are more golden than all the gold in the world"
"Hmmm", said the crow,"Perhaps that's why you are a match for her.
Its been said that whosoever takes the time to risk all for a smile will succeed in love.
So, take this precious pin and go to your lady...but beware time is short and your love still new.
Maybe the love that fills your heart teaches you how to risk all
for though I am old yet have i loved and seen many falter at the brink.
Sincerely, I hope that you reach the zenith "

The prince soon clambered down with the precious jewel for his lady
and his faithful steed sped down the way it came.
Before long the prince stood at the pinnacle of the mountain
and reaching up gave the pin into the princess's hand
"Thank you, " said the grateful girl"What can i give in return?"
"Nothing, "said the prince, " except your promise that you meet me here forever tomorrow "
The princess returned a glad smile and promised the prince to return
Such beauteous days were those when the prince and the princess met
But for how long can such love hide its light from the rest of the greedy eyes

A shadow stood in the corner listening to the lovers talk
A shadow which steadily grew long and dark
A shadow which slithered away to whisper its poison into the sky king's ears
"Look," hissed the shadow,"See. I tell the truth.
The princess grows fond of the mortal
and the mortal shall rise to stake claim over the skies.
Act now. Separate them for then your throne survives."

Ill wind was it that blew that day
for who would have thought; a father for power,
Would not be heart broken to see his daughter cry.
"Forsake his love or forsake my love", thundered the king
Deaf to her cries and moans of grief
"Either see him no more or see him dead" said the stony king
"For you shall no longer be the daughter that I love."
All the tears that rained down was the sound of her heart breaking
but the old king heard nothing.

Up in the tallest tower sat the princess thinking sad thoughts
And down below vainly stood the prince even in the pouring rain
Flying above the sky  the crow saw the pale face of the sad daughter of the sky
And leaning in said "Don't worry. Your prince waits for you.
Be ready as the sun goes down the steps and the moon soldiers into the sky.
I will take you to your prince and that's my promise to you."

Soon the sun crept downstairs tired after a long day at the borders
and the moon stepped smartly over the ramparts to stare at the world below
Still the prince waited for a glimpse of his love
And there stepping lightly on the backs of the swallows
Who lined from the sky to the earth below ,was the princess
Come finally to meet her prince.
Oh! What a sight it was
To see the lovers meet

Soon all was told and the prince took up his bride on his steed
and rushed where the sky meets the earth.
There he came and boldly standing before the lord of the sky
Said the prince, "Lord and king of all that's above and below
I love your daughter and will marry her
and as for your crown...your head graces it much better than mine ever could
My only treasure is the love i feel for your daughter and the rest are all dross.
Grant me your blessing and the power to make your daughter smile
For that will be my earnings and the rest are all dross."

The old king looked hard at the prince and liked him the more
For who can resist a man who gladly gives his heart to his daughter.
"I am old and senile too, I think" thundered the crusty old king
"Who am I to deny the young love that shines so brilliantly here?
I gladly give you my daughter but only say that she forgives her father
and comes home sometimes to gladden his heart"

And so it came about that the daughter of the sky wed her prince
And the world rejoiced festooned in rainbows, it danced
So comes to end, my story and if you feel that you would like to step a dance
Feel free, my friend and I will gladly pipe the music.

How did stories come about

HOW DID STORIES COME ABOUT

Once upon a time, so says the story teller, there was a vastness all around. 

Nothing moved,nothing stirred, nothing was as it is now

In that vast cavern like emptiness ; a beast slumbered

It didnt know it was so it slept ; a dreamless sleep

Aeons  passed and the vast emptiness grew a little miffed

How long should that beast sleep it asked

"Not too long now", said a voice

And walking from that silent emptiness

Riding the billowing clouds of fog,cantered a youth

With the lines of the old etched on its forehead

Near that cavern it stopped and in a sweet voice it said

"Arise o mighty one! long have you slept.

Arise now for the vast emptiness needs to be filled

And the dreams behind your eyes should see the light of the day"

The beast yawned and grumbled but it could not shake away the sweet voice

So it rose and rising came out

"My dreams, say you...but I have no dreams to see"

The youth smiled and said :

"Oh yes! every dream that has yet to be seen

Is there behind your cavern doors.

Sit and I will tell you your dreams

Sit and see them walk out of those doors"

So saying, he took up a flute

And fluted a merry song

The doors that had remained shut opened

And out tumbled the dreams one by one

A merry lamb frisking about

At the heels of a child

The cow jumping over the moon 

Playing hopscotch with the spoon

The fairy, the giant, the lady with the golden hair

The witch , the gnome and the wishing chair

The pirate with a heart of gold

The boy with a cow to be sold

The mermaid singing a song

The witch striking a gong

All tumbled out, scampered and scurried

And the vast emptiness was glad

Now the stories will all be told

In the ears of the children bold

And that's how the stories came to be told,

AN ODE TO THE LOST WOMAN

Sometimes a scream trembles in my mind
Looking for an escape
But the tongue refuses utterance
It is a sacrilege
Don't say, don't speak, don't think
Put your head down
Pretend you don't exist
Pretend you don't breathe
Then perhaps they wont plague you
Wont crowd your mind
With lecherous thoughts
With sly coveted touches
Sit still and let them do what they want
Don't move for they can sense fear
They break out in laughter
Wild and abandoned
Beneath them stirs a shape
Somebody who now doesn't exist
They sit there devouring the heart and soul
And that which was known as a woman
Is no more
Rejoice for she is no more
For she will breathe no more
And the world has just turned barren
That is the end with no hope of the beginning.

Going royal with the gals

It was a foggy morning with the mercury plummeting south when the  dream of  "girls only" vacation came true as the Jaipur Shatabdi streamed out of the station. We, sisters were on our way for a vacation sans hubby and the accompanying baggage (pun intended). Yes, the train got delayed due to foggy conditions on the track but a glorious sun welcomed us as we trundled in at the Jaipur station. I and my sister couldn't wait to get started on our" holiday".

 Dumping our bags at the hotel we started making tracks for the city palace.The agenda was to get  up close and personal with the fabulous and famous Peacock doors. These doors had excited our imagination as they had been featured in Chitra Banerjee Devkurni's Palace of Illusions...a book on the heroine of Mahabharta, Draupadi. However ,before that we checked out the huge durbar hall with its marble pillars and art scattered throughout the room. Interesting to see how the lordly kings lived their lives. It must have been exciting times. Looking at the pictures and paintings one does get a n overview of how they lived and well....partied...
Pushing through the crowd in the hall we finally came to the Chandra Mahal, which was supposed to be the inner sanctum of the royal ladies and here we were rewarded with not one but four gates which lead to the boudoirs of the queens. These four doors represented four seasons of the Indian subcontinent :summer, winter, monsoon and spring. The doors held to their promise and showed us the mesmerising and detailed carvings of peacocks, lotuses etc.And there right there was the door which had haunted me and graced the covers of the book. It was green and it seemed as if there were doors on doors ,layers and layers like  a well written poem.
After this fascinating feast for the eyes we decided to go to the royal temple Govind Devji temple. its a small pretty well kept temple for Bal Gopal. He is depicted here as a baby so the time for the darsshan revolves around his waking time.It was a very cute and sweet concept  to think of god as ones child. Having said that ,i think that shows the essence of our religion which sees gods image in each living thing. The concept not only encompasses the world but also allows one to be at peace with everyone.
Then it was the markets for us.Frankly the markets in Jaipur are a sight for sore eyes. Colours on colours everywhere. You think of a colour and it is there ,displayed artistically as if inviting you to step into it and colour yourself in all the hues of the world. Rajasthan is one of the most colourful state of India though the geographical features beg to differ. The people of this state use more colours than the peacock...and it is beautiful. The markets in the old city invite you to take turns in their serpentine gullies and loose yourself in colours and smells. Fluttering sarees, dupattas, clinking bangles, shinning silver anklets, royal pugrees ; all vie for your attention and woe the person who can resist the siren calls. Well, we didn't. Soon our bags were full to the brim and yet our hearts still hankered for more. Gandhi Bazaar, Johri Bazaar,Nehru Bazaar and many more beckoned us to go on shopping till we drop.Fascinating they were.
Come evening and it was time to explore Chokhi Dhani- a heritage village resort which showcases the traditional food and flavour of Rajasthan. Once you are there you are transported to the very essence of Rajasthani culture,.. and the food ...awesome!!! Normally one balks at having a whole thali meal by oneself but there our appetites were having a ball. The fact of the matter is food tastes quite good when you are hungry or when the food smells divine. Well, here both the conditions were met.
The trip was at its fag end and nothing remained now but to board the train back home however the journey lives on in memories over a shared cup of coffee for always. Such is life. A kaleidoscope p 

Where Silences Rule

Where silences rule
Even a shout trembles
And dies.

Where hearts speak
Even a whisper shouts
And echoes.

The test of love

Some authors have a way with words which opens up minds and imaginations. What is writing if it is not a force to power the feelings and emotions out of oneself and onto paper to read and contemplate. Every writer writing is not only the learned but also the seeker....contradictory perhaps but true nevertheless. Each word which comes out of the pen is not his/her own but of a greater force which uses the writer as a medium to tell the world about the great unknown...yet it is surprising that even though reams have been written about the emotions which connect each individual;we are still at loggerheads and unable to understand that which is clear and shinning. Maybe that's the curse of Cassandra and the others who were touched by the great unknown. It made things which were supposedly clear hard to understand and harder still to follow.
The basic emotion of love is the hardest to speak about and harder still to follow. God made man in his image and told him to love his fellow beings yet that is the most  impossible thing to do.If god is love and he is the one who has made us then where is the problem of following his diktat. It is because Love as an emotion is fairly strong and impossibly convoluted. The feeling of Love is the simplest when one is a wee infant but it changes force as one grows older and interacts with others. Things start unravelling as soon as one starts over thinking.
Marriage between two people .,sanctified by the society has its origin not in love but in  a basic urge to survive and ensure that the species goes forward. We actually don't want to go the dinosaur way so...marry and multiply. But how many people are happy with the person chosen ,if you ask me no one.Everywhere there's a comparison between the person standing next to you and the person on the opposite side of the track.The proverb holds true : the grass is always greener on the other side. Rarely if at all does a marriage become a union of two people so much so that they become one single entity. The rest unfortunately just lumber along; alone and scared .
When two different individuals come together to be able to talk to each other about their feelings,fears,inhibitions and ambitions;love stands and observes. To be able to love another unconditionally one has to love oneself unconditionally....and therein lies the test.Not many like the face that peeps from the mirror. There's always something pathetically wrong in one's reflection but how many think that the mirror never takes sides.It shows what is and nothing else. It takes courage of a different kind to look into the mirror and accept what is shown and harder still to give thanks for the same. Loving oneself involves accepting flaws and that makes the test even more tough. Accepting what we are and acknowledging that we might be flawed helps one be at peace and also allows one to see the others for what they are. Mistakes and faults in ourselves is magnified when we attribute the same qualities to the other person. With them we are more strict because the faults that we have hidden away in our souls glare out menacingly in theirs.
What then is the right path to love? Not several as I think but just one . Loving oneself with the faults and allowing ourselves to love others with their faults.