We now accept original photographs from writers to accompany their vignettes.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

April 29: Damage

From @chav_:
I'm glad tonight's almost over. Courage was leaving the house to be here with him, this creature who stole my youth, my innocence, who negged me to the point of suicide once.

But tonight was okay. Cordial. Deep conversations of the sort he's renowned for.

Turning to the waiter, he asks casually: "What's the damage?"

From Saumya Fernando:
Shouting out ugly slogans and demeaning names or manipulating the innocent and the peace-loving to exhibit your self-appointed power will never give you any peace of mind. We know your subconscious doesn't exist. We pity you and the futile effort you make to deliberately damage what is already hanging by a thread. Good luck, failures.

From @AntonyCF_:
1st Officer: “Captain!, she can’t take any more damage!” trying to keep her afloat.

Captain: “Just hold her steady till we reach the gates”, cringing, “where’s my support ship when you need one”

Right on cue, two support ships came from underneath on each wing to hold her steady.

Then there was silence.

From @chamfy:
'G-A-M-A-G-E', I spelled out.

'Oh! Easy. Rhymes with damage'.

I cringed.

'No, it's pronounced Gamma-Gay'.

The auditorium of boys erupted in hoots of laughter. This never got old.

'Where's your boyfriend Delta-Gay?', called out Jones from the back row.

Thus began the humiliation of another prize-giving rehearsal.

From @rami_desh:
The two-kiloton explosion drove the building far and wide, including the clouds of glass dust that flew in to her eyes, damaging not only her sight but her soul as well.

His well-being was damaged forever as he watched her struggle with the darkness and lose to a bottle of antidepressants.'

From @cernoblog:
Describe scars of history as evidence of what we inflict on ourselves. Or get sociologically personal. Detail wounds - typically on a woman or child. Inflicted by the familiar drunken man. Realistically, make art from sorrow, well out of society's gaze with (hopefully award winning) English. Futile? Yes. But why not? The damage is already done.

From Priyanthie de Silva:
"Damage control is of the essence" my friend had said. 'Easier said than done' I thought. The words had come out without thinking. It had hurt her no end. But it was too late, the bitter, biting words were out. May be true, but who was I to judge? Am I perfect? 'Damage control my foot!'

From @bhagsy:
It was obvious that they liked each other. Always looking in to each other's eyes with understanding. Kishali knew this was too easy to come by. The other girl was trying her best to take him away. Her skinny body entwining, creating a distance. Today the damage was done. He no longer saw Kishali, he only had eyes for the skinny girl.

From @PravNJ:
“Goddammit!” I muttered under my breath.

“This is going to be a long 2 hours…”

I scribbled away, surreptitiously glancing at the large analog clock staring back at me, the hands moving in almost an accusatory fashion. Tick-tock-tick.

The complicated diagrams came into focus

“Twenty minutes more? Fuck it! It’s time for some damage control”

From Raisa:
He used to say I was fragile, like a china teacup, liable to shatter on impact.

At first, I thought it was in play. Our breath, synchronized, only to have mine hiccup when he sank his teeth into my neck.

“Stop!”

“Sorry.”

Then he did it again.

The wounds took two weeks to heal.

From @PennyKinned:
“The sins of our parents have long shadows,” she thought, bitterly.

Turning away from him, she said, “I’m damaged goods."

“So am I.” he said, unexpectedly  “Who isn’t? I cannot heal you; nor will you be able to heal me. But can’t two damaged people be together? Maybe that will make us whole.”

From @shamsmakkiya: 
Brittle as a crystalline glass sauntered the girl in pulchritude. Unfathomable worries manipulated her pathetic soul throughout her life. The kaleidoscopic wonderland remained oblivion to her lost sense. The damage in her optic nerve was mercilessly beyond remedy.

@Mari_desilva
Distant to ensure self preservation. Distracted cos’ too consumed with larger picture to remain in the present. Cold cos’ am self loathing. Dysfunctional cos’ can’t detach from family baggage. Distraught at losing battle with inner demons. Selfish cos’ hurting many in the process. Damaged…beyond repair.

From @wikifreakz:
Having surveyed
the landscape of savannah
Moving towards
faraway mounts....

Zig....
....Zag
Zig....
....Zag

The desperate journey
of a straw-colored butterfly..

Coincidently faced a chaotic crossing:
express mail
traveling east
at 120 km/h...

Zigzagging now
through
the wide-opened windows...

Thus,
within a fraction
of a micro-second
damage is done..

Distance of Ages has been voyaged!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Featured Blog Post: "Sri Lanka stories blog : brief survival guide and realisations about writing" by @cernoblog

@cernoblog -- whose literary gems are regularly featured on this blog -- recently wrote a blog post titled "Sri Lanka stories blog : brief survival guide and realisations about writing". 

This contemplative, funny and all-round-awesome piece talks about the process of writing 55-word stories -- the frustration of being limited to such few words, the slipperiness of language and the rewards of brevity.

The Sri Lanka stories blog is turning out to be a dangerously compulsive online project. The premise is simple. Write a 55-word story based on a word announced via a twitter account. I find this to be brutally hard. It also forces you to notice themes and ideas lurking in the dimly lit parts of the subconscious.

The first hurdle is producing something bearable to read in 55 WORDS (not characters) within 24 hours or less. The other is keeping up with the daily word that is fired at you. I have found that the key is not to think too much and leave it to the voices in the head to do the heavy lifting. If the word triggers anything that doesn’t feel embarrassing you are in luck. All that’s left is the grind of squeezing out the 55 words or less.

To read the rest of @cernoblog's illuminating post, click here.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

April 26: Rain

Photograph by @Hayahz
From @Hayahz:
Sounds of thunder, somewhere distant as frangipanis begin to fall.

Rain pattering against the red tiles lulling one back to sleep. 

A floating wisp of arabic musk incense reminding that all is well this morning. 

Soft chuckles as the old couple shares a joke in the kitchen. 

Scraping of coconut, waft of boiling tea.

Home.


From Priyanthie de Silva:
Running in the rain, barefoot, was one his favourite things to do. It was a common sight for the neighbours, to see the little boy, twirling & dancing to an unheard rhythm, on rainy days. It made them smile and think of their own youth, when they too expressed uninhibited joy in a similar manner.

From @rami_desh:
The Weather: Hey bro, it's going to be pretty hot today 'coz it'll be raining later.
Me: OK, I guess I can take some extra heat if it cools down later when it's raining.
The Weather: (Extreme heat for 3 hours, rains for 5 minutes). 
Me: @$!%^!@#@!!!!
The Weather: U mad, bro?

From @sharasekaram:
Gazing at the rain falling faster, she struggled to choke back a sob. She forced herself to try and count the steady drops as a distraction, when suddenly she felt her breath whoosh through her and her hands flew down. The baby had just kicked for the first time.

From @TheRoundedCube:
Rain is a blessing they said, it brings prosperity to the land.
She was drenched and cold. The roar of thunder instilling fear in her.
Where is the blessing? Where is the prosperity?
There is nothing in it for us but fear.
What makes them rich may not make us happy.
Such an unequal world.

From @chav_:
Overgrown gardens, monkey-affected television reception, forgotten birthdays and soggy chocolate cake.

Many monsoons had passed since you left home for better places, but that love you feel as the warm cuppa tea hits your lips on this rainy day was lying here waiting for you all along.


From @Poomigal:
I stare out of the window as rain drops fall; recollecting memories from  not so long ago when he and I used to cuddle and watch rain drops fall from tree tops as he whispered ‘I love you’. Life is tragically beautiful, I tell myself as I watch my baby fall asleep next to me.


From @BatmanEarth12:
I was standing under the neon street light of the gun shop when it started to rain. I stuffed my mouth with another Oreo and started munching.

Things have been going downhill since the cops raided my dealer’s house. What kind of idiot hides meth inside a cereal box anyway?

I need to find another hit fast.

From @Shi_dreams:
A crack of thunder rolled by and a flash of lightening lit up the sky, as she quickened her pace across the deserted street. She turned up her coat collar as a strong gust of wind swept her hair into her. “Met Department said ‘Rain’ today,” she muttered to herself, “Seems more like a gale.”

From @PennyKinned:
He set the table in the verandah, enjoying the rain-flecked breeze. Chicken curry, polos curry, dhal, rice, papadam – the perfect anniversary menu. He glanced at his watch impatiently – where was she?

The car skidded on the slippery road, spinning out of control. A scream and a smash. Then, nothing but the sound of falling raindrops.

From @Revoulter:
Pu-241 Rain

‘…so people are continuing protest for months, not a clear reaction by the Government. Koodangkulam will hope come to these people – more soon on Channel 07’

‘…there will be storm and heavy rain hitting south, people are advised to stay in homes’

People still protest, as the Pu-241 Rains over them.   

From @Mari_desilva:
How I long for you on a blazing day, curse you on my wedding day, dance for you at harvest time, yearn for you in the desert and weep at the havoc you often wreak.

From @Poomigal:
Inside a restroom, weeping I reminisce the memories we shared. ‘I miss you, please come back darling. I can’t afford to lose you now’ I murmur, hoping he would hear. ‘Long Distance, how could you be so cruel?’ I whisper again. Puzzled, I suddenly open my eyes to see darkness, the darkness which he left behind.

From @shamsmakkiya:
The entire surrounding mourned in solemnity. The picturesque landscape appeared pale and withered. The endless vista of the dying beauty brought tears to the floating eyes. Cascaded the ivory pearls as rain. The freshly drenched cells at large danced in ecstasy.

From @wikifreakz:
H2O

"This is one of the primitive planets of the Sol galaxy," explained General Upalist.

"Unlike our Alpha Centauri Bb's 1200°C, here the temperature is much colder, roughly 16°C..," he added.

"I wish if we could build our space station in here. But unfortunately, we can't make it due to the poisonous Dihydrogen Monoxide rain!"

Friday, April 26, 2013

April 25: Loss

From @Vindic8d:
I dip my toes in the water warmed by the sun and stained with loss. I have not seen this ocean in years; its deceptive emerald and blue tenderness, a tropical postcard memory to those who befriend its gently rising folds. They could not know what I had seen. They are untouched by its sins.

From @Chamfy:
I found out suddenly and without warning (over dinner out, ironically). And just like that, the last vestige of my childhood -of Highland yoghurt, Sunday markets and stories of travelling hat peddlers with monkey issues – vanished.

A parking lot might have been better. But they paved paradise and put up a KFC.

From @shamsmakkiya:
A confrontation with his conscience.

He: Yes, I was true!
His conscience: No, you weren't!
He: How dare you call me a deceiver!?
His conscience: Because I am the mother of truth.
He: You never can persuade me to abase myself!
His conscience: Indeed, you are in loss!

He relapsed into eternal agony.

From @sharasekaram:
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. All he could see was her face, her smile, her wide open eyes with endless depths.

They say you have to lose something to know what you had to begin with. But what happens when you always knew – you just lost it because you were afraid?

From @cernoblog:
The long ops room nights. Heart stopping strafing runs over tree tops. Finally, the victory fly past. All reduced to "the war years". Now: annual formation day parades, seminars, hero worshiping trainees, inter-services badminton tournaments. Surviving makes victory sweeter. Yet: this secret weight of loss, memories and youth when engines roars down the runway.

From @gajenmahen:
The gentle fingers, tantalizing touches, impish eyes.
Oh, the eyes!
A goddess. Blinding ecstasy.
The yearning- physical pain at times.
Years after the death, how her trails burn him now.

From Saumya Fernando:
Holding hands and looking into the mirror, the sweet memory of their first night when they stood like this together, flashed back into their minds for a second. But neither said a word. They saw the wrinkles, the tiredness, the hair loss, the sagging skin. Enriching each other’s lives, they have gradually aged. No regrets.

From @wikifreakz:
THE LOSS: WORLD!

"Genia.. I'll be a little late today.. Spellcheck the blueprint till I come.."
"Okay Sir," hung up,
"Yessss!!!" yelled she.

Genia alias Dananjina, the curious young assistant of Prof. Wickramapala was excited..

She got in the TimeTaxi™; dialled randomly:
'2 0 5 8 AD'.

'Beeeeeeeeep,'
The monitor showed:
'Error 404: Not found!'

From @Revoulter:
Run! The only word remains in my head. It couldn’t be happening to me, as long as I run; I survive.

Lost in this city; only one survivor, me.  The computer virus ‘INFECTED’ nearly destroyed everything Wi-Fi, which means everyone.

My only hope is… the forest!

Run! Maybe in a century I may get there.

From @bhagsy:
She's scared to tell him that she's in love with him. Not only because the rejection will be hard to bear, but because his friendship means a lot to him. Kishali knew she'd be at a loss without his guidance.

From @lnduNan:
At a loss for words

In the hands that stripped me
The violence unspeakable 
Spread out before me
Smeared over my face
When what I really want to do is
Scream...

At a loss for words

Losing my soul
Losing my bearing 
Will I have the strength
Will I find my voice
Again?

From @PennyKinned:
He fell in love with her – deeply and without reservation. Which is why, when she broke his heart, it shattered completely. There was no going back, no escape, no redemption.

“Why?” he asked, hopelessly.

“You said you wanted to be a writer,” she replied with a sad smile. “But you had never lost anything.”


From @Mari_desilva:
I've known him all my life. Been through thick and thin together. He introduced me to my first joint. I “warded off” all his crazy ex’s. Ever ready with a wise crack – you couldn’t help but laugh. But we never called each other and rarely met. Now he’s going away and with him an era...

Thursday, April 25, 2013

April 23-24: Fan Fiction!

Disclaimer: These are fan fiction stories based on well-known books, movies and TV shows. Sri Lanka Stories and the storytellers do not profit financially from these in any way. We do not claim ownership of these characters or worlds.

From @Revoulter:
The gypsies didn’t bother about the horseman. The narrow path seems longer as the sunsets in to the woods. Howling of the wolves carried by the wind, chilled him with fear.

He reached the castle.

The old man gave him a silver penny, after receiving the letter from the horseman.

‘A penny…!? Poor Old Dracula’

From @chamfy:
Happily Ever After?
They say the hottest ones are  the craziest. Guess it's just my luck that I happened to marry the most beautiful woman in the land.

The woman talks to rodents. Last week she had the tubby one knighted. 

Tomorrow night we are going to a christening. Of a pigeon.

This is getting ridiculous.

From @rami_desh:
Over the indeterminable time of his incarceration, Han lost all track of who he was and what he was supposed to do. 

His mind was his prison, an undefinable deep well in which the dark side of the Force reigned, and the light was fleeting and imperceptible.

From @Shi_dreams:
Margret was panicking. It was half past midnight and she couldn't find Snow White anywhere, and she’d combed the castle. She shuddered at the thought of what the evil Queen would do if she discovered Snow had disobeyed her orders and attended the Prince’s ball. Margret had to find her before it was too late.

Inspired by the movie ‘Mirror Mirror’

From @wikifreakz:
'All characters appearing in this work are entirely fictitious,'
closing the book,
'Hmm.. Just like me,'
thought Yeti, the iceman!

From Priyanthie de Silva:
I idly watch the "Brahmin Kite" circle overhead. The aborigines 'Down Under' call it the 'Spirit Bird' as it guides the traveller. To one like me, devoid of freedom, it epitomises all that I long for. 

'Fantine, Fantine' when oh! when will you free yourself of these shackles? Not until I can claim my daughter!

From Saumya Fernando:
Anne was secretly glad of the attic. Otherwise she would never love Peter. He’s not the kind of boy she would look at on the streets, with his mousy face. She couldn’t help but grin to herself as she lay lazily in bed when she remembered she was supposed to peel potatoes for dinner. Again!

From @Mari_desilva:
Surrounded by an adoring audience, her dazzling green eyes twinkled cheekily as she imitated their Head Master. He just stood there unable to speak or look away. His gaze was heavy with longing and desire. He loathed his awkwardness. Startled by the sudden appearance of James and her, he heard the words, “Sirius, meet Lily.”

From @cernoblog:
Sanity is life. Madness is immortality's substitute for death. Pay attention to your mind's erosion. Pronounce your name daily. It's essential preparation to act decisively if your name becomes a stranger to your mouth. The first thousand years are the hardest. The sane will survive. But in there end, there can be only one.

Inspired by the TV series 'Highlander'

From @wikifreakz:
This Jorge Luis Borges book is named Labyrinths a book Borges Luis Jorge is Labyrinths named this named a Luis Jorge Borges is book Labyrinths named this a book  Labyrinths is Borges Jorge Luis this named is book...

From @Hayahz:
“Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry!”

Amidst grey skies and growing pains this hard cover titled book penetrated my young girlhood.

A first lesson into the human divide of race and color, of age and education, rich and poor, struggle and wealth.

My war with the world.  

The first and only book I never returned.

From @shamsmakkiya:
Gooseberry casted his sight at the pool of jet black ink in the hollow of his palms. The moonstone gleamed in its darkness. He quickly made-up his mind not to reveal its whereabouts to the men of clairvoyance, not knowing the fact that it's a stone of vengeance.

Doom overshadowed his life in disguise!

From @Revoulter:
‘My precious, we love fresh fish flesh, we eatses them alive. Potatoes, carrots, cu…cumbers all green we hateses vegetables.’

Gollum took a bite…

‘Ah..’ spitting on the ground ‘Begginses… he cheated us, its cooked’.

Smashing everything around, Gollum screamed!

‘What..?’ with a sudden sound.

Gollum stood still.

‘What have you become?’ shivered Mrs. Andy Serkis.

From @bhagsy:
Part I
Mrs. Rodrigo wanted Merek to marry Poopie (Iresha). It would have been a perfect deal for her. It never occured to her that the boy in question would have other plans.
The boy had made up his mind on marrying Piyumi, and he had succeeded in getting her affirmation the night before. He was jubilious, nay, over the moon! And all those cliches one can find.

Part II
Merek didn't know where they were to stay or build their life in this Colpetty area. He sure wasn't going to stay on at Deal Place and let Mrs. Herath poke her nose in to his life with Piyumi. He needed to find a place. A new place. Should he invest in one of those newly built flats in Colombo? Or maybe he could invest in the dilapitated, colonial house the oldies were trying to get rid of and maybe, just maybe invest a little more in Piyumi's heart.

Part III
Merek knew it! He knew he had a plan when he smelt it! He was going to buy the od Segerajasingham's house and make a home out of it. It will teach those leechy Viraj people a good lesson. And once again the kaleidoscope took a turn and showed new designs.

Inspired by 'Serendipity' by Ashok Ferry

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

April 22: Caress

From @cernoblog:
It’s the code name of our best asset inside the presidential palace. His product is pure gold. He’s had so many brushes with disaster we decided to use that name. Yes its girly and wrong. But he's practically getting rubbed by luck every day. At this rate he’ll never get caught so why not?

From @BatmanEarth12:
Jimmy Boson

Location - Secret underground lab

Jimmy was working on his quantum fusion reactor when Goddard jumped onto his lap. He caressed the lead lined head of the robot dog thinking about what it feels like to be without any emotions.... to be empty. 

Maybe he should find a way to transfer part of his consciousness to Goddard.

From Saumya Fernando:
Don’t sting me with your hurtful words and then try to soothe me with your balmy voice or caress me with your words of love. It doesn't work that way. When you sting it hurts bad and swells up. It takes a long time for the inflammation to subside. So leave me the hell alone.

From Priyanthie de Silva:
He did not realise until much later, that she was visually impaired. She seemed so confident of herself, impeccably dressed, speaking on the phone like a veteran, that it was only when he was almost close enough to caress her, did she turn sightless eyes towards him. His heart did a quick somersault within him.

From @wikifreakz:
*The Valentine's Night*

She looked into his eyes, held his hand caressing his palm with her fingers and smiled blissfully.

"He estado esperando por ti mi día de Valentín!"
[Subtitles: I've been longing for you my valentine!]

She kept the hand in the freezer and put the eyes in a pickle can!

AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

*The End*

From @Mari_desilva:
Lying in a pool of blood, her head smashed in, her mind kept taking her back to that time he sat beside her bed every day, caressing her cheek, willing her to get out of bed. He too had lost a baby. Not just her. He just had a different way of coping, that’s all.

From @PennyKinned:
The fresh mountain air was invigorating. Looking down, she felt her heart ache at the beauty of it all. The snow-clad mountain peaks, green rolling valley, blossom-laden apple orchards… The cool wind caressed her cheek, comforted her, called to her.

“I will never be happier than in this moment,” she thought ironically – and jumped off.


From @Bhagsy:
Kishali had noticed the frequent looks of the spectacled guy across the aisle. This had turned in to a little game of flirting, until it was time for him to go. It was excrutiating. She longed for more. What was his name? What does he do? But more than anything, she longed for his hands to caress her, just like his eyes did, every morning.

Friday, April 19, 2013

April 18: Worship (Sci Fi & Fantasy Week)

From @Dili:
The elves used their magic to reshape the mountain into a grand hall of worship for the ancestral artifact. But only now did they find means to give it power, to awaken it, to glean its secrets.

Before it burst into flame, a single unknown hieroglyph blazed in white upon the dark mirror’s face:

“SAMSUNG”

From @AntonyCF_:
“KNEEL” he said, “before your king, you will worship him as your God, from this day forth”

“not in this life time, not even when I’m died would this happen” said the Ravan, Chief of tribe. 

“so shall be it” said the king, with his heavy sword coming down on Ravan’s neck

From @cernoblog:
Soon the nation's saviour, our supreme leader - his excellency the president for eternal life, will press the button. It will trigger the first detonations, starting the carving of Sigiriya into his noble visage. Thus a symbol of ancient decadence will be sanctified into an altar where countless grateful future generations will venerate his greatness.

From @BatmanEarth12:
"The only true morality is to remove myself. To end ones exploitative parasitic existence"
    ~ Dexter Morgan

Deluded people turned to religion and worshiped supernatural deities to find answers for natural phenomena that were too hard for their primitive minds to fully comprehend.  

Well, that was back in the 21st century. Things have changed now...

From @wikifreakz:
"Dear devotees.. You're kindly requested to switch your Holiphones to telepathic mode.. The divine experience of beholding the Almighty is about to start"

The device connected every worshipper with His Holiness..

'3..,
2..,
1..,'

As a blurred hologram began to be visible over the altar, they heard His Holiness thinking:
'DID I CLEAR BROWSING HISTORY?'

From @shamsmakkiya:
"Worship me" demanded the giant mosquito. Excruciating pain raced across his spine. Blood oozed out of his internal tissues.

3 days later, he found himself sleeping upright staring at the saline bottle. His vague memory read his nightmare as "Aedes aegypti".

From @Mari_desilva:
“You shall not make for yourself any gods of cast metal.” But throngs came from all corners of the Universe to bow down before the Great One. It was the giver of “all things bright and beautiful.”  When it shone no more, people ran back to the Creator. ‘Twas too late. The deed was done. 

From Tristan Kube:
The cryptic map bobbed in his hands as he crossed past the uneven surface of the forest.

It was the sound that made him look up again. He had heard it before. It sounded so much like worship, but he could extrapolate that it was the wailing of a multitude – he was to set free.

From @PennyKinned:
“You called us into being,” the hollow, papery voices said in unison. “It was your desires, your obsession that gave us life.” Awed, the people bowed and prayed to the new gods they had made. The giant notes creased as they sat in their thrones in the stock-market palace.

The Rule of Currency had begun.

From @Revoulter:
The journey begun, all these centuries we’ve never been ignored. What have become of men, what have become of this race, Human. Filthy money and power they worship, to become machines.

Ages ago we shared our knowledge with human world. The two worlds, we are fifth dimension beings, now we leave. The portal is open.


From @Bhagsy:
It wasn't like her to go to the temple in the morning. She knew she'd need more than her skill to fight the dragons that have surrounded the village. She needed protection; protection from the unseen gods. The thought of the dragons sent a shiver down her spine. They were disgusting looking creatures that could kill with some swing of their tail or venomous fangs. It was going to be a long day. Sitting in the temple grounds gave her some peace of mind.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

April 17: Forest (Sci Fi & Fantasy Week)


From @PravNJ:
Master Gormo trudged through the foliage of the forest and turned to the alien creature who was walking beside him. Gormo was a Hysalrian and probably the last of his kind. His snakelike body stood in contrast to that of his pupil, who was a short green creature.

“Let’s build your saber, youngling” Gormo said.

From @Mari_desilva & @Gajenmahen:
No matter how many times as a child I was told the story, I never imagined it to look this way.

The lights. They are not a dream. Why didn't anyone tell me about the lights?

The stumps, in their thousands. 

Blinding.

From @huz152:
The trees were short and dense. A six foot guy would think he can look above it. When I neared the forest the trees grew taller. Now they were hovering over me, sounds echoed which I have never heard before, it gave me goosebumps. Suddenly I turned and Boom I fell of my bed.

From @Revoulter:
“Dark, nothing else. It’s been a week, maybe more. Why am I laying in this dark forest? How did I come here, or do I belong here? Without sun how can I fill my hunger? Misty mountains, giants trees and these trees! They’re human!”

The dark woods, contains beasts of other world and Entized men.

From @BatmanEarth12:
238 mya 

As I exited the wormhole it took me several seconds to gather my senses.

I stood in a forest densely populated with trees from the Mesozoic era. A blissful cold breeze descended upon me and swept away all traces of discomfort from my journey across time. I was indulged in a state of ecstasy.

From Priyanthie de Silva:
I looked up startled. What on earth was this, which had emerged from nowhere? "Tyger, tyger burning bright, In the forest of the night" the lines raced through my mind.This was no tiger, this fantastic creature. It was magical, for lack of a better word. Such vivid detail & colour, I had never seen!

From @shamsmakkiya:
Neliriana finisium, a rare herb, was discovered by Dr. Adrastus, prevented human mortality.

The riches ran after it. The rest died every single day in desire of eternal soul. Forest percentage fell rapidly.

A magnificent statue of Dr. Adrastus was erected. The immaculate bliss of death is known only to him.

From @Shi_dreams:
The sun was out, but as soon as Joe and the Keeper entered the forest, darkness engulfed them. The forest was alive; reverberating with an aura Joe had never felt before. The Keeper muttered and the tip of his staff glowed, lighting their path, casting shadows as they pushed forward. “Steady,” Joe whispered to himself.

From @wikifreakz:
It was really a tiresome session.

We had been ordered to collect specimens of each and every plant..

The Government's plan was to promote eco-tourism.

In a way, we were very proud of preserving our forest despite the massive nuke attacks of WW-III.

The only oddness I found was: maintaining the forest in bonsai format!

From @PennyKinned:
Once upon a time, apparently, fruit-poles and oxygenators grew freely on the island. Arundhi found that hard to believe. Such rare resources growing naturally? So bounteous that people could simply pick jackfruits and coconuts if they felt like it? “Forests”, they used to call them. Mysterious green places to walk free and dream. Yeah, right.

From @bhagsy:
They had been going out for several months, that's what the parents knew. The last time she was seen, she was on her boyfriend's bike, heading somewhere. There was no clue where she was or why she never returned that day. It was only months later the police found her body, decaying in the dense forest miles away from home. She had been raped by her love.


From @AntonyCF_:
“you have to go beyond the forest” said the munivar, “that’s where you will find answers to your questions, purpose, the meaning to all your suffering” with those parting words he let a sigh and closed his eyes and look completely at peace, he had waiting years to deliver the message to the “ONE”

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

April 16: Map (Sci Fi & Fantasy Week)


From @rami_desh:
He was in the middle of an ocean, next to a deserted lighthouse. A map to infinite realities known and unknown.

In one, he was her father. He sold her to a deranged tyrant.

In one, he was her oppressor. He bought her from a desperate man to fulfill his petty ends.

In the last one, he saved her from himself, choosing death over the pain and misery he would put her through.

(Inspired by Bioshock – Infinite)

From @sharasekaram:
His single eye squinted as it moved across the worn map carefully. It spoke to him of a civilization long gone, lost to the moving sands of time and the brutality of humans. It sang a song of blood and pain. He glanced up at the sinking sun and smiled. Somethings at least hadn’t changed.

From Nihal De Silva:
Where would we have been if our forefathers had not discovered the system to navigate using the Magic of a piece of paper called a "MAP", giving directions to travel from one  country to another spanning vast oceans and discovering that there were people just like them across vast spans of  ocean.

From @ Shi_dreams:
“A map, you say?!” excitement gleamed in his eyes. He smelled an adventure.

But it won’t be easy, he thought. They’d have to switch dimensions and find The Gamers. If anyone knew anything about the map it would be them. Rumor had it they live across The Bridge, but getting there was the tricky part.


From @chav_:
The ship glided through multiple layers of air defense without so much as a second glance, guided by a supposedly 4000 year old map. The liberal doses of skepticism among the crew gave way to wide-eyed amazement. There, within grasp of the ship's robotic arm, lay the Super Incendiary Thermonuclear Armament (SITA). Commander Ravan smiled.


From @rangitha:
Caspar was wise. The other day he read an old map for Melchior and Balthasar who so badly wanted to ride West.

Caspar went home instead. "King or king-not, a dog meddles not in human affairs", he said in parting.

"No honey, tonight's Human-style!", was what Josephine--his wife whispered to him that night in bed.

From @PravNJ:
Cormack O’Sullivan inserted the tensor coordinates into Gauntlet’s navigation system. He double checked the tachyon map and punched through a vortex on to the other side.

Home free, he thought.

Cormack froze.

Someone was hailing the Gauntlet.

He accepted the transmission.

“This is Cormack O’Sullivan of the Earth-1 marines... Turn back goddammit! They are everywhere!”

From @shamsmakkiya:
Its mesmerizing masculine voice quenched the thirst of Apollo. The hour arrived. Aromatic woods are piled up. A ray sets its electrifying golden body ablaze.

The map guided the human brains to Heliopolis. Disappointment awaited in the form of a large ball of incensed ashes. Too late!!!

From Mari_deSilva:
He lay on a cold metal gurney.  His face so pale, almost translucent. Veins crawled over his face, like a tree of fungi. The symbol on his forehead looked strangely familiar. I'd seen it before on my grandfather's ring as a child. But what was it doing here thousands of light years from my home.

From @wikifreakz:
"Listen Captain. That's the parameter. Spot target 'x' and fire –I repeat -spot target 'x' and fire"

Experimental mission of the newly upgraded Vacua-B II drones.

"More importantly, it'll result in no bloodshedding," grinned Col. Wagner.

'Yup.. We will need those brownies' flesh to cope with the upcoming 2113 starvation..'

The map read:
"6° 54' N, 79° 52' E"


From @BatmanEarth12:
I spun around sensing the presence of someone.

A young girl wearing a silk robe stood before me, she had long black hair, the numbers "3702" were tattooed on her left cheek. She was clutching a torn piece of parchment.

I recognized it instantly. 

It's the map containing directions to the centre of the universe.

From @BatmanEarth12:
In thin barely visible handwriting two words were written on the back of the map. 

Sax Indium 

He quickly entered the phrase into the computer. After a second the results appeared on the screen. 

Just as he thought its an anagram. 

Axis mundi 

The centre of the world. He now realized what the map contains.


From @bhagsy:
As she sat in the train looking out the window, she knew the journey was going to be long and tiring. Her lone search for her mother was not taken on too keenly by her father. She didn't have much to begin with. She would have to rely on her instinct to guide her. It was her only chance.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

April 12: Echo

Wish you all a wonderful Avurudu. 
We will be back with a new word and a new twist next week! 
In the meantime, enjoy the gems written so far by Sri Lanka's many secret storytellers.


From Tristan Kube:
To some, tears speak the silent language of love. Love for the lost and the ghosts of yesteryear. The wind still carries past horrors that now echo through time to meet us in the present. They say history repeats itself. But only a nation of sadists or amnesiacs will want an encore.

From @Mari_deSilva:
My childhood was plentiful without a party at McDonalds, my teenage years super crazy without “partying” every weekend. I’ve always had a roof over my head, food on my plate and clothes on my back, but my father’s words have echoed in me all through my life. If you don’t have, do without.

From @chav_:
"You know, you guys were right. We can't let them oppress us anymore! Last week they come knocking and asking if I was keeping liquor in the house. I should've joined up sooner... Guys, listen, let's start to..."

But all he could hear was his echo. The others had long since disappeared.

From PennyKinned:
“I need more power to finish the problem for good.”
“I need to be answerable only to myself – wartime needs quick decisions.”
“I need your support when outsiders come asking questions – we’ll protect one another.”
As the tyrant sat on his throne, his past fear-mongering echoed across the land.

How could we be so foolish?

From @cernoblog:
She smiled, unwittingly. "Early poems. Not my best". Those poems carried me through shrapnel and amputations said the commander gently. Don't worry, I keep this very quick. The blindfold's for the squad – they’re just boys. She nodded, whispering into his ear. Years later, those words, roared by crowds, would bounce off the fleeing presidential helicopter.

From Priyanthie de Silva:
The words of the song echoed in my mind, the whole time I was speaking to him. What was it about him that brought back this attack of nostalgia? He had not changed. Still the same grim exterior, but there were times he had let the mask slip & I had seen the 'softy' beneath!  

From @wikifreakz:
 'zzzz zzzz'
The excessive saline doses and the stench of phenyl keep me drowsy all day long.
No, I'm not crying.. I camouflauged sentiments long ago..
The echo of 'Left- right-left' still reverberates in my ears..

By the way, can anyone tell me what's that 'prosthetics' thingy that the doctors keep on whispering about?

From @bhagsy:
Words came hurling at her. No mercy. Strong and harsh like the strong winds before a storm. Her heart was already bleeding from before. She knew she should say something to ease her pain. But tears were her only escape. Even afterwards, the words echoed in her ears.

From Saumya Fernando:
It’s not only sound that returns like a boomerang. When it hits the highest mountains, everything comes back gushing loud and clear. Most often words and deeds have a tendency to echo louder still. The world is yet to see how sinners will suffer. Until then pray for patience.

From @shamsmakkiya:
Echoes of rejection reverberated in their little hearts. Their past, present and future looked pitch dark.
Why?

The matron came with a newly born child in her hands muttering painfully, "Animals are much better than some humans".

Friday, April 12, 2013

April 11: Sand

Storytellers & readers, please take a moment to vote in the poll to your right, thanks!


From @sharondstephen:
A vivid dream of sand, and hands held over water... She awoke convinced they were fated; that their destiny was to be one. Years after, harsh realities, hurt feelings and copious tears later, they no longer speak. Awkward meetings, contrived avoidance- a world of hurt. And Fate? Fate goes on writing in the sand...

From @PravNJ:
Shoulders ablaze, he walked towards fifteen years of hard work. Unloading the bucket of golden sand into the apparatus, he inspects the Baree-yum gauge.

“Now we wait” he mutters.

Sol sleeps.

“It’s time”

He pulls the lever and the obsidian rock is seared by a new light that hasn't been seen in a thousand years.

From @shamsmakkiya:
"No! I couldn't digest it!" yelled at the top of its lungs.
"Hey look, sand! Let's dump it over there."
"Argh, plastic!" choked the voice beneath.

From @rebelinpurple:
The stone was gone – probably re-engraved, planted elsewhere in the cemetery. But I knew this was the place I spent my last few moments as a boy. I lit two cigarettes, stuck one in the sand for him and the other for me. I kept my palm on the ground, said: “thank you”, and left.

From Raisa:
The air explodes with the death-rattle of shellfire. Even in this makeshift hole in the ground, she ducks. She prays.

The air erupts with the shrieks of the dying and she feels… relief. She cradles her terrified daughter. ‘Shhhh.’

Then it comes: another whistle. Crouching, she grasps a handful of sand and thinks, “Not today.”

From Saumya Fernando:
When you took the time to draw our initials on the sand with a ragged stick years ago I appreciated your hidden artistic talents. I smiled a secret smile that somewhere inside you was a soft little boy. Never guessed it would be the motif on our invitation card. How far we've come my love.

From Jeevani Fernando:
I remember clearly the day heavens wept when he was lowered to the ground. I could not bring myself to throw that handful of sand on his casket as is the tradition. I wanted him to live on, in every prayer; in the strains of a familiar song; in my thoughts and in my children.

From @HalikAzeez:
The roof... the roof? The roof was just a few inches from his face. And, he realized, he was lying on the floor. Thud…

Wait. Wasn't he just at the ..thud..farm? And something had happened. Right, yes..his memory flashed distant voices of alarm. Thud..and something trickled through a crack in the boards. Felt like sand.

From @bhagsy:
Driving towards the beach, I saw a stick-like figure in deep thought, stepping on the waves. As I drew closer I could see the distance between the stick-figure and the sandy shore increasing. I started to become worried as I realised what the person was doing.

From @chav_:
Miles away from civilization, the pitch black sky lay dotted with stars that shone brighter than they had for a century. Streaks of red ran across, heralding the dawn to come. He embaced them, inhaled as deep as his lungs would allow, and bowed down to his mother Earth.

Blood met sand, another hero made.

From @Rabdizz:
This constant to and fro, like sand caught in the cross tide. This blame game. This love-hate. This presumptuous occupation.

And then..

And then the intimacy, the intricacy, which bridges your shore to mine. A white elephant to bear across the deep seas between you and I.

From @PennyKinned:
“Each grain is a seed of inexplicable desires and unreasonable longings,” explained the god to his eager apprentice. Taking a fistful of the sparkling sand, he scattered it towards the cloudy blue planet below him. “This is how we keep things interesting,” he giggled, watching thousands of glimmering grains descend, primed to create chaos.

From Tristan Kube:
Though the hourglass trickles the sands of time much slower in these confines, it still managed to rob twelve years of my youth pretty fast.

You people will never understand how crazily lucky you are - to not be reminded of one of your mistakes each and every day, while staring into brick walls.

From @LadyZahara: 
Her feet had painful cracks, she could hardly walk. Everyone gave up on her because her feet were ugly. Then came to her a shining inspiration. Every evening she walked on shore, rubbing her feet on the sand while the sea washed her feet. One month and she was walking around with naturally beautiful feet...

From @Shi_dreams:
“He threw sand into his eyes! What does that say about the child?!” she screamed angrily.

“It was an accident! He didn't do it on purpose”, he fired back.

“Right,” she said rolling her eyes.

“D..aadd?” came the voice of a curly haired five year old, eyes wide with fear.

The two adults spun around.

From @huz152:
White sands below my feet & the calm ocean in front of my views was such a soothing sight. Passikudah took my breath away. I had been looking all over Sri Lanka for beaches that looked like the ones I had visited in the small island of Mayotte.

Finally I proved to my wife. Sri Lanka has everything.

From @Mari_deSilva: 
In the sweltering heat all she could see was a stampede of desperate people - screaming, running, wailing or floating face down in the water. She knew she was on a beach, she could feel the familiar softness between her toes – see the familiar ocean splattered red. All she needed to see was some sandy yellow.

From @wikifreakz:
'Sand.. sand.. and more sand..,' she cheered.

They were flying through the pathway that lies over the kingdom of heaven.. 

And it's spring, the mating season!

"Yeeeng.. Yeeeng.. Yeeeng.."

'Sirens on..?'

"WHOOOOOOSH!!!"

'Hell.. Mortars!' he yelled.

"TRRUTTUTUTT!!"

The dove fell near a sidewalk where a group of kids stood, holding catapults facing an IDF artillery..