A shopping list

Prompt –

Finish the story that begins with: “She lived a life that some would describe as being on edge.”

She lived a life that some would describe as being on edge. She made her way through the queue in front of the mall. A new movie at the multiplex, a massive sale at a popular departmental store and a public holiday …….she had carefully chosen the time and pace. The doors opened and the crowd rushed in.

She was fast and extremely skilled. Soon her task was over and she made her way to the wash room. At last she stepped out into the store to shop.

Suddenly a customer discovered that he had been robbed and screamed – ‘Chor (Thief)’. He was soon joined by others and there was chorus of ………. ‘Chor, chor – Call the police . I have been robbed !’

The pick pocket watched from a distance and enjoyed the sight of her victims who were in great distress. She gloated and proudly reflected back on her mornings handiwork.

Words <150

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/mondays-finish-the-story-nov-2nd-2015/

Opportunity

Prompt –

Finish the story that begins with: “I watched the vulture looking at me hungrily as I lay on the ground bleeding and injured.”

I watched the vulture looking at me hungrily as I lay on the ground bleeding and injured. I was one of the commuters injured when the train crashed.
I just heard a loud bang. The coach flew forward and lost its balance. I fell to the floor and then rolled out of the coach as it took another somersault. There were people were crying screaming and bleeding everywhere.
It was a train robbery with a difference. Two policemen took away RS 15,000 from my pocket.After an eternity, I was rescued by locals and taken to a hospital.
Shocking tales of policemen rummaging through the blood-soaked pockets of passengers for cash as they squirmed in pain inside overturned and twisted train coaches have begun to emerge. The victims are grateful to the locals whose swift response helped save many lives.
The damage caused by the looters pale in comparison to the vultures – especially those sitting in the state headquarters supervising the rescue operation.

Words <150

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/10/26/mondays-finish-the-story-october-26th-2015/comment-page-1/#comment-1990

His own kind

Prompt –

Finish the story that begins with: “Not knowing what to expect, he made his way into the dark of the forest.”

Not knowing what to expect, he made his way into the dark of the forest. However, he had been directed here to find answer to his question. He was a painter specializing in tree portraits. It was his only skill. He tried making portraits of men and women but the end results often resembled a tree. He tried painting nudes but they came out like withered-vines.

He wanted to know – WHY? He had searched the net with no success. He had asked renowned painters with the same result, till he met a wise man who directed him to this forest.

The trees communicated with him as he walked down. He felt that the trees here were secure from mutilation and at peace with their subconscious-life without fear, while the trees of the countryside led a threatened existence. They were well looked after so that they might be used one day.

‘You are one of us’. Finally, the old-bunyan on his left communicated.

Words <150

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/10/19/mondays-finish-the-story-oct-19th-2015/

Tom

Prompt –

Finish the story that begins with: “Now this is living the life of Riley.”

Now this is living the life of Riley, Greg said to his friend. How is my brother …. Tom the philanderer?

Tom’s rich bride of few months died last week and left him a quarter million in cash besides all her immovable assets.

Greg paled perceptibly. Damn it, it is extremely unfair to me.

Everybody knew Tom and Greg. All respected Greg the hard working elder brother but they enjoyed being with Tom. In spite of the fact that each one of them had been duped by him at one time or other. None approved of him but could not help but like him.

The friend looked at Greg’s face and could not control his laughter. Finally he rolled on the floor clutching his sides unlike the cat on the bed.

Words <150

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/10/12/mondays-finish-the-story-oct-12th-2015/

The castle that did not exist

Prompt –

Finish the story that begins with: “Few knew about the castle hidden inside the island.”

Few knew about the castle hidden inside the island and those who did- believed it to be a myth. Those who claimed to have seen it gave varying descriptions of it and those who tried to find it did not know where to look for it on the small atoll in the outer reaches the Ganges-estuary.

A police team chasing some bank-robbers on the Hooghly saw them disappear inside a silvery castle one full-moon night. They followed the robbers into  the castle. Unfortunately only three persons arrived back – in a state of shock. One of them died the next day, one had to be confined to a lunatic asylum and the third retreated to a monastery in Tibet.

A detailed geographic-information-system survey revealed that the sea receded for a day when the Sun transits into the Capricorn. Exploration revealed the sea-castle as a store for centuries-of-loot that the ‘thugs’ had plundered from pilgrims.

Words <150

http://www.unexplainedstuff.com/Secret-Societies/The-Thuggee.html

 

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/10/05/mondays-finish-the-story-october-5th-2015/

The conch-shell

Prompt –

Finish the story that begins with: “The A&B Building was made entirely from driftwood.”

The A&B Building was made entirely from driftwood. At least the man with the conch-shell believed it to be so.

You can live here and find me the gold. He told the jinn in the conch-shell.

You are sure this place has no material from solid terrain.

That is what the Gold fraternity claims.

All right, I shall check for myself and reward you accordingly.

Thank you, sir.

Now, blow into the conch-shell.

People in the vicinity wondered at the loud and long OOOOOOOOOmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, though no source for it could be visualized.

The man waited for the jinn. He came back soon and handed the man a nugget and vanished along with the conch shell.
———-
I wish to sell this nugget.

OK, let me just check the gold content.
…………..
…………..

Well, how much gold does it contain?

Less than 1 percent.

Words ~ 150

 

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/mondays-finish-the-story-sept-22nd-2015/

A repose for …..

Prompt –

Finish the story that begins with:  “She lived in a mango tree.”

She lived in a mango tree. A tree-house perched on an old mango tree with a balcony that looks through the foliage. The wooden bed room at the rear is semi-open with a stunning view of the river and surrounding countryside. The man from the Magical Structures completed his inspection.

Imagine an enchanting retreat high up in a leafy bough – a place to relax and enjoy a drink with friends and listening to the hoot of an awakening owl. The man flipped a page of the brochure.

I want a biggish-perch high up. The lady’s companion spoke.

That can be arranged, sir.
———-
Why do you really want a perch here? She inquired.

So that vultures can eat away the carcasses of my victims.

What victims?

You shall be the first one.

Words ~ 150

 

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/09/21/mondays-finish-the-story-sept-21st-2015/

Avarice

Prompt –

Finish the story that begins with:  “From her small balcony, the witch watched the world go by.”

From her small balcony, the witch watched the world go by. She watched the fields and orchards where she had spent her adult life supervising. Alas these no longer belonged to her.

She had been widowed at an early age and had managed her estate judiciously. She had treated her serfs humanely and worked for their upliftment. Her brothers and sisters in-law and their children had been well provided ….. most of them migrated from the village. They wanted to sell the land and compete with the rich in the cities. She did not agree.

Then the day-biting mosquitoes came. Some of the family and villagers suffered from fever, a few had internal bleeding and two died. It was a windfall for the relatives wanting to get rid of her. They proclaimed her a witch and wanted to burn her alive. She was saved by few village elders but had to signed off her property.

She considered herself very lucky.

Words ~ 149

India needs a national law against witch hunts and other superstitious practices.
http://www.sacw.net/article2156.html

Do you think other countries also need such a law?

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/mondays-finish-the-story-september-14th-2015/

An Ad

Prompt –

Finish the story that begins with:  “As her mount shifted uneasily under her, she grasped the brim of her old felt Stetson, gazed upwards and remembered Jean Pierre.”

As her mount shifted uneasily under her, she grasped the brim of her old felt Stetson, gazed upwards and remembered Jean Pierre. Jean does not drink or smoke because he has to be fit and in constant training for all that he has to deliver. He does not swear as it betrays excitement. Jean is rarely violent and that too within limits. He tends to win over his adversaries. He is a gentleman and a friend to the underdog and always manages to uphold the values of the society. He accomplishes this without any arrogance.

Somebody is going to write these stories. There is a demand for them. We are looking for the writer who can deliver such fiction ……….
—————–
‘Can you deliver?’ The Editor peered in to her eyes.

Patricia agreed to deliver 40,000 words for 250 dollars  per  week.

Years later her son won the Booker Prize at the young age of 23 writing under her guidance.

 

Words < 150 

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/09/07/mondays-finish-the-story-sept-7th-2015/

What’s in a name ….

Prompt –

Finish the story that begins with:  “The cemetery spread along the area known as Devils Abode.”

The cemetery spread along the area known as Devils Abode though there is no cemetery and no devil. It is just a notorious slum.

Devils abode got its name from the many illilicit activities like manufacture and sale of illegal drugs and counterfeit goods; human trafficking, arms trafficking, counterfeiting currency, etc. However, this was a product of social transition and lopsided development. The migrants from nearby areas settled here and learned to survive as they could.

The interesting part is the cemetery where no remnants of humans long dead could be found. It was excavated by a group of archeologist but not even a shard of human-bone was found. Later a paleontologist invaded the site and found fossilized skeletons and a skull that did not match any known earthly species.

An astro-biologist has recently postulated that it was the burial gound for aliens from one of the recently discovered earth like heavenly bodies.

Words < 150 

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/08/31/mondays-finish-the-story-august-31st-2015/