Those Tales Called Blue: Stories from South India, #1

By ANU LAL

Those Tales Called Blue is a collection of short stories from South India. This collection by the well-acknowledged and young Indo-Anglian author, Anu Lal reveals the many sides of human existence through a set of enlightening storylines and the subtle philosophical threads that bind them. These deeply engaging tales combine fantasy with realism. The author cleverly utilizes the parable style to provoke effects in the reader.

This book is a selection from "Wall of Colours and Other Stories", which is his first book published in 2013. This publication is a fitting tribute to the work of the contemporary master of parable fiction in India.

• Language: English
• Publisher: B W Books
• Release date: Mar 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386976028

ANU LAL

Anu Lal is an Indo-Anglian author. He has many of his short fiction, poetry, and essays published in national and international journals. His books often trace the boundaries between the real and the mysterious. He is also a research scholar, educator, book reviewer, and a blogger.

Book preview

Behind its blue face, the love of the sky shines in the gleam of stars.

A DROP OF LOVE

A DEWDROP FOUND ITSELF resting on the petal of a rose. That was the only memory the drop had. It was born there, dropped from a veil of fog.

The dewdrop felt happy to be there.

There was something that lured the dewdrop towards the heart of the flower; a pull, since the petal was sloppy. 

The dewdrop felt its destiny already marked out.

It said to the rose, What would happen if I slid into your heart?

The flower looked at the drop.

There was a peculiar grace to the dewdrop. The sun was sharing its gleam with its crystal soul.

The flower fell in love with the dewdrop, at once.

I will... the flower blushed, I will receive you into my soul and transform you into honey. It said.

The dewdrop could not decide what to choose. The company of the flower was mesmerizing. Its fragrance was unique. But what it said was dubious. The flower said it will transform the dewdrop into honey. ‘What is honey?’ The dewdrop thought. ‘Does it mean that I have to disappear forever? Whom shall I ask?’

Then, as if the thought of the dewdrop came to life, a sweet little humming was heard. The flower and the plant danced with a slight tremor. The drop did not see anyone. But there came a question; Who are you looking for?

Who are you? The dewdrop returned. It was a surprise that still there was no one in sight.

I am the breeze. Said the voice, still invisible.

Why are you invisible? asked the dewdrop.

This is how I am if you are born with your guileless soul, I am born with the cloak of invisibility.

Can you help me? asked