SHORT STORY: CHILDREN-LIKE UNREAD BOOKS

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FLAMBOYANT parents student 2 student simple

    Once, there were two college students staying in the same housing society. They both were in class XII. But in different institutions. They both had working parents. One out of them was very flamboyant. Just like his parents who only believed in telling the world. How well they were doing and also, how well their child was doing in college. They had nursed big ambitions. That their child will qualify for the best professional college, from where no dream will be impossible.

    The other student was rather subdued, again, like his parents. He used to spend a lot of time in understanding about the merit and sweat required to get into a professional course through competition vis-a-vis his own capabilities.

    After clearing class XII exams. The subdued student took to the first professional course that he could qualify for and went his way. While, the flamboyant student decided to pursue higher and tougher ambitions based on his parent’s advice and his own overconfidence.

    Some years had passed when the subdued student after completing his professional degree had taken up a job in a midsize company, while the flamboyant student along with his parents was still busy making lofty plans of conquering the world.

    He kept trying for the best institutes. When, he couldn’t even get into the average ones. He became very selective on what he wanted to do. Without ever assessing his own capabilities. And a day came when he was neither in any professional college nor in a job, whereas the subdued student had completed half a decade of service and was now a manager in a big company.

    Children are like books. Unless you read the book end-to-end. You will neither understand the narration, plot, nor the end of it. Many parents are very good at reading only the first chapter of their child’s book and that too again and again, and that alone satisfies them beyond compare. They do not take the trouble of reading their child’s book end-to-end. This creates a lot of dissonance between what a child can do and what he is told to do.

    And mind you. The book on its own, will never come and tell you the narration, the plot and the end. On the contrary you will have to make an effort to read it.

    To know your child, read the complete book. Read all the chapters. For that alone will give a very clear view of his liking, desires, aspirations and capabilities vis-a-vis available opportunities.

    Remember: The book of your child is as interesting as any other best-seller you might be reading now. So let it, just not lie in your library. Pick it up and read it now. And I’m sure. Once you go through it you’ll feel like reading it again and again, and from time to time.

    This is the gist of an article I had read sometime back. As far as possible we should try and remove the mismatch between our child’s capability and what we expect him to do, to make him happy.

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share if you like it

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(Archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

Story of an Indian salesman who is lowly qualified but fights his ways through uncertainities to reach the top. A good read for all salesmen. Now available in Amazon.com

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

 

SHORT STORY: MAHARISHI’s LAUGH

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

arrogant bragging rishi

Maharishi (great spiritual leader) Matang was a bhramagyani (theologian) He had many devotees, and to meet his devotees he used to continuously travel to various towns and cities, and that gave an opportunity to his disciples to see new places, and meet new people. Most people used to come to the Maharishi with their worries and problems to get it solved.

One day the mukhiya (Head) of a town with his complete jingbang and sycophants came to meet the Maharishi. And to Maharishi’s surprise, mukhiya’s sycophants were not getting tired of praising him. And the pompous mukhiya with a lot of arrogance, started boasting to Maharishi about how he had thought about the citizenry of his town and had made plans to develop it, by keeping their future in mind.

After sometime, Maharishi Matang went to another town. There the famous vaidya (practitioner of Ayurvedic medicines) of the town came to see him along with his aides and supporters and started swaggering about, how he had treated so many illnesses and saved so many from the cruel hands of death. And when his aides and supporters were praising the vaidya, Maharishi couldn’t help, and he laughed. Vaidya took offence to Maharishi’s laugh and left immediately with his aides and supporters.

And, after some time, in a different town, a renowned Pandit of that town, along with his disciples came to see the Maharishi. And all those disciples started bragging about the spiritual knowledge of the Pandit, and started narrating how he pardoned the crime of so many criminals and brought them under his fold and gave them assurance of a good life. Upon hearing all this talk Maharishi laughed, when the Pandit too, took offence and left in anger.

The disciples of Maharishi were watching this, and were amazed at him, when they decided to ask, ‘Gurudev, normally you bless people who come to your fold, but thrice we saw you have not blessed them, on their achievements and on the contrary you laughed at them, because of which they took offence and left in a huff. Can we know the reason for this?

Maharishi smiled and looked at them, and said softly, ‘My dear disciples, Mukhiya was planning to sort out others life in the town when he knew nothing about his own life. In the same manner Pandit, by pardoning criminals was trying to become God, when he never could focus, his own attention on the number of sins he himself had committed. And such arrogant and boastful people want to control the future, life and faith of others.

I laughed because the mukhiya is soon going to die, the viadya will contract a disease shortly that doesn’t have a cure and the pandit will go mad soon. In life we should not try and do those jobs which are beyond us. In fact we should encourage other people to move forward themselves. We should rely only on God, and at best, should be in under the aegis of a theologian, if required.

This story reminds us about some relevant aspects of life, and that is, although, we may plan meticulously for our future we can’t ensure it. We are no one to give life to anyone but we can definitely look after the health of someone. In the same manner we can control our devotion. We can increase our devotion or help increase devotion of others.

***

SOME INTERESTING, #QUOTES AND #SAYINGS

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  • It is faith that removes mental turbidity and makes your mind clear.
  • Weakness on both sides is, as we know, the motto of all quarrels- Voltaire.
  • In the absence of writing, all knowledge was located in the mind of the Brahmin; this is why killing a Brahmin was forbidden as it was equal to killing a library. This made the Brahmin very powerful, too powerful. He jealously guarded his knowledge.’
  • The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die.
  • A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
  • How long can a snake keep straight.
  • Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb.
  • What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it.
  • If there…

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THE VISION AND MISSION OF MOST POLITICAL PARTIES IN INDIA—to win elections

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WELL SUMMARIZED BY A TV ADVERTISEMENT

    Some TV advertisements become immortal. You just can’t forget them. They are so very interesting and relevant that they occupy your mind space forever. I too, remember one such advertisement quite vividly, and if I’m not mistaken it was from Nike where the script runs as follows:

    There were two guys walking in the jungle. Suddenly they hear a tiger’s roar and get frightened. The guy who is ahead makes a request to the guy behind him. To pass on his Nike shoes from the bag.

    The guy holding the bag says,

   ‘You think, by running with these shoes on. You’ll outrun a tiger?’

    ‘No,’ replied the other guy and smartly added, ‘I will not outrun the tiger. But I will definitely outrun you and that is enough to save me from the tiger.’

    Isn’t this the manner in which most political parties of India are run today? As their only mandate appears to be, to keep ahead of their nearest rival. Which is often witnessed in TV debates too. Where, they only remind each other of the final tally of wrongs the other party has done, as compared to them.

    Excellence will never flow out of this attitude. For excellence, political parties need to openly accept their mistakes and shortcomings if any. To forge ahead like a rocket, without trying to defend the indefensible.

    Remember. When a political party admits to their mistakes and shortcomings. The general public gets a positive feeling about their being honest.

*

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

                                                   https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

 

BEAUTIFUL QUOTES OF FOURTEENTH DALAI LAMA

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Posted by: Kamlesh Tripathi

dalailama buddhist

Some beautiful quotes by Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama

He is the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people. He has written several books on Buddhism and philosophy, and has received many international awards, including the 1989 Nobel Prize as recognition for his advocacy of world peace and inter-religious understanding.

The common enemy of all religious disciplines is selfishness of mind. For it is just this which causes ignorance, anger and passion, which are at the root of all the troubles.

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Whenever Buddhism has taken root in a new land, there has been certain variation in the style in which it observed. The Buddha himself taught differently according to the place, the occasion and the situation of those who were listening to him.

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Buddhahood is a state free of all obstructions to knowledge and disturbing emotions. It is the state in which the mind is fully evolved.

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From the earliest stages of our growth, are completely dependent upon our mother’s care and it is very important for us that she express her love. If children do not receive proper affection, in later life they will often find it hard to love others.

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Through actual practice in his daily life, man well fulfils the aim of all religion, whatever his denomination.

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We can speak of an effect and a cause on the disturbing side as well as on the liberating side.

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According to Buddhist practice, there are three states or steps. The initial stage is to reduce attachment towards life. The second stage is the elimination of desire and attachment to this samsara. Then the third stage, self-cherishing is eliminated.

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Encountering sufferings will definitely contribute to the elevation of your spiritual practice, provided you are able to transform the calamity and misfortune into the path.

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Faith dispels doubt and hesitation, it liberates you from suffering and delivers you to the city of peace and happiness.

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Suffering increases your inner strength. Also, wishing for suffering makes the suffering disappear.

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Even when we are helping others and are engaged in charity work, we should not regard ourselves in a very haughty way as great protectors benefitting the weak.

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The creatures that inhabit this earth—be they human beings or animals—are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world.

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We are born and reborn countless number of times, and it is possible that each being has been our parent at one time or another. Therefore, it is likely that all beings in this universe have familial connections.

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The process of dying begins with the dissolution of the elements within the body. It has eight stages, beginning with the dissolution of the earth element, then the water, fire and wind elements. The next four stages are visions in terms of colour: appearance of a white vision, increase of the red element, black near-attainment, and finally the clear light of death.

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Do your best and do it according to your own inner standard—call it conscience—not just according to society’s knowledge and judgement of your deeds.

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For discovering one’s true inner nature. I think one should try to take some time, with quiet and relaxation, to think more inwardly and to investigate the inner world.

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When one is very involved in hatred or attachment, if there is time or possibility during that very moment, just try to look inward and ask: ‘What is attachment? What is the nature of anger?’

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Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned.

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It is through listening that your mind will turn with faith and devotion, and you will be able to cultivate joy within your mind and make your mind stable.

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Laziness will stop your progress in your spiritual practice.

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When a day seems to be long, idle gossip makes our day seem shorter. But it is one of the worst ways in which we waste out time. If a tailor just holds the needle in his hand and goes on talking to a customer, the tailoring does not get finished. Besides, the needle might prick his finger. In short, meaningless gossip prevents us from doing any kind of work.

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If you rely on someone who has lower qualities than yourself, that will lead to your degeneration. If you rely on someone who has qualities similar to yourself, you will stay where you are. It is only if you rely on someone who has better qualities than yourself, that you will achieve sublime status.

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The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well being.

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The problems we encounter are never the result of starting a project or work on an inappropriate day or time. Buddha always talked about negative experiences as the result of having performed negative actions. So, for a good practitioner there is no good day or bad day.

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There is no way to escape death. It is just like trying to escape when you are surrounded by four great mountains touching the sky. There is no escape from these four mountains of birth, old age, sickness and death.

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Ageing destroys youth, sickness destroys health, degeneration of life destroys all excellent qualities and death destroys life. Even if you are a great runner, you cannot run away from death. You cannot stop death with your wealth, through your magic performances or recitation of mantras or even medicines. Therefore it is wise to prepare for your death.

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Discipline is a supreme ornament and, whether worn by old, young or middle-aged, it gives birth only to happiness. It is perfume par excellence and, unlike ordinary perfumes which travel only with the wind, its refreshing aroma travels spontaneously in all directions. A peerless ointment, it brings relief from the hot pains of delusion.

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A blossoming tree becomes bare and stripped in autumn. Beauty changes in ugliness, youth into old age, and fault into virtue. Things do not remain the same and nothing really exists. Thus appearances and emptiness exist simultaneously.

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Some people who are sweet and attractive, strong and healthy, happen to die young. They are masters is disguise teaching us about impermanence.

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SHORT POEM BY A CHILD CANCER PATIENT: IN THE LAP OF GOD

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IN THE LAP OF GOD

What was my wrong?

That you took away my song,

For when I opened my eyes,

I was in severe bites.

*

You taught me a lesson,

By plaguing me with cancer,

But I had not harmed anyone,

So why the torture?

*

As a child,

I had no devious past,

Yet you stepped on my present,

And took away my craft.

*

They call you kind,

They call you a forgiver,

Synonym for mercy,

But you left me in heresy.

*

Fear not my child,

For I’m with you every while,

And you are not alone,

In this vast world of mine.

*

For you are special,

In life’s battle,

And you are my messenger,

And you are my harbinger.

*

You puzzled me God,

You scared me God,

But after talking to you,

I am at peace God,

For I now know,

I am in your lap God.

***

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(Archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

Story of an Indian salesman who is lowly qualified but fights his ways through uncertainities to reach the top. A good read for all salesmen. Now available in Amazon.com

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

 

SHORT STORY: KARMA AUR AKARMA (ACTION AND INACTION)

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By kamlesh Tripathi

action inaction progress

Long time ago there lived a man, who wanted to prosper in life, very fast. He went to a saint and expressed his desire. Saint smiled at him and gave him two coins, and asked him to drop the coins one after the other, so that he could fulfil his desire.

The person felt extremely happy about his own sensible thought as his desire, was soon to be accomplished. And, before the saint could give him any other valuable advice, the person, while the saint was watching him ran away from there.

And after running a distance when he was out of his sight, he halted, and dropped a coin to test. Just then, in front of him, and as he was watching a golden chariot came and stood, and invited him for a ride. In the chariot at a particular place it was written ‘Karma,’ and excited and delighted the young man sat in the chariot. And as he sat the chariot took to supersonic speed when the youth noticed there is no control lever in the chariot. For some time he enjoyed the high speed of the chariot but soon he got nervous, as he was not sure about where he was going and his destination. He had no answers to his questions but the chariot was still moving at supersonic speed. He got scared.

When he was pondering to save himself from the high speed of the chariot, he saw a button on which it was written ‘stop’. With great hope he pressed the button. And immediately the chariot stopped. When the person jumped out of the chariot and heaved a sigh of relief.

The journey had tired him. And after some rest when he was re-energised, with some renewed hope and strength he eagerly decided to drop the other coin, and as he did that another chariot came and stood in front of him on which it was written ‘akarma’ and it invited him for a ride. But this time the youth was less scared of the chariot when he entered.

But to his surprise this time the chariot was stationery, but around the chariot everything was moving at a very fast pace and he was unable to see anything. And this moving of things at a fast pace started troubling him, and he felt giddy.

When he could not withstand all this, to save himself he pressed the ‘stop’ button. The moving of everything around him stopped immediately. The person jumped from the chariot and ran towards the saint. He complained to the saint that by using the coins he has made no progress in his life.

The saint looked at him pensively, when he decided to explain and said, ‘most people in the world want fast progress for themselves and that too without any directional and sustained effort. While some are just the opposite. But neither hard work alone nor idling or inaction can give us progress.

Saint further added, ‘Every, karma of ours should have an objective. And there should be a particular procedure to do that karma and there should be a continuous effort, and in this, factors that help are wisdom, intelligence, and sound ideas. And, when all these factors combine, then only we attain worldly and spiritual progress.

This story conveys a message that ‘karma’ and ‘akarma,’ both without an objective and continuous efforts are like a vehicle that does not have a control levers for direction and control.

****

POETRY: BAD TIMES A FRIEND OF ALL TIMES

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BAD TIMES A FRIEND OF ALL TIMES

Pricey and snobby was good times,

Where bad times was a friend of all times,

Choosy and selective was good times,

When cheaply available was bad times.

*

In the skit of life,

Only few had the privilege of good times,

Rest remained in the domain of bad times,

Quite easily the friend of all times.

*

In life where one longs for good times,

Bad time comes uninvited,

Good times chooses where to go,

But bad times hovers every pore.

*

Good times remains a friend of the few,

Where bad times befriends every new,

Good times is elitist,

Where bad times is populist.

*

And in the cage of times,

Only few are having a good time,

And most in general bad times,

That makes me ask,

Who invented these slimy times,

Doesn’t look like the work of a shrine,

*

But does God work through times,

Or time works through God,

The question remains unanswered,

Over a long period of time.

*

Bad times is more laborious than good times,

And it also teaches the lessons of life,

While good times teaches only lessons of rhyme,

And it all happens in the ambit of caged time.

*

And in the frequents of life,

I have dealt more with the wrath of bad times,

Than the rhymes of good times,

And so to me bad times is a friend of all times.

*

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

 

 

shravancharitymission's avatarShravan charity mission

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

BAD TIMESTIMEGOOD TIME

BAD TIMES A FRIEND OF ALL TIMES

PRICEY AND SNOBBY WAS GOOD TIMES,

WHEN BAD TIMES WAS A FRIEND OF ALL TIMES,

CHOOSY AND SELECTIVE WAS GOOD TIMES,

WHEN CHEAPLY AVAILABLE WAS BAD TIMES.

*

IN THE SKIT OF LIFE,

FEW HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF GOOD TIMES,

REST REMAINED IN THE DOMAIN OF BAD TIMES,

QUITE EASILY A FRIEND OF ALL TIMES.

*

WHERE ONE LONGS FOR GOOD TIMES,

BAD TIME COMES UNINVITED,

GOOD TIMES CHOOSES WHERE TO GO,

BUT BAD TIMES HOVERS EVERY PORE.

*

GOOD TIMES IS A FRIEND OF THE FEW,

WHERE BAD TIMES IS A FRIEND OF MANY,

GOOD TIMES IS ELITIST,

WHERE BAD TIMES IS POPULIST.

*

AND IN THE CAGE OF TIMES,

ONLY FEW ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME,

AND IN GENERAL BAD TIMES,

AND THAT MAKES ME ASK,

WHO INVENTED THESE SLIMY TIMES,

DOESN’T LOOK LIKE A WORK OF…

View original post 91 more words

POETRY: BAD TIMES A FRIEND OF ALL TIMES

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BAD TIMES TIME GOOD TIME

BAD TIMES A FRIEND OF ALL TIMES

Pricey and snobby was good times,

Where bad times was a friend of all times,

Choosy and selective was good times,

When cheaply available was bad times.

*

In the skit of life,

Only few had the privilege of good times,

Rest remained in the domain of bad times,

Quite easily the friend of all times.

*

In life where one longs for good times,

Bad time comes uninvited,

Good times chooses where to go,

But bad times hovers every pore.

*

Good times remains a friend of the few,

Where bad times befriends every new,

Good times is elitist,

Where bad times is populist.

*

And in the cage of times,

Only few are having a good time,

And most in general bad times,

That makes me ask,

Who invented these slimy times,

Doesn’t look like the work of a shrine,

*

But does God work through times,

Or time works through God,

The question remains unanswered,

Over a long period of time.

*

Bad times is more laborious than good times,

And it also teaches the lessons of life,

While good times teaches only lessons of rhyme,

And it all happens in the ambit of caged time.

*

And in the frequents of life,

I have dealt more with the wrath of bad times,

Than the rhymes of good times,

And so to me bad times is a friend of all times.

*

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

SHORT STORY: POVERTY

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poverty
warmth

    Once upon a time, there lived a poor and elderly couple that without fail used to visit the railway station of a small town every morning, as well as in the evening. There, they used to wait for a particular passenger train that used to arrive at six in the morning. The same train used to return at seven in the evening. When again, they used to wait for its arrival, and after the train left they used to return to their home empty handed.

    But in the five minutes that the train halted the couple used to go into a tizzy. They used to go in opposite directions. One towards the engine and the other towards the end of the train. As if looking for someone, and day-after-day they used to call out the same name.

    In the same platform there was a tea vendor who had had his tea stall there for many years now. He used to light his gas stove at 5 in the morning to make tea. His first customers used to be the ones out of the same passenger train, for which, this elderly couple, used to come and wait each morning and evening.

    The tea vendor had watched the couple quite attentively for years every day while doing his brisk business. The passenger train was rarely late. And after midnight it used to be the first train in the morning.

    One morning when the train arrived. The elderly couple as usual went in opposite directions, calling out the same name. But as the train trickled out of the platform. They came and sat near the staircase trying to catch their breath.

    The tea vendor who used to watch them from a distance each day could not hold his inquisition that day. He walked up to the elderly couple and asked,

    ‘I have being watching you both, coming to this platform, without fail, for years now. What do you come here for? Are you looking for someone?’ He asked in a concerned tone.

    Embarrassed, the couple looked at each other when the elderly man in a hesitant and guilty tone said,

    ‘Babuji some fifteen years back. In the same passenger train. We had left behind, three of our children, because we didn’t have money to feed them. So we come here looking for them. We shout for the elder one. Who was six then, thinking he might remember his name and respond, but till date we have not met with any success.’

    This is poverty at its worst. It is a true story. In this life we often are upset over minor things, even when God has given us everything. Remember, destiny can be extremely kind to some, and extremely harsh to some others. So thank God, for each iota of goodness that you have in your life.

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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