Monday, October 7, 2013

Different smiles

With an alcoholic husband Muthu, Muniyamma worked in four houses to send her daughter Sunita to a good school. She did not want her to live miserably like her in a hut. Muthu beat Muniyamma every once in a while and took away her money. Even kerosene for the lamp for daughter was scarce

Sunita came home beaming with a laptop given as prize for being first.  Unusually smiling, Muniyamma showed it proudly to neighbours, Sunita reminded her that it needed electricity and net. Muniyamma’s smile disappeared instantly. Muthu smiled wondering how much money it will fetch for his booze

Written as a part of 100 words on Saturday at Write Tribe. The prompt being every once in a while.
100 Words on Saturday - Write Tribe

18 comments:

  1. Muthu is so mean. The mother is slogging away to educate her daughter. Alcohol is a bane of our society.

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  2. Good One KP. Reality straight in the eye ! How our perceptions differ!

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  3. Oh that man, of only I could catch him. Would have beat him myself.
    Good use of prompt

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  4. Different smiles indeed. Alcoholism is such a grave problem. :(

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  5. irony, isn't it :( she's getting a prize which she can't use :( it's only fuelling her dad's booze :(
    Good take on the subject, KP :)

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  6. How ironical is that! Reminded me of Akhilesh Yadav's laptop scheme.

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  7. The dad has taken over by alcohol.
    Small story carries a big message Partha sir.

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  8. Yes,drunkards and drug-addicts are blind and never know the value of life.Nice.

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  9. This is one reason why subsidies and freebies may not be all that effective. It's a practical story.

    Destination Infinity

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  10. What an irony of fate! Such drunkards must be ousted from home.But alas! Indian women and their dharma comes in their way.

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  11. Fate has a way of being the spoil sport. It keeps happening a lot among the poorest of the poor. How much can they keep on struggling. Often times I feel fate is ruthless.
    Nicely put in 100 words

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  12. Short and crisp.
    You just proved that you don’t have to write long stories to invent twists :P

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  13. Good one! In fact, I'd like to see you do this kind of writing more often.

    Have a good day. Blessings!

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  14. The reality check. More than the domestic climate , the fact is the freebies are so misleading.

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  15. This is the sad case for so many poor women and my cook was repeatedly beaten by the alcoholic hubby in Pune. The son is also a drunkard who never worked. Sad but true.

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  16. Most of the servant maids I have come across, face this problem at home. You have put down this situation very nicely!

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  17. Different smiles - I loved the title and the co-relation. Short and crisp yet so multilayered. loved the story.

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