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
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18 comments:

  1. kalpana solsiOctober 7, 2013 at 1:45 PM

    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. L KRUPAAOctober 7, 2013 at 1:52 PM

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

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  3. AnonymousOctober 7, 2013 at 2:54 PM

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

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  4. AnonymousOctober 7, 2013 at 3:01 PM

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

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  5. AnonymousOctober 7, 2013 at 3:16 PM

    :( reality...

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  6. Sreeja PraveenOctober 7, 2013 at 4:55 PM

    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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  7. ObsessivemomOctober 7, 2013 at 5:53 PM

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

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  8. జ్యోతిర్మయి October 7, 2013 at 7:32 PM

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

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  9. rudraprayagaOctober 7, 2013 at 11:45 PM

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

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  10. Destination InfinityOctober 8, 2013 at 1:25 PM

    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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  11. UnknownOctober 8, 2013 at 4:07 PM

    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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  12. Rama AnanthOctober 8, 2013 at 10:30 PM

    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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  13. deepsOctober 8, 2013 at 10:50 PM

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

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  14. EllenOctober 9, 2013 at 5:56 AM

    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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  15. anilkurup59October 9, 2013 at 9:57 AM

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

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  16. AnonymousOctober 9, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    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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  17. SandhyaOctober 9, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    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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  18. AnonymousOctober 15, 2013 at 11:39 PM

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

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