The Story of a Story

My name is Jaya. I am qualified, but I did not take up any job. It was a consensus decision between me and my husband. I focus on bringing up our son Rahul. Rahul requires continuous attention throughout the day and does not give me much leisure. Raghu, my husband works hard for his career and passion.

Raghu returns from the office late in the evening and plays with Rahul for about an hour. Then both of us sit for dinner. That time I have to give my day’s happenings to get the required comments and suggestions. Last two years, this has been our routine. Most of our discussion would be to help me to live a constructive life. He means to see that I am not demoralized for not going for a job like others. Periodically I get ideas from him for avocations.

Domestic plantations, home tuition, and many other ideas are tried. I could understand Raghu. He would suggest to me that activity, which he would like to do for himself and, that he is not able to pursue. Sometimes he would get ideas from his friends. I reconcile to the fact that I am a tool for his experiments with good intentions for me. Here I give a recent experiment at the end of which, we had a big lesson for life.

My trouble started when his colleague’s wife wrote a story and got published. That evening Raghu came home with a new idea that I should start writing stories.  We both of us remembered that my mother was teaching literature in a college. I carried a few literature books when I came from my mother’s home. But I never opened them. I mentioned ‘reading books’ as my hobby in my bio-data. From my very early days, I read magazines and I was up to date with styles and content.  We both decided that I can try writing short stories and there would be enough publishers to take them.

Then we spent days thinking about themes. We toyed with many ideas and a few of them turned into draft copies. All of them looked crude and damp. I started telling Raghu that I was not made for writing stories. But he insisted and encouraged me suggesting a few more themes. He also brought some stories written by his friend’s wife. I was surprised for most of the stories were around the same stereotype social problems of dowry, harassed daughter-in-law, children abandoning elderly parents, etc. I was not convinced of I, producing such dry stories.

When I complained to Raghu, he took me on vacation to a resort for the right mood. We spent three days in the resort and got a two-page story ready. The story idea was given by Raghu. Both of us reviewed it ten times. I looked at the calendar for auspicious moments and dispatched for a popular magazine.

Weeks were rolling; we were looking at every edition for our story to appear. It was not published. We tried to contact the editor of the magazine. We did not have luck. Raghu was bringing new ideas and tried all the means to boost my morale. I was at a loss as to know why the story was not published.

That time, my sister and her husband, came to our house to spend a few days. My brother-in-law is a realtor and he earned riches by way of political connections. He always talked as if he can achieve everything in the world through his contacts. Every time we meet, he would advise Raghu about his job and financial management. The subjects ranged from the car we drive to organizing my maid. He was unstoppable. Raghu, naturally felt uneasy as he felt undermined. Mostly he avoided discussions with him.

That night, all four of us sat for dinner and many topics were discussed. He asked me:

“What are you doing? Are you not going to job?. When you were a student you were reading lots of books. Are you continuing? If you like to go to a job, I can help.”

I retorted “If required Raghu can get me a job at any moment”. I also said, “I am just sitting at home. I am busy with Rahul. Raghu does not want me to go to a job”.

My brother-in-law continued “I advise you to get engaged. Otherwise, you get rusty and lethargic. Later when the need comes you would not be able to do it.” He further said,” See your sister, I made her write stories. She also wanted to sit idle at home.  I insisted”. It was a surprise for me and a shock for Raghu.

My sister was sitting without any comment. I looked at her. She half-heartedly smiled. I was looking at her with doubt and said to her “Why did you not tell me about this earlier?” 

The next day my brother-in-law went out. We sisters sat together. Then my sister said to me “A friend of your brother-in-law is an established story writer. He also works in a magazine. He took some favor from your brother-in-law in a land deal. He visited our home many times. He saw some books given by his mother and he asked if I have any hobby of writing. I said no and he advised me to try something.  I scribbled something like a story on repeated reminders from your brother-in-law. That gentleman took it and he completely changed the writing. He took it to his magazine and got it published. I feel ashamed to say that it is my story.” 

My sister gave me the story gist. A rich girl falls in love with her driver’s son. They find some difficulties and finally parents reconcile and the story ends happily. A millionth story with the same theme is published. A safe bet for all people like writers, readers, and publishers. My sister was sincere to give out the story behind the story. I also gave my story writing venture and its result and both of us had a hearty laugh. 

After my sister and brother-in-law left, I told the storyline to Raghu. Raghu heard with the least enthusiasm and did not show any further interest. I sensed that Raghu felt disappointed for story writing has become such an ugly affair. (Even) My sister, for whom he does not have any appreciation, could produce a story and got it published.

Frankly speaking, I got relieved of a big burden and decided that I would never indulge in a writing activity. I am not artistic enough to create a story from the events we see.  I read somewhere the following attributes of story writing.    

Good writers pick up ideas from day-to-day happenings. The incident should surprise or create wonder for the reader. It is difficult to know the criteria for a good story to be published. Storytelling is a compulsive expression for a writer. Many times the author may not bother whether it is published or not. Writing is enjoyment and satisfaction for himself.

Vallinath Mangalampalli

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/happy-indian-partners-talking-while-working-on-project-using-laptop-4308104/