The Anonymous
A Short Story By G.S.Vasukumar</p>
Abhinav started writing short stories from his childhood days. He used to send them to the children’s magazines like ‘Tinkle’, ‘Champak’, etc, hoping that they might be selected for publication. But the same was returned to him with a rejection letter from the editor. One day, his dad saw a pile of rejection letters and gave him a good lecture.
‘Remember that these stories won’t fetch you anything. It is waste of time’ He said ‘Instead if you concentrate on your studies then you’ll get good marks. It will surely help you to get you good job and settle in your life.’
But Abhinav didn’t listen to his father. He kept writing and sending them.
Abhinav’s dream of getting his collection of short stories published still remained a dream. He had sent the sample stories to the renowned publishers, but they rejected them as usual.
Finally, he decided to get his collection published with his own money and promote the same through the people he knew. He started saving money for the same. He approached a publisher and he agreed to publish it.
'You’ve taken the right decision’ He said, smiling at him. ‘Once your collection gets promoted then there will be no looking back. You shall become a famous writer sooner or later.’
‘When will it be ready?’ He asked
‘In two weeks’ He replied
Just then his mobile started ringing. He came to know that his wife had met with an accident and she was admitted in some hospital. Then :-
‘I’m sorry…I won’t be able to publish my collection now’ Abhinav told him what had happened.
‘Oh, so bad’ He said
‘I’m sorry that you’d to spend that money you had saved for me’ She said
‘It’s ok…nothing in this world is more dear to me than you’ Abhinav replied.
Abhinav wrote on the cover page of his typed collection of short stories named ‘The whispering willow’ the following lines :-
‘Like the flower hidden in the wild grass of the forest, so my talent shall remain hidden.’
He kept it in one corner of the rack.
Many days passed by. Then one day, his mother gave away that book along with the old magazines and newspapers to the old newspaper boy. This collection of short stories finally reached a groundnut seller on the street. He started tearing the pages and used the same to make the packets for selling his groundnuts.
Priya unfolded the paper after finishing the groundnuts and started reading what was typed in the paper. It was one of the short stories by Abhinav. She was really touched and moved by that wonderful story. She rushed to the spot where the groundnut seller was along with her friend Sanjay.
‘We want that book from which you had torn this paper!’ Priya said, showing the paper to him.
‘But I need it to sell my groundnuts’ He replied.
‘Take this newspaper and keep it for that purpose and also this money!’ Sanjay said, giving him his newspaper and one hundred rupees note.
‘I don’t have the change’ He said
‘It’s ok…you can keep it’ Sanjay said
‘I will go home and complete reading this collection of short stories.’ Priya said, with a smile on her face. ‘Thanks a lot…dear.’
'The pleasure is mine' Sanjay said, smiling back at her.
The End
HI
The story started off very well and was taking me with it ....however in the end it came to an abrupt end...What happened to abhinav
Who is Sanjay in between....and did Priya get the stories published...
I am just a regular reader interested in these things...
Priya Nair
Thanks...
Priya,
Thanks for reading...nothing happened to Abhinav in the end..He couldn't realise his dream of getting his collection of stories published and became anonymous...whereas Priya only read his stories and appreciated them. She didn't get them published...Sanjay is Priya's friend.
This story focuses on talent that remains in dark.
Thanks & Regards,
Vasu