Shon Mehta's Blog, page 7

Lair Of The Monster

 

When I started writing “Lair of the Monster” almost two and a half years back, I had not imagined that it will become so relevant in today’s scenario.
What is “Lair of the Monster” about? It is about quest of power. It is about grit in face of adversities. It is a story about trying to live our life in the best possible way we can.
-- Shon Mehta

Thinking Out Loud: Detoxing Life

 Many of us diet to get rid of toxicities in our body. But what about our life? How can we detox our life? Before I start a new year, I ask myself a few questions:

1) What is one habit can I start that will increase quality of my life?

2) What is one habit do I need to get rid of in order to increase quality of life?

3) Who is that one person who significantly increases quality of my life, and how can I make their life better?

4) Who is that one toxic person I am tolerating, and dealing with, who de...

Thinking out loud: Conditioning

Ever since the day we are born, most of us are conditioned to behave as the society dictates.

Men are conditioned that being aggressive and angry is normal, but crying is not. Similarly, women are conditioned that crying is normal, but being assertive and angry is not.

Men are conditioned that grooming themselves is not normal, it is unmanly. Similarly, women are conditioned that not grooming themselves, not trying to look attractive, is manly.

Women are conditioned to dress, walk, talk carefully s...

My Second Novel

Completed my second novel today.

When I wrote my first novel, it was to prove that I can write a novel -- not just short stories.
When I started on my second novel, I pondered on what I am trying to prove this time? For whom?
I realised that it does not matter! So, I wrote this one for my love of telling stories.
This story narrates how adversity can affect different people differently. From kings to monks, and warlords to destitutes -- how some crumble under pressure, while others attain heights of...

Short Story: Unrequited Love

Byron knew that he was destined for literary greatness. Named Brian at birth, he had changed his name to remind the world of his destiny.

"They will come around," he told John, his literary advisor. John owned the bookshop around the corner, where Byron spent most of his afternoons. So far, nobody had bought even a single copy of the collection of Byron's finest poems. Byron was a little disheartened -- the low intelligence of the current generation of readers was delaying his fame and riches.

"I ...

Thinking Out Loud: Soulmate

“Soulmate is not who always brings you flowers. Soulmate is who gets rid of the flowers because they know you are allergic to flowers.”
—— Shon Mehta

The Uncharted Mind: Hurt

You count my mistakes, and believe I lack any will.

You tell me, how badly my life has gone downhill.

By calling me worthless, you get a vicious thrill.

Your words hurt, cause even though a failure, I am a human still.

—— by Shon Mehta

Stories of Jivavarta: Full Moon

 

Full moon above, I was sitting in a desolate cremation site deep in the valley, waiting for midnight. A bunch of dogs were howling at a distance, occasionally joined by shrieks of owls from the banyan trees above. I was cold, and a little scared. I am not afraid of living souls, but ghosts scare me -- they say that at full moon, ghosts can possess the living.

I was carrying Sarvabhu's talisman in my hand. I was sure that it would protect me. Sarvabhu is the supreme god of all living,...

Stories of Jivavarta: Allegory

 Once there lived a great scholar. In the course of his travels, he chanced to visit a distant kingdom. Seeing the respect the scholar commanded, the king was impressed. He thought that if the scholar stays in his kingdom, it will increase its prestige in the lands.

So he invited the scholar to his palace, and asked whether he would like to stay.

“I only stay at places where freedom is valued,” the scholar replied.

“Of course,” said the king. “Come with me for a tour of the capital, and see for you...

Stories of Jivavarta: Poison and antidote

In the ancient land of Jivavarta, there lived two friends. One day, they both got poisoned. Fortunately, they recovered.

After recovery, one of the friends started poisoning others, in a hope he would kill whoever had poisoned him. The other friend started distributing antidote to others, so that they would recover in case they get poisoned.

In this world, we all get poisoned or harmed some way, and it is up to us how we react -- do we want to seek revenge and harm others, or show compassion and h...