A Dying Newspaper Promise by Terveen Gill — Gobblers / Masticadores // Flash Fiction
WELCOME TO TUESDAY FLASH FICTION at GOBBLERS/MASTICADORES!
Life can be intimidating. And so can be the newspaper.
A man finds himself confronting the news every day.
Not by choice but a supposed promise to his dying mother.
It’s quite evident that he lives in a world of his own.
How? Find out by reading ahead and clicking the blue link. Thank you!
Tutu licked his index finger twice, not just the tip but the entire length of it. He then pressed it down on the paper and turned the page of the newspaper. His eyes barely read the words, but his tongue clicked its disapproval. Tchh! Tchh! That was the sound it made. More than a few […]
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Terveen Gill is a versatile author and writer who has had the pleasure of growing up on two different continents. Having spent her childhood years in the United States, she returned to India, and has since been living in Chandigarh, a beautiful city in North India. Choosing engineering as her path, she obtained a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. However, paths are discovered only to be changed. Life's unpredictable tale made her realize her passion for writing, and thus began a journey that is transforming into a wonderful literary experience. The author of graphic novels and short stories, versatility is her secret weapon. From a storyteller to a film-maker, script-writing, film direction and film editing are pursuits that challenge and enhance her creativity. Her motto is, ‘If it can be imagined, it is already half-done’.
19 Comments
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This is brilliant, Terveen. Your character, Tutu, came alive with the first lick of his finger, I could picture him so vividly. Him, and his uninspired mind, hearing only what he wants to hear. Or, perhaps closer to the truth, hearing only what he can imagine. What a sad existence. Clearly, this boy should have listened to his mummy very, very carefully! Great story. As per usual, so much in such few words. You work with the precision of a surgeon.
Thank you so much, Britta. Yes, I slice, cut, and dice as I please. More of a murderer than a surgeon, but that’s how words bleed. haha! And Tutu should’ve listened to his mum with much more attention. Oh well, he’ll open the papers to find himself huffing and puffing again. Maybe that’s all his uninspired mind can tolerate. 🙂
Let’s stick with surgeon, Terveen, sounds slightly healthier than murderer, although… well, all is allowed in the realm of creative fiction!
Very intriguing and sad at the same time.
Thank you so much, Cassa. It’s a strange way of thinking and living. 🙂
I guess Tutu found a way to carry on which mattered the most.
That’s the truth. 🙂
An awesome write, Terveen. That which we hear and perceive may or may not be what was actually said. An important reminder about the nature of reality in accord with our perceptions. Congratulations on the pub!
You’ve summed this up wonderfully, Jeff. Thank you so much for your thoughtful and wise words. They come from a place of deep understanding. 🙂
You’re most welcome, Terveen. Always. Reflecting upon your words is a joy. Thank you for the acknowledgment. It means so much to me. Wishing you a wonderful week, my friend. ☺️
Another thought provoking and excellent piece of writing, Terveen. Families come with so many secrets we can spend a lifetime trying to unlock. I like how you have added the trauma of the influence of media into the mix. There are a lot of unsaid things in here that need further exploration from a reader.
Thank you so much, Davy. Isn’t life simply a mystery that no matter how much you solve, it only grows deeper. Or could it be an ever evolving thought process that continues to search for meaning and substance. Secrets and exploration make quite a pair. 🙂
You are soooo right about it. Newspapers are filled with horrid news, which deserve to be stomped on. Yes, we all want some inspirations, but usually not from newspaper. Often we find inspirations in unlikely places, not those usual places we go to.
Exactly Haoyan. The news hardly inspires or leads to a good place. It’s depressing and confusing and at times overwhelming. Much is exaggerated and much is modified to hide the facts. What good can come of this, I wonder.
There are people in my immediate family who are self-professed “literalists.” I can see them following in Tutu’s footsteps. Some people hear only what they want to hear, and some folks misunderstand everything. This is sort of hilarious and sort of sad at the same time. It’s very telling that Tutu’s mom called him her “favorite son” when he was her only child. It says a lot of how she perceived her son’s (lack of) intelligence and personal idiosyncrasies and outlook on life. My advice for Tutu would be to relocate to a rural area where the newspapers are published weekly rather than daily. Then he’d have more free time to look for the lucky future Mrs. Tutu. 🙂
Haha! Your words are always a mix of wisdom, wit, and the truths that so many of us don’t have the guts to accept. I love how you recognize the tiniest details and interpret such wondrous meanings. It’s all about being observant and sensitive to one’s feelings and surroundings. Thanks so much, Mike. I always appreciate your words and the way you express them – graceful and straightforward. 🙂
An interesting read…..
Keep sharing. This made me laugh!!
Tutu should investigate how many sons his mother have.
Haha! That could be a new angle to the story. Imagination should have no limits. Thanks a lot! 🙂
But seriously. What kind of name is tutu. It became funny from the first line itself. Great share. You are an tremendous writer.