Ink & Insight Issue 8 (April 2026).

 Dear Crafters ✍️,

                                              

Welcome to the seventh edition of Ink & Insight!

With every new edition of this e-magazine, we are happy to share voices, ideas, and creativity of our ever-growing Content Crafters community. 

This collective carries pieces that are thoughtful, honest and some, deeply personal. From reflective blogs to expressive poetry, from powerful storytelling to insightful quotes, each contribution reminds us why we started. Words matter and so do the people, who write them, with conviction and courage.

With gratitude and ink stained smiles,

Team Content Crafters.

Editor's desk:

Jui Purohit,

                                                             

Founder, Content Crafters.

Editor, Ink & Insight.

 Hello readers!

I'm a published poet and a writer who collects words -just like we collected stamps in our childhood: too many yet not enough! Ergo, my first book of poetry is 'Words became Poetry'. Later, I published two more books, 'Words Became Poetry - All About Love' and 'Echoes of Seasons'. Six online published novellas, numerous blogs added to my kitty, and with a passion of storytelling, I intended to start a community to encourage more writers. In a hope of growing together with them, sharing words and shinning together, I started Content Crafters.

And here, I wear two hats -as the founder of Content Crafters and the editor of this e-magazine, Ink & Insight.

Through Content Crafters and Ink & Insight, my aim has always been to nurture creativity, celebrate consistency and help writers see their words find a meaningful place.

As you read through the pages of this edition too, I hope you smile, pause, and maybe even pick up your pen again. Because Ink & Insight isn't just a magazine, it's a reflection of each of you and your craft.

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Swati Mohandas,

Creative Partner Content Crafters.

Co-editor, Ink & Insight.

Hello readers!

I have always been drawn to words, their power and it is thrilling to see my work take shape. My debut poetry book, ‘Myriad Whispers‘ has been a dream come true and the award is a cherished recognition. I have also had the pleasure of contributing to anthologies, sharing my musings with others. 

Content Crafters is a community that celebrates creativity and when the creative partner role came up, I knew I had to jump in!

I am looking forward to reading, sharing and creating prompts that ignite imagination.

Ink & Insight, is an e-magazine that spotlights on the incredible power of words, showcasing talented writers and engaging readers in a shared love of literature.

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                                            Penfluence

Where powerful pens leave lasting impressions, and our prompt winners leave echoes long after the page is turned!

Winning posts of the Month of Match 2026 - for all prompts across the platforms.

• Twist-it Tuesdays is a weekly challenge that takes place on Tuesdays on the Content Crafters' WhatsApp community platform.

We are always overwhelmed with numerous embellished submissions on the prompts.

Winners -

Week 1:

Poem Prompt - "Ode to my phone's battery drain".

Sunita Menon -

Oh my sweet little goblin from the planet of technologia

Haven't you still understood what I want from you, Mumma Mia

When I without fail , fill your humongous tummy, daily

Why should you empty yourself exactly at the time I need you desperately

Listen, whenever xxxxx6741 or xxxxx4569 flashes on the screen

Please die temporarily ,so that for excuses I needn't wrack my brain.

Writa Bhattacharjee -

To My Phone Battery's Drain

Hey there, my ever-fickle friend,

I don't like your new favourite trend!

Just when I need my phone the most,

Hey presto! your charge scene is toast.

So much charge these days you quaff,

My bill looks like the inflation graph!

Nibedita Rajguru -

I slept last night,

Reading the pages you displayed,

You fell from my hands,

While I woke up,

Startled by my own snores,

Suddenly I discovered you had also

fallen asleep beside me,

Snoring pretty much like me,

Your face was still,

I covered you with my blanket, we

cuddled and closed our eyes.

Purnima Santhakumar -

ODE TO MY PHONE’S BATTERY

Rest in peace, Ye two faced monster,

My phone’s battery, an unreliable partner!

You stood happily at full count

As I dipped into my poetic fount.

Onto the platform I upload my contents,

Later, when I reach for the phone, to view the comments,

You show your true colours altho’ I cry

You drain to zero and coolly die!!!

Poornima Sivaraman -

Battery, oh battery, Are you a Bi-Polar person?, 

When I gently plug you in and come back from the kitchen, 

to sit and try to be the first CC,  you give in , 

“ Hey, I heard someone crying,”. 

“ You see what have you done to me.?” 

“Without the switch being on, how will I get charged?” 

“ Sorry dear, I pleaded,” sheepishly and caught my ears. 

Did the battery beamed to be the winner, this time?

Arwa Saifi -

*Little Thief at Nine*

You sit so calm through the day just fine,

Then start your mischief around nine.

From fifty to twenty in one quick fall,

Like you never had power at all.

Oh tiny thief, I know your game,

You fade away… yet I’m the one to blame.

K.B Janaki -

My Phone’s Mood Swings

You act fine the whole day, no problem at all.

Then suddenly at 20 percent, you start panicking.

Blinking, dimming, as if I did something wrong.

Right when I need you, you just give up.

I plug you in, and you come back quietly.

Like nothing happened between us.

Week 2:

Prompt - "We want you to write an advertisement on; Coffee Mug"

Nibedita Rajguru -

The Coffee Mug - A healer

The warm elixir,

Awaited to touch my lips,

I lingered a little more,

A lump formed in my throat,

"Have I moved on?"

A small ache refused to leave,

I heard soft chuckling,

The coffee's husky nudge,

Cleared the fog,

As its steam condensed on my specs,

A thin film of water rolled away the heaviness

Bhawana Sethi -

Error 404:

Motivation Not Found.

Please insert coffee to reboot system.

This ceramic mug provides

5 ⭐️ of energy

0 ⭐️ for your morning attitude.

Warning:

Highly addictive!

Amrita Mallik -

Way better than your partner,

When the weather is cool and cosy,

One carefree sip from this coffee mug,

Recharges your happy hormones,

Get it today and boost your mood.

Sadagi Mushrif -

Can’t decide what to wear today…

Even though your wardrobe is literally overflowing?

Same. I have struggled with this life crisis for years.

Until one day… I found this coffee mug!

One sip from this mug and I had a revelation: I just need to wear my

confidence—any outfit goes with it!

With this mug in my hand, I now grab an outfit with my eyes closed!!

Thousands of our sisters have sipped from this life-easing mug.

Your turn.

Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

If coffee is a hug,

You’ll receive it through this mug,

Your companion in loneliness,

Filled with warmth and love

The witness of your tears

And also the celebration of your cheers.

Week 3:

Paragraph Prompt – I stopped auditioning for

roles I never wanted.

Sujata Maggoo -

I kept rehearsing kindness

Like it was a language I had to earn,

Softened my edges,

Filed down my “no”

Until it sounded like “maybe later,”

Until it sounded like silence.

I learned the choreography of staying—

How to nod at the right moments,

How to fold hurt into smaller shapes,

How to disappear without leaving.

But one morning,

Something in me refused the script.

The lines felt borrowed,

The applause—imagined,

The stage—never mine.

So I stepped off.

No dramatic exit,

No final monologue—

Just a quiet unlearning

Of roles that never fit.

Now, I speak in a voice

That doesn’t ask permission,

Stand in spaces

That don’t require shrinking,

And choose stories

Where I am not the compromise.

Turns out,

The life I was waiting to be cast in

Was one I had to write myself.

Nibedita Rajguru -

I rehearsed my lines, stumbled, paused,

and began again.

The day I had waited for finally came.

The gallery was packed, silence hanging

in the air.

I stood clutching the mic—my voice

broke, palms sweating, knees trembling

with fear.

I closed my eyes and began. Not the

rehearsed words, but everything I had

never spoken aloud.

Steady, self-affirming, and alive, I rose

beyond doubt, beyond opinions, until

they faded into a distant rhythm.

Writa Bhattacharjee -

He never asked me what I wanted.

He never understood even when I told.

Every choice I made was disappointing,

Unless it fit into his view of the world.

So I stopped auditioning for the role of

"good woman"

And chose myself, unashamed and

bold.

Sunita Menon -

For decades I have been reading out from scripts written by others who thought they

knew the world better or to put in plain words, a tactic to silence anyone who might write

their own script against disrespect or toxic behaviour. Its a generational conditioning

that's prevalent in our society where we are forced to put up with members in the family,

elders or juniors , who shower insults and disrespect under the garb of advice or

pretending to be well wishers. I decided to break this chain and stopped mouthing lines

that pleased the audience and underwent an emotional makeover where I taught myself

that if maintaining peace is at the cost of my self respect, it isn't peace ,its a murder of

dignity. I have stopped auditioning as well as playing roles where one should bury their

individuality to be accepted. This isn't complaining, its awakening.

Poornima Sivaraman -

Once when I was looking at my mirror

on my 70th birthday, the fully white

haired lady questioned me, 

"How long are you going to play the same roll?"

Then it clicked, I should write my own script for my last phase of life and lo!

What a good decision and I am a shining star myself and happy in life.

Arwa Saifi -

*The Role I Refused*

I stopped auditioning for roles I never chose,

No more quiet yes to what my heart opposed.

I dropped the mask, let borrowed lines fall through,

And found a voice that finally sounded true.

No stage, no script, no need to pretend -

I chose myself, and that felt like the end… and the beginning, my friend.

Navita Goel -

I am free, truly calm and attained myself, as finally, I chose myself, I chose

breathing rather than showing up for auditions. For years I dressed for a

stage that I hated, rehearsed smiles I didn’t feel. I waited for validation from

my kin and even from strangers, but my soul begged me to quit, to stay at home.

I’ve retired from the art of 'fitting in'. I realized that my time was too expensive

to spend on characters I don't recognize. I am no longer an actor for hire. Now,

the stage is empty, the lights are off, and for the first time, I’m not waiting for a

cue. Now the pen is in my hands, I will write my own script.

Week 4:

Poem Prompt - Break up with your bad habit.

Bhawana Sethi -

I am through with the way you ghost my goals,

You are a heavy anchor I am finally cutting loose.

Go find some other life to clutter and claim,

Because I am tired of making your sorry excuses.

Consider us blocked, deleted, and dead, I am moving on to a much better head.

Sujata Maggoo -

a. My worst habit,

You have drained my peace like love gone tragic.

No more late-night excuses or “just one more,”

I’ve locked my heart and slammed that door.

Keep your chaos—I choose my calm,

This breakup? Final. No turning back, no psalm.

b. Dear Prompts,

I wait for you daily, like a fool in love,

Refreshing my hopes while you gave nothing back.

But today, I’m done chasing your empty silence—

No more craving prompts like crumbs of attention.

I choose my own words, my own spotlight now,

Consider this my final goodbye—no more waiting.

Poornima Sivaraman -

”Why are you doing this to me,?” “ I have been your best companion in the evening

hours when you held your glass in your hand”, “Now why are you running away from,

the taste has changed?” “You loved my taste a sprained me all these years?” “It is not that

dear, my starter pakodas, I am told to abstain from fried stuffs now at my elderly age, so I prefer roasted papads, sorry”.

Marilyn Evans -

I love you, my Dairy Milk Silk,

But you were never good for me.

In my hardest hours, I clung to you,

In my stardom as an editor, I still kissed you.

Today you lie behind the glass display, purple as a coffin,

Still, the way I wish my enemies to be.

Note: l really gave up this addiction of eating it most of the days from 2012 to 16. Though

plain Dairymilk is my always favourite. I eat it now once in a blue moon, especially in PMS.

Silk was really my stress and anger burster and it also looked like a symbol of some

emotions in me.

Vanishree Venugopal -

Title: Go away, Dela(z)y

It’s difficult, I am a routine hater,

I love doing everything a bit later!

To catch the bus at the last minute is thrilling,

Though sometimes, lazing around may get too overwhelming!

PROCRASTINATION, hard for me to bid farewell

Cause it takes extra time for me to get out of your spell!

Charulata Panigrahi -

Oh, scrolling at midnight

When will you go away

Patents' scold and less sleep

Have made me irritable and unhappy

They say strength of mind

Can make impossible possible

I have taken a stand

And it begins now

"I will break the relationship with you and its my vow".

Purnima Santhakumar -

The comfy chair beckons me but I walk to the door.

The soft couch at the entrance winks

and pats the seat, whispering, 

"Come, sit and dream some stories".

I smile and strap my shoes.

It's walking time and no more will I drag my feet!

Anwesha Bhattacharya -

Though intermittent fasting is the new norm,

Intermittent snacking for me has been on,

I vow to resist the temptation to binge,

Holding on to the promise to lose an inch,

I break the chain of craving gone wrong,

And take an oath to control my urge, for long!

Arwa Saifi -

*It’s Over*

We’re done, procrastination - pack your lies,

I’m bored of your “later” in disguise.

You stole my time, dimmed my spark,

Left half-done dreams in the dark.

No texts, no calls - I’m finally free,

Go haunt someone else… you’re done with me.

Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

Empathizing with others in their pain,

I trust too easily and care too much,

Often deceived by the very same,

Yet my soul directs, though my heart alerts,

To repeat the mistakes.

Navita Goel -

In my wildest dreams I had not thought, our company was bad,

You were my best friend, in high esteem you

were always held, today at myself I am mad,

Cause doctor gave me piece of his mind,

In front of my family he told me with love for you I was blind,

I was jolted out my reverie, and promised in front of everyone,

With you ( dear ) biscuits was my last day, even in my dreams with you I am done.

Ananya Gadade -

*Adieu, Mon Chéri Agité*

This is over, whatever relationship we have

It's as toxic as it can get, and that's just sad.

You slip out of your shell to ruin good times,

And with you arrive all difficult trials.

You twist my tongue, lodge stones in my throat

Strangle words before they can be devised.

It's not me, it's definitely you

To the anxious little girl in me, I bid adieu.

Shashi Thakur -

A walk down the market’s street, cosmetics and fashion jewellery allure me,

With their hottest or newest shades, and most stunning or trendiest designs,

Already, I have hordes of both of them, considered to be a girl’s best friends,

Now I chose not to get smitten anymore, thankfully due to skin rashes off lately,

Finally, I vowed not to use them as they have turned out to be my worst friends.

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• Wordplay Wednesdays  a weekly challenge on Facebook, gives our writers a chance to spin a 100 word story on the given prompt. A prompt that instantly sparks imagination and nudges you to come up with a narrative that can be heartfelt, quirky or even one that leaves the readers with goose bumps.

Thankyou for weaving beautiful and heartfelt stories for the prompts.

Winners -

Week 1: Write a story about a 'Prank call', whether made by you or done on you.

Shilpa Chakravarty -

‘Tring Tring’

Mrs. Menon spoke, “Hallo.”

Aarush said, “Hallo Auntie, I wanted to inform that Veenie will be late today. We have come to attend a seminar at the Ancient History Department. It will be over around 6 pm. So, I will drop her home.”

Aarush was happy to spend some time with Veena, although he didn’t want to attend the seminar.

A few minutes’ silence. Then, came the reply. 

“Sure, son. Please attend. I will be the chairing the second session. After the seminar, I will join you people after that.” 

 “What a pleasure..... Auntie!” was the answer!

K.B.Janaki -

Oh!!! What?

The phone rang when I was about to sleep. Unknown number. I picked up anyway. “Hello ma’am, calling from the electricity office. Your current will be cut tonight.” 

My stomach dropped. “What? Why?” “Pending bill,” he said, very calm. I sat up straight, searching for my messages. “No, I paid. I remember paying.” There was silence for two seconds. Then someone laughed. Loud. My brother walked in, still laughing. “April Fools.” I just stared at him. Didn’t even smile.  

That night, I changed his ringtone to baby cry. Later called him at 3 a.m. and shouted, "April Fools".

Navita Goel -

My husband called from office around 6.30 in the evening , to inquire if anything was needed at home. I listed a few things and was about to put the phone down when he cleared his throat and very quickly said that two of his friends were coming to have dinner and added that it had been fixed a week ago but he forgot to tell me. He added sheepishly to prepare something good. My normally cool head swirled and out of nowhere and blurted, ‘ Not possible at such short notice. Neither am I running a hotel, nor am I a master chef.’ He put the phone down but not before swearing under his breath.

I was working fast and also fuming.

After an hour he walked in casually carrying the things I had asked for and started relating the day’s happenings to me. I was perplexed as there was no mention of friends or dinner. It was then I realized that it was 1st April and my usually quiet husband had played a prank on me and that to very calmly.

Sunita Menon -

Naughtiness, coupled with curiosity was my ID card as a child. Looking back, my mother truly deserves an award. With no siblings, my landline phone was my buddy joining me in my antics. During vacations when everybody was asleep I sat down and called up random numbers from the Directory. Some would simply hang up after several "Hellos "while others  threatened. Nothing discouraged this imp. One day, fresh from a Hindi movie exposure,  I dialed 100, "Get ready,  we're coming to arrest you "the voice said. That was my last. For many days, every siren would give me shivers.

Purnima Santhakumar -

Prank Call 

It was the landline era of my college days. Full of mischief we were at a loose end during our holidays.  My friend 'S' was recounting the wild stories that her neighbour’s working son had bragged to her.  He came across as a Casanova over whom all the ladies of his office regularly fall for.  So, we decided to prank him calling at his office pretending to be an old flame.  Unfortunately, with the office phone having the dialler view screen, he caught us, mischief-mongers red handed and gave us a good scolding for pranking him during office hours.

Week 2: Write a conversation between who you are and who you used to be.

Bhawana Sethi -

"Is that ink on your fingers?" I thought we were done with chalk dust.

“Chalk is a thing of the past, my friend. Now, I work with plots and characters.

“Twenty years and you traded it for a quiet room and a laptop?”

"It is not quiet. The characters keep talking. It is a lot harder to put them in time-out than it was for your third-graders.

"Do you miss making lesson plans?"

"I still make them." Now I just call them "outlines." Less PTM, but the same amount of stress.

"So, are we famous yet?"

"Let say my young readers really like the stories."

Snehal Paritkar -

Old Me: Hi Snehal, how’s life?

New Me: Peaceful finally sorted.

Old Me: Still exhausting yourself trying to keep everyone happy?

New Me: Nope I come first now.

Old Me: Do you still cry when someone hurts you?

New Me: nope I just walk away with a smile.

Old Me: And your confidence… does it still shake when someone dominates you?

New Me: No. I’ve found my voice ,no one can silence it.

Old Me: So what changed?

New Me:

I didn’t just lose my tears…

I lost my smile for a while too.

But in that silence,

I found myself again.

Sunita Menon -

Old SM: "Omg ,look how you've changed!"

New SM: "Hmm, this is just the beginning "

 

"But, why? I  was happy,  content and confident."

"Yes, you were. But happy about how others perceived you, content with whatever was offered and confident because others called you so."

"So,  isn't that how its supposed to be?"

"Well, you could continue like that if life doesn't drop you hard to show the reality. "

"How are things now?"

"Now, I'm happy, without validations, just by myself.  I decide what I want, don't accept whatever is offered. Finally, confident because I've seen my real strength."

Amrita Mallik -

Past me: OMG! I can't believe what I see in you. You're glowing differently.

Present: Ya! I've become wiser, calmer, and more confident than you were.

Past (clapping): Also less fumbling and dubious. That's indeed an achievement.

Present: However, I thank you for persevering despite what you went through.

Past: You still remember!

Present: Why shouldn't I? It's just that I've cut the chords with that pain. You see, I'm learning everyday to warmly accept myself.

Past: So, do you still love me?

Present: I’m and will continue to do so. Weren't you there I wouldn't have come this fa

Navita Goel -

Me Then ( MT)and Me now(MN) in conversation 

MT: Hey , what are up to ? You seem so busy.

MN : Yes I am working on my writing skills after a long hiatus.

MT: Good to hear, finally you are doing something that you loved all along but never got the opportunity to pursue.

MN: True, sometimes things happen late for a person, circumstances change and we miss the bus. Heard some poets started late but were able to make it one day.

MT: I am sure your strongest dream will be fulfilled soon. All the best for it.

MN : Thank you for the wishes. I feel in my late start there is a catch. I gained a lifetime of experience along with confidence, so am able to write convincingly. Early start would have helped but I am grateful for this lifetime chance.

Week 3:

Prompt - Your Google search history becomes a person and confronts you.

Sujata Maggoo -

At two in the morning, there was a knocking at my door. When I opened it, I saw a tall man dressed in a hoodie that said, “Recent Searches”. “How to Fix Sleep Schedule, eh?” he asked, smirking. And then he continued, “Why Do Cats Judge You…?” I tried to laugh but he kept reading lauder and crueller.”Stop it!” I yelled as I closed the door on him. From behind the door, I heard him whisper, “Don’t worry; I am only you unfiltered.” The silence followed was truly frightening. Next time, perhaps you should clear the search history. Alone please.

Sunita Menon -

The bell rang. "Yes?" I said  ,not recognizing the elderly figure. "Don't know me? Always referring to me as your Guru". I stood there, still confused as Ma'am settled herself on my sofa. "Hmm, what was your latest, the most natural way to color grey hair?" "Darling, what would you do if I weren't around?"I sat there dumbfounded , recognizing the ID card. "Last week you were on a roll, from vanishing cockroaches and lizards to dreams which turn true " I sat there grinning sheepishly. " Tea or coffee?" I asked trying to divert."Type and find out " she retorted.

Paula Cristina Silva Oliveira -

My Google Search History showed up at my door wearing my worst decisions.

“Explain this,” it said, arms crossed. “Why did you search ‘how to disappear socially’ at 2:14 a.m.?”

I laughed nervously. “Context?”

It raised an eyebrow. “And ‘is it normal to talk to yourself in third person?’ Twice?”

I tried to back away, but it followed. Every typo, every late-night spiral, every “quick question” I never meant to answer out loud.

“I am you,” it said softly. “Just more honest.”

Then it sighed. “Also… why were you googling your ex again?”

I had no good answer. I never do.

Anuradha Mahajan -

"Excuse me," she said, handing me antacids.

"You forgot these. Also, did the doctor call?

And did Biriyani turn out well yesterday?"

I stared. She was wearing the exact black cocktail dress I'd stalked online for weeks.

"Who are you?"

"I'm your Google Search History," she sighed.

"And I'm exhausted. We spent two hours on lizard belly buttons last night.

One minute you're 'intellectual,' the next you're asking if ghosts can legally own property."

"I was bored!"

"Sure. But next time you're 'bored,' try doodling instead of googling. I can't handle another 3 AM penguin-knee crisis."

Purnima Santhakumar -

Sleepless, I reached for the phone.  Suddenly I saw a skeleton wrapped in the musculature.  It lifted its foot and shoved it in front of me… plantar flexion all red and swollen.  “Eh…that was my google search for painful heels!”  I run to get a drink when a sweet voice gives me recipe for puran poli … Nishamahdhulika at home in my kitchen.  A Hippo in the bathroom spouting rhymes and synonyms and snorting, “I am Wordhippo!”.   All my google searches have come alive.  I dread to see the more risque ones so I’m off to bed …  Good Night!

Vanishree Venugopal -

Re(a)el chef

She stood behind me in the market, he walked beside me at the mall, eyeing me like my mathematics school teacher!  Embarassed,  I rushed home, not daring to look back.

My shivering hands could only make continent shaped rotis! The kitchen kingdom shook, when both laughed!  

I avoided looking straight into their eyes, they guided my hands through the paneer, vegetables and dal.  Getting more comfortable, I tried a questioning smile. 

 "Hey, we are your chefs, your google search recipe saviours, don't panic." That was such a relief! I hugged them both and served them a good meal, as thanksgiving.

Shashi Thakur - 

At 3am, my bedroom door knocked. I called out, “Who's that?" 

“Well, you asked me about how John Lennon died." 

Alarmed, I sat up, “Who told you that?" 

"Relax, you also asked how to persuade your boss to grant a holiday’s leave!”

Perspiring, I finally opened the door to see a man in a hoodie.

“Your next… how to silence the stray cats and dogs, disturbing your afternoon and night sleep.”

"Stop! But wait... are you my Google search history?”

“Right… only I can bear your stupidest questions. Be mindful, if on ‘Gurupurnima’ you hail me as your GURU… Bye!”

Week 4:

Prompt - Write a story where every sentence begins with a different letter of the alphabet.

Marilyn Evans -

 At evening, James sat watching TV.

"Beautiful," he murmured.

"Cozy", his wife said, looking into a magazine.

"Dangerous,"James blurted.

"Ego is not good for you," Merlin; James pretended to scold the pet while taunting his wife, Marilyn.

"Fools are everywhere, Merlin," Marilyn tried the same indirect strategy.

Gone were the days when Marilyn tolerated James’s tantrums.

Happiness in their life was Merlin.

"I love you, Merlin, " James said, but his eyes met Marilyn’s, and she knew the words were meant for her.

"James, I love you too—say it, Merlin baby,” Marilyn acted as if speaking to the dog.

"Keep quiet, Merlin, you are not getting treats,” said James.

"Love me like you do, la la,” Marilyn sang.

"Merlin, let us go for a walk,” James exclaimed, blushing.

Neatly adjusting Merlin’s collar, they went for a walk.

"Oh, James is not bad at all,” Marilyn said to her sister Dona over a telephonic conversation.

"Pure soul he is, but a little arrogant,” Dona replied.

Quietly, Marilyn disconnected the phone.

Reading was not her hobby; she started listening to music.

Strolling together, James and Merlin seemed peaceful.

Trusting her master, Merlin followed every rule.

Understanding him well, she stayed close.

"Very good,” James said, patting her head.

Without a second thought, Marilyn called James.

Xenial at heart, James still masked his feelings behind pride.

Yawning, James said something casually.

"Zero, you are zero,” Marilyn said, ending the call.

 

Madhu Mehrotra -

Amazing Amanda always advised

Beautiful Bonnie to take

Challenges like ruin walks. 

Destroying myths that held

Elegant elderly women 

Fear taking new ventures

Given to them as

Haunted Homes have

Imagined Spirits waiting to

Jump at unexpected visitors. 

Keeping to herself her 

Lurking, looming, little fears

Mindful that unnecessary

Noise could startle an

Over anxious opiniated

Personality to judge her as 

Queer, curious, nosey parker

Restless, interfering in 

Somebody else's business

Turning tables to find an 

Ubiquitous wile odour 

Villifying the once

White walls of the

X- mas room, now dilapidated into

Yellow and brown patches of 

Zoo inspired figures. 

Kirti V -

Amma to twins, that's me. Being a twin mommy taught me a lot. Caring, cuddling, caressing two at a time, a lot to take in right? Daily chores just multiplied. Early to rise and late to sleep became a norm. Feeding them, recalling whom to feed.. God..  did I do it right?? "Hahhahaha, I can't but laugh," said the God. I inched forward day by day. Jubilant, seeing my hands full, Knowing that this was just a beginning, I went with the flow. Lullabies became my go to songs. Mealtimes went hay way. Nap, oh, what does that even mean!!! Oh.. let me tell you, this ain't a the end. Phase 1 of parenting just started. Quiet moments are scary. Rest is unknown. Serene were the times when both slept. Tiredness, well it was the only word in my dictionary. Unsure of what happens next, Virtually living in a dilemma. Wait, this isn't just my story. Yours too... Zealous is the parenting world...

Seema Dhameja -

All the forest animals gathered for a potluck one day. Bear family organised the event and brought huge stocks of honey.

Cheetah worried he would be famished.

Deer family brought sweet berries and lush leafy greens.Elephants brought lots of sugar cane and bananas.

Families of all animals came in anticipation of a grand party.

Giraffe was appointed to keep a lookout for the chief guest.

Herbivores were thrilled to see heaps of grasses, leaves, and hay.

Insect colonies decided to gather around the honey combs. Just being inconspicuous felt safer. Knowing how wild animals behave at parties.

Loud roaring announced the arrival of the Lion. Mother Lion and the cubs followed him. Never had the cubs seen such a huge gathering.

Owls watched from their high perch, observing everyone having a great time.

Peacocks spread out their shimmering feathers. Quietly, all animals watched their mesmerising dance.

Robins and blue Jays, the undisputed musicians, sang melodies from the 

branches above.

Squirrels went around, chattering and accusing humans of stealing their hoarded nuts. 

Tree stumps left by the wood cutter were reserved as tables for the chief guest.Under the canopy of the largest tree, the animals danced with each other.

Vibes were magical.

Wild animals were wild with excitement.

X factor was the unity and harmony between all. Young and old co-existing  peacefully.

Zest and enthusiasm in life should undoubtedly be the aim of every life.

Amrita Mallik -

As I was walking past the grave, I heard a chuckle. Before I realised what it was, the trees started swinging ferociously. Could there be any scope for daydreaming? Definitely not, for I was there in the broad daylight. Elusive shadows and a sudden cool breeze made me uncomfortable. Figuring out seemed to be futile, and so I relaxed. “Good Day, everyone!” and as I smiled at all the things happening, the drama stopped. “How did you understand..?” “I'm a part of you. I belong.” Jitters in my stomach, I still managed to leave the graveyard appearing calm and compose.

Poornima Sivaraman -

Arena was a naughty girl. Bigger thinker than the others. Chirpy and lively. Dogged her parents. Energetic girl. Focused in her life. Got into a BEd course after her graduation. Her parents were happy. Invited her friends to celebrate her success.

Joined a good school. Knowledgeable girl in political Science. Loved by all in her school. Many were jealous of her. No one wanted her to raise up. Opted for teaching the middle school .

Popular in school. Queries came in from boys for marriage proposals. Rejected many boys . She selected a simple boy, good in Maths . Together they lived happily. Unitedly, they spread knowledge. Vocabulary was good and everyone appreciated them. Word spread to the other schools. exemplary  awards were given. Years rolled by. Zest to learn more was in their blood.

Charulata Panigrahi -

After she was gone, as her only child, I was arranging her things she had left there forever.

Being my dearest person, how can I stop my tears?

Crying throughout I was folding her sarees.

Dad came and putting his loving hand on my head stood there near me. 

"Dead never come back my dear girl, how much you hanker for them."

Eyes of both of us met, and dad started crying.

Forgetting my tears, I started consoling him.

God, how will my dad live without his beloved wife?

Husbands always  suffer the  most without their spouses than the wives.

Purnima Santhakumar -

Amputation, the doctor declared

Bravely she smiled 

Challenge it is, she resolved.

Decided after operation 

Exercise to strengthen.

Foot prosthetic fixed

Guided therapy began.

Healthy mind a healthy body 

Intent reinforced.

Journey begins anew

Key to positiveness unlocked.

Little by little she picked up 

Medals and honours pour in.

New heights reached,

Olympics beckon.

Praise and prize in her kitty

Queer, she thought 

Reflecting on her life,

Strange it is that adversity 

Time and again 

Unleashed her potential

Validated her spirit 

Win accolades and laurels, helped.

Xany and cheerful she shouted,

Yes! Out of adversity comes opportunity,

Zest for life should be the goal!

Shilpa Chakravarty -

Alphabetical chaos!

Another day.... Beginning of the class. Children murmuring. Discussion was going about the new teacher, Miss. Raman. Elegant, indeed! Friendly she was with the children. Girls liked her, wearing the saree in pretty colours. Had she known how they admire her, she might feel happy. In an attempt to surprise her, Debbie made a card. Judiciously, she used all pastel colours; keeping the theme “flowers” she made it. Little hands did magic. Magic that was innocent love. Names of all children couldn’t be used, so just the initials; owing to the idea, a chart paper was used. Pleasure, it gave to the kids in preparing it. Question arose, “how to give it to ma’am?”. Riya said, “On the Teachers’ Day… what say!” Still a week to go…. Time seemed to move slowly. Unable to hold the excitement, Sherry decided to tell ma’am, but what a shock she got! Vanished- on the card- all the initials! Wait, what!  Yes! But how? Zeal of her classmates seemed to have gone evaporated! What had gone wrong?

Mona Mona -

A star shines bright. Bold and beautiful like a white pearl. Classy and clear in her visions. Determined yet soft as a deer. Elegant in everything she does. Fair in her judgement and work. Gladia is her favourite flower. Her house is at the top of a hill. Illa is her name. Jasmine flowers grow in her courtyard. Kite flying is her favourite pastime. London is her favourite place. Mats of different patterns and materials adorn her floors.  Nectar of the sweet lime enhances the beauty of her garden. Onion peels make her cry.  Penny is her best friend. Queensland is her home town. Rats are her biggest nightmare. Sweet, sour and spicy food is her speciality. Teaching is her passion and obsession. Unity in diversity is her motto. Volunteers with the NGOs she works with on weekends. Watches with blue and silver dials are her weakness. Xylophone she mastered from a young age. Yesterday she celebrated her seventieth birthday.  Zaira her granddaughter paid tribute to her with a short story. 

Navita Goel -

ABC Of Sunshine 

A new day begins after a starlit night,

Branches sway in morning breeze with delight,

Cool breeze caresses the blooms,

Darkness of night dispels as Sun appears,

Each day Sun shines brightly with new power,

Filling life with jubilation and exhilaration,

Grudges have no place in the mind,

Heart is filled with gratitude for this new light,

In the morning I watch different shades of nature,

Joyously every being dances,

Kicking the walls he built around himself,

Love is seen everywhere,

Mundane activities of life leave,

New hope and 

Opportunities to enjoy life humans choose,

Phosphorescence of sunshine is so bright,

Quickly,

Resplendent multicolors fill the sky,

Sunrise is an enthralling sight,

The azure skies turn bright,

Uncertainty of the mind disappears,

Victorious every heart feels,

Warmth and hopefulness chaperone the light,

Xylophone plays melodious sounds,

Yesterday is gone,

Zing of life is present.

Radiance of Sunshine brightens the day,

Reminding that we can rise from inner darkness,

And be our own splendid Sunrise.

Shashi Thakur -

A lady entered the entrance of a mysterious mansion at midnight.

Bats hovered around her car, but vanished as soon as she came out on the porch.

Curiously, she looked around before she climbed stairs to open the mansion’s door.

Darkness in the hall greeted her with a haunting breeze from the creaky windows.

Eerie atmosphere had engulfed her, as she lit up her torch to move ahead.

Fear gradually crept in her as she looked at an old painting of a couple on the wall.

Ghosts never frightened her, but she met the same couple at a restaurant an hour ago.

“How's that possible?”

“Is this mansion haunted?” she wondered. 

"Just a while ago, I talked to them."  

“Knowingly they gave me the key so that I can rest here for a night,” she murmured.

Low whispers she heard from behind and she turned.

“Madam, welcome to our home!!" the couple said jointly in their ghostly avatar.

“No way, let me get out of here!!" the lady screamed and ran back towards the door.

“Oh darling, give us a chance to serve you." they exclaimed together.

Pulled she was inside, taken in a room and locked in a huge trunk by the couple who laughed menacingly. 

Questions she kept on asking panickingly, what wrong did she do to the couple.

"Remember a decade ago, as a defence lawyer you wrongly moved us out of our home in favour of our cunning tenant."

She, in tears, apologized to them.

"Too late dear, that tenant got us killed and we too hounded him to death.” they grinned.

"Unfortunately, it's your turn now… hahaha!!” they laughed even more loudly.

“Very sorry, please open this… I’m choking inside!" she pleaded.

“We have been served justice. So what if we aren’t living anymore!" they said. 

Xylophone played in the background, as the lady slowly choked to death.

“Yes, we did it... lady lawyer, our mission is now complete!" they said.

“Zombies we aren’t anymore," the ghostly couple disappeared in thin air.

Sujata Maggoo -

A girl walked by herself.

Bravely she followed lights.

Curious winds blew,

Darker shadows lurked.

Each footstep was loud.

Fears faded

Golden Fireflies showed her way.

Hope filled her heart.

In silence she passed through.

Jagged rocks grazed her.

Kind stars twinkled above.

Lone owls saw her.

Misty air embraced her.

Night opened gates.

Old memories encouraged her.

Pale moonlight painted her dreams.

Quiet bravery flourished.

Restlessness melted into night.

Soft light caressed her.

Trials made her powerful.

Under sunshine she realised.

Victory sparkled within.

With bravery she accepted.

Xylophone music rang,

Yearning transformed into bravery.

Zeal carried her beyond!

Prachi Parwani -

Amid the chaos of adulthood, Arjun finally decided to “get his life together.”

But his alarm snoozed him into another late morning.

Coffee became his breakfast, lunch, and emotional support.

Deadlines chased him like unpaid bills.

Every plan to exercise ended with scrolling on his phone.

Friends said “we should meet,” and never did.

Grocery lists turned into snack collections.

His wallet felt lighter than his ambitions.

Income arrived briefly, then vanished mysteriously.

Jobs demanded experience he didn’t yet have.

Keeping plants alive proved harder than expected.

Laundry piled like a monument to procrastination.

Mondays came with existential dread.

Netflix asked, “Are you still watching?”—he was.

Occasionally, he Googled “how to be productive.”

Procrastination answered before productivity could.

Quick naps turned into long regrets.

Reality hit hardest near rent day.

Saving money felt like a myth.

Time moved faster than his motivation.

Under pressure, he cleaned everything except his life.

Visions of success stayed in his imagination.

Work emails arrived exactly when he relaxed.

Xylophone dreams of childhood seemed simpler.

Yet somehow, he laughed at the absurdity.

Zero perfection, but still moving forward—one messy day at a time.

Paula Cristina Silva Oliveira -

Asha found a brass key beneath the porch.

Beneath the dirt, it still shone warmly.

Curious, she followed a trail of blue feathers.

Down the lane, the old clocktower waited.

Every window was dark except one.

Faint music drifted through the cracks.

Gently, she turned the key in the door.

Hinges sighed like waking giants.

Inside, candles lit themselves one by one.

Jars of starlight lined the shelves.

Keeping calm, Asha climbed the stairs.

Laughter echoed above her head.

Moonbeams stitched silver paths across the floor.

Near the bell stood a fox in spectacles.

Only then did he bow politely.

Please, he said, ring the bell before dawn.

Quietly, she asked what would happen if not.

Rivers would forget where to flow, he replied.

Steadying her hands, she pulled the rope.

Thunder rolled across the sleeping town.

Under every roof, dreams brightened.

Vines bloomed instantly around the tower stones.

When the final note faded, the fox smiled.

Xylophones somewhere in the clouds applauded.

Yawning, the sunrise opened its golden eyes.

Zipping home, Asha kept the key for tomorrow.

___________________________________________________

• Thursday's Titles is a weekly challenge that takes place on, Thursdays, on Content Crafters' Instagram platform. Here we provide a picture prompt and the task is to give it a title in one line, a caption or a quote or a micro-poem. 

We are grateful to all the Crafters who wholeheartedly participate in this challenge every week -consistently.

Winners -

Week 1:

       

Sheetal Dhandhukia -

I meet my true self amid books.

Become not as I was, not as I will be.

But gently, as I am.

Kinjal Jain -

The best corner in my house,

rest in the pages I read.

Stillness & calm is in their breed.

A little world with it's own story

Holding emotions & glory.

A little door to relax while you chase the time.

All my powers of expression & thoughts so sublime.

Sarita Shukla -

In a quiet corner of the house

Resides a shelf where countless stories drowse.

Whispering the journey of thousand lives

Making life serene, joyful with ease.

Sujata Maggoo -

A quiet lamp hums on the wooden page,

Books breathe softly in amber light.

Thursday whispers untold stories-

waiting for a reader to begin.

Nibedita Rajguru -

I wander in the alley of words I never wrote.

Every word written talks about a fragment of my life.

How can someone know me even without knowing me?

Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

In that shining corner where shelveswhisper and books converse,

becoming my friends, diving into their myriad words,

the pages feel like home.

Purnima Santhakumar -

Books and Quietude, an oasis for a parched soul!

Shilpa Chakravarty -

The length of the day is stretched by light,

Ignorance is expelled if knowledge reaches right,

A room full of books cannot uplift someone if,

The bolted windows of mind refuse to open, to receive light.

Week 2: 

      

Badge for 'Excellence in Quotes' Winners -

Amrin Sathar - 

True architecture is the courage to build what you know willbe lost. 

Sujata Maggoo -

Where waves whisper stories and even sand dares to dream.

Sheetal Dhandhukia -

Built for an ephemeral moment, remembered for a lifetime.

Amrita Mallik -

Sublime sand and sun is therapy that my soul needs.

Certificate Winners -

Bhawana Sethi -

The sun spills ink

across the canvas of sea,

While a castle of sand

hold the tide's decree.

Shilpa Chakravarty -

The honey-hued sky, the turquoise sea,

tell atale of the majestic castle's beauty.....

standing alone yet not lonely!

Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

At the waters edge by the shore,

Sunshine scatters gold,

Painting a picturesque scene,

Velvety, moist sandcastles,

Dreams built with love,

Only to discover beauty,

Childhood at it's best.

Week 3:

      

Badge for 'Excellence in Quotes' Winners -

Sujata Maggoo  -

She doesn't chase the horizon, she becomes the journey it waits for!

Writa Bhattacharjee -

Strong women ride alone; Smart women do so in helmet!

Amrin Sathar -

The more I accelerate, the smaller your judgement looks in the mirror!

Pragyan Parimit Nanda -

Not all stories are written within walls, some dare to write on wheels!

Amrita Mallik -

Riding on the joys of freedom!

Kirti V -

Just let it go and let it free, happiness unleashed!

Saumya Dwivedi -

Leaving judgements behind, I'm on the way to shine!

Certificate Winners -

Bhawana Sethi -

Black helmet, blue denim,

A scenic escape

The world is blur.

No mirrors for looking back

Rhythm of the ride

Where the dust stays behind

The spirit is untied.

Shilpa Chakravarty -

A road less traveled, a path not prefered by many,

riding upon your freedom, let not anyone take liberty,

Caution is your shield, 

Alertness your safety kit.

Madhu Mehrotra -

Ah! A gift of pride, for my loving bride,

here she comes riding,

her GPS guiding!

Navita Goel -

Freedom is pleasure not to be lost by being rash. Keep it safe.

Purnima Santhakumar -

When her heart is fueled by dreams,

Then she is borne by the wind,

To be unstoppable!

Amoli Bhade -

I charged in like a storm on a lonely road,

I hope I am fast enough to outrun

the shackles of patriarchy,

I hope I am loud enough to silence

the noise that never mattered,

I hope the fire in me reaches other

unapologetic women and set them ablaze!

Week 4:

      

Cerificates -

Navita Goel -

Tunnel is dark,

We are moving ahead with faith,

Ray of hope has not shown it's presence yet!

Bhawana Sethi -

The dark tunnel of time,

a track laid by fate,

Krishna sits at the engine,

turning every shadow into light.

Life is the journey,

the destination is Him!

Sujata Maggoo -

Out of darkness-

a quiet arrival of light,

carrying somewhere

inside it's steel heart!

Nibedita Rajguru -

The journey to success is through the train of dedication, hardwork and consistency.

Once it is embarked on....the tunnel feels dark befire light enters through self belief.

Shilpa Chakravarty -

Faster than fairies, faster than witches,

bridges and houses, hedges and ditches....

An ode to your velocity is a poem of my childhood,

vivid memories of journeys have remained, life's doldrums they've withstood!

Badges -

Anwesha Bhattacharya -

The light at the end of tunnel marks the commencement of a fresh journey!

Pragran Parimita Nanda -

Navigate throught darkness to reach the light at the end!

Madhu Mehrotra -

A tunnel supports a bridges of dreams!

Purnima Santhakumar -

Through the tunnels dark, emerges the silver spark!

Kirti V -

Dashing through darkness into a brighter future!

Week 5:

Certificates -

Bhawana Sethi -

Lights spills on thebrick-paved lane,

the city exhales, a quiet scene,

where memories remain.

Sujata Maggoo -

Evening hums softly,

lanterns stitching lights through leaves,

a street remembering warmth.

Marilyn Evans -

The roads were empty, I was waiting for her.

It was a festive season but my life was like an empty silent lane.

Shilpa Chakravarty -

A photographic view,

a camera angel, and spot lights -

only to catch the beauty of this moment,

in evening light.

Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

Walking through a soft, glowing alley at dusk,

a gentle sense of peace wraps around ina warm embrace,

comforting in silence.

Navita Goel -

City lights present a spectacular panorama,

Dancing and glistening in the rain,

I stand on the sidewalk of the street,

To enjoy the light and sound show.

Seema Dhameja -

A green tunnrel,

calm and serene,

A perfect blend....

of shade and shine.

No flashy men,

or decked up dolls.

A still refuge,

for tired souls.

Badges -

Madhu Mehrotra -

The shadows lurked deep in the bright lights, grief hidden in made up smiles.

Amrita Mallik -

An unexpected romantic date.....with myself!

Anwesha Bhattacharya -

In the canopy of light and shade, where celebrations of life never fade!

Purnima Santhakumar -

Fairy lights and lanterns glow, tables set for a romantic show!

Hema Panwar -

All set to celebrate myself.

Vanishree Venugopal -

Twinkle, twinkle, bright alley, silent sparkling lights rally!

Sheetal Dhandhukia -

Where lanterns bloon like fallen constellations, the silent street hums with the poetry 

of being alive!

Kirti V -

Illuminated street, green canopy, love is in the air!

Anuradha Mahajan -

Where there's light there's magic, a silent glow, so cinematic!

________________________________________

Poetry corner

Where creativity rhymes! 🎵

Sometimes prose isn't dramatic enough, so we need tiny lines and big feelings.

And some words remain with us forever.....

This month we have beautiful Haikus in our treasure trove.

Purnima Santhakumar -

1. Last light of the sun

    Painting the canvas transient

    A golden minute.

2. The sunset transient

    Shimmering sea of Amber

    Wild meadow grasses.

Sunita Menon -

1. Crimson hues vivid

    Slowly yet in rise, rhythmic,

    Morning sun beckons.

2. Hiding behind clouds

    Just out to peep once like child
    I watched the moon glide.

______________________________________

     Member Book Spotlight

Where books born from passion are featured with pride! 📘

This is our way of honoring the authors among us -shining a light on their journeys, their books, and the words that deserve to be read far and wide.

We don't just write......We Promote. We Shine. We Inspire.

You'll find new voices, real stories, fresh reads. Supporting creators in our own way.

This month's Spotlight is on Anupama Budhrani author of 'A Collection of Poems'.

                        

Anupama Budhrani -

I've completed my post graduation in Management and Computer Applications. I'm a poet and author. I love to write and enjoy juggling with words, as they have become my passion. Every day starts with my pen to pen down more. She hopes her books put a smile on her readers' faces in a memorable way and also, enhances their reading skills.

To watch the 'Member Book Spotlight' video,

click here -

Youtube Video

____________________________________

The Crafting Table

Where conversations spark and ideas simmer!

Every writer carries a different inkpot of thoughts. Here we pour them together -sharing the responses from our polls, weaving many perspectives into one creative conversation.

We had asked the Crafters -

"Your editing style is....

1. Edit as I write

2. Edit after finishing"

Amrita Mallik - Both works.

Writa Bhattacharjee - After finishing.

Sheetal Dhandhukia - Edit as I write.

Amoli Bhade - Both, small errors on the go, others after finishing.

Pragyan Parimita Nanda - Edit after finishing, to make it more clear by rectifying mistakes.

Marilyn Evans - Edit after finishing. I read it and then add or remove the extra information, check word count.

Hema Panwar - Edit as I write.

Snehal Paritkar - Edit after finishing.

Bhawana Sethi - Edit after finishing.

Anwesha Bhattacharya - Edit as I write.

Sujata Maggoo - Edit after finishing the draft.

Jesline Varghese - After finishing.

___________________________________________

 Community Highlights 

Where we relive the buzz of the month!

We have a challenge 'Insight Shots', every Thursday 9 P.M. to Friday 9 A.M., on WhatsApp community.

-For the crafters who craft their musings in the stillness of the night. 

We gave away badges to few members who caught everyone's attention with their musings.

1st Prompt: ‘If your thoughts had a group chat at 2 AM, what chaos would unfold?’

Word limit – Not more than 20 words.

Keep it witty or dramatic ��

Drop your midnight madness below ✨

Winners & their winning entries -

1. Anwesha Bhattacharya: Heartfelt Scribe

a. Left, right and centre, my mind is in a mess,

To sleep or not to sleep, I crave for stillness!

2. Purnima Santhakumar – Heartfelt Scribe

a. When sleep snores soundly, all chats get muted.

b. For a disturbed sleep will unleash the headache,

all chores will halt!

3. Arwa Saifi: Tone Titan

a. At 2 AM, thoughts ping “hi,”

Dreams reply with memes gone sly,

Ideas spam, no one’s shy,

Sleep gets ghosted, don’t ask why!

4. Bhawana Sethi: Humor Hacker

a. My To-Do List just kicked Sleep.

While my Cravings started a 2 am poll for bhelpuri.

5. Poornima Sivaraman: Humor Hacker

a. I had a doubt, if I ate dinner or not, let me check if anything tasty is in the fridge.  A tap

from behind and my partner in crime, "Will you share with me". Both laugh and went

back to sleep as we realized that we had dinner outside a d nothing was at home.

6. Sujata Maggoo: Witty Wordsmith

a. Anxiety types essays, Overthinking edits them, 

Memories send screenshots, 

Hope goes offline, and Sleep leaves the chat.

b. Imagination adds drama, Logic gets ignored, and Sleep never even joined.

c. Brain opens 47 tabs, anxiety hosts a talk show, overthinking writes scripts, logic

buffering, and sleep rage-quits

d.Cravings ordered snacks, Regret checked calories, Logic fainted, and I just watched the

drama.

7. Writa Bhattacharjee: Witty Wordsmith

a. Body: 2 AM, time to sleep guys.

Brain: I have this idea...

Heart: Ooh! Let's watch Outlander. Hot guy, solitude...

Body: WE HAVE TO SLEEP!

8. Marilyn Evans: Witty Wordsmith

a. 2 am group chat: brain says hydrate, bladder says hurry, stray dogs bark stay alert,

phone says scroll, heart says sleep.

9. Sunita Menon: Witty Wordsmith

Go to the washroom shouts the brain

Ooh! Such a wonderful dream, drools the mind

Grrr..when are you giving the final warning

The ear , about my better half's snore begins complaining

Eyes says, no matter what the group chatters, I'm not opening.

2nd Prompt – Turn your late-night craving into a dramatic love story.

Example – We shouldn’t, whispered the fridge light to my hungry heart. We did anyway.

Word limit – Not more than 20 words.

Let your imagination flow.

Drop your midnight madness below.

Winners and their winning stories -

1. Kirti V – Kiss Cartographer

My lips longed to be kissed by

the cold lips of yours. Come to

me my dear ice-cream.

2. Anwesha Bhattacharya – Kiss Cartographer

The decadent sweetness of gulab jamun tempted me from afar,

I jumped out of bed, my mouth dripping over the jar!

3. Sujata Maggoo - Wordplay Sommelier

“We shouldn’t,” sighed the clock; but the chocolate melted into me like a

forbidden lover, and I surrendered again.

4. Purnima Santhakumar - Wordplay Sommelier

“It’s late”, said I. “Come closer,” she whispered. I leaned in just a little, I succumbed to the gulab jamun!

5. Vanishree Venugopal - Slow Burn Stoker

My fingers craved....”its late night, no more mobile time”, my brain warned!

But my urge to check messages won!

6. Sunita Menon - Hot Prose

"Lick me, slurp me and take me into your mouth", the juicy rasgullas nudged my

senses and I succumbed.”

7. Arwa Saifi - Hot Prose

a. The noodles blushed, “We’re tangled, can’t you see?”

I slurped them close - they whispered, “Stay with me.”

b. The cookie warned, “This love will make you weak,”

I took a bite - now we meet every week.

8. Shashi Thakur – Word Weaver

Like a magnet I was drawn to the chocolate in the fridge. Lusty were

my senses till the last bite.

*********************************************

'CC Golden Authors' Challenge -

The Golden Authors Challenge — a monthly creative initiative where our member authors share inspiring prompts and offer their own books as prizes. A celebration of storytelling, creativity, and the vibrant voices of Content Crafters.

Join us 3rd Sunday of every month, in celebrating creativity—pick up the prompt, pen your thoughts, and become a part of this growing circle of storytellers.

Write, create, and stand a chance to win a story while telling your own.

Golden Author of April 2026 - Poornima Sivaraman 

Winners -

Madhu Mehrotra -

Every human being has emotional, psychological or social disparities. We have to accept everyone as they are without trying to chip and chop them to fall into the perfect box. We are creatures of nature, created by nature, in our imperfection lies our perfection.  Let a stammering child speak, let's give the autistic child the space required to explain the thoughts. Let public spaces - parks, streets, transport, shopping areas be inclusive with ramps for wheel chairs or assist people to mingle freely with others. Language should aim at sensitizing us to others needs as they remain sensitive to our imperfections. 

Bableen Kaur -

"Inclusion is not charity, it is rather respect in action." 

Children with disabilities should be talked and treated with empathy and not shame, so that curiosity replaces discomfort. Instead of offering pity or unsolicited advice, partnership should be offered to the children along with the parents, so that they feel a genuine sense of belonging in day to day life. A smile, patience or willingness to understand communicates support more than sympathy. True inclusion happens when differences of children are accepted as well as celebrated as a natural part of humanity and not a limitation thereby leaving them more confident.

Vanishree Venugopal -

#AwesomeAUTISM 

Let's first get aware, of what the children and the family are going through.  Awareness doesn't happen overnight, needs kindness. Once awareness happens, acceptance falls in place. When you meet a special child in public, give a smile,  an understanding handshake speaks volumes!  Empathise, when you witness a "behavior ".  Stop stares, whispers, getting judgmental or offering cures, the family must be already doing all or many of those!  Educate the younger generation that "difference  isnt disabled ".  Real Inclusion should be from the mind, not just in schools or workplaces .  It starts in the neighborhood, and spreads from door to door.

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'NapoWriMo April Poetry Fridays contest on Facebook and Instagram'.

4 weeks of Poetry Challenges and 4 unique genres to explore -

The Winners of this contest were -

They explored the genres - Sonnet, Haiku, Letter Poem and Narrative Poetry, beautifully. 

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                     'Reigning Queen' 👑 of April 2026 is

                           'Purnima Santhakumar'

                          

This crown goes to you, as your pen ruled supreme across all the prompts of Content Crafters' platforms, winning the maximum spotlights and stealing the show with your creativity. Your words didn't just answer the prompts— they inspired, sparkled, and set the bar high for all of us. Here's to your reign, may the ink in your crown never dry!

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 Interactive Corner

Where creativity gets collaborative! 

The '1500-word blog' prompt for May is -

"Halfway there, still figuring it out"

May sits in the middle of the year -explore where you are, what's changed, and what still feels uncertain.

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Last month's prompt winners -

1. A place that holds more than memories

To the tourist world - The Queen of Hills- my lovely home town, may I dare say, my heart town. A twin town, along with Landour. 

The Queen of Hills - Home of the Winterline, Seven Waterfalls, Palaces and A  Stream of visitors

 The times of a happy childhood, youth and the eve years have been witnessed by  the twin cities of Landour and Mussoorie. Witnessing the changes in the twin cities that boast of an exceptional phenomena, the Winterline encourages this write up  for those who want to relive the childhood of our memories and enjoy the rush of the 21st century. 

A summer resort for the Season, a place that holds countless memories of its founding, the Raj days. Its bosom is full of memories of the Anglo-Indians before they left the shores of the land of their birth. A land carrying the legacy of the freedom stalwarts Gandhi, Nehru and the likes. 

A city that opened its arms to writers like Rahul Sankritayan, spiritual leader HH the Dalai Lama, political visionaries Raja Mahendra Pratap. 

The Locals - befriend one to know more

The locals are on a regular walk, while the tourists whizz past, hoping to get a selfie at every point mentioned in the guide book. 

The twin towns have much of recent history and socio-political growth hidden in its nook and corners, welcoming visitors who come searching for butter omelettes, chole bhature, paneer and chicken nuggets, pancake, peanut butter, boiled butter corn and the momos. 

If you are lucky, you may well find yourself in the company of celebrities, real life heroes from the defence forces. The town has an ample share in the top brass, once home they are as humble as the residents who stayed behind to live a simple life. 

The local residents will share with pride and sense of ownership the story of a movement to create a new state. The cherished movement, where their own paid the price with their blood. 

They will share the nostalgia of Olympic heroes in hockey, who grew up on the school fields here. 

Get them to talk of places named after animals not found here like the Camel Rock and Haathipaon. 

A long conversation about a railway line that was to come but didn't, all because of a fault that makes the region prone to tremors of a high Richter scale, is always welcome. 

They will talk of the charm of the Master Blaster Tendulkar and his time spent here. With much enthusiasm they converse  about thespians Himani, Tom and Victor. 

The lores of Bill Aitkens, Hugh ‘n’ Collen Gantzer, the first travel writers of the country, swells their hearts with due pride.

Their conversation will transport the visitor to film stars and film shoots in these streets. 

They will proudly speak of the town under the care of a woman as the Municipal Chairperson. 

Get them to gossip about the heydays of roller skating, dolas, melas and shard-utsav. 

Hear them boast of breweries and the tiny bazaar of Barlowganj with its own bridge adjoining the first five hotel in the State. 

Their proud sense of belonging doesn't end there, their stories of cinema halls, hand drawn rickshaws, the Jackie football tournament, renamed Heritage Cup,  the cross-country races could just turn into a book. 

The English Library and Tilak Memorial Library on either end of the Mall, exhibit the clear distinction between India then and India now.

The Festive Season, marking the close of the year, celebrates a four day food cum cultural Mussoorie Winterline Festival  aptly named after the wonderful natural phenomena, a sight to behold at dusk. 

Present and Future

Beyond these memories, it is the place where dreams are built, ambitions are fulfilled. It is the gateway to serve the Nation. It is the home of hundreds of thousands of students who flock year by. year to study in its prestigious schools. The training home of all civil servants

 (LBSNAA) and HADS ( for ITBP personnel). It is the place where one falls in love with the environment, the ecology, and the spirit of inquiry. 

Enjoy the raw natural beauty 

The Yamnotri- Gangotri glaciers, beckon deeper into the mountain. Visit the streams, taste the mountain mineral water from Hardy Water Falls to Jharipani Waterfalls, intercepted with the beauty of Bhatta Falls, Mossy Falls, Paniyala Panidhar, Maakrayti Waterfalls, Khattapani, the School Streams. 

Trekking trails, from Rajpur to Jharipani,also known as Kipling Trail, Camel's Back Road, Cart McEnzie Road, Spring Road, Bhatta-Jheel Adventure Road, Jabberkhet-Bataghat Road, Gun Hill Trek, Naagmandir Trail, Aglar Trek, Henry Allen Oaks Road, Bhadraj-Dudhli Trek, Happy Valley-Dalai Hill Trek can be your routes to create memories for a lifetime and more. 

The photographers or cameramen, content creators, you tubers, enroute, dress up the visitors in traditional dresses of the brightest colours with gilded borders, jewellery and flower baskets. They will willingly oblige with a photo on your camera. Follow the Tehri-By Pass Road to Bataghat and  take a U-turn to Jabberkhet for an exotic pahadi meal at Hill-i-Ishq, a cafe run by a cook book writer, Ashu, a true blue fourth generation local. 

The Haunted Grounds for a thrill that doesn't kill

No town can grow, without a fair share of spooky haunted joints. Not only the cemeteries at Camel's Back Road, Fox Hill and Sister's Bazar but also the kabristaans at Shergarhi and Khacchar Khana give the goose bumps. 

Every boarding school (and mind you there are many that have pupil records of over a century, with alumni residing world wide) is privileged to have its own friendly ghost. 

The other, equally amicable ones reside at Jabberkhet Haunted House, Lambidhar Mines, Ralston Manor Bend, Brewery Road, Chuna Khaala and Witches Hill alias Parie Tibba. 

Them, you may meet or not, but the pages and video films claim to have been in their company, many times. 

Food - Local with a splattering of international variety

A drive up the winding hairpin curves to and within the twin towns, leaves one famished looking out for good food. 

The bloggers and vloggers have their own paid and subscribed choices while the word of mouth, time tested ones are for the ‘I love the Queen of Hills’ types.

The bustling Delhi Sweet Shop, Baruji's bun samosa, Kolukhet ki pakori, Barretto Cafe, Deodars, Whispering Windows, Happy Valley Cafe, Tirupati South Indian, Neelam's, Green Vegetarian, Inder’s Bengali Sweet Shop and My God First are never short of orders. The popular Maggie Point, Van Cafes, Rawat Bhojnalaya and Restaurants are  either family owned businesses or franchise outlets, with the latest being Melting Moments Elloras Bakery.

They are a testimony to the hard working rural folk who have come so far in hope of sending their children further. 

The all year round sweet tea-cha, vegetarian thali, daal-bhaat, kaadhi-chawal, aloo parantha, rajma-chawal complement the seasonal local cuisine of kandalisaag, patyur, arse and bhangchura.

A Botanist's Paradise

The oldest deodar at Brookland Estate has seen the rise of concrete jungle apartments. The environmentalists have earmarked the area as the source of the Rispana catchment area, to preserve the butterflies. This in turn is a refuge for the original owners - the squirrels, langurs and monkeys. 

Foraging for wild berries amchu, kingoor, bedu, hissar, kafaal can be a day long activity in the summer time. 

The place is a botanist's delight throughout the year but more so in autumn.

With the monsoons gone, the cicadas fall silent; the wild single petaled dahlias in the most exotic hues own the grass covered hillside as their own. The season closes with the large bunches of mauve coloured bamboo dahlias standing tall till the migrating fork tailed, magpies screeching high, fly southward.  

The well renowned Logie Gardens and Company Gardens (now Atal Udyaan) stand testimony to the work of people of an era bygone. Home to exotic begonias alongside some of the oldest maples, pines and kaula trees. around here. 

 Stop, see, perhaps, “Google lens” may give the correct identification otherwise cherish it without being none the wiser about the name, no harm give it one of your own. 

Home - Warmth, Companionship and Compatibility

Home is where the heart is. 

But where is the heart? 

The heart lies in things, activities and matters not so worthy as nature itself. Home is a place where we turn back every day. The ethos of the land, unity in diversity, respect for all people is exemplified in having various places of worship in close proximity at Gandhi Chowk. 

People of different faiths - Jains, Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Arya Samajists, Catholics, Parsis, Protestants, Sanatan Dharmis live in the Landour Bazar, greeting each other from morn to noon, noon to night. Standing up for each other through thick and thin, caring for each other for generations. 

Rest a while

The sky turns orange pink, as the evening star is accompanied by its sojourns. Star gaze to see the large planets in the clear night sky. 

Come October, the shades begin to fill the sky, the winterline in all its glory takes over the Shivalik horizon. 

Time to turn and settle in, before the chill sets in. Pull up the blanket, listen to our own FM Radio Khushi, get the updates from Mussoorie Times, then tuck in with a book in hand, written by one of the town's very own writers, Pramod, Stephen, Ruskin, Ganesh, Anmol, Prachi, Preeti or Madhu.

- Madhu Mehrotra.

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2. The Room I Return To

There are places we visit, and then there are places that quietly become a part of us. They do not announce their importance. They do not demand to be remembered. Yet, they stay - in the way we think, in the way we feel, and in the small pauses of our everyday lives. For me, such a place is not grand or famous. It does not appear in travel guides or postcards. It is simple, ordinary to the world, but extraordinary to me.

It is a small room by the window.

At first glance, there is nothing special about it. A wooden chair that creaks softly when I sit, a table marked with scratches of time, and a window that opens to a quiet stretch of sky. But this room has held more than just my presence. It has held my silence, my laughter, my confusion, and my growth.

On some mornings, sunlight slips in gently, touching the corners of the room as if it knows where I need warmth the most. I have sat there with a cup of tea, watching the world wake up slowly. The distant sounds of people beginning their day, the rustle of leaves, and the soft hum of life outside have often felt like a quiet conversation with the universe. In those moments, I am not just sitting in a room - I am listening, learning, and becoming.

There have been days when this same room has seen me at my lowest. Days when words refused to come, when thoughts felt too heavy, and when even hope seemed distant. I have stared at the blank page for hours, unsure of what to write, unsure of what I felt. Yet, the room never rushed me. It allowed me to sit with my thoughts, to feel everything fully, without judgement. It became a safe space where I did not have to pretend.

And then there are the days of creation. The table has witnessed pages filled with poems, ideas scribbled in haste, and stories born out of nothing but a feeling. Sometimes, a single line would arrive unexpectedly, and I would chase it, letting it grow into something meaningful. The room has heard whispers of verses before they were ever written, and it has held the quiet excitement of a thought turning into something real.

This place also carries memories that are not mine alone. It holds conversations - some spoken aloud, some lived quietly through messages and thoughts. It has been a bridge between hearts, where distance did not matter as much as connection did. In this room, I have felt closeness even in absence, and warmth even in silence.

There is a certain comfort in familiarity. The way the light falls at a particular hour, the way the chair leans slightly to one side, the way the window frame feels cool to the touch - these small details create a sense of belonging that cannot be explained. It is not about the space itself, but about everything it has held over time.

We often think memories are stored in our minds, but I believe places carry them too. They absorb our emotions, our stories, and our moments. When we return, they give a part of it back to us - a feeling, a scent, a thought. This room, in its quiet existence, has become a keeper of my journey.

It has seen who I was, who I am, and who I am still becoming.

There is something deeply comforting about knowing that no matter how much the world changes outside, this place remains. It does not question me. It does not expect me to be anything other than what I am in that moment. And perhaps that is what makes it so special - it allows me to simply be.

A place that holds more than just memories is not defined by walls or furniture. It is defined by the life lived within it. It is where emotions are felt honestly, where thoughts are given space, and where moments turn into something lasting.

For me, it will always be this small room by the window - a quiet witness to everything I have been, and everything I hope to become.

Author’s Note: This piece comes from a very real and personal space - not just a physical place, but an emotional one. I have always believed that certain corners of our lives hold us together in ways we do not always notice in the moment. This write-up is my attempt to capture that quiet magic.

It is about finding comfort in simplicity, about recognising how ordinary spaces can become extraordinary through what we feel and create within them. Somewhere, I hope every reader can think of their own place - a corner, a room, a memory - that has held them gently through different phases of life.

Because sometimes, it is not the world outside that shapes us the most, but the quiet spaces we return to.

- Arwa Saifi.

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3. That place is much more than memories -

How can I ever forget that day when I got down from the train from Bombay to Patna way back in 1972. November 2nd. My husband's friends welcomed us at the Patna station.

They were with the garlands and I was overwhelmed to see such a welcome. When we reached home, oh , that was a superb welcome. They did not allow me to prepare tea. “ You relax now, later you have to manage the house slowly, learning from ‘ Amma’ , my mother- in -law. They knew her as my in-laws used to visit their son, at times from Jamshedpur to Patna. They used to love her dishes. They learned many dishes from her.

My husband was working with a Pharmaceutical company. He had a fifteen day tour each month. I knew about this earlier but facing it in the beginning years of marriage was difficult. When I used to cry, he said,” At least you know where I am going. Imagine the Jawan's wife when he goes to the front, she does not know where her husband was.”

I used to take care of my in- laws and read books. The neighbours were good and at times, went to their house and spent time . I used to go to temples with my in- laws and meet new people.

Time moved on and the family extended and our son was born . I was with my parents for six months in Bombay. As I had to go earlier due to travel by train. Well , my husband came to see our son and his naamkaran was well conducted. My in- laws 

came to take us back-to-back Patna. 

Oh ! That train journey we can never forget. It was a long train trip and in those years , no diapers were in use. It was tough washing the baby's clothes.

Well anyway we reached Patna home. Everyone was happy to welcome our cute son. The year rolled. His first birthday was celebrated with Pooja and in the evening a party for our relatives who had come from Jamshedpur and the friends around. 

The helpful and warm hearted friends in Patna , hardly made me miss my maternal family. 

Patna has a special place in History. The Golghar is a famous dome shaped structure. In the earlier years, they used to be a storage place. When you climb up the stairs, one can see a good view of Patna.

The Gandhi Maidan is famous for conducting Book Fairs, political meetings.

Walkers walk around the maiden.

The Patna Zoological Park, Zoo is very well kept. 

We all with family and friends used to go on a picnic . Everyone prepared a dish and we all had good fun. The animals were well taken care of.

We stayed opposite to the River Ganges. We have seen the famous Chaat Pooja. It was a divine festival. The roads were clean and it was difficult to identify the place.

The Prasad Tekwas were tasty.. We used to have good fun at the Ganges ghat standing in the cool water and giving Ardhya to Sun God. 

We stayed in a big apartment. Many different cultured people from many states stayed together like a big family. We all celebrated Holi, Diwali and Eid together. The children played together. The elders met at Kitty's party. We celebrated the Republic and Independence Day. Arranged Sports, Debates and Drawing completions

My in laws.were respected by everyone. Our flat was on the ground floor. 

But the best years of our life were spent in Patna.

We shifted three flats. One , a rented one after marriage. Then shifted to a complex. our own first flat. Our children grew up with their friends. After ten years we sold this and bought a better comfortable flat. It was another nice apartment, with lovable people around.

We moved from here to Pune. We lost Amma in this flat.

Once I traveled by steamer on the Ganges to Chapra on the other side. Good fun.  

We have seen a flood disaster in 1975. A difficult time with our son who was just twenty months old. That was another memorable period in Patna which is still fresh in our memory. 

The law and order at that time was not that good but we were happy with our life. Friend circle was good. 

One of our close friends was my husband's childhood friend. We all met on birthdays and marriage anniversaries and celebrated Holi and Diwali.

Their daughter was born in Patna. Then they left Nepal when she was eight-years away. We visited Nepal .

Later, they shifted to the US. We were in touch via telephone and E mails.

They say , God , ‘ Jodi banathe hai’. This came true in our son's life. Our daughter- in- is my husband's best friend's beti. who was born in front of us in Patna.

It was like a filmy story. She had to shift to India. Our son and she met near the office after eighteen years, fell in love and informed us they wanted to tie the knots. 

God's will. 

So after leaving Patna, the memories followed us.

Our Patna friend's daughter was married and she was in Pune. The memories of Patna were chasing us maybe. She was like our daughter and we used to stay with them during 

weekends. At times her mother used to come and we all talked about our Patna's sweet years.

That memory of Patna which embraced me so sweetly, is the best place.

Our other family friends from Patna also were married in Pune. Her parents used to visit us. Great fun to remember our good old Patna years.

Many of us were in regular touch.

We shifted from Pune to Jamshespur fifteen years ago. I made a friend group of our Patna ladies friends. 

We are in touch with each other via WhatsApp till today.

Our children are in touch with their Patna friends with whom they have grown up. 

It is a great feeling.

We chat with each other and have video calls at times, and remember those lovely years..

Some have bid Alvida to this world but their children are in touch with us.

It is a great feeling to be in touch with people for the last fifty years.

Recently a close friend from that apartment came from Ranchi with her daughter to meet us here in Tatanagar .No words to express those moments.

They enjoyed the Idlis I offered.

Whatever people may talk about Bihar and Patna , I have good memories even after fifty- two years of our marriage. I met so many people from different states, learned their culture and their dishes and still today when I make those dishes, I am grateful to God and to all of those friends.

Some places carry great memories for sure and it will always be in our mind for good memories we experienced from that place.

Patna was Patliputra. Why did they change that sweet name? A good History the city carries. Rajgair, Nalanda University is famous . We have experienced the Rope way . Oh, it was a terrific experience with my son tied to my waist. If I think of that experience, I shiver to the core.Omg!

To attend classes for the studies of BEd is another experience in Patna. The first day, a teacher came, took attendance and said, “ Students, I may not take classes on a regular basis. You have to work hard and become a good teacher.  

I stepped into Patna , gathered a lot of good and powerful memories and people are inviting us to a changed Patna. 

I still love Patna where I gathered good memories.

- Poornima Sivaraman. 

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Closing Notes

As this edition of Ink & Insight comes to a close, we celebrate the words that filled these pages and the voices that brought them to life. Thank you for being part of this creative journey with Content Crafters.

Until next time, keep crafting stories that only you can tell. Keep your Ink flowing and your Insight glowing.

- Team Content Crafters.

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