Ink & Insight Issue 10 (June 2026).

  Dear Crafters ✍️,

                                              

Welcome to the tenth edition of Ink & Insight -a milestone that fills us with gratitude and pride.

Over the past nine editions, we have witnessed imagination flourish, confidence grow, and writers discovering the power of their own words. 

Each piece featured here reflects the passion, dedication, and creativity that makes Content Crafters Collective the special space it is today. Words matter and so do the people, who write them, with conviction and courage.

Thank you for being part of this journey- whether as a writer, reader, contributor, or supporter. Here's to the stories shared, the connections formed, and the many words yet to be written.

With gratitude and ink-stained smiles,

Team Content Crafters Collective. 

Editor's desk:

Jui Purohit,

                                                             

Founder, Content Crafters Collective.

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 Collective.

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

Through Content Crafters Collective 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.

___________________________________________________

Swati Mohandas,

Creative Partner Content Crafters Collective.

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 Collective 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.

_____________________________________________________

                                            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 June 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 - Halfway Light. June is literally mid-year. Write about standing at the halfway mark. What’s the 6th-month version of you?

a. Sujata Maggoo -

At June’s quiet crossroads, I pause and see,

A stronger, gentler version of me.

Some dreams bloomed bright, some lessons grew deep,

Through storms I endured and promises I keep.

Half the year gone, yet hope burns bright—

I walk ahead, guided by halfway light.

b. K B Janaki -

Hide and seek with chaos through half the year,

The next six months, I’ll face life without fear.

I’ll carry my scars, but still stand tall,

Learning to rise each time I fall.

Step by step, through dark and light,

I’ll keep bravely facing the world in sight.

c. Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

June, a thin line standing in the middle of the year,

A transition that coordinates the past and future.

A feeling that extends its vision,

From the season of warmth,

To welcome a new beginning.

Collecting moments in a continuous string.

d. Sunita Menon -

June casts a bright sunshine on me,

“Wake up, soon I’ll be adding another year to your journey”

Ah! I’m surprised at my own sense of calm I display

That refuses to leave no matter what’s offered on my plate

Is it the age or growing wisdom, can’t say

But I’m totally in love with this version, anyway.

e. Shilpa Chakravarty -

Halfway, in the middle of 12 months, I stand,

2026 is slipping away, I understand.

While January brought me praises,

February went into examination preparation,

March continued with festivals, and

in April, I was totally packed.

May brought music sessions, new schedules, family reunion and 

new reasons to write,

June onwards, I am looking forward to thrive upon more poetic bites....

Enthusiasm fills me up to live, and cherish these creative flights...

Week 2: 

Paragraph Prompt - Write about a place that exists only in dreams.

a. Bhawana Sethi -

In my dreamland, work vanish into thin air and alarm clocks are illegal.

Everyone lounges on giant couch, doing absolutely nothing without feeling guilty.

Street corners serve unlimited pani puri, bhel chaat and samosas. Conversations

flow like music. If this place exists somewhere, please do not wake me up.

b. Writa Bhattacharjee -

It's a place full of soft green grass to run and roll in and lush trees to climb and

scratch. Where chimkin and treatos rain down. Where there are no aching

bones, no failing kidneys, no dementia, no tiredness, no injuries, no sickness.

Where days are sunny but not hot. Where no one needs to fight for

territories or food or shelter. It's the place beyond the Rainbow Bridge.

Where I hope I can go too when I shuffle off my mortal coil.

c. Seema Dhameja -

My dream world is nestled in the lush mountains, a beach facing sanctuary of

vibrant energy. Everyday, waking up to the serene, calming sound of waves

instead of an alarm. Getting rid of glasses by just looking around and

focussing on natural beauty. Taking a dip in the stream and coming out cured of

all ailments in the body. Enjoying delicacies yet detoxing, mindful living

without a single stress in the world.

d. Medha Joshi -

There is a valley beyond the moonlit clouds, Where unfulfilled wishes

bloom into flowers. Rivers hum lullabies, and time has no bounds.

The sky changes colors with every heartbeat, And every lost soul finds

a home—A place where broken hopes become stars. Many more

dreamscapes wait to be penned, but the word limit calls for restraint.

e. Sujata Maggoo -

There is a place I visit only in my dreams—a valley hidden beyond the

clouds where time slows down and worries disappear. The sky glows in

shades of lavender and gold, and rivers sparkle like flowing stars.

Trees whisper forgotten stories, and every path leads to a new wonder. In

that magical world, I feel completely free, as if my heart has found its true

home. Though I wake up before I can stay forever, the peace and

beauty of that dreamland remain with me throughout the day.

f. Anuradha Mahajan -

I closed my eyes and slipped away, to a world where only love could stay. No

tears, no greed, no heavy sorrow, just blooming flowers and a bright tomorrow.

Then a ringing phone broke through the gleam, shattering my perfect, fleeting

dream. But as I turned the radio on, Kishore Kumar crooned, "Aa chal ke

tujhe" into the quiet air. That distant, blissful paradise suddenly didn't feel so

far out there. I realised the magic wasn't a place my waking eyes had lost. But a

serene inner state of being, where the soul is never tossed.

Week 3:

Paragraph Prompt - Write a break up letter ...from the summer heat to your city.

Does it feel guilty for the power cuts and sweaty commutes?

a. Sunita Menon -

To Whosoever it may concern,

I am leaving you all to the clogged and waterlogged streets. Everytime you

looked up at the sun and complained about the unbearable heat, I told the sun

to completely disappear from the city of these ungrateful fellas. Now brace

yourself to wear stinky clothes, dark morning and nights, drenched outings

and not to forget, the constant breakout of flu, cough and cold. I swear you all

will yearn for me within a few days when it’ll be dripping constantly from above

and all your plans get cancelled.

Your Ex without Regrets.

b. Vanishree Venugopal -

Hey, crowded city,

I held you tight all these months, loved you through every ray of light, and

sizzled the whole day with warm(!) hugs. Let me unleash this chain, and allow you

to view the open sky, from where my monsoon mom in law will be here to

rinse you, quench your thirst and shower her wet grace on you with full

enthusiasm.

She's waiting, to give me a shove, and barge in with full force.

Another part of the globe desperately needs me in a few days.

Till next year, forget my shine, start your soups, and unfold the umbrellas.

(Un)love,

Sizzling sister SUMMER.

c. Marilyn Evans -

Dear City,

I am hot and people eat mangoes in my season. They make pickles but this time

my friend, the rain God is upset. I am staying extra in your city and people

blame me for more electricity bills and power cuts. I am blamed for illness like

my other weather friends. Can you ask your citizens to plant trees and not

blame me.

Regards,

Summer didi.

d. Purnima Santhakumar -

Dear City,

I am packing my bags and will be soon leaving. I feel hurt by the abuses thrown
at me for the scorching days so I am writing to explain my point of view. I
was, am and will be the same, the actual culprits are your people who cut down
trees and built a concrete jungle because of which you don't have
anything to cool my heat. Ask each person to plant a tree and then you will
see, I have always been the summer you once knew in your childhood.
With hope in my heart, I bid goodbye.

Your childhood friend.

Summer.

e. Amrita Mallik

Dear city,

I can see your pain, battling the frequent power cuts owing to the scorching heat. Believe me, I don't mean to hurt you, but your own actions put you in this situation. Either you feel you should compete with my 'hotness' or you're completely apathetic. Now, if you change your filters, you can again enjoy the summers with cool breeze and light showers. Soon, monsoon is going to take over, and I'm sure you'll be extremely happy. I'm breaking up with you for this year.

Miss you.

- Summer.

 f.  Anuradha Mahajan -

Dear Bengaluru,

I'm breaking up with you. You constantly overlook my efforts, whining about the "unbearable heat" while staying completely frozen towards your loved ones, glued to your gadgets. I graciously gift you power cuts for romantic candlelight dinners, yet you just complain about a sweaty commute instead of admiring my beautiful roadside blossoms. You're desperately yearning for the monsoon now, but we both know you'll ghost it the second the waterlogging starts. Have fun being miserable.. you'll miss me 

when I'm gone.

Warmly,

Summer Heat.

g. Seema Dhameja -

Dear city,

I can imagine how frustrating the sweltering heat and humidity must be these days. The AC could have given some relief from the heat had the power cuts not played the spoilsport. I really feel jealous but I can’t blame you that you yearn for spring, fall and even the cold foggy winter days. Sorry for being oppressive.. believe me i feel like i am 

the Hitler of seasons. 

Apologetically yours, Summer.

Week 4:

 Poem Prompt - 'If my Wi-fi had feelings'.  Word Limit - Not more than 5-6 lines.  

Sujata Maggoo -

If my Wi-Fi had feelings, 

it would wonder and gaze,

For asking too much and blaming it endlessly.

It knows my secrets hidden behind every click,

Yet stay connected—

patient, silent, and quick.

Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

I’m your secret keeper, you cannot deny,

I bring out your smile, and that is no lie 

An invisible power, connecting the world, 

I am more than your Wi-Fi;  

I hold deeper worth 

I’m a shoulder to lean on, a guide in the dark, 

Yet you use me a lot, without leaving a mark 

But, for life's biggest choices, look inward to start 

Put down the screen, and consult own heart. 

Vanishree Venugopal -

Title: Wifi laments 

If my wi-fi, had feelings,

"Stop clicking , use your head, please end the browsings! 

give me a pause",  it would say. 

Go out in the sun, or heavily you'll later pay! 

Listen to your body clock alarm, and shut me down,  

Give me some fre(m)e time, snore off into your nightgown!

Shilpa Chakravarty -

If my Wi-Fi had feelings  

It will say, please let me rest thrice a day, 

Once switched off, don't  switch me on in five minutes. 

Let me cool down. 

If I am going slow, please be patient. 

Don't stand and frown. 

I let you download information relentlessly,  

If I fail, please don't use the objectionable nouns... 

I keep you updated and fast,  

Be grateful to the facilities  

That help you wear this crown. 

Sunita Menon -

                                             

If my  WiFi had feelings it would definitely cry foul 

"I'm forced to work 24/7 like your heart, you heartless soul. 

Get my doctor and check my pressure and pulse 

Else you'll regret the day I shut down and collapse. 

I'm searching for the one who'd promised me a life Hi-fi 

Pray, can anyone rescue me from this hotspot before I die?" 

Anuradha Mahajan -

If my Wi-Fi had feelings, it would weep at the sight 

Of a world tethered tight to a flicker of light. 

We survive on its pulse, yet we mock every zone, 

Banging fists in a rage at a motionless phone. 

Still it pours out its soul through the signals it’s blown, 

Whispering, “Darling, be kind and refine your angry tone.” 

Week 5: Prompt: Take Nike’s tagline 'Just Do It' and rewrite it for a vada pav stall. Keep the energy, change the world.

                                     Bhawana Sethi -

          Just Chew It

Salary gone? Just Chew It.

Traffic jam? Just Chew It.

Boss said "urgent"? Just Chew It.

Gym can wait. 

Hunger can't.

One vada pav. Unlimited therapy.

Sunita Menon -

Someone disrespects you. Just pop it.

Boundaries are crossed. Just pop it.

People expect the sky from you but can't offer you a minute when you need them. Just pop it 

In situations when you feel your peace is violated. Just pop it. 

If you are "YES" person who finds it difficult to say "NO" ,our pill is highly recommended. Just pop it and say "NO" to get back the life you had always desired.

3.           Seema Dhameja -

4. 
   
   
   

Prepare your home for summer…

Seasonal deep cleaning,

AC servicing,

Fans and Refrigerator servicing,

Watt are you waiting for ?? 

Get it done otherwise…

“ yeh bill mange more”

Professional electricians…when sparks fly, we’re nearby.

Since1979.

4.           Durriya Sakarwala -

5. 
   
   

Vada Pav Ad.

Hungry kya.. Grab a Vada Pav

Mumbai rains

Flowing drains

Summer refrains 

Or 

Winter- Insane?

A Vada Pav is Forever 

Kyuki... Vada Pav Acche hai.

5.            

6. 
   

7.            Marilyn Evans -

8. 
   
   

Just 2 minutes 

A bird flying, create content in 2 minutes,

Just write, spellings and typos fix with Grammar apps in 2 minutes,

Not getting ideas listen to music for two minutes 

Don't read in 2 minutes but participate in CCC, feel blessed as a real writer.

6.            Vanishree Venugopal -

7. 
   
   

“Hair matters” salon ad

Wet, dry, oily or unmanageable 

We trim, perm and style , come sit at our table!

It’s raining discounts this monsoon,

If you miss now, later on you’re sure to croon!

Attractive yet affordable,  lesser when it’s a pair,  

Experience genuine care, because…love, is in the (h)air!

7.           Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

8. 
   
   

Skipped breakfast? No worries.

Squeezed for lunch? No worries. 

Running on empty? No worries. 

Come satisfy your cravings with “Dahibara-Aloodum” 

Chilled Dahi Vadas – Soft, melt-in-your-mouth, With Hot & Spicy Aloo Dum,  

And, Melting Ghuguni – Rich, flavorful yellow peas,  

Topped with crisp sev and diced onions and fresh coriander leaves.  

Finally, cool down and finish off the ultimate feast with a refreshing glass of buttermilk. 

Dive into “one plate, endless love” Odisha’s iconic street flavour! 

 

8.            

9.            Anuradha Mahajan -

10. 
    
    
    

A fragile sphere of crisp, fried gold,  

Holding more magic than your hands can hold. 

Spicy water splashes, tangy and sweet,  

Where happy tears and burning heartaches meet. 

You ask why a single bite heals the soul?.. 

“Kyonki pani puri khao khud jaan jao.” 

 

9.            

10.           Shashi Thakur -

11. 
    
    

Maggie Maggie Maggie.. just 2 minutes! 😀 

 

Quick revision before exam... just 2 minutes! 

A stitch in time… just 2 minutes! 

To get ready for a meeting... just 2 minutes! 

Makeup before a party… just 2 minutes! 

Packing bags for a trip… just 2 minutes! 

To make breakfast and meals in a jiffy... again, just 2 minutes!   

And the list is endless, never mind if I (being a perfectionist) take more than enough time to complete a task. 🙃🙈 

So, introducing Lyra, a robot adept in doing all chores in 2 minutes flat! 

 

10.            Medha Joshi -

11. 
    
    

Tagline: Just Bite It. 

Hungry? Just Bite It. 

Late for work? Just Bite It. 

Rain or shine, every craving deserves a bite. 

Hot, spicy hot dog that keeps everyone moving. 

Just Bite It — because happiness fits in your hand. 

 

_________________________________

• 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.

Thank you for weaving beautiful and heartfelt stories for the prompts.

Winners -

Week 1: Write about a version of yourself that existed only for one season of your life.

Seema Dhameja -

Freshly appointed as a biology lecturer in Government college for boys, i finally faced the daunting reality of being on the other side of the podium, overwhelmed by the spotlight.

Despite all degrees,it was a tough task, holding the attention of disinterested young teenage boys so close to my own age.

Colleagues had advised me to be strict but as a petite newly married twenty four year old, it was a mission impossible for me to look “strict”.

Feeling unprepared and confused, i started with introductions and after a few lighthearted remarks, got into action, pushing aside my apprehensions.

Writa Bhattacharjee -

Back in 1993, my mom started tutoring some of my classmates after their parents requested. I did not like it at all! One evening, a fly was buzzing against the window. One of the boys smashed it with a copybook. Immediately I yelled at him: “How dare you kill a fly of my house!” The poor fellow was flabbergasted. Now, looking back, I laugh about it. I also realize it hadn’t been about the fly at all. I was just a thirteen-year-old with a busy mother who didn’t want to share what little time she could give me with anyone.

Navita Goel -

                                                  

Few years ago I got trapped in healthcare facade. Different types of diets, vegan, vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, macronutrients etc. I got fussy about labels , cooking methods, what to eat, when to sleep, which exercise to do, my young kids got totally confused.  They were bewildered, their cool mom had changed. I had fallen into a whirlpool. One day I heard kids giggling and coping me. A bell rang. I contemplated with fresh mind and realized health is imperative but diets are fad. I lost few pounds in my drama but slowly recovered from my unusual version and became normal self, doing everything but in limits.

Purnima Santhakumar -

Mumma...mumma...mumma... every second of my day was filled with Mumma this and Mumma that, a wonder, a question, an answer, a fight, a resolution, a request, an order, a shoulder, my bosom, my lap, my hands, my legs...!! That season demanded the wholesome Me. I was awed, happy, gratified and sometimes overwhelmed, and I thought it to be the permanent version of me.  But seasons changed, time flew and now I wait for the Mumma word.  For now the words 'Mom, you will not understand' rules the roost.  Yet when sometimes 'Mumma' surfaces my heart dances with joy!

K.B.Janaki -

During one monsoon season, Meera stopped making plans. Every Thursday was for hospital visits, test reports, and waiting rooms that smelled of medicine. She carried a notebook filled with timings for tablets instead of the poems she once used to write. At home, she smiled when people asked if she was fine, then stayed awake long after everyone slept. Some nights, she missed her brother so much that she spoke to his photograph quietly in the dark. That version of Meera lasted only a few months. She slowly disappeared as life became normal again. Meera remembers that girl who survived.

Vanishree Venugopal -

Title: Me and MY lil version

" The Banaa kite needs a brighter tail, " the little girl Pushka bossed around a group of boys, all aged around ten to twelve years.  She was the only girl in the area, who flew kites, played marbles and cricket, the so called boys' games!  She guarded her shy sister, like a shadow.  She was well known as a brave tomboy, who ran errands for everyone, helped people in need.   Her ambition was to become a good politician ,  had Jayalalitha and Indira Gandhi as role models!  

 The forgotten version of myself still lingers....a cloud from under the setting sun!  

Week 2: The world's last bookshop is closing today.

Anuradha Mahajan -

A text in our book club group delivered the heartbreaking news - our beloved local bookstore was closing forever. Gathering there one last time, nostalgia hit hard as I tearfully stacked books to buy. Amidst the somber shelves, I met a wondertully composed author. Sensing our grief, she offered a beautiful perspective: while this physical space was ending, stories and storytellers are actually on the rise. She invited us to her online writing community, emphasising that everyone has a story to share. Nothing beats holding a physical book, but though the platforms change, the magic of storytelling endures.

Hema Panwar -

The world's last bookshop was closing today.

As usual, she was sipping her morning tea and reading the newspaper. Suddenly, she read that the final bookshop in the world was shutting its doors. She immediately packed her bag and rushed there, wanting to experience it one last time before it was gone forever. For a reader, a bookshop is no less than a beloved companion. It was not only the end of a physical store, but the end of thousands of memories—the fresh fragrance of the pages and the way books deeply immersed her in different worlds. She bought as many books as she could and promised herself she would open her own bookshop one day, because she refused to live in a world without books.

K.B. Janaki -

Letters

The post box outside the world's last bookshop overflowed on its final day. The owner carried the letters inside and sat behind the counter one last time. He opened them one by one.

"I found my partner here."

"I found my best friend between these shelves."

"This is where I became an author."

"This is where I discovered I wanted to teach."

"I came here to escape. I stayed to heal."

The owner smiled through tears as he read them all. At sunset, he folded the final letter, switched off the lights, and locked the door. The world's last bookshop.

Nibedita Rajguru -

Stacks of books were kept being loaded into the vehicle, the store smelled of books, dust and silence. The breeze carries the echo of words written and read. Nethra walked past, her eyes fixed on the board, 'Sagar & Sons' had been the first bookstore in the town. A paradise for book lovers then. "Now, who reads books" The old owner spoke with sadness on his face. Time has changed and so have people. He walked away, his thin frame fading into the crowd. Mobiles buzzed, people moved, without pausing. No one looked at the empty space, the book store had left. As if it stood empty and alone all the while.

Sunita Menon -

I stood outside staring at the magnificent building. My mind imagined huge pair of eyes , looking desperately at me. I shifted gaze quickly unable to bear the responsibility of guilt that readers like me will carry for a lifetime. Didn't we do enough? But probably the handful of booklovers weren't important. The ambitious business house declared that a shopping mall is better for the citizens than a dilapidated library.  I walked in, saw a few more forlorn faces bidding their final goodbyes.  Each table, every corner and all the books whispered the timeless moments we shared that'll now be just memories.

Sujata Maggoo -

The doorbell sounded for the last time as Miriam flipped the sign around to ‘CLOSED’. The outside world was buzzing with flashing signs and ads, but behind doors of last bookstore, tales were still being told.

Customers arrived,not to purchase books but to bid their farewell. A child held on to his favourite fairytale book. An aged gentleman planted kisses on his poetry book. People cried among the dusty shelves.

At dusk, Miriam picked up an abandoned book and started reading it out loud to whoever was left inside the store.

Bookstore was closed that night but not the stories.

Paula Cristina Silva Oliveira -

The world's last bookshop closes today.

No bells ring, only the soft hush of pages remembered rather than turned. People gather not to buy but to listen to the shelves exhale their final stories. The bookseller locks each memory into cardboard boxes, labeling them "for anyone who still dreams." Outside, the street forgets nothing and everything at once. A child asks where stories will live now. The answer is not spoken, but written in the air itself: everywhere. When the door finally closes, it does not feel like an end, but a pause in reading the world aloud still.

Writa Bhattacharjee -

No! No! No!

I can’t believe it’s gone. The last bookshop in the world has closed its doors forever. Algorithm-driven greed and propaganda can now rampant over the written word. Who needs to burn books when you can have corporate hegemony do the job?

Wait, what’s this now? A building whose signboard has books on it! The sign reads “Public Library”. 

This is not the cosy bookstore that fed the soul. This is an arsenal of words, thoughts, opinions, truths. This is what we need to fight back.

The dream is dead. Long live the dream!

Week 3: The Forgotten Superpower.

Sunita Menon -

"Hello" the gentleman, a senior manager in my husband's bank, said to me. "Golmaal hai bhai sab golmaal" I heard. No, it wasn't new. Scared to admit, I'd always brushed them aside. That day I revealed my gut feelings to my husband. As I'd imagined, he laughed as if I'd cracked the joke of the year. Then came the twist, a huge bank fraud and the sensational arrest of the saintly gentleman. Since that day my husband swears on my superpower more than I do. As far as I'm concerned, I continue to hear songs, some fascinating while others horrifying.

Paula Oliviera -

In a city where people controlled fire, spoke with animals, or bent time, I had nothing. I learned to stay invisible.

Then today, during a crowded train ride, my power awakened.

I heard every unspoken thought around me—not words, but feelings. Fear shimmered blue. Grief tasted like rain. Hope glowed gold.

The noise was unbearable.

Yet beneath the chaos, I sensed loneliness everywhere.

For the first time, I understood people completely.

My forgotten superpower wasn't strength.

It was empathy.

And now, I would use it to heal a fractured world. 

Madhu Mehrotra -

The land was burnt, not by the scorching Sun, but by mocking missile missions. The soil was ashes.

I, a miniscule flying seed, mocked by mighty skyscrapers as ‘good for nothing' found myself blown to the ash, looking heavenward. 

A sad tear shed by a passing cloud covered my sheath. The moist touch, revived my forgotten superpower. 

“Yes, a seed, a mountain of seeds. Awaken, rise, shine.”

Bursting with pride, I, a seed bloomed in the ashen skyscraper crack. Flowers blossomed, more seeds, more insects. We went wild. The clouds cried with joy, the ashes are covered with wild dandelions. 

Shashi Thakur -

About eighteen years ago, I was hospitalized in Delhi for a neurological illness. I shared a room with two patients, each accompanied by a family attendant. One was a woman in her early sixties recovering from a paralytic stroke. She wept constantly, especially during the quiet nights, when her sorrowful cries filled the room. After three days, I spoke with her and her married daughter. During our conversation, I learned she loved reading and felt depressed by the hospital environment. I suggested bringing novels. The next day, her wails stopped. That experience revealed my healing power of words and empathy. 

Week 4: At exactly midnight, you receive a voice note from your own phone number.

Seema Dhameja -

Notification: Voice message

Alarmed at receiving a voice message at midnight, i clicked play…

“Ma’am, you are Pre-diabetic and have high cholesterol. I will prescribe medicines….isn’t that what the doctor recommended ?”

“Doctor, I don’t want to start these medicines. I promise i will lower the levels with exercise and diet control” …said MY voice sarcastically.

“Last week you sneaked into the kitchen at midnight, for a “small bite” but suddenly, you had a massive craving for sweet and you polished off all the leftover chocolate cake…do you even know the concept of portion control ?”

“Wearing running shoes, but drinking Spanish latte at the Bistro may cheat your family, but remember….your Fitbit meticulously tracks your steps when you go for a “walk”

“ I think the only exercise you are good at is chewing”

Still confused but extremely embarrassed, i instinctively pinched my arm to check if i was dreaming.

Poornima Sivaraman - 

I was late getting to bed yesterday. It was nearly midnight. Suddenly my phone had a voicemail.

I was in two minds about picking up, whose message at this hour?

I got up and walked to the drawing room to look for the voice message.

The sender is myself, oh no! How can it be and was a little startled to hear or not. It said, “ Hope you remember tomorrow's  date and not forget it?”

I was wondering what is,so important to remember. My birthday is spent well with my daughter's family and now what? What is the warning at midnight, and in my own voice on my mobile? 

Is it a prank of my family member but only my husband is there and he is sleeping.

I sat for sometimes and was trying to figure out what is that I forgot.

Oh no, it was my Amma's Anniversary.

Sunita Menon -

The phone beeped . Grabbing my spectacles and wondering who it could be,  I check the time. 00:00 showed the clock. I opened and saw a voice message delivered from "You". Still in a half conscious state, I heard my hushed voice speaking to me"Don't assume that everyone wants the best for you. There is one person who is in your close family circle hatching a conspiracy against you. The one you consider your own is praying for your end." I sit up, wide awake as my own voice trailed off. Quickly switching on the lights, I tap my phone to hear the message once again. To my utter shock, I find the message deleted.

Was it my subconscious mind playing games or did I actually receive a warning? Only time would tell. 

For now I switched off the lights and tried to sleep. 

"Beware"my voice whispered again.

Madhu Mehrotra -

The strong breeze, a hailstorm, and powercut kept me awake beyond my normal bed time. 

“Kriingg, trinkkkk”

I groped for my mobile mumbling, “.... must be the District Administration, Stay Alert Alarm, during stormy nights.” Time: 00:00

I took the call, my number, the DP had my own photo. 

The voice, power cut familiar, my own voice as it sounds on recording. 

“Hullo 

I know you are contemplating a ridiculous step -  to stop writing all together. 

Dear, some writing will be published, some won't be, some will be applauded, some won't be. A writer's block comes, it's normal. 

Tough times come, tough people last, tough times don't.

I know your response

Leather is tough, leather is dead. 

DEAD items are important. Humus nurtures a living tree. Got it !! For life we need dead things . 

Be tough, give life sap to others. Get things moving, keep writing for your own contentment. 

Geetha Pattathil -

My sleep was disrupted at midnight by an incoming voice mail.At this odd time, a voice message an alarm rang.In a reflex action I played it.

“No place to hide, as I know what did you do years ago”. The voice was steel cold.Message from my own fone  . A chill ran through my spine!

“ your past , you are a cheater, shrewd envious” remember,

chilling voice continued. Now I was clear. I cheated my friend of her points for an elocution; she lost the prize. I cut my sister’s hair while she was asleep, as her’s was thicker. My shrewdness was I squarely blamed others for my faults.

Oh! God! Please forgive me" I begged.

Then it dawned to me that it was a prerecorded one for playing a prank on All fool's day.

But that instance showed me of my own short comings!

Shashi Thakur -

First there was a thunderbolt, and my phone beeped at 12.00 am. I was mild asleep then. I was astonished to hear my own voice whispering, “Hi, I know what you did last summer!" The voicemail ended. Assuming this to be a prank, I wondered what I did last summer to get this message.

I remembered last year’s date and the memory terrified me. Last year I attended my Bua’s son’s wedding in Agra. My cousin introduced his closest friend to me. After formal chats, the groom went ahead with Haldi rituals, while his friend stuck to me wherever I moved. I found him to be creepy. Moreover, he proposed to me the day of the Baraat. Obviously, I rejected him. But he felt offended and told me, "I'll see you next year, in your city.” 

The thunderbolt outside was a manifestation of an uncomfortable memory still bothering me.

VanishreeVenugopal -

I was in a meditative state, when the phone blinked like a "boyfriend".   My "shavaasan" pose shifted, trying to retrieve the golden mangoes from the magic tree, in my disrupted dream.  Reality dawned, my eyes opened wide, it was midnight!  Curiosity flapping my eyelids I wondered who, why will someone send a voice message at this hour!    Wide awake already, I decided to hear the message.   

My pupils popped out like Tom's, in  cartoons, when I saw the sender  was ME!!  The last strong straw in me broke  Not just my spine, the chill took over my whole body.   I trembled, but couldn't hide appreciating my sweet voice!  

It said, "Eighty  mangoes, you have consumed this season!  I know every nook and corner you hide mangoes!"   

 I rushed to my son who blessed it with presses, and it vanished!  "Amma, it's beyond repair now!".  

________________________________________

• 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:

Shilpa Chakravarty -

A rose, a candle, a pen, and a blank page-

a doorway opened....

and more than three dozens of attempts to say in black and white....

that's love for writing.

Arti Mathur -

The fragrance of fresh roses takes me down memory lane,

While the candle burns relentlessly,

emotions take centre stage,

Ready to be etched on paper forever.

Sarita Shukla -

With the flame igniting my heart

Letting my soul bloom like a rose

I begin to write a love story

On the blank page of my life,

Wishing it to be immortal

Walking hand in hand towards forever.

Amoli Bhade -

The petals of my heart bloom as I hold my humble pen,

Its fragrance bathes me in nostalgia yet again,

The lines on the lines paper start their own little dance,

Making a moment only the candlelight can enhance!

Jesline Varghese -

Another day of survival,

enlightened with hope, with freshness of blooming flowers,

a promise to myself to see the light in between darkness.

Navita Goel -

Each morning gives us new light, new hope,

and life gives us blank page everyday.

It gives us chance to tap our potential,

And fill the blank page with colours of love and compassion.

Writa Bhattacharjee -

Like dried flowers between the pages of a favourite book, your words beguile my heart, though you are long gone.

Durriya Sakharwala -

Melt your words into petals of soft ink, and find your image smiling at you on a paper-

the orange love.

Marilyn Evans -

I don't know what to write when the page is blank,

I take pen and pour my thoughts like a scented candle,

spread fragrance and light while burning from inside.

Kirti V -

In the blank pages of your life,

Let my words be the fragrance,

my thoughts the light,

and my companionship the reason to love.

Seema Dhameja -

Waiting and wondering-

if fragrance of whispered secrets,

and stories crossing over,

will reach you and form

everlasting bonds.

Excellence in Quotes:

Purnima Santhakumar -

Before the candlelight flickers out, before the rose loses its fragrance,

Let me pen my feeling for you.

Amrita Mallik -

My decked-up, ever radiating sacred space.

Anwesha Bhattacharya -

Rose tinted memories woven on the page, I begin to pen under the candle's soft gaze!

Babita Kejriwal -

The loving divine fragrance of the candle and rose, the empty paper awaits a love letter.

Sujata Maggoo - 

Where a rose blooms, a story begins, and the heart finds its words.

Hema Panwar -

Confession is more calming than keeping regrets in heart.

Week 2:

Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

The golden hour dazzles the city while writing poetry for a fresh start

With abundant opportunities.

Medha Joshi -

Hustling, bustling city,

wrapped in glowing lights;

people treading to their home,

carrying the day's delights.

Seema Dhameja -

Skyscrapers-Mute spectators who stayed.....

throigh noise,

through silence,

through change.

Sheetal Dhandhukia -

The golden hour city street,

glowing against the evening sky,

reflects upon the pavement,

creating a mood of inspiration for new storytelling.

Sujata Maggoo -

New day,

New ideas.

One quite streetlamp

holding a thousand unwritten dreams.

Amoli Bhade -

Even the busy sidewalk felt lonely today.

While everyone was bust chasing that distant sunset on the horizon,

I was content in the paved roads and skyscrapers.

That top floor glass window entices my heart

beckoning me to it, with open arms.

Jesline Varghese -

I looked beyond the horizon to hold onto the thread

of unseen rope,

breaking through the tinted sky into a world 

of dreams I elope,

and bid a bye to the realm of hopes....

Navita Goel -

Streets are wet, washed and clean,

All my days worries seem to leave me,

As I soaked myself in the rain.

And the beauty of the city lights.

Anuradha Mahajan -

Golden hour hits different when the city routine catches that sunset glow. 

Excellence in Quotes -

Madhu Mehrotra -

1.There is always a gentle light at the end of shadowed city street.

2. Skyscrapers can't hide the sunlight.

Babita Kejriwal -

Today dawns a new beautiful day, erasing the past in every way.

Shilpa Chakravarty -

The dusk unfurls into night, presiding over our strife, the vermillion clouds clad the waning sunlight.

Purnima Santhakumar -

The sunset blaze paints the concrete jungle, as the quite cafe brews abstract thoughts.

Week 3:

Amrin Sathar -

To keep the past beautiful,

I had to open my hands 

before the future burned its wings.

Marilyn Evans -

Chasing my dreams, I stumbled on a butterfly. 

I told her a lie that she can fly high.

Madhu Mehrotra -

A magical garden,

pray pardon,

leading me a fairy with wings,

peals of laughter in my ear rings.

Nibedita Rajguru -

I am chasing a mirage,

those tiny wings allure me.

I plunge into the abyss following a shadow.

Sheetal Dhandhukia -

She chased the butterfly

Never the wings she wanted

It was freedom they carried.

Geetha Pattathil -

Butterfly in search of nectar, little girl chasing the butterfly in vain;

A garden without those flowers,

butterflies, and children are always lifeless.

Anuradha Mahajan -

Ah! Such a delightful sight,

A Girl chasing a butterfly in flight.

Through the garden, like a dream,

Petals dance and colours gleam.

With eager hands and a quiet wish,

She seeks the wings of velvet bliss.

Amidst the flowers, wild and free,

Maybe that's how happiness looks,

Don't you agree?

Shilpa Chakravarty -

You follow me, and I escape,

camouflaged in the nature's verdant drape.....

poems, songs, stories, art-

all try to capture me,

but my freedom shall always remain with me!

Arti Mathur -

Spring has arrived, it's time for rejuvenation

New buds bloom, trees dance,

it's time for celebrations,

Myriad emotions encircle me,

when I chase colourful butterfly,

flapping its wings,

The fresh scent of lilies makes my heart sing.

Sujata Maggoo -

A fleeting wing,

a child chasing forever

summer holds its breath.

Navita Goel -

Life is but a garden,

with multitudinous blossoms and thistles,

Changing colours every season.

From vibrant youngster to an old haggard

in trance life glides by!

Excellence in Quotes:

Jesline Varghese -

I return to the world of love, for after years of chasing, I now yearn only for peace.

Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

Chase your dreams and passion with determination, live moments with hope and trust.

Seema Dhameja -

Teach all girls to fly like a butterfly but sting like a bee!

Purnima Santhakumar -

The pursuit of ephemeral.

Week 4:

Winners -

Madhu Mehrotra -

Holding her tiny hand in a strong one,

He gave her power for every challenge

to be won.

Kirti V -

Your grip firm yet gentle,

Makes me confident.

You match your stride with mine,

So that I can unfurl wings 

and fly high!

Jesline Varghese -

From taking the tiny steps holding

your hands to kissing your forehead

for the last time, the memories stand

firm against the timeline.

Seema Dhameja -

The hands,

that rocked me to sleep as a baby,

held the bike as i learned to cycle,

picked me up when I fell off it,

held my hand as I went to school,

placed m hand in a life partner's hand,

are now in need of My hand....

to help him do all that he helped me do.

Kinjal Jain -

His hands, the first to hold me tight,

Guiding me through the darkest night.

In his grasp, I learn and grow,

In the warmth of love, a constant glow.

Sadagi Mushrif -

From me falling asleep in your arms

to us matching our strides as we walk

through this world,

one thing remains constant,

you are and always will be the steady hand

behind my courage and the love, I always count on.

Durriya Sakharwala -

Dad holds, not just my finger,

He holds my emotions/ raw, bitter or stable

He holds my nature/ anger, tantrums or innocence

Yes, he holds me, just the way I am created.

Shilpa Chakravarty -

A journey, you are beginning with me,

my soul is in you, my angel.....

it will be with you, throughout your journey.

Purnima Santhakumar -

Father and daughter

Walking hand in hand,

He teaches her strength 

She teaches him softness!

Sujata Maggoo -

Our tracks have changed,

As he has left all of us,

But the warmth of his hand remains-

guiding every step my heart takes.

Shashi Thakur -

To all Dads,

who are their daughters' first date,

first partner in crime,

first mentor, and of course

first 'LOVE',

Happy Father's Day.

Navita Goel -

Father's love is pure,

A blessing from above,

Umbrella of father's loving care,

Makes the daughter strong.

Anuradha Mahajan -

Your grip is my armour,

against every fall.

In the palm of your hand, dad,

I am safe from it all.

Excellence in Quotes -

Vanishree Venugopal -

A casual walk becomes glee, because it's with you dad, my chatting energy bee!

Writa Bhattacharjee -

Holding his daughter's hand on her journey, a man becomes a Father.

Poornima Sivaraman -

A father's hold is the strongest for a daughter, a pride to carry always!

Pragyan Parimita Nanda -

A father is a daughter's lifelong confidant, her guiding compass, and the ultimate foundation upon which she builds her world.

Marilyn Evans -

He is the best father who holds his daughter's hand and asks her to be fearless!

______________________________________

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.....

Marilyn Evans -

Wings beyond the sky

I do not have golden wings to fly;

Yet many times, I dream of touching the sky;

Happiness looks like a distant place;

It blooms within when I embrace my grace.

Sometimes I feel like a wounded little bird;

Hurt by battles that cannot be put into words;

The sword may leave its marks, the wounds may bleed;

Yet strength returns each time I choose to lead my life ahead.

I love the chirping of birds at dawn's first light;

Their songs turn ordinary moments bright;

I do not know the language that they sing;

Yet peace and inspiration they always bring.

Life writes its stories in both joy and strife;

And nature's melody adds a little spice to life.

Paula Oliveira -

“Letter to the Silence You Left Behind”

Dear You,

I never found the courage

to turn my thoughts into words

while you were still close enough to hear them.

So I am writing now—

not because it changes anything,

but because silence has grown too heavy to carry.

There were things I should have said

when your name still answered mine.

Things like how easily I believed in “us,”

how quickly I made a home out of your presence

without checking if you were staying.

I wonder if you ever felt

the distance forming before it arrived,

or if it surprised you too—

the way something warm can become unreachable

without making a sound.

I don’t blame you.

Not anymore.

But I still carry the echo of questions

I never got to ask.

Was it real for you too,

or just something passing through your life

without leaving a mark?

And if I mattered, even briefly,

why does it feel like I was so easy to leave behind?

I’ve learned since then

that not all endings are loud.

Some just fade quietly

until you stop reaching for them.

I won’t say I’m completely over it—

that would be a lie dressed as closure.

But I am learning

how to live around the space you left.

And maybe that is its own kind of forgiveness.

I hope you are well,

wherever life has placed you now.

I hope you find what I kept trying to be for you

without losing yourself in the process.

As for me—

I am still here.

Still becoming.

Yours,

Someone who finally wrote back.

_________________________________________________

  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 Bhawana Sethi for her book "The Mystery of the Blue-Paw Prints".

Bhawana Sethi: 

My journey is a vibrant testament to the power of passion, adaptability, and the profound impact of connecting with others. From shaping young minds in the bustling classrooms of Delhi to nurturing family and creative spirit in Bangalore, my life has illustrated how diverse experiences fuel a fulfilling creative path. 

Expanding my reach to younger audiences, after publishing a poetry book reflecting human emotion, this is my second published work. Inspired by my years as an educator, this book introduces Dabba, a mischievous, sentinent orange tiffin box and his owner, Jalebi. It is a story designed to make school lunch feel like a magical adventure, turning a simple meal into a lesson in heart and growth.

From being a dedicated educator to published author and then influential blogger, I would say, it is never too late to pursue a passion. I would encourage the readers to find your unique voice and use your words to nurture, connect, and inspire others, one heartfelt expression at a time.

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...."Your writing Superpower - Dialogue or Description?"

Kirti V - Observation.

Durriya Sakharwala - Description.

Poornima Sivaraman- Description.

Marilyn Evans- Description, because I believe it gives visual touch to a story.

Writa Bhattacharjee - Dialogue, Should I be confessing this though?

Madhu Mehrotra - Both are great.

Hema Panwar - Damage.

Amrin Sathar - Show not tell.

Anuradha Mahajan - I like to set a rich table with description, then serve the main course through dialogue.

Sheetal Dhandhukia - Intuition.

Avni Katakkar - Writing according to my mood.

Nibedita Rajguru - Description.

Sadagi Mushrif - Dialogue.

Pragyan Parimita Nanda - Description.

_________________________________________

 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.

1. Insight Shots Thursday  11/06/2026 -

2. 
   

Prompt: If sleep could talk, what excuse would it give for avoiding you?

Winners & their winning entries

                1. Writa Bhattacharjee – One-liner Alchemist 

My sleep: Sorry to do this but I don't think we're right for each other. It's not you, it's me. I need to sort out some ... er ... things. Besides, you write so much better at 3 AM!

2. Vanishree Venugopal  - Witty Wordsmith 

Chatting till late on phone,

Snacking fulltime, alone!

Couch potato, no exercise,

Kumbkaran's enemy, you are, to be precise!

3. Poornima Sivaraman  - Scripting Emotions 

“ Start doing yoga  exercises and regular walking, and good food habits, you do not have to request me to sing a lullaby.”

4.  Navita Goel -  One-liner Alchemist 

 Dear I just love eluding you as you are always thinking about some plot or other for your stories. I love your thoughts, I don’t want to miss any of them.

5. Anuradha Mahajan - Witty Wordsmith 

“Hey sleep, why're you avoiding me tonight?"

Because that watchman ordered 'Jaagte raho!'" sleep replied.

6. Charulata Panigrahi  - One-liner Alchemist 

Hey you, taking so much of tea the whole day, how can I come to you easily? Make healthy habits and you sleep instantly while on bed.

7. Shashi Thakur  - Romantic Whiplash 

Lemme hug you and kiss you good night, baby!... I'm no second fiddle… once gone, you'll have a hard time chasing me, huh!

B. Insight Shots Thursday  25/06/2026 -

Prompt - If your overthinking had a theme song, what would it be? Do tell us why you chose the song in not more than 15-20 words 

                       Winners & their winning entries

1.           1. Marilyn Evans – Irony Importer

2.      

3.            हालत क्या है कैसे तुझे बताऊँ मैं

                 करवट बदल बदल के रात बिताऊँ मैं

मुझे नींद न आये हो

मुझे नींद न आये मुझे चैन न आये

This song relates to my overthinking and insomnia. It is no longer romance. It is dil ki awaz.

2. Poornima Sivaraman – Emotional Whiplash

 Kal kya hoga kishko patha... what will  happen tomorrow, thinking about this, I spend sleepless nights at times.

3.Sujata Maggoo – Fantasy Merchant

*Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh*

Because every tiny problem becomes a full-fledged mystery thriller in my head by 2 a.m.

 4.Kirti V – Joke Jester

Sar jo mera charkraaye 

Ya dil dooba jaaye

Aaja pyaare paas humare

Kaahe ghabrai kaahe ghabrai 

These days all english literature authors and characters are making me go crazy... Just finished Jane Eyre and To The Lighthouse...  Last week was Sylvia Plath...

5. Amrita Mallik – Fantasy Merchant

Kya bolti tu.. Kya mai bolu..  

Never ending conversations within my mind, from this angle and that angle. 

6. Charulata Panigrahi – Emotional Whiplash 

Ek pyar ka nagma hai moujo ki rabani hai zindagi our kuch bhi nahin teri meri kahani hai."⅚  

I like this song as all our lives are the same. With a positive vibe I sleep well.

7. Vanishree Venugopal – Joke Jester 

Yeh tera ghar, yeh mera ghar 

Kisi ko dekhna ho gar 

Toh pehle aake maang le 

Meri nazar, teri nazar 

Yeh tera ghar, yeh mera ghar 

I sing this sitting on the floor, in just a few minutes of brooming, after the kids leave... Everyday! 

My own version of the song...to my family members  

Yeh tera ghar ye mera ghar 

Kisi ko dekhna ho ghar 

...... Repeat...... 

Yeh ghar bahout gandhaa hai. 

8. Anuradha Mahajan – Emotional Whiplash 

Behta hai mann kahin, kahan jaante nahin... 

Bhage re mann kahin, aage re mann,  

Chala jaane kidhar jaanu naa.. 🎶  

The mind drifts away, aimlessly wandering.. it races ahead into unknown spaces, lost in a spiral of uncontrolled overthinking.. 

9. Ananya Gadade  - Emotional Whiplash 

🎶If I die young,  

Bury me in satin 

Lay me down on a bed of roses 

Sink me in the river at dawn 

Send me away with the words of a love song🎶 

The song "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry   perfectly captures my midnight spiral when I'm stressed over exams and thick volumes of textbooks~

Definitely a song I'll ask my friends to play at my funeral, if at all I do die young.

10. Sunita Menon – Joke Jester 

Ruk ja o dil dewane....poochun toh main zara.... 

Me to my mind that jumps from one thought to another like a monkey. 

11. Writa Bhattacharjee – Heartfelt Scribe 

It's a Rabindrasangeet piece: Dariye achho tumi aamar gaaner opare. (You remain standing on the other side of my song). It's about eternal yearning and trying to find completion or wholeness, both romantic and spiritual. And that's exactly where my head goes when overthinking, the need to get to somewhere or something that seems impossible to reach. 

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

'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 our collective.

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 June 2026 - Writa Bhattacharjee

Give away prize - Ageless Feud: City of Kali - 1.

Winners -

Geetha Pattathil -

“Murder” what a way to start a day!.I was assigned to probe it, I visited the crime scene.He was my neighbour, middle-aged,stabbed four times.

Along with the forensics , me and team also began to inspect.I collected a syringe    and kept  it in evidence pouch.The forensics were busy with fingerprints and any  blood for any DNA.I got a very tiny steel string too. 

But the question was as the door was locked from inside, how can someone enter and exit?Even he was there before the victim closed the main door, escape?My mind was haunted by the same.The body was sent for post-mortem, I requested for a clinical pathological exam.My own doubts: My intuition was correct. The forensic who did the autopsy called me and said “ Cause of Death” Cardiac arrest.Someone injected Potassium  and tried to cut the Carotid artery too.!.The stab was done  just minutes after the death. Carotid didn’t get damaged.

He said blood may flow from the body if stabbing done immediately, if the victim is on blood thinners.

Stabbing was done just stage a robbery which went astray.

I visited all Medical shops , one of them gave a clue that the fellow who purchased Potassium was none other than the victim’s son who was a pharmacist in a local hospital, as he was regular nothing the shop owner suspected.

We  went ahead with his arrest, he denied. But when I showed him the bill , he succumbed to pressure and spilled the beans.

His father threatened him of disowning for his wayward life, he turned the table.

Entered the  house after removing the exhaust fan, executed the plan: escaped the same way.

For me it was an open and shut case.

Keyrun Rao -

Title: Wrong Move

The morning my neighbour died, the police called it a locked-room murder.

Abir's apartment door was bolted from the inside. The windows were sealed. He sat dead at the dining table, a half-finished chess game before him.

Beside the board lay seven empty wine bottles, a burnt passport, and a boarding pass.

Donna, his partner of ten years, was gone. The building had already convicted her. "She took the money and ran," someone whispered. It sounded plausible.

Until I noticed the chessboard.

Abir and I played every Sunday. He was obsessive about notation. Every game ended with the moves recorded neatly in a notebook beside the board. The final position made no sense. According to the notation, Black had resigned three moves earlier.

Yet the pieces had been moved again.

Only one person could have altered the board after the game ended.

Abir.

I opened the notebook once more. The first letters of the final moves formed a message:

Donna didn't run.

The police found her that evening. She had never left the city. Terminal cancer had been eating through Abir for months. The locked room, the burnt passport, the missing money, the impossible chessboard - they were never clues to a murderer.

They were the last moves of a man determined to leave the woman he loved with a future. By dawn, a decade of love had collapsed into survival.

And Abir, for the first time in his life, had chosen the losing side.

Anuradha Mahajan -

Growing up in the golden era of Doordarshan, my watch list was fueled by the sharp intellect of Byomkesh Bakshi, the quirky genius of Karamchand, and the cold logic of Sherlock Holmes. Over the years, that inner detective didn't fade, it just went digital, fed by the episodes of CID.

So, when chaotic shouting shattered an early morning, my instincts instantly woke up. A wealthy middle-aged neighbour, who lived entirely alone, had been found dead inside his securely locked apartment. The whisper on the street? Poison.

The police were on their way, but the Sherlock in me couldn't wait. A quick sweep of his social media revealed a dark reality, he was a notorious womaniser with a trail of toxic relationships. The building's visitor log didn’t offer any clue, but the CCTV footage held the key. I watched him enter the elevator carrying a fruit bag containing a single, massive watermelon. The shop's logo triggered a memory.. a recent news report about a family dying after eating contaminated fruit.

Posing as a journalist, I tracked down the fruit vendor. Under gentle pressure, his defenses crumbled into raw grief. He confessed that my neighbour had molested his daughter, videotaped her, and blackmailed her until she tragically took her own air. To avenge her, the father had injected the watermelon with poison. He looked me in the eye, utterly unrepentant.

"Your secret is safe with me," I murmured.

When the police eventually knocked on my door for neighbourhood inquiries, I simply shrugged and said I hardly knew the man. They believed me and left. Eventually, the case went cold, but I walked away feeling proud to have cracked the murder case, and at peace with its dark justice.

Madhu Mehrotra -

"Doctor di—-di”

Knoc..trrrinngggg, knock

“Get up!”

Managing my clothes, I opened the door.  A motley crowd of neighbours and two police personnel stood there. 

“Amma Khursa …gone… . murdered.. wrists… . bleeding.. now blood dry… ...six hours minimum.”

My head was spinning, Khursa was my oldest neighbour both by age and longest stay next door. 

“The door was locked,...the police broke it open,....nothing was stolen.” 

“CCTV footage shows no one entered after 8 pm. She was the last to come in. Register signed. Security guard, Bhaiya confirmed.”

“She had her dinner, crockery washed and kept on the sink stand.”

“Her day clothes on the floor in her changing room. She was found wearing her night dress.”

I asked, “Was the window in that room open?”

The lady-police inspector responded “Wire mesh intact, window bars in place. One upper window pane, near the top bolt smashed. Glass pieces on the window sill. But the pane is just twenty by twenty centimeters. The missing pieces have made a hole in which a mouse can't enter.”

Seventy-fivish year old, Khursa, an active lady, independent, lived all the years by herself. 

“Didi, come see the body, as a doctor you can tell what happened.” The police personnel, the Society Manager, the Secretary and I entered the scene of the crime. The room lights were on. The police video recorder was present with the camera. 

“Don't touch, stay clear”

Seeing the scene, with the lady face down, her cut wrist, sprawled beyond her head, over a flow of dried blood, I deduced that  she had tried to close the window, as it was a breezy night. 

Over-stretching, she got a black-out, her arm slipped, her bangles hit the glass pane, smashing it. A piece of glass cut the wrist vein and she bled white. 

Marilyn evans -

James Bond at work 

It was a pleasant Sunday morning. I was out for a walk with my husband, James. I was joking about an imaginary magic pill that could instantly give someone a perfect figure.

Suddenly, James ran ahead. His watch fell to the ground, and at that moment a stray dog barked at him. Being afraid of dogs, he jumped over the gate of a neighbouring bungalow.

The Sharmas were known for quarrelling with almost everyone in the colony and often disagreed with James. Inside the compound, James noticed blood on the grass. The milk packets and newspapers were still lying outside. When I arrived, I used one of my earrings to help James open the locked front door.

We entered and were shocked. Mrs. Sharma was lying in a pool of blood. The telephone wire had been cut, and decorative items were smashed across the floor. Moments later, James discovered Mr. Sharma lying dead beneath the staircase, but there was no blood around him.

James immediately called the police. The post-mortem later revealed that Mr. Sharma had died of a massive heart attack. Investigators assumed that when he collapsed, Mrs. Sharma had begged the maid for help.

Tempted by greed, the maid attacked Mrs. Sharma with a heavy decorative item.

Weeks passed without an arrest. James and I noticed that the milkman had disappeared from our area. Police department simply dismissed our suspicions. Later, while visiting a jeweller for AI-related work, I learned that a man had tried to sell an expensive jewellery set. The CCTV footage showed the missing milkman.

The police acted on the information, arrested him in a distant village, and recovered the stolen ornaments. The colony praised James for his courage, but I quietly knew that our teamwork had helped bring justice to the Sharma murder case.

________________________________________

                  'Reigning Queen' 👑 of June 2026 is

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!

________________________________________

 Interactive Corner

Where creativity gets collaborative! 

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

"Mysterious Door Appears in Your Home": Nobody knows where the door came from or where it leads. Is it open to adventure, or some absurdity, or to unexpected life lessons.

Write a 1500-word blog.

Send in your entries by the end of July 2026 to our email id: contentcrafters03@gmail.com.

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Last month's Prompt winners -

1. How to protect peace without losing kindness -

Kindness and peace are intertwined as the root and shoot system, seemingly growing in opposition, yet deeply connected at the same point. The connection is embryonic. 

Why choose peace? 

In a world torn with strife, many a political  border marked with red, nay not a coloured dot dash line on a map but human blood, blood of innocent men, women, children, youth and aged. The shed blood calls for peace and kindness. 

Violence, aggression, anger, brutality, revenge seem to be the norm while peace and kindness appear as exceptions. 

Not only globally but communities, families, individuals often find this  challenge taking up their time.

Communities growing up side by side need kindness to be one of the core values to maintain  mutual peace and progress in peace. 

What is kindness? 

The demands of modern life, mounting pressure, targets to be met, dropping dead deadlines, goal oriented projects, a rat race, corrupt practices, deceit, crab pull down mentality, selfish behaviour, foul speeches, hate videos crash the peace equilibrium of an individual in no time. 

The natural reaction follows Newton’s third law 

“To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” 

No rocket science “Tit for tat, an eye for an eye” is poetic justice. But this has a heavy toll, manipulation— counter manipulation, making moves to outdo the rival  destroys mental peace. 

A game of chess ending in stalemate as checkmate brings no bliss. 

Stress, anxiety lead to psychosomatic disorders or personality aberrations.

Hasseled with the hustle, many in a bid to find peace give into drugs, alcohol or smoking. This is of little gain as real issues of health crop up shortening not only tempers but life spans too. 

It becomes a Bohemian lifestyle, not of peace but hedonistic, seeking self pleasure, self gratification and extreme self indulgence. 

Two sides of the same coin - Kindness and Peace

To be at peace, we must care for others too. Be kind, not only display verbal  sympathy “I know how you feel” but turn empathetic ‘act in compassion' without the airs of sacrifice or holier than thou attitude. 

Build upon ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Realize ‘what we sow, we reap’. “Sow kindness, reap peace”. 

Nature is Kind and Peaceful

The world community is called upon, each year to observe World Environment Day on June 5th. Unashamedly, fingers are pointed at each other, at the government policies, corporate lifestyles, instead of acting in kindness to our surroundings. If we are to be at peace with our environment we need to be kind to the animate and inanimate beings. 

“Ahimsa - parmo dharma” Non-violence is the greatest duty or virtue, a statement that goes a long way to improve our relations with others while calming ourselves. 

Peace, self- peace and kindness - empathy towards others are two sides of the same coin. 

A classical example from times immemorial, from the beginning of human society is the coming together of two individuals in matrimony as equals. Both the spouses must be at peace individually on one hand while be kind; read respectful to their partner on the other. 

A tough call to take; often a let down in many marriages, ending up in either divorce or subjugation, humiliation or loss of self esteem for one partner. 

To maintain the balance of equality one has to be ready to LISTEN, listen in silence knowing that we have to rearrange the letters to SILENT. 

‘Respond not react' is the hallmark of good communication. 

To absorb as that the speaker has said and the listener has heard, both need to be on the same wavelength in the same plane. It means they have understood the syllable stress and punctuation correctly unlike “Don't eat fast” versus “Don't eat; fast”.

Same words with the meaning poles apart. 

The superficial view of progress, growth and development. “Survival of the fittest”, competition, self-preservation an outcome of Darwin's evolutionary theory. 

A theory challenged by evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis, who developed the Endosymbiotic Theory. She explained that complex cells (like our own) originated when free-living bacteria collaborated and merged over 2 billion years ago.  Some eventually became the DNA-containing mitochondria and chloroplasts within our cells. 

Complex growth needs kindness to live in peace. 

Kindness breeds peace

A folk tale well told is a gentle reminder to keep one's kindness and peace intact simultaneously. 

Gussa and Dayaluta were neighbours. As it would be, their relations were a little less than friendly, for reasons best known to them. 

Gussa devoted all his energy to gain a boon from the powers that maintain the order. 

“Whatever you do will happen twice over to your neighbour.’

Overjoyed with the boon, Gussa tonsured the left half of his head and peeped over the fence, to find Dayaluta had lost all his hair. 

Seeing the bald man, he wanted to feel happy but instead a deep sinking feeling filled his heart. As he sat to enjoy his meal he was disgusted  to find strands of fallen hair in every morsel. 

Putting the boon to test again a few days later, Gussa chopped off a few branches from his best mango tree. A wind rose out of nowhere and Dayauta's mango tree came crashing down on Gussa's cattle shed. 

Reacting to his loss, in order to get even with his neighbour, he set a trap to catch a hen from his neighbour's yard and cook it. The boon worked, two hens from Gussa’s hen - house took a flight and landed in the pot of boiling water in Dayaluta's house.

Upset he began his ranting to the mighty powers “Take away this boon.”

“This cannot be; you can transfer it to anyone you want.”

“Better give it to Dayaluta. Let him bear the loss. When he takes my belongings I will get it twice. Ha, ha, I'll be rich.” This was disguised kindness. 

Unsuspecting, unknowingly  like always Dayaluta worked in peace and kindness. 

Dayaluta planted a sapling; two grew in Gussa's yard. 

Gussa was in a joyful mood, after a long time, seeing the saplings. 

A beneficiary of kindness, he too turned kind and sent a bouquet to Dayaluta. 

Peace seemed to take the place of a feeling of revenge. 

Inclusiveness is Peaceful Kindness

Taking a linear view of any issue leads to apartheid. Self-praise is one of the vilest forms of apartheid. 

A false feeling of superiority by race, colour of skin, form of medicine, philosophy, religious beliefs, matters of faith, language,  cuisine, dress, cultural traits are unkind acts leaving people restless, ill at ease, with a sense of loss of peace. 

Strangers on introduction, generally  inquire “What kind are you?”

“Kindness kind” would perhaps be a suitable response. 

“A piece in the universal jigsaw puzzle that fits in for peace. “

All that is required is inclusiveness, acceptance of others as they are. 

This is kindness, this is maintaining one's peace. 

People artificially construct uniformity, explaining it as the basis of peace. 

Every now and then building a monochrome green lawn, that is considered spoiled if a yellow dandelion blooms in it. In uprooting, the wild bloom, unkindly, calling it a weed, peace is lost. 

Be kind hearted, include diversity. We must allow our garden to have blooms of all colours and all varieties, our garden will be a centre of peace. 

Be a playful being - kind and at peace

What can be an example of peace and kindness? 

Who represents kindness and peace best? 

Yes, indeed, childhood and a child. 

A playful evening in a child's life, childhood, a grain in a sackful of days of life are expressed well in the words that follow

The gyani says "It all depends on how you play the game"; but experience says "The game depends on who you play with or against whom the game is on".

The three year old granddaughter wants a game of "Ball maaroo" or an imitation of football, before the grandfather has his lunch. Till date he has never won against her, sheer kindness by a national player. 

The daily session of games like 'chupaan chupaie', 'hot cold', 'unnch neeech', ‘stapoo’, ludo, carrom, 'pahaad, nadi, sagar, samudra', treasure hunt, 'balla geend', 'tug-o-war', skipping, 'solah parchee dhaapa', name place animal thing, tic tack toe have an undercurrent of peaceful living in kindness. 

The rules keep changing and have to be re-adjusted time and again, very much during the session depending on the plea maker. 

"Naiee, bhai naii yeh tou trial ball tha".

"Ch, ch the dice fell on the ground, it must be on the board".

"Line touch, line touch, not out".

"Arre, yeh tou sagar tha, nadi baad main hai".

"Same, same letter again, again. Give another".

"Deekho  yeh pathaar unncha hai".

"Please give another parchiee, yaar you all are just passing the same one".

After a minute or two of high pitched screams and pushing around, all fall down and sit on the ground, laughing inconsolably or is it uncontrollably. 

“Bahut maaza ayya".

"Jiita kaun?"

"Patta nahin".

"Oooo, from tomorrow, we'll first write the rules, then play".

The rules are never written,the game is played for the moment, for peace, in kindness. 

- Madhu Mehrotra.

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2. Protecting Peace Without Losing Kindness -

In a world that often moves too fast,

where voices rise louder than understanding,

where expectations gather like clouds before a storm,

I have learned that peace is not something found by chance.

It is cultivated, guarded, nurtured—

a fragile garden within the soul.

There was a time when I believed

that kindness meant endless giving,

that love required constant sacrifice,

that saying yes to everyone

was the noblest path a person could walk.

I stretched myself across the needs of others,

offering my time, my strength, my listening ear,

until my own spirit grew weary and thin.

I mistook exhaustion for generosity.

I thought that carrying another's burden

was proof of compassion,

even when my shoulders bent beneath the weight.

I answered every call,

mended every fracture I could see,

stood in the rain for those who never noticed

I was getting drenched.

And when I finally faltered,

when silence became my refuge

and solitude my medicine,

I discovered a truth both simple and profound:

Kindness without boundaries

becomes self-abandonment.

Peace, I learned, is not selfish.

It is essential.

Protecting one's peace

does not require building walls of stone

or hardening the heart against humanity.

It means learning the sacred art of discernment—

knowing which doors to open,

which battles to leave unfought,

which voices deserve a place in the sanctuary of the mind.

There are storms that are not ours to carry.

There are conflicts that thrive on participation,

arguments that feed upon reaction,

relationships that consume more than they nourish.

Walking away from these

is not cruelty.

It is wisdom.

I have learned that a gentle no

can be one of the kindest words ever spoken.

It honors both the speaker and the listener.

It says:

"I care for you,

but I must also care for myself."

For what good is a candle

that burns itself completely away

trying to illuminate every darkened room?

A heart emptied of peace

struggles to offer genuine love.

True kindness does not demand martyrdom.

It does not insist upon endless endurance.

Rather, it flows from a well tended with care

a spirit replenished by rest, reflection, and self-respect.

Protecting peace sometimes means choosing silence

when anger invites a response.

Not every accusation requires defense.

Not every misunderstanding needs correction.

Some people are committed not to understanding,

but to winning.

No amount of explanation

can reach a heart closed by pride.

Silence, then, becomes not surrender,

but serenity.

It is the quiet confidence of one who knows

that inner calm is more valuable

than the temporary satisfaction of being right.

Yet peace must never become indifference.

Kindness still asks us to listen,

to comfort,

to stand beside those who suffer,

to speak for justice when silence would wound.

Compassion remains a sacred duty.

The challenge lies in giving

without losing oneself in the process.

Like a river, kindness must continue to flow,

but even rivers have banks.

Without boundaries, water floods and destroys;

with them, it sustains life.

I think of trees in winter.

They release their leaves without resentment,

letting go of what can no longer be sustained.

The tree does not apologize for conserving its strength.

It trusts the rhythm of seasons,

understanding that renewal requires rest.

Perhaps we, too,

must learn this wisdom from nature.

To release relationships that continually wound.

To step back from conversations that poison the spirit.

To decline invitations that exhaust the soul.

To protect the quiet places within us

where hope, creativity, and joy reside.

And still, we can remain kind.

We can leave without bitterness.

We can disagree without contempt.

We can establish boundaries without building prisons.

We can forgive without reopening every closed door.

Kindness is not weakness.

Peace is not avoidance.

Together, they form a quiet strength—

the strength to remain gentle

in a world that often mistakes gentleness for fragility.

There will always be those who misunderstand.

Some may call boundaries selfish.

Others may resent the distance

that healthy self-respect creates.

Let them.

For those who truly love us

will not demand access to every corner of our being.

They will honor our need for stillness.

They will celebrate our healing.

They will recognize that a peaceful heart

is capable of deeper, truer love.

So I choose peace.

Not the peace of isolation,

but the peace of balance.

I choose kindness.

Not the kindness of self-sacrifice without limit,

but the kindness rooted in wisdom.

I will listen,

but I will not absorb every sorrow.

I will care,

but I will not carry every burden.

I will love,

but I will not lose myself.

For I have come to understand

that protecting one's peace

and preserving one's kindness

are not opposing paths.

They are, in truth,

the very same journey.

And along that journey,

may we learn to walk softly,

to love deeply,

to speak gently,

and to guard the sacred tranquility

that allows kindness to bloom—

not for a moment,

but for a lifetime.

- Paula Oliviera.

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3.  Peace Didn't Come Easy.

"If you have peace, you are truly blessed."

I am a woman who always believed in laughter. I never had very big dreams. I simply walked with the flow of life.

As a child, I was often labelled  "good for nothing." After Class 5, my marks dropped, and slowly I lost my peace. Thoughts like failure and uselessness became louder than my own voice.

Then one small incident changed something inside me.

Our parish priest, Vakkachan, sent me to a parish-level singing competition. While most participants sang Malayalam devotional songs, I sang, "Have You Got the Sunshine Smile," a poem written by dad. I won a second prize. Instead of a trophy, I received a picture of Mother Mary and Jesus Christ. Looking back, I realised it wasn't the prize that mattered. It was the confidence that someone believed in me.

That was the first time I found peace through singing.

The happiness didn't last for long because many people from church and even some competitors laughed at me for not being able to sing properly in Malayalam. Their words hurt. But instead of giving up, I kept practising. A few years later, in Class 9, I won first prize in a Malayalam singing competition. That victory wasn't just about music. It taught me that peace often comes after persistence.

As I grew older, singing remained close to my heart, and Bollywood movies became my happy place. Around the same time, another love quietly entered my life through my late sister and that was listening to stories. She was an English Literature student who loved novels and dramas. I enjoyed listening to her narrated stories. I didn't know then that one day those moments would help me become a writer.

Writing has become another place where I find peace.

Sometimes I wonder whether I should have studied harder. Maybe life would have been different. But for almost a decade now, I have been a social media storyteller. I have realised that investing time in your hobbies and doing what genuinely makes you happy is never a waste. It is one of the simplest ways to protect your peace.

When I started making Instagram reels, some people laughed at my profile. They even said I would be body-shamed. That never happened. My peace came from making my profile public and creating content without fear. It reminded me of a child happily doing something that elders once asked them to stop. Later, I realised it wasn't a concern; sometimes it was jealousy. So I chose peace over arguments and simply blocked the negativity.

Life, however, had much bigger lessons waiting for me.

I have seen job loss and the heartbreaking loss of siblings and friends. For the last two years, I struggled because a client did not pay me fully for my work. I never publicly shamed him, even though I had every reason to. I decided to let karma do its work. To me, that is real peace not because I have forgiven everything, but because I refuse to carry resentment every single day

Even after losing my brother, people continue asking me very personal questions about my finances and my life. Sometimes those questions disturb me. I am tired of telling people that l always was an independent woman. I have lost my brother and not my ATM card. I try to reply with kindness because I have realised that not every question deserves an emotional reaction.

Of course, I am human. I lose my peace too.

One piece of advice from a counsellor helped me greatly. He suggested writing down every angry thought about the people who hurt me instead of keeping it bottled up. Venting on paper gave me peace without hurting anyone else.

I also love learning and observing people. Doing an AI course in my forties gave me immense happiness. It reminded me that growth has no age limit. Real peace is not about competing with others. It is about improving yourself a little every day.

As a writer and as a human being, anything can trigger me. When that happens, I choose self-reflection or honest blogging on LinkedIn and Facebook instead of carrying silent anger.

 Peace is not about having a perfect life. It is about protecting your heart without becoming bitter. Kindness does not mean allowing people to walk over you. Sometimes kindness means walking away, setting boundaries, blocking negativity, and still wishing people well.

Here are a few simple things that help me protect my peace:

●      I practise full moon manifestation.

●      I enjoy a coffee or salt bath to remove the evil eye or simply to relax.

●      I remind myself to be kind to myself before trying to be kind to the world. 

Life will continue to test us. People will misunderstand us, question us, and sometimes even hurt us. But if you can keep learning, keep creating, keep smiling, and still choose kindness, you have already found something far more valuable than success.

Protect your peace. Protect your kindness. The world needs both.

- Marilyn Evans. 

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4.  (1)Peace and Kindness:-

The word peace of mind means the tranquility of our inner self. Kindness is the state of mind where we find ourselves content with our words and deeds.

To keep our mind at peace, our heart needs to be in a state of harmony with all. From my younger days itself, I tried to be as much as warm and accommodative towards others. Treating others with respect and being compassionate towards them at their low times reflected as they reciprocated the same with me.At the same time I did set certain boundaries with all in a healthy manner.

(2)Keeping our peace:-

There may be times when we find ourselves at the receiving end, no matter we may not have done any wrong towards others. They may be mistaken or misunderstood, the situation in which we were then. But try not to take their indifferences personally. They too may not be in a perfect state of mind . We can forget and forgive them. There is no need to react foolishly resulting in sudden outburst and thus jeopardise our relationship with them. The state of harmony should not be compromised.

(3)Prioritising our Energy:-

Our energy has to be maintained by balancing calmness inwards and out wards. Internal pressures may be there, as well as the external ones.Always try not to succumb to those pressures.This is my method of keeping my energy at ease. Secondly, I never try to judge others at the very first instance of indifferences with me. Thinking twice before coming to a conclusion I always preferred.I do believe in giving and taking chances. with them. No human is born perfect. It defines me too. I may be shielding my own flaws from others. Then I will have to accept that Universal truth. Never try to be perfect, but at the same time make your heart and head are sitting at their correct places.No need of showing one man up, me first always with correct behaviour. Be kind enough to accept their faults in a humane ground. The rights are equal to each and every one.If we are able to understand the same we will wish their well being too. To achieve this state of mind , we have to cultivate mindfulness towards a healthy personal bonds.

4)Internal and External Peace:-

Inner peace always depends on our own behaviour, approach towards others. Making others comfortable with our companionship comes first. Others must be happy to have we around them. No need to exhibit over enthusiasm in their day to day life. Keep a safe distance within the boundaries. Give them their space. This rule is not only for others but make it within our family too.

Our family too are made up of different individuals , but closely knitted by blood relation. This never mean that all are in the same boat. Each of them may have their own priorities in life, and different needs. Never thrust our own opinions. Having individual limits are equally important. Forcing our ideas and expectations towards them need to be curtailed. Otherwise there will be unwanted situations in family front also. There and then we lose our peace and harmony.

There will be difference’s in outcome of healthy relations and the family stand to lose its cultural bond too damaging the very fabric of family. By avoiding unnecessary clashes by words and deeds and giving them due respect will bring much needed peace of mind to all without any hassles.

This will lead to freedom from distress too. If all of us follow this path, peace of mind will not be a mirage. By cultivating an understanding for the acceptance of every one’s shortcomings with our own compassion and empathy is more needed.

(5):How to maintain peace without losing kindness:-

Here we may define kindness as our own state of mind.BE KIND TO OURSELEVES FIRST:

Being kind to ourselves must be our priority. Without the same our life as an individual becomes a shell without a nut.Compassion must come within ourselves. With a harsh mind and hot head, how can a person be compassionate to others?

Bitterness towards others is not a welcome sign.

Oh! Yes, we can differ on hundred things, but that one quality of compassionate behaviour towards others should be maintained by us. Never over think about all that happened in our personal front must be taken with a calm mind. What ever happens in a day, we should assimilate the goods ones and forgo the bad ones. No further bitterness towards them. Let us bury them. Never try to absorb them or register them in our head. Give a full stop to further exchanges. Being kind to ourselves is just to forget about them. No cold approach towards them will lead us to be kind to ourselves. Sleeping with a light heart will double the same. Hatred reaps hatred only. We will lose our own happiness if we are vindicative towards them. We will have to compromise with our own happiness and kindness then.

(6):- Behavioural out comes:-

We all have our own behaviour patterns. Knowingly or unknowingly we follow a certain behaviour from the childhood itself. Recently I watched a video clip where one tiny toy was physically attacked by another toddler very much inhumane manner at splay school room, where no elder one be it teacher or assistant was present. Punching, biting and hitting so mercilessly , for more than 10 minutes!.From where did the toddler learn that cruel behaviour?. Without any doubt, or most probably from his own home and upbringing.I am sure that these kind of behaviour can be rectified at his age, if someone at his home was able to guide him. Children learn from homes more than from schools. (( Here I don’t want to drag his family background).So kindness itself is the out come of upbringing , be kind to ourselves or towards others.We need to draw a limit to say boldly “ No”, Not acceptable by me”.

We can make this happen by keeping a safe and healthy distance from the external pressures. Keeping a graceful approach towards others without any fear or injustice. We must say “ No” firmly whenever the need arises.That is the very basic of being kind to ourselves. No need to succumb to tantrums of assertiveness. Setting our limits towards others and keeping that distance from others is very much needed to attain that kindness.

(7):- How to balance both peace and kindness:-

Wherever we doubt ourselves to lose our peace or kindness, make sure that we take a “Pause” till further actions. We can take a back seat and think over. And by doing so we can extend that responding time as we may have a clear head and soft mind which are at peace and kind.

Saying a firm “ No” give a different dimension to our consciousness. No further guilt feeling at all. We just responded to the need of that situation, not to escalate the same.Maintaining boundaries and taking a non- negotiable attitude to be followed.Situations may vary: but that doesn’t mean that we have to change our methods so as to please others. Empathy towards other human being doesn’t mean that we have to prove ourselves in order to make them happy. Being kind to ourselves has to be a priority not an answerable one. Never treat that as our weakness.

7:CONCLUSION:-

 Self worth, self respect and be in our own set limits these must be our motto. We cannot and need it to please others every time. We must learn the art of holding and giving things at respective time. Keeping our peace of mind without losing kindness are very much in our own hand!

- Geetha Pattahil. 

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5. "GO Ego! Let in PEACE... at ease."

I looked out of the window, when I heard some high pitched arguments . I understood they were the heated voices of two neighbours, disputing about the parking spaces allotted for their respective cars. One had to make way for the other, and it was being refused! Each had their own verdicts against the other. Little did both of them realise, that, taking a pause, being practical, would help avoid their awkward exchange of words. A small thought of just giving some space for the other to move on, without disturbing self and those around, would have protected their peace, without grudges as they started for work on a fresh morning. I sighed as I realised how mankind has put "winning", before anything else in life. Maintaining peace with others around has become secondary. 

To maintain peace within ourselves is more important than anything else. Without calmness, a disturbed mind cannot proceed functioning properly, throughout the day. And this starts at home, and mostly, it is in the hands of the people who run the family. A child who goes to school after being scolded by mom, for not getting ready on time, or, a husband who leaves for work, after a silly quarrel over breakfast with his wife, may not be in a good temperament to start their day at their respective places, with a peaceful calm mind. They carry the sour thoughts with them, that stays with them for a considerable time, and also gets transferred to others around. Performance will be affected without knowing the simple reason, that kindness is the key! A little patience, giving some time for the other person(s) to voice out, understanding the situation from the other's angle, are all small qualities that make big changes in our mind and body. And that doesn't happen just overnight. 

Kindness is a good quality, a character that comes naturally. The seeds of kindness bear fruits of peace, within self and to those surrounding them. Letting go of one's ego plays an important role. Feeling for others, supporting one another, not just during a fall, genuine concern, all portray the person we truly are. 

I witnessed a child who fell on the road while going to school, and got bruised on his elbows and knees. One of his friends started giggling, the other just watched, some people around chided him for not walking carefully. But there were a few other boys who gave him a hand, helped him stand up, and pacified him. Children are shaped naturally, by the members of their family and people around them, who become role models. Kindness manifests when we give love unconditionally without being judgemental.

Peace is achieved when expectations get lesser. Being kind does not mean, you need to be appreciated all the time for what you have done. Kindness is a quality that is not masked and is spontaneous. Just being "nice" in a situation to avoid misinterpretations is temporary. But the actual empathy we exhibit speaks about our character in silence. 

 

Are we at peace with ourselves? The steady storm of clutters in the mind barely allow peace to enter! Satisfaction is the key. "Enough" is often overlooked, "aim higher" is the cheering slogan. But, there is a clear line between satisfaction and greed. If we observe that, peace settles in.

We are simple human beings, with a lot of emotions, some of which help us grow and some tend to push us into depression. To let go of ego may sound simple, but it contributes a lot in attaining peace within ourselves and creating harmony around. I have come across many people who announce with pride, that they have wound up relations with their brother or sister or anyone for that matter, chipping off connections with blood relations over something that happened many many years ago, and blaming their spouses for the same. The most sad part of this is that they don't realise that they haven't won anything. On the other hand, they have lost some of the most valuable bonds that have been beautifully gifted to them by the Almighty. Ego blinds the eye, bringing in pride and self esteem to the highlight. But, if we invade both with kindness, step down with maturity, we actually win the relationship, though it seems like you lost the argument. If relationships actually matter in our lives, we voluntarily choose to strengthen them, and peace prevails automatically.

If only "winning" feels like recognition, it becomes masked living, with applauds everywhere, but, then we may lose precious contacts without our knowledge, and, slowly, we start missing peace within us. It would be like ruling an island where there are no inhibitants! 

Sometimes, we need to also understand to be kind to our own selves. Thrusted insults may harm the peace we protect. At such times, it is better to move on, without stopping, because, it is better to avoid reacting to a negative situation. Even if kindness is taken for granted, it certainly gives happiness and peace to the giver, who anyways wins!

Being a positive, and, generally a kind person too, I have never regretted being kind and empathetic. Sometimes ny kindness has been misinterpreted, exploited too, but I am what I am. As a mom of a special child, my family has received utmost kindness from many unknown strangers too, during travel, in a new place, etc. Many a times, I also feel it has been a give and take policy too. People may change according to situation, power or position, but I tend to remain my kind simple self always, protecting my peace.

All that I have penned so far, are my ways of holding on to peace, without losing kindness.

It's ok to let go ego, to let in peace, so I stay in one piece!

- Vanishree Venugopal. 

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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 Collective.

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

- Team Content Crafters Collective.

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