“…to kill the demon, who’s holding Princess Balanagamma captive, you need to cross seven oceans and seven mountains to reach a cave… there will be a parrot , in a golden cage, wring it’s neck to kill the demon…”, Grandma was telling us the Indian folk tale ‘Balanagamma’ for the thirtieth (maybe fortieth) time.
In the dark her words spun images of distant forests and treacherous paths. I wondered why mother never tells us bedtime stories.
The wheel of time turns.
“Again, Again!”, my children say.
Mother says…”Balanagamma was a beautiful princess…”
I wait my turn to tell the tale.
–end —
Some stories are best told by grandmothers.
This 100 word (true) story was written for the 100 word photo challenge. More details about this challenge can be found at: https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2016/06/01/3-june-2016/
Thanks to Piya Singh for this week’s photo prompt.
Click on the Froggy below for other amazing takes on the same prompt by fellow “Friday Fictioneers.”
Roots & Water 
Dear Ansumani,
I can almost hear and see the grandmother. Lovely tale in few words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle.
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Social rules are complex and eternally fascinating
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It’s not exactly a rule but one of those traditions that magically gets propogated. Thanks for reading.
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I liked that. Especially the idea that only the elder of the generations is qualified to tell the tale. Nicely done.
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Some stories are best told by grandparents. Thanks Sandra.
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I like that there is a roll for each generation, sadly it seems that it is slowing ebbing away. However I felt for the poor parrot.
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I too felt for the parrot . “why should the demon “hide” his life in that bird ” I have asked. But that’s the way stories go …there’s always innocent lives lost in war I guess. Thanks for reading.
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Sweet. Grandmothers are special for sure.
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That they are! thanks are reading Graham.
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A lovely story, filled with love and atmosphere. A lovely thing to read 🙂
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Thanks Lynn.
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Lovely story, passing on family traditions.
🙂
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Thank you !
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I truly loved this… a true purpose of grandparents, and what I love the most is the understanding and biding of time.
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Understanding comes with time…the parents are too busy /distracted with work and life and the grandparents have the time. Thanks for reading Bjorn.
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Beautiful! I am guessing that you concentrated on the wheel (of life)!
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Thank you! yes, the wheel and the forest path.
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Such a lovely story, full of kindness, full of grace.
I love that only the grandmother gets to tell the story, and that your character cannot wait to be one.
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Thank you Vijaya
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You’re welcome.
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Awwee.. this brought me home. How I’d wish I’d remember my grandmother’s tales. Beautiful and nostalgic piece. 🙂
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Thank you Maria
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It’s so true! Some stories just seem to be better told by the older generations.
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That’s right. Thanks!
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There are really dark stories in this world. Just right for children of all ages.
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Maybe how and where and by who it’s told make the scary/dark stories so benign.
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I love the circular feel to this, as the tale passes to each generation to hear and re-tell in turn.
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Thank you Ali.
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memories are made of this. great story.
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Thank you.
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Amen to that. I love to hear the stories old Grandmothers tell. I felt like a little kid sitting at her feet.
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There something special when grandma tells a story. Thanks for reading.
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A beautiful family tradition that connects generations.
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Yes it is. Thanks for reading.
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Reminds me of the stories that my Great Grandmother told me as I curled on her lap and she rocked in the old squeaky rocker. Many, many a happy times those were.
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A squeaky rocker adds to the charm. Thanks for reading.
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Stories seem more possible when told with the whispering wisdom of a grandmother’s voice.
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Yes, the impossible become possible! Thanks for reading.
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It seems as though the mother was waiting to tell the story until she became a grandmother. Some stories never grow old to children. This story was passed down in a time-honored way, by word of mouth. Well done, Ansumani. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you Suzanne.
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And that’s why grandmothers are so important. Tales are always special told by them…
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True that! Thanks for reading Dale.
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