Inspire

A Short Story By G.S.Vasukumar


 He visited his grandma’s house in a small village after many years. One night before going to bed, he sat on the bed and was swinging his feet back and forth, while going through the family album. Suddenly his feet hit some old trunk which was kept below the bed.


He was curious to know what it contained, so he pulled it out, and opened it. He was surprised to see some old books. He dusted them, kept them on the bed.


He had a frown on his face seeing his grandmother’s name on the cover pages of the books. The books contained collections of short stories written by her, when she was young. He started reading and felt they were simply amazing work.


I never thought that she was so talented?  He thought.


Next morning, he took them and showed to his grandpa, who was reading The Hindu newspaper.


“What? She wrote these short stories?” He asked surprised going through it. “I never knew it? She never told me anything about it?”


“Yes, we never thought that she was so talented, isn’t it?” He asked his grandpa, “Shouldn’t we get them published and showcase her talent to the world?”


“No.” His grandma said coming with cups of coffee and biscuits in a tray.


“Why not, Savithri?” His grandpa asked her, picking up a cup of coffee from the tray.


“I never wanted to share it with anyone. I wrote them for myself…my satisfaction.” She replied.


“What if we publish it with a pen name?” He suggested.


“That should be fine, I think.” His grandpa said.


“Ok. But remember that I never want to be in the limelight.” She said.


“I will take care of it, grandma” He said.


He became busy tying the short stories of his grandma in his laptop. He made them into different collections and gave a name for the each of the collections. He decided to print the first collection of short stories and see the response.


He got the books printed and started advertising. Initially, the response was lukewarm as she was an unknown writer. But the sales picked up gradually and soon ‘Saki’ became a household name. He had even designed a website for her and mentioned it in the book, hoping to get the feedback from the readers.


The website received many fan emails. He showed it all to his grandma. She had tears in her eyes while going through those emails. She hadn’t expected that she would receive so much positive feedback on her work.


“This is one of the happiest moments of my life.” She said, “Thank you.”


“You deserve it, grandma!” He said.


The second book was a bigger success than her first one, as it hit the international market. People loved her work so much. The same happened to her third collection of short stories. People started asking, who is Saki? She was compared with other famous story tellers of the world.


***


Subramanian went through what he had typed so far on his laptop and was satisfied with how his story “Inspire” had shaped so far. This was his first novel and an important one.


“How is the progress, dear?” His wife, Sunitha asked coming with a cup of coffee, and handing it to him.


 “So far so good,” He said, taking it and having a sip and giving her a smile.


“Do you think it would work?” He asked her.


“Sure, my love,” She said smiling back at him. “Not many of us follow our dreams in our lives. But you have dared to,”


 “It should work,” He said, “as I have left my job to work on my first novel.”


“It will!” She said, patting on his shoulder, “Success likes those who dare to do something different!”


After slogging day and night for many days in a row, finally he was able to complete the first draft of the novel. Then he spent some more days making the required amendments and brought out the second draft and then the final draft.


When the book hit the book shops, it was sold out within the first few days of its release. They had to go for re-printing.


***


“Mr.Subramanian your first novel ‘Inspire’ is a sensational hit,” The interviewer said. “So what’s next?”


“I would be taking a short break and then would be working on my next book.”


“Sounds good,” He said, “You had dedicated your first book to your grandma ‘Saki’, who is a great writer. So it wasn’t a tough thing to follow the foot steps, I think”


“In fact, it was a tough thing to follow as I had to keep up the reputation of my grandma, who is my inspiration.” Subramanian said.


“I Agree. Readers would like to know more about her. Perhaps even meet her. Even I would love too.”


“Sadly, it isn’t possible,” He said, “She is no longer with us.”


“Oh, is it? But how come your book says something else?”


“Well, while writing it is always better to mix reality with fiction. People deserve to read happy endings, you see.”


“Can we at least have her photograph?”


“Sorry, I had promised that I wouldn’t do anything like that.”


“Well, we wish you all the very best for your next book.” He said, “One last question when would the last collection of short stories by Saki be out?”


“It should be coming out soon, before my next book hits the book stores.”


***


Later, the telephone started ringing, Subramanian answered the call:-


“Congrats, Subbu!” His grandpa said from the other end.


“Thanks, Grandpa.” He said, “What is grandma doing?”


“Well, she is reading your book,” He said, “Wait! I will give it to her.”


“I am proud of you, Subbu.” She said, “Your book is so nice and interesting.”


“Thanks a lot, Grandma,” He said, “I felt sad when I had to lie to them about you.”


“It is alright, son.” She replied, “Thanks for keeping up the promise you made to me.”


“You’re welcome, grandma” He said.


The End