Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: past

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Monday, July 21, 2014

MOVE ON - A ZEN STORY FOR MILITARY VETERANS WHO REFUSE TO “RETIRE”

A ZEN STORY FOR MILITARY VETERANS WHO REFUSE TO “RETIRE”

VIKRAM KARVE

This Zen story is for my ex “fauji” colleagues, retired military veterans, who cannot get the military out of their system even many years after retirement:

THE STORY OF THE CELIBATE MONKS AND THE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

Two Monks were once travelling together on a long journey.

It was the monsoon season and it was raining heavily.

Suddenly they reached a flooded stream.

They saw a beautiful woman standing near the banks of the stream.

She wanted to cross the stream.

But the beautiful woman was very scared of crossing the stream because she was afraid of the strong current and she could not swim.

On seeing the two monks, the beautiful woman asked them if they could help her cross the stream.

The first monk hesitated.

But the second monk quickly picked up the beautiful woman onto his shoulders and carried her across the water, and then he put her down on the other side.

The beautiful woman thanked him and departed.

As the monks continued on their way, the first monk was brooding and preoccupied.

After a while, the first monk could restrain himself no longer, and he was unable to hold his silence, so he admonished the second monk who had carried the woman, “Brother, our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any contact with women. We have to strictly observe the vows of celibacy. We monks do not go near females, especially young and lovely ones. But you picked up that beautiful woman on your shoulders and carried her all the way. It is sacrilege!”

“Brother,” the second monk replied, “I left the woman back there. Why are you are still carrying her?”

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a spoof, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Friday, September 7, 2012

REMEMBER THE FUN FORGET THE GRIEF

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR GOOD MOMENTS OR BAD TIMES

Reminiscing and Remembrance

VIKRAM KARVE

Sometime ago, on TCM Movie Channel, I watched an old Black and White Movie ACTION IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC

The film, ACTION IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC, produced in 1943, stars the inimitable Humphrey Bogart, and is a story of the war at sea during the World War II. The thrilling movie depicts the bravery and adventure on seamen on a merchant navy convoy of ships bound from Halifax in Canada to Murmansk in Russia pursued by German Submarines (a Wolf-pack).

There is one quote in this movie that attracted my attention and remained etched in my memory even after the movie was over. During my evening walk I let the quote perambulate in my mind and the more I thought about it the more meaningful insightful these simple words seemed to me.

There is a scene on a dark and gloomy night, amidst treacherous seas with the enemy lurking below, where Humphrey Bogart, who is the Chief Officer of the Merchant Ship, and his Captain, are standing in the bridge-wings reminiscing and discussing their time on an earlier ship which was sunk by enemy torpedoes.

The Captain keeps talking about the tough hazardous times they had when their convoys were attacked and keeps recalling various tragedies and misfortunes; whereas the Chief Officer remembers all the fun, frolic, and his delightful amorous peccadilloes and escapades in various ports.

The Captain berates the Chief Officer and asks him how he can be so frivolous and merry in a dangerous and grim wartime situation, to which the Chief Officer (Humphrey Bogart) replies: “The difference between you and me, Skipper, is that You remember the grief. I remember the fun.”

Tell me, Dear Reader, when you recollect your past, are the recollections happy and pleasing or are they sad and unpleasant?

Let’s do an experiment.

Close your eyes and think of your childhood – what comes to your mind, what predominates – happy memories or sad moments?

Reminisce about each phase of your past life – your early years, school, college, career, marriage, your middle age, until now – and examine your recollections –pleasant memories and the not-so-pleasant remembrances.

Now you know what to do. Like Humphrey Bogart said – REMEMBER THE FUN.

So blank out all the sad and unpleasant memories of your past and remember the joyful pleasant moments.

Hark back to memories and reminiscences which evoke a smile on your lips and erase from your brain all traces of your past grief.

Forget the “bad guys” who harmed you and caused you misery and remember the “good guys” who added value to your life and gave you joy.

Yes, forget the grief and remember the fun

VIKRAM KARVE

To order the book please click the links below:

http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-8191091844/p/itmdyv8amagkvgpf?pid=9788191091847&affid=nme

http://www.apkpublishers.com/product/42-cocktail-short-stories-about-relationships.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the link below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and he is currently working on his novel. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Friday, July 13, 2012

VENGEANCE IS MINE - HOW TO TAKE REVENGE - THROWING A STONE AT A DEAD MAN - A Mulla Nasrudin Story

VENGEANCE IS MINE

HOW TO TAKE REVENGE

THROWING A STONE AT A DEAD MAN

A Mulla Nasrudin Story

VIKRAM KARVE

Mulla Nasrudin’s boss was a tyrant who used to bully and harass the docile Mulla Nasrudin.

The boss had made made Mulla Nasrudin's life miserable.

One day the boss suddenly died of a heart attack.

Just before his funeral all members of his staff went to pay their last respects to the departed soul.

Suddenly Nasrudin picked up a big stone and threw the stone at the dead body of his boss.

Everyone was shocked and surprised at Nasrudin’s strange behaviour, but before anyone could say anything Nasrudin calmly explained, “All these days I was carrying a stone in my heart. Today I have cast it out.”

MORAL OF THE STORY

There is no point carrying “stones” in our hearts - “stones” of bitterness, “stones” of regret, “stones” of ill-will, rancor, resentments, acrimony, “stones” of vengeance

Remember, you are bearing the burden of all these “stones” you carry within you and this causes you pain.

Whatever is causing you bitterness inside, just get it off your chest right now, once and for all.

Just throw out all these “stones” right now, forget about them, and move on in life with a clean slate.

Then, once you have cast out all the “stones” from your heart and your heart is clean, just experience how light and joyful you feel.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this story?
I am sure you will like the 27 fiction short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

DON'T CARRY STONES IN YOUR HEART - a Recipe for Joy

Recipe for Joy

DON'T CARRY STONES IN YOUR HEART

A Mulla Nasrudin Story

VIKRAM KARVE

Do you carry resentments, bitterness, acrimony and regret in your heart?

If you do, then do read this Mulla Nasrudin Story.

Mulla Nasrudin’s boss was a tyrant who used to bully and harass the docile Mulla Nasrudin.

The boss had made made Mulla Nasrudin's life miserable.

One day the boss suddenly died of a heart attack.

Just before his funeral all members of his staff went to pay their last respects to the departed soul.

Suddenly Nasrudin picked up a big stone and threw the stone at the dead body of his boss.

Everyone was shocked and surprised at Nasrudin’s strange behaviour, but before anyone could say anything Nasrudin calmly explained, “All these days I was carrying a stone in my heart. Today I have cast it out.”

MORAL OF THE STORY

There is no point carrying “stones” in our hearts - “stones” of bitterness, “stones” of regret, “stones” of ill-will, rancor, resentments, acrimony, “stones” of vengeance

Remember, you are bearing the burden of all these “stones” you carry within you and this causes you pain.

Whatever is causing you bitterness inside, just get it off your chest right now, once and for all.

Just throw out all these “stones” right now, forget about them, and move on in life with a clean slate.

Then, once you have cast out all the “stones” from your heart and your heart is clean, just experience how light and joyful you feel.

VIKRAM KARVE

Friday, September 2, 2011

MY FAVOURITE SHORT STORIES Part 34 - WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Short Fiction – A Love Story

VIKRAM KARVE

For those who have been lucky to have a love marriage, there is an important day to celebrate called wedding anniversary.

For me and my wife, surviving one of those quintessential arranged marriages, our wedding anniversary is just another day.

That is why, instead of romancing each other over candlelight dinner, my wife and I are browsing books at the bookstore.

Suddenly my wife says to me, “Arun, look...!”

“Where?” I ask.

“There, near the window – look at the woman in the red dress,” my wife says, pointing her hand.

I look at the woman in the red dress.

“Don’t you know who she is?” my wife asks excitedly.

“No,” I say.

“She is Nisha – the famous romantic author,” my wife says ardently.

“I’ve never heard of her,” I say nonchalantly.

“You come with me,” my wife says and I follow her towards the bestseller rack near the entrance, where she pulls out a paperback from the shelf and shows me the photo of the woman in the red dress on the back-cover.

“Yes, it is her,” I say, “let’s go home.”

“Come, Arun, let’s meet her and get her autograph on this book…” my wife says.

“No…” I interrupt, “she’s browsing…she won’t like to be disturbed…let’s go…” I say and I turn towards the exit.

“Please…”

“No…don’t give these authors too much importance…let’s go home…” I say irritably, motioning my wife with my eyes.

“You go. I’m going to get her autograph on this book,” my wife says, and she starts walking towards the woman in red who is still absorbed nose deep into browsing the book in her hand.

I turn and quietly walk into the philosophy section and browse books.

After a while my wife comes and says, “She wants to meet you…”

“Who?”

“Nisha – the author…”

“But I don’t want to…”

“Hi Arun, remember me?” says the woman in the red dress suddenly appearing in front of me.

I am struck dumb.

“Arun and me had a real good time together in college,” the woman in the red dress says to my wife, then looks at me and says, “You remember what all we did, don’t you, Arun?”

I avert my eyes and I wish the earth below me would split and swallow me up.

“Hey Arun darling, you’ve told her all about us, haven’t you?” the woman in the red dress says loudly, digging her fangs into me like a snake, and seeing the horror-struck expression on my face the woman turns and speaks to my wife, “I am really sorry, but I thought there was no place for secrets between husband and wife….”

“Of course Arun has told me everything about you Nisha. Everything, he has told me every single thing,” my wife says emphatically to the woman in the red dress looking her in the eye, and then turns to me and says, “shall we go home, Arun ?”

Mesmerized, awestruck, I look at my wife and for the first time in my life I feel a flood of love for her.

That was the moment I fell in love with my wife.

Dear Reader:
Do you remember the moment when you fell in love with your wife?
You do?
Then why don't you tell us about it.

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and he is currently working on his novel. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune

India

with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve

Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

Monday, July 21, 2014

MOVE ON - A ZEN STORY FOR MILITARY VETERANS WHO REFUSE TO “RETIRE”

Friday, September 7, 2012

REMEMBER THE FUN FORGET THE GRIEF

Friday, July 13, 2012

VENGEANCE IS MINE - HOW TO TAKE REVENGE - THROWING A STONE AT A DEAD MAN - A Mulla Nasrudin Story

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

DON'T CARRY STONES IN YOUR HEART - a Recipe for Joy

Friday, September 2, 2011

MY FAVOURITE SHORT STORIES Part 34 - WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

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