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Big and Small, by Paritosh Chandra Dugar

26/11/2021

 
Many years after moving to a metro, he wrote to his friend.

“I live in a city a thousand times larger than your tiny hamlet. I have countless friends and means to entertain myself and manage my body and mind. I have lots of money to buy oxygen and drinking water.”

The childhood chum replied.

“Is your city larger than nature? I have just four friends. They form the circle of my life. We’re each other’s students. I need no money to buy my life. You’re happy with your world and I with mine.”

How small is big! I wondered.
Pamela Kennedy
26/11/2021 11:01:44 am

Each has their own version of what a perfect world is...
nicely written, Paritosh.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar
26/11/2021 11:55:39 am

Thank you, Pamela, for your expert comment.

Elizabeth Mayers
26/11/2021 12:06:33 pm

Nice piece. We all need something different...and often that changes over time.

Lynn Messing
26/11/2021 12:09:03 pm

A nice modernization of The City Mouse and the Country Mouse. And as a country mouse myself, I would add that in the country, one doesn’t need to buy water or oxygen. The good stuff is available for free.

Don Tassone link
26/11/2021 12:38:10 pm

A parable for our times. Well done, Paritosh.

Swapan k Banerjee
26/11/2021 12:38:52 pm

Great to have you back in the fold, Paritosh! I go with Lynn.

Candace Arthuria Williams
26/11/2021 03:53:14 pm

Ouch! Talk about misplaced priorities. My sister depends on an oxygen tank 24 hours a day. Thank you, Paritosh

Jim B link
26/11/2021 03:57:23 pm

We each have our own version of "heaven on earth," and it sounds like each of your characters have found theirs.
Nicely done, Paritosh
Jim

Sandra James
26/11/2021 07:21:40 pm

Very well done and thought provoking, Paritosh! I really enjoyed it 🙂

Sivan Pillai
27/11/2021 04:41:58 am

A city where one is required to buy oxygen! You have brought out the perils of modernisation so well, Paritosh.

Sue Clayton
28/11/2021 03:14:55 am

If we have a circle of friends, however large or small, then our world is complete.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar
28/11/2021 04:35:03 am

Thank you Elizabeth, Lynn, Don, Swapan, Candace, Jim, Sandra, Sivan, Sue for your thoughtful comments.


Comments are closed.

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