ALTER IDEM

This is 'Bhadra Stop'. Located about 45km from/ before Chikmagalore depending on whether you are coming from/ going to C'lore, on the C'lore - Sringeri road, this attractive shack slows you down to take a peep.  'Bhadra' is the name of the mighty, yet, quiet river that flows nearby. The surrounding coffee plantation is called 'Bhadra Estate'. Well, once you take the peep, you feel like taking a break. Coffee is the only beverage that is served. If you are hungry, some basic snacks are also available. Everything inside has a rustic feel. Yet, the fridge, the gas stove and the uniformed cook- cum- server fit in. We were lucky to be passing by during the peak of the monsoon and when the coffee was served within 5 minutes, all we did was pamper all our senses - saw the lovely landscape, heard the birds, felt the weather and smelt and tasted good coffee. Decision made on that day - If ever 'Bhadra Stop' asks me, 'Coffee, tea or me',...

Of late, I have been reading a lot of short stories. I think that most short stories have their roots in real- life incidents. Also, attend to a short story closely, and you can tell something about the author! One of the earliest short stories that I remember reading is about an old man who plays extra roles in movies.To land these roles, he has to hang around film studios everyday and roles at his age don't come by easily. One day, a famous director offers him a role - that of a retired gentleman on his way home from buying groceries. The scene requires the old man to be window shopping as the hero storms out of the shop and dashes into him, thus, upsetting his bag. All he has to say is 'Oh!' and the fee is very good. Our man agrees, happy to be in the famous director's film. While thinking about his scene at home, our man realises that 'Oh!' when said in different ways can mean different things. Much to his wife's annoyance, he spends his whole evenin...