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 evening getting the right expression of 'Oh!' - a mixture of shock, irritation and anger.
The next day, the shot is okayed at the first attempt itself and everyone rushes to congratulate the hero for his natural acting talent, etc. while our poor man who has worked so hard is paid off with no acknowledgement or accolade :(
Well, coming back to my point, such a story can only be thought of by someone associated with movies- a sensitive person at that. No marks for guessing, but, this story is by Mr.Satyajit Ray.
I read this in a popular children's magazine of my time called 'Children's World'. The magazine wound up even before I got out of my teens long ago, and, as 'Children's Day' is coming up, I wonder if there are any magazines of that calibre around for children.
Happy Children's Day wishes to the child in all of us!
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 evening getting the right expression of 'Oh!' - a mixture of shock, irritation and anger.
The next day, the shot is okayed at the first attempt itself and everyone rushes to congratulate the hero for his natural acting talent, etc. while our poor man who has worked so hard is paid off with no acknowledgement or accolade :(
Well, coming back to my point, such a story can only be thought of by someone associated with movies- a sensitive person at that. No marks for guessing, but, this story is by Mr.Satyajit Ray.
I read this in a popular children's magazine of my time called 'Children's World'. The magazine wound up even before I got out of my teens long ago, and, as 'Children's Day' is coming up, I wonder if there are any magazines of that calibre around for children.
Happy Children's Day wishes to the child in all of us!
Good story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
-vandy.
Welcome Vandy!
ReplyDeleteYou know, ever since I read this story, I have been paying attention to character roles!
nice one..
ReplyDeleteshort and sweet...:):)
good one :)
ReplyDelete