Perhaps, that fire was the only, inevitable way out of the long drawn suffering, it was a fire of fury and courage and the fire for freedom and change!
I’m behind on my reads the past few days. Well done! I agree with Jack, this was powerful and eye opening. I would imagine anyone reading on Substack is lucky to find themself where they do in life compared to so many. It’s a story that inspires gratitude but also reflection on who we can help in the world.
Thanks for reading Jack! I know what you mean. It depicts a "scorched earth strategy" of the helpless. In feudal/lawless lands where people feel a sense of complete despair it becomes the only "way out" which is ofc awful. The incredible part is I grew up middle class in India, which I consider relatively privileged, with good parents and an education that has been seminal to building a better life here in USA. But it looks like I absorbed a lot of what I saw around me...some of it I fought against and spoke up for...(yet I didn't like the solutions on offer either- that for another time) yet a lot of it remains in me as stories that I'm often unaware of until they come spilling out... Thank you for your thoughtful reading.
I think the troubling part for me is my ongoing struggle of feeling helpless in my world...it's not a desperate situation, just something I think about frequently. I believe your story cast a light on some things inside of me...
I hear you. We’re raised often to believe we “should” be able to fix just about everything in our lives. But the fact is (as many great men have told eg., the Stoics, Buddha, Bhagavad Gita etc) a lot is only available or amenable to acceptance, yet doing our best in the face of it. Hard to practice but that’s the journey. It’s the one I am on too. Wish you the best!
Perhaps, that fire was the only, inevitable way out of the long drawn suffering, it was a fire of fury and courage and the fire for freedom and change!
Thanks Sharon. Yes it was a desperate expression.
Love from India:)
I’m behind on my reads the past few days. Well done! I agree with Jack, this was powerful and eye opening. I would imagine anyone reading on Substack is lucky to find themself where they do in life compared to so many. It’s a story that inspires gratitude but also reflection on who we can help in the world.
Thanks so much Brian! Agreed.
This little story haunts me...and I’m trying to figure out why...
Thanks for reading Jack! I know what you mean. It depicts a "scorched earth strategy" of the helpless. In feudal/lawless lands where people feel a sense of complete despair it becomes the only "way out" which is ofc awful. The incredible part is I grew up middle class in India, which I consider relatively privileged, with good parents and an education that has been seminal to building a better life here in USA. But it looks like I absorbed a lot of what I saw around me...some of it I fought against and spoke up for...(yet I didn't like the solutions on offer either- that for another time) yet a lot of it remains in me as stories that I'm often unaware of until they come spilling out... Thank you for your thoughtful reading.
I think the troubling part for me is my ongoing struggle of feeling helpless in my world...it's not a desperate situation, just something I think about frequently. I believe your story cast a light on some things inside of me...
I hear you. We’re raised often to believe we “should” be able to fix just about everything in our lives. But the fact is (as many great men have told eg., the Stoics, Buddha, Bhagavad Gita etc) a lot is only available or amenable to acceptance, yet doing our best in the face of it. Hard to practice but that’s the journey. It’s the one I am on too. Wish you the best!
Wonderful. 🙏❤️
Thank you CK! Glad you liked it.
Love your writing. Since you’re a master at 100 words stories I will give you a review in one— Elegant.
Aww 🥰- made my day ❤️ Thank you!