I love a good story. Like every other kid, I have always been fascinated by them from the earliest childhood. As a kid, I used to beg my parents to tell me stories when they tucked me into bed.
Most of the times, my mother would tell me one of the stories she heard from her parents or at the village fair folk artists called “Gondhalis”.
My father on the other hand was and still is fable-challenged
The greatest joy for my as a kid was when my grandfather visited us. Not only did he know a lot of stories but he had a funny way of telling them which made me roll with laughter with tears in my eyes. I cherished the time I spent with him listening to his stories.
The stories were probably what drew me to books and once I started reading, it became a life-long passion.
I read (more like devoured) anything and everything that came my way and I loved it all. I could go for the entire days reading books forgetting to even eat and sleep. From magical tales from the great Indian epics to awesome Arabian nights to Enid Blyton, Mark Twain, Jules Verne even Shakespeare.
Reading is a habit that continues till today.
Another form of storytelling which I loved and continue to love is films. Although, my interest in films has changed over time from the bollywood masala movies of my childhood, to Hollywood action and adventure movies, to any good movies with a good story, well told.
Life has come full circle now as my kids ask me to tell them stories when we lie down to sleep and I just pull out one of the tales from the great expanse of my memories. Their favorite stories are Hansel and Gretel, Jack and beanstalk and other Aesops fables and Grimms fairy tales. Through my kids, it seems like I am reliving my childhood.
Eventually, they will read books and watch movies and will reflect on the wonder that is a good story.
