A Bend In Time |  Anthology | Intro by: Bijal Vachharajani | 
Talking Cub: Imprint of Speaking Tiger, 2020
ISBN: 978-93-89958-62-1 | pp 174 |  199

A beacon of hope for the readers who wish to sail through the troubled waters in the present times

‘Children have the capability to connect us to the deeper wisdom of life which is ever present, and only asks to be lived. They know the solutions that lie waiting to be recognized within our own hearts.’
Michael Jackson, Grammy Awards, 1993

Children and young adults have vivid imaginations and creative visualizations that come naturally to them, effectively interspersing positive thoughts and affirmations. Imagination helps them to create their own experiences obtaining their hearts’ desire, thus welcoming their dreams into reality. Their perception and subjectivity are the most remarkable characteristics of their imagination.

The book ‘A Bend In Time’ is an anthology of short stories and poems, with the introduction penned by award winning author Bijal Vachharajani.

The imagination enriched with fresh ideas emerging from the young and hope-filled minds of the writers in the book ‘A Bend In Time’ fills the readers with a positive and optimistic approach to deal with the most difficult circumstances in life. Written in the backdrop of the Pandemic COVID-19 in the Year 2020 which has spread far and wide to almost all corners of the world, the stories and poems in the book penned down by the young and enthusiastic writers depict to a great extent the impact of the sudden halt to the lives of humans all around the globe, opening the gates of imagination and sprinkling a shower of hope amidst the most difficult times that humankind faces.

‘Dreams make their selection according to the principles other than those of our waking memory, in that it recalls not only what is essential and important, but what is subordinated and disregarded,’ writes Sigmund Freud. The dreams of the little children which find expression in Tishya Tara’s story ‘Dreams In an Empty Pot of Tea’ seem to be lost somewhere as the children find it difficult to fill the emptiness in their lives, whiling away their time at home, the schools and colleges remaining closed due to the Pandemic in the Year 2020. Imagination is at its best when reality merges with the fictitious flight of ideas into the world of dreams. The writer portrays the situation of the children recounting the loss of dreams and a yearning to go back to their respective temples of learning.

‘I couldn’t imagine leaving my beloved school. This was too much. I could feel my anger swell. I cried softly with my face inside my pillow.’ (pp. 33-34)

A child’s imagination is more than just make-believe. Imagination opens the door to possibilities. The ability to create and reflect significantly is the purest form of self-expression. The writers in the book have committed themselves completely and freely to cope with their feelings in the fast changing scenario. Their creativity provides opportunities for trying out new ideas and problem-solving possibilities while the whole world craves to find the solutions to the ongoing problems faced due to the Pandemic. ‘Imagination is the source of all human achievement,’ opines Sir Ken Robinson. The fast developing technological advancements and their effects, positive as well as negative, on human lives and the environment are beautifully expressed in Shiv Malik’s story ‘Lockdowns Yesterday And Today’ where the ancient and the modern lifestyles go hand in hand in an effort to emerge victorious in the difficult times.

‘A method as ancient as a lockdown is keeping us inside our houses, while modern technology - video calls, the Internet, online delivery apps and so many more are keeping us connected without anyone having to come into contact with others.’ (p.50)

A wide range of emotions and thoughts are sprinkled out in the pages of the book as the readers glide from one story to the other. Prayer seems a possible solution for a little child who believes in the power of the Divine and wishes to eradicate all evil and gloominess in Shivani Sharma’s story ‘A Prayer’.

‘Sakina started praying. Her eyes were filled with tears and her mind was full of doubts.’ (p.63)

It would be a miracle indeed if imagination could create something out of nothing. The strength, the intimacy of the bonds of friendship and family remain unmoved and unbroken even in the harshest storms of life that threaten but fail to shatter the beads held together with the strong thread of love, faith and trust. Mira Gupta’s story ‘Mira’s Mussoorie Story’ expresses the depth of love that fills the lives of the children even though miles apart.

‘I was really excited to finally be able to come back home.’ (p. 69)

The change does not need our help to come, rather we need to open ourselves to the consciousness so that its coming is not in vain for us. Happiness and a positive outlook towards life and life experiences seem to be the cure of all ills, as Lavanya Sinha’s story ‘Night Write’ propagates.

‘There was a twinkling silver of bright side to the mayhem.’ (p. 84)

The capability of a child to be able to bring forth the best from the worst, the positive out of the negative is the reason why the Earth continues to be the best place to reside. Shreya Aiyer helps the world to heal in ‘Virtual Libraries’ through the power to adapt to new and fast changing situations.

‘A physical book may be best, but a virtual library comes very, very close.’ (p.98)

The increasing dependence on technology may have distanced us superficially from nature, but it cannot disregard our reliance on the natural world which provides important and priceless gifts of beauty, art and life. Omkar Mantri’s poem ‘A New Normal’ takes the readers towards the utopia of our dreams as the world adjusts and adapts to the new normal.

‘While the Utopia we dream of
Has been inside of us all along.’ (p. 100)

Children know how to reach for their stars that lie hidden in the depth of their innocence, wrapped up in their respective wonderlands. Basking in the beauty of love, Sofia Kakar’s story ‘North Star’ creates symphonies of hearts through the playful smiles and unconditional love.

‘We need to believe that light will find its way in darkness, and things will change in a good way.’ (p. 106)

The rising and falling of the ocean tides often break the strongest ships leading them astray, lost; drowned; never to resurface again. Similarly constant failures, hopeless situations, helplessness to restore the lost moments - lead the human mind towards a hazy dimply lit future with no light visible at the end of the tunnel. But the slightest ray of hope, in such circumstances, creates wonders as is obvious in Uk! Yo’s story ‘Twists and Turns’.

‘Nobody could anesthetize her pain. This overwhelming sadness was eternal.’ (p.124)

Centuries of progress, developments and advancements have created a new world. But the hiatus between the rich and the poor continues to widen. ‘If a free society cannot help the many who are poor,’ says John F. Kennedy, ‘it cannot save the few who are rich.’ The pain of the poor, despite the availability of modern facilities, is brought out in Sharvari Sonawani’s story ‘A Decade Later’ where the world has moved ahead about a decade after the Pandemic of the Year 2020 but the gap remains yet to be filled.

‘Was it an apology for failing her? Or did it signify hope?’ (p.148)

To ensure a more fruitful life worth living and enjoying, a grand global alliance needs to be forged against the common enemies of humankind - tyranny, poverty, diseases - as suggested in Archita Agrawal’s story ‘Existence Mode’ who brings forth the brighter side of the difficult situation that the world finds itself in.

‘The hole in the ozone layer in the Arctic Circle closed up. The water in rivers and lakes is now clean.’ (p. 157)

The Planet Earth, history of its evolution and the various scientific theories of Space and the Universe, have been marvelously discussed in Ishaan Ghosh’s story ‘The Pale Blue Dot’ where the writer portrays Earth as a victorious entity that has very courageously overcome and defeated several obstacles posing danger to its very existence - the demonic earthquakes, monstrous epidemics, fiery volcanic eruptions, meteor showers, engulfing hurricanes and tornadoes. The book ends with a positive note and an optimistic approach, with hope shining bright in the togetherness of the efforts of the world as a whole.

‘Let’s come together and save and cherish our home, the pale blue dot.’ (p.167)

The book ‘A Bend in Time’ is the beacon of hope for the readers who wish to sail through the troubled waters in the present times enamoured with courage, hope and optimistic approach, with the surety and conformity of reaching the shores emerging victorious in one of the most difficult times in the history of humankind.