A Word Thrice Uttered: Stories on Life’s Realities is
a collection of short stories portraying the diverse realities of life through
the protagonists – children, women, men, animals, even supernaturals. While
Ratan’s story is one of irreparable damage to a child’s psyche, through callous
handling, spilling onto his adult life, Ram Khilawan’s is a contrast where
familial love inspires a child to put aside his trauma and attain the
impossible despite poverty. Who would believe that, even in independent India,
children are bought and sold to slog as
cheap labour? Where children are not spared, what would the plight of animals
be! But here the author infuses hope through stories where animals return in
equal measure the love and trust they receive from humans who treat them as
family. Readers meet fascinating women confronted with irresponsible men and
downright evil ones too. But nothing stops these women from taking the first
step to a leap into liberation and self-empowerment. There are gentle touches
into sensitive areas, through the thought processes of little Aslam and the
experiences of Hafizji and his family. Panditayin, wrapped in the Ganga-Jumuni
tehzeeb, makes readers long to turn the clock, back into that golden era. The
supernatural characters here are not the run-of-the-mill horror models. Their
stories have a plot, run on a theme and have turns and twists, which make these
Supernaturals lovable!