Inkblot

I came across this fly near our back door. I feel it had been resting in the same place since the previous day, but due to the fact that they don’t usually open their wings during the daytime—a kind of camouflage ability—I hadn’t noticed its presence. But today, it seemed like it was a bit injured, so it was trying to fly, and that’s how it caught my attention! Poor creature! (My farmer friends would probably disagree if I call it “poor.”) I know exactly why it was near our back door: my mom always keeps some bananas out to feed the free-flying birds. And no wonder this moth visited, because fruits are its favorite. I instantly recognized it as the fruit-piercing moth. Guess those entomology lessons from past years hadn’t fully faded! Though I still had to ask Google for its universal scientific name. So, this is Eudocima phalonia , a fascinating insect with some unique and troublesome traits, especially for fruit growers. Unlike most moths that feed on nectar, these moths pierce throu...

Every morning, I wake up to the sound of my ringing alarm, but I'm more alarmed as each hour ticks by— not by the clock, but by the gaze I cast when I look at time passing. What’s my power button? My laptop has one, in the top right corner, knowing when to power on and when to rest— so sure of itself, while I search for mine. What’s my power button? The plant in my balcony grins, its hidden button pressed by sunlight and rain. With every drop and every ray, it dances in a quiet, green sway. What’s my power button? Is it the blare of an alarm? Or the taste of my favorite brownie? Perhaps it’s the kind words I hear about myself, lifting me like a secret switch, bringing me back to life. -Namrata

Dear someone who is reading this, I hope you are fine and doing well. I wish you are happy and living your life with gratitude! You know what? I recently read a book by Preeti Shenoy, 'Life is What You Make It'. Interestingly, this is the first volume of the two-part series, but I read it after the second volume, 'Wake Up, Life is Calling', which I finished back in May. (And here I am, writing to you now in October!) But honestly, I do not think the reading order matters much, as Preeti Shenoy has done a great job of narrating the story in both volumes. I prefer writing my reviews a few days after I finish a book or a movie. Why? Because I strongly believe the true essence of a work reveals itself only with time. A great writer leaves their readers with lingering thoughts, making them reflect on characters, metaphors, or the storytelling style even after they have turned the last page. Do you not think so too? That is why I am writing this to you today. This is how the ...

Look at the snake in the video! I bet you spotted the green vine snake easily, right? Well, lucky you—because it was practically invisible to me at first. These sneaky little guys have a superpower: camouflage. I was just minding my own business, strolling by, when I nearly jumped out of my skin. There it was, a slimy little ninja, moving so slowly I wasn’t even sure if I was hallucinating. Naturally, I sprinted to grab my phone (because if you don’t get a picture, did it even happen?) but life had other plans—my phone rang. After handling the call, I rushed back, half-expecting it to be gone. Nope, still there! But let me tell you, it took some serious squinting and detective-level eye training to spot it again. The snake just sat there, barely moving, almost mocking me like, “I dare you to find me.” Of course, I didn’t disturb it, but as you’ll see in the video, it eventually started moving, and that’s when things got interesting. So, like a good millennial, I immediately Googled eve...