"It took me rather long, the first fifty years of my life, to realise that I was not different from anyone else in my desires, ambitions, attractions and repulsions; call it ordinary or whatever you please. I had taken it for granted - I do not know when, how and why - that I was unique. How easily could praise gladden me and make me crave for more of it and how spontaneously would I reject any criticism of my actions or wishes! Little did I care to remember that so many in this world had been a hundred times braver, truthful, nobler and more talented than I. What was more, there has been so many who were less egoistic and, consequently, less stupid than I."
- Opening paragraph of Manoj Das' Oriya short story "The Assault" (I have only changed the sixty years to fifty years)
Hi Sanjoy,
ReplyDeleteThis is the beauty of the www.
We will watch.
I see you already have a blog since June 2009. Secrecy was not a strength my friend. So why should the old dog try new tricks.
Best wishes,
Manoj