The Crescent Earth

A simple short story

The Crescent Earth

He was curious about almost everything. Even in the age of 3 he always had a
handful of doubts with him. We were having an evening together. Watching his actions,
hearing his doubts, everything about him was adorable. He was such a wonderful kid. That
evening sky had the bright crescent moon pinned to its cloak. He was watching it curiously
mending his next doubt. And he asked:
“Can I ask you something?”
Kid's doubt, silly. I nodded.
“Where's is it's other part? I mean, I saw it round the other night. Where's the other
half?”
It's a scientific thing. The most difficult thing to explain to a child of his age. So I chose the
better choice. Say an imaginative lie. And I did:
“There's a horrible, treacherous, hideous beast living up there. It eats a bit of the moon
every day.”
“If it's gonna keep on eating, where do it going to live after its done?” came the related
question spontaneously.
That was a really good question.
“That beast don't know what its doing. It is an idiot.” I replied.
“Do our earth looks like this when seen from up there?”
“Yeah.” I said.
“Where's the monster here?” he asked.
A sensible question. The answer was too obvious. But hardly understandable by a child.
I said: “The monster is here, yes. All over the world.”
I bet he did not understand what was that about. He stressed too much on me. But I
didn't say who that monster is. He's just a kid, you know.

Author's Note

Lookin' forward to see ur reviews.

Reviews

[Jennie Baron]

"That evening sky had the bright crescent moon pinned to its cloak." I love that image. By the way, since this is so poetic, have you considered trying it as a poem?

[Penny]

What else the child grows to be a genius astronaut. I used to be like that child too. Amazing little tale.

[Nena]

Haha! I want to meet that kid and tell him whose the monster? :D A good story!

[chitra dhara]

A story of vulnerable innocence of the young and impending doom....Good use of foreshadowing...keep writing friend!

[The ArK]

thank you, Chitra

[Eric Pudalov]

An enjoyable short story, ARK. And it has a sweet innocence to it, as well, which I think is part of its charm. I'm nearly always delighted by the pure hearts of children. Also, I particularly love the line, "That evening sky had the bright crescent moon pinned to its cloak." What beautiful personification!

Initially, I was going to critique something about the grammar, but I realized that, because it was a child speaking, that was probably on purpose. I was thinking of the line, "If it's gonna keep on eating, where do it going to live after it's done?"

Anyhow, I love the story, and it took me back to a time of childhood innocence. Not just any story can do that.

[The ArK]

Thank you Eric. You were half correct. I didn't make the mistake on purpose. But I purposefully forgot about the grammar. When I don't give extra care, grammar mistakes automatically get inside. Frankly, I have a problem with the grammar. But I believe I'm improving. Once again THANK YOU. :)

[Eric Pudalov]

Oh, you're welcome! Well, I saw on one of your other poems that English isn't your first language, so I can give you the benefit of the doubt! If I tried to write in one of your native languages, I would make mistakes, I'm sure.

[The ArK]

You're right. It would surely take a lifetime to be perfect in my native language.

[Eric Pudalov]

What is your native language, if you don't mind me asking?

[The ArK]

Malayalam.

[Eric Pudalov]

Oh, cool. I definitely don't speak a word of it! (Though I wouldn't mind learning.)

[The ArK]

Unlike English, it's very hard to learn. Even WE are not perfect in the pronunciation.
എന്തായാലും, നന്ദി എറിക്. (means- Anyway, thank you Eric)

[Eric Pudalov]

Awww, you're welcome! (And many people have told me that English isn't easy to learn if it isn't your first language.) I still find the grammatical rules confusing!

[Rachelle]

Food for thought, ARK, as most of your pieces are….

[Ahena MK]

“Yeah.” I said.
“Where's the monster here?” he asked.

really really good !1

[The ArK]

thnx for reading my work.