Real fairy world
Jaswant Kaur

Sir Lawley’s Ghost and Other Stories
by Asha Nehemiah.
Rupa & Co., New Delhi. Pages 134. Rs 195.

Reading these children’s stories reminds me of an article published in Spectrum about three years back. It was a long write-up by Juhi Bakshi, lamenting that most of the fairy takes that children read have lost their relevance. Quoting a few, she had made a case for tales that are more realistic and contemporary, tales that entrench a value system, glorify inner beauty than external appearance and focus on truth, honesty and compassion.

Well! For Juhi this book might be a little late, for her three-year-old daughter must have grown up now. But children are children, and Asha Nehemiah has something different for them.

An advertising copywriter and a freelance writer, Asha has the rare sensitivity to understand a child’s mind. In her stories, she dwells upon the fears and fancies of a child and the world it lives in. Her characters are ordinary and not well-to-do princes and princesses. Take for instance, Seema and Sushil of The Vampire Next Door who take a scientist for a vampire, a vampire without fangs and claw-like fingernails yet capable of sending a chill down your spine. Then there is Vinay Mathur who takes pride in his otherwise bad handwriting and whose "nose" reads "rose". It is only after a harrowing experience that he vows to improve it.

Sir Lawley’s Ghost is another story full of fun and frolic sans the ghastly presence of a ghost. For those who have a knack for brainteasers, there is The Shopping List Mystery. Young violinist Sandeep comes to the rescue of Belgian policemen and solves one of the Great Unsolved Crimes.

Contrary to the generally accepted son-is-better-than-a-daughter view is Clues on Canvas. Unlike the standard female character that is passive, self-sacrificing and submissive, Hamida is bold and confident. Despite opposition, she steps out of her house to help her father survive in his profession.

Payal of the story In Dadaji’s Shoes comes out with an extraordinary idea to protect the only Muslim family in their community during communal riots. These apart, there are stories with a message, a message capable of transcending all barriers—the message of love, compassion and tenderness, something a child’s heart is always full of.

Asha Nehemiah deserves a pat on the back for bringing this collection, for she rewards performance than physical charms, perseverance than callousness, honesty than craftiness. Hers is not a world of The Sleeping Beauty and Jack of Jack and the Beanstalk fame. It is a world that is far more real and down to earth and that is undoubtedly equally innocent and cute.

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