‘An acute observation, a happening around life that interests you, can make an interesting story. You may blow up a simple incident with your language skill and contrive a story.’
‘The unwritten novels and stories float in a world of mind. An author happens to pass through them. One of these may fit into the groove of his mind, like a key in the lock. Upon engagement with the corresponding hiatus, the book empties its contents into it.’
‘Sometimes, a power possesses you. It speaks through you. Some beings take possession of a capable mind, and make him write their own story.’
‘There is a mart of wizards. It has a story lane in it. The shopkeepers sit with small beautiful velvety bundles—black, silver, cherry red, orange, blue, green, and golden—each contains either ariovel or a story, or even a poem. Generally, the passers-by in this charmed alley aie the story-tellers and poets.’ ‘Often a Santa Claus-like bei|j> passes on Ms sleigh drawn by his seven reindeers-,- He bestows gifts to the spectators wfi) stand along his trail. Authors may find tender saplings of novels and stories. They are to be watered and raised, ijrtd then shaped with industry to a handsome form.’
Anand Kumar

The storyteller studied medicine at the universities of Allahabad and Banaras. He received his postdoctoral training at the University of Hamburg, Germany. He had been a visiting professor at the University of Hamburg, and of Science at Malaysia. He was conferred the coveted Fellowship of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) for his distinguished scientific career. At present he heads the department of Reproductive Biology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Stories in this volume were written during his travels to different landscapes, seasons and moods during the years 2007 —2009, just after he had completed his debut novel, Flight of the Swans. He is an accomplished poet as well. His collection of poems, Opium Den, was published earlier this year. He can be contacted at:

anandkumarrepbiol@hotmail.com