My theme for this year’s Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is Crime Stories in 55 Words. Today’s story, G is for Gambling…
![55 Fiction[3]](https://shilpaagarg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/55-Fiction3.png "55 Fiction[3]")
His heart is slamming against his rib cage. A bead of sweat forms on his brow.
The battles raging within overwhelms him.
He swings like a pendulum between hope and despair.
It’s hard to forsake a winning streak, even harder to leave when you’re on a losing one, muses Yudhisthira as he finally stakes Draupadi.
You can check out my A-Z posts thus far by clicking on a highlighted letter!
58 Responses
The perfect scene to justify the title…there couldn’t have been a bigger gamble ever!!
True that and saddest one ever!
Often wondered what must have gone through Yudhisthir’s mind when he gambled Draupadi. Your story brought it to life. Awesome.
It must not have been an easy decision for sure!
Thanks Suzy!
Ooooh this was so apt Shilpa – the sweat trickling suspense and the tough decision thereafter.
Theme: Peregrination Chronicles (travel)
G is for Grape Stomping in Bangalore #atozchallenge
Thank you, Shalini. Glad you liked it!
Purrfect! What could be a better story for gambling! loved the description!
Thank you, Shubhangi.
That’s a wonderful take on the story we have heard so many times.
Glad you liked this attempt, Raj!
Oh no! one of those games and gambles that never made sense except that they had to happen
Yeah, they say Yudhisthira was morally upright and yet he fell for gambling!
I love reading these short tales with twist in the end. Another good one Shilpa. 🙂
Thank you Deepa, glad you are liking it here!
Worst gamble ever…nicely done Shilpa!
True that. Thanks a lot, Sanch!
Ending of the story is marvellous. Perfect description of a compulsive gambler’s situation and his thought process! keep it up!
Thank you for your kind words, Sheela!
Ah… and how much a religion and country has been changed by that decision even 2000 years later.
Not much, sadly!
oh, that decision! How do you do it in the last line? I’m in awe! <3
Thanks Shalini. Glad you liked this 55er!
That scene never fails to anger (and also sadden) me! How could he do something like that?!
I know what you mean, Shinjini. It was indeed the saddest thing to do. It’s true that Yudhishthira had no right whatsoever to wager fates of other human beings and make them suffer for his shortcomings. But he had duties to follow as a king. He technically owned everything within his kingdom.And as a king, he could do as he pleased to his subjects, and he did.
Agree with Mocktail Mommies. There never was a bigger gamble!
I never really bothered to think about what went through his head that time… What made YOU think about it?
Happy AtoZing!
Chicky @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com
What made me think of this… well, necessity is the mother of invention!! LOL 😀
I don’t know the story that this is based on, but I do appreciate the well crafted story in the short word count. You are so good at these shorts, Shilpa. Well done!
Thank you, Cathy! You are so generous!
i have no respect for a man who bets his wife in gambling.
Agree with you completely, SG!
My blood boils every time I’m reminded of this story. You actually put so much emotion in those few lines.
We are on the same page on that. It was indeed a terrible decision of his.
Thank you, glad you liked this attempt!
Haha! Good one! Yudhi.. I must talk to him! 🙂
Hugs, Shilpa!
LOL 😀 You must!!
Hugs, Vidya 🙂
I always used to wonder what might have made him do this. This is one perspective that fits the situation. Good one Shilpa 🙂
He had his reasons, they say!!
Thank Swathi.
Nailed it! I was just replaying this story as I wrote my G post!
Oh, you did! I must check your G story immediately! Thank you Aditi!
Wow this was the biggest gamble ever. So apt. Loved your writing style. Writing a story in 55 words is an amazing skill.
Do visit my short stories blog
https://smitasangle.wordpress.com/2017/04/09/c-is-for-cat-a-story-on-child-abuse-atozchallenge/
Thanks a lot, Smita. Glad you liked it here.
And thanks for dropping by 🙂
Awesome take!
Thanks Dahlia 🙂
a twist in the tale – shows how compulsive gambling is, even when losing.
True, gambling is such that whether you win or lose, you’d like to go for it once again!
Oh this was the perfect take for the title!
Thank you, Nibha!
Gambling is definitely hard to walk away from – its so tempting to chase your loses!
Debbie
Yeah that’s true, and you cant leave it even when you win!
They gamble their winnings and gamble again when they lose. But this was one bet too far.
Have a stroll on The Green, Amble Bay
Yes, you are spot on!! He overstretched it!
Always wondered what he was thinking when he did that. The idea that his wife was his to gamble off always pisses me off.
I never liked this story and empathized with draupadi, as to how she must have felt …but like the way you narrate and trigger so many responses 🙂
Perfect post for the letter G. You have portrayed such raw emotions beautifully!