Here, translation unlocks stories from languages afar, people unknown yet familiar in voices that stun you and resonate with you. Here is your book of world stories

 

FICTION

A Tamil Story by Thenmozhi

The Hunchback Crescent— Thenmozhi

Translated from the Tamil by Dr. S. Vincent “Keep quiet,” said the little girl to a younger and thinner boy with a blank face. Hiding his laughter in the ‘thud’ ‘thud’ of the train, he turned…...

Spirituals— Tiziana Vigni

Self-translated from Italian by Tiziana Vigni  In the dark fertile black belt of Greene County, Alabama, cotton bloomed in pale puffs of cream, closed like fists. The cotton gin awaited them in the granary, where it…...
reedom-A Hindi Story by Mamta Kalia

Freedom— Mamta Kalia

Translated from the Hindi by Rituparna Mukherjee  My grandmother doted on me. I crossed the room and the courtyard, and hung from her shoulders, “Daadi, I am bored, shall I go out and play?” Daadi took…...
An Assamese short story by Apurba Sarma

Nights at Baghe Island— Apurba Sarma

Translated from the Assamese by Anindita Kar  The main stem of the river runs south of Baghe island. ‘Rijaap’—the southern forest reserve lies further south. These days they no longer call it the ‘rijaap’ but ‘sensuri’—a…...
A Bengali Story by Indrani Datta

A Poor Conductor— Indrani Datta

Translated from the Bengali by Kathakali Jana  1. He picked it up from the street. The painting has always looked like a lighthouse to Paritosh. He remembered Batighor, the  Bengali synonym for the word along with…...
An Bengali Flash fiction written by Sandipan Chattopadhyay

The Boy— Sandipan Chattopadhyay

Translated from the Bengali by Anujata Bhattacharya Oyi, don’t you have parents?No.Both dead?YesAny siblings?No.You are by yourself?Uh-huh Silence. What do you do?Beg.How much do you make?20 paise, 30 paiseThat enough?Uh-huhSo what do you eat?Muri…...
Tamil story about Chennai floods by Akilan

Then The Flood Came— Akilan

Translated from the Tamil by Dr. S. Vincent Nobody could tell whether the perched sky was struck by some abrupt happiness or misery to erupt in such a menacing downpour. The cities and the…...
Odia fiction about gender inequality

The Return Of The Daughter— Dr. Gourahari Das

Translated from the Odia by Dr. Snehaprava Das Umakanta tore at the bandage in a fit of anger and frustration. Blood oozed from the wound on his forehead. The day before Dr. Mishra had dressed and…...
A Spanish story about journalism and illegal Moroccan immigration

Sa’ra’— Nieves García Benito

Translated from the Spanish by Carmela Ferradáns  What I am about to tell you happened in real life. The daily press reported on it at the time, and I was able to talk with the protagonists,…...