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

An Bengali Flash fiction written by Sandipan Chattopadhyay

The Boyβ€” 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 Cameβ€” 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 Daughterβ€” 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’β€” Nieves GarcΓ­a Benito

Translated from the Spanish by Carmela FerradΓ‘nsΒ  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,…...
English translation of Pragoitihashik by Manik Bandopadhyay

Prehistoricβ€” Manik Bandopadhyay

Translated from the Bengali by Nishi Pulugurtha For Bhiku, the entire monsoon went in great pain. Toward the beginning of the month of aashaad, his gang was caught robbing Baikuntha Saha’s workplace in Basantapur. Of the…...
Gujarati fiction by Dhirendra Mehta

Renovationβ€” Dhirendra Mehta

Translated from the Gujarati by Manoj ChhayaΒ  The renovation of the house was finally over. It was done in order to accommodate the comforts Kushan, Nirali, and Subhash wanted with contemporary styling. Curtains, fixtures, aluminum sections,…...
An English Story by Drew Barth

The Geyserβ€” Drew Barth

The water in the middle of the ground already began to bubble as Dennis Pickett climbed down the basement stairs. He had only recently returned home from another series of errands, another series of…...
Toadstool, an Assamese story about AIDS and HIV

Toadstoolβ€” Apurba Kumar Saikia

Translated from the Assamese by Anindita KarΒ  Where there is paddy there are weeds; a patch of pale pink mimosa flowers will always be interspersed by prickly grass burs. It is only the foul that makes…...
Sayani Bua, Mannu Bhandari, Translation

The Competent Auntβ€” Mannu Bhandari

Translated from the Hindi by Indrani TuliΒ  It seemed like everyone was daunted by Sayani Bua'sΒ (Competent Aunt's)Β disciplined personality. The household ran with the precision of the machines which operated without a glitch.Β  Everyone would get up…...