THE DINOSAURS ARE BACK
By Neel Anil Panicker
Though well past sleep time, the questions keep flowing.
“Papa, will dinosaurs live again?”
‘No dear, the dead don’t come back,’ I say and turn off the lights.
An hour later, once Aarav finally slides into dreamland, Nina too goes to bed as she has an early morning shift, and anyways, sleep for her is an hourly indulgence thanks to the three-year-old’s metronomic wailings.
I amble to the other room and flick on the TV. A minister accused of gang raping his minor help thrusts his scruffy face and shouts, “Opposition parties want to destroy my clean image”.
The PM’s words the day he was sworn in ricochet off my benumbed brains, “I promise a corruption and crime-free governance”
“Maybe, this ape’s not heard of rape”.
Disgustedly, I flick channels.
A guy in a suit is holding something. In clipped English, he elucidates, “Guess what! Tech nostalgia is back. In this IPhone age of swishes and swooshes and swipes and taps, the 140 character Nokia 3310 is making a comeback.”
“Fauxtalgia”, I mutter and surf.
A man in a flaming orange tie harangues,“Walls…Immigration…Muslims…Terror…“
Exasperated, I slam the TV shut and slide into bed muttering, “Son, you’re right.
Dinosaurs are back”.
(c)neelanilpanicker2017 # fiction # short story #SUNDAYPHOTOFICTION # 200 words
Sunday Photo Fiction -February 19th 2017
Written for https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2017/02/19/sunday-photo-fiction-february-19th-2017/
Click on the image see a larger version.
neelwritesblog 
I heard about the 3310 a couple of days ago and think it’s Nokia attempting to revitalise a sinking ship. Unfortunately Apple and Android have taken the market now. There is no room for the outdated. A pity the same thing can’t be said for people in orange ties, or ministers who rape.
Good story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I grabbed that bit of news about Nokia trying to make a comeback and used that as my peg to hang my theme which is that dinosaurs are in the mind and hence can never go extinct as along as human beings display bigotry and hatred and vile towards others.
Thank you for your appreciation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A subtle comment on how some dinosaurs have always been around, in one form or another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Steve
LikeLike
I didn’t see it coming, but it was strong when it did. Good job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kecia. I am glad the ending had you hooked.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terrific piece, Neel, great imagery and powerful message.
Excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! thank you so much. Your words of appreciation are invaluable, Ceayr.
LikeLike
Excellent use of the prompt to comment on modern day dinosaurs. Well done Neel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the appreciation, Lian
LikeLiked by 1 person
But those aren’t the type of dinosaurs I want to come back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes James, but unfortunately that’s what we see around us nowadays.
LikeLike
Very well done! Yes, we thought the dinosaurs were extinct but they’re still with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very sad also. Thanks Sascha for your appreciation.
LikeLike
Haha Neel. I agree well written tale and a relevant and sadly truthful last line. Corruption everywhere, I don’t think they have more than T-Rex brains if that 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, that’s what this world has come to, or rather, hurtling back into. Thanks Mandi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well conceived and penned Neel – although I suspect many a dinosaur (Dino fan) would protest at the insult 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
The metaphorical dinos must go. Thanks Dahlia for your lovely appreciation.
LikeLiked by 1 person