My Inspiration- Judy Yaron

When I first read about the Tata motors blog prompt #madeofgreat, the first person I thought of was my dear friend and mentor Judy Yaron. She fits the slot perfectly, and so I knew I have to write this one in her honour. 

 A loving grandmother from Israel in her mid 60's and an earnest blogger, young at heart Dr. Judy Yaron has a Ph.D inShared Leadership. She is a Pedagogical Advisor (though she prefers to call herself as a Pedagogical Artist), a teacher, an A1 class content strategist, and proprietor of the website for writing solutions-www.cutthecrapsolutions.com.

 

She is also the founding member of the Facebook group Granny's Girls' GYM,which is dedicated to helping she-preneurs create quality content for learning materials, websites and opt-ins as well as to explore and utilise their Gifts and Geniuses, find their rhythm and get their ideas working. She also regularly contributes to several other such forums, and held a senior position in the Yachad Accelerated Learning Project (YALP), an independent not-for-profit educational organisation based on a partnership between Australia and Israel. She has traveled around the globe training teachers to improve the learning of children in need, plan their curriculum and develop learning programs and materials.

 

Born to a highly respected US Navy officer, Zionist and author Haim Gershoni, and a beautiful, talented painting artist Marilyn Gershoni Jung, who immigrated to Israel, Judy takes after her parents amazingly.

A passion to serve, the courage to face any odds, love for everyone, boundless creativity, and a golden heart above all are what makes her so special, and a person #madeofgreat.

She has seen life in all its colours, welcomed every hardship that came her way, and conquered all her problems with a smile, sensibility, self confidence and strength. As straightforward and honest as she is in her opinion, she is never discouraging. She may tell you directly, when she feels that there is room for improvement, but she always treats everyone as equal, with fairness, compassion and respect.

I met Judy a little over a year ago on Facebook via a blogger's forum Ultimate Blog Challenge.  Our friendship was instantaneous.

Having spent years trying to find my space in the world of writing and failing one too many times by then, I was ready to give up everything, accept failure and lose myself in oblivion. But on Judy's insistence I decided to give the forum's month long Daily Blog Challenge a try. And her first comment on my first blog under the Challenge proved to be my anchor against my inner storm and a leverage to keep trying onto the end.

In consequence, I completed a very successful Challenge, improved my writing skills by degrees, reached international readers, and made some truly precious friends from around the world. Judy has always been by my side ever since providing me the much needed moral support, advice, counselling and career guidance. She has helped me find new avenues and learn from every new experience.

 

Judy Yaron for me is the definition of true friendship, perseverance, and wisdom. A woman #madeofgreat, made for great, and someone I will always admire and look up to from the bottom of my heart.
 

* To read an exclusive guest blog post of Judy Yaron on my blog site written earlier this year and have a glimpse of her visit the post "To Become an Ultra Orthodox"

* To understand better how special Judy truly is read one of her latest blogs- Don't you just hate it hate it hate it when people take take take?

 

* To know more about Tata motors campaign #madeofgreat with the amazing footballer Lionel Messi visit  http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

 

* You can know more about the YALP organization from their website. www.yalp.org.au/

 

* And here's a chance for my readers to win big. Amazon Voucher worth Rs.750 to be won for the best comment on this blog post which answers the question "What do you think of Tata Motors' association with Lionel Messi?".

My Inspiration- Judy Yaron

When I first read about the Tata motors blog prompt #madeofgreat, the first person I thought of was my dear mentor and friend Judy Yaron. She fit the slot perfectly and I knew I have to write this one in her honour.

A loving grandmother from Israel in her mid 60's and an earnest blogger, young at heart Dr. Judy Yaron has a Ph.d in Shared Leadership. She is a pedagogical Advisor (though she prefers to call herself as a Pedagogical Artist), a teacher, an A1 class content strategist, and proprietor of the website for writing solutions- www.cutthecrapsolutions.com.

She is also the founding member of the Facebook group Granny's girls' GYM which is dedicated to help she-preneurs create opt-ins, explore and utilise their Gifts and Geniuses, find their rhythm and get their idea working. She also leads several other such forums, and is a member of the Yachad Accelerated Learning Project (YALP), an independent not-for-profit educational organisation based on partnerships between Australia and Israel. She travels around the globe teaching special courses to children, helps schools plan their curriculum, and helps anyone in need.

Born to a highly respected American military officer, reformist and author Haim Gershoni, and a beautiful, talented painting artist Marilyn Gershoni Jung, who migrated to Israel when Judy was six years old, Judy takes after her parents amazingly.

A passion to serve, the courage to face any odds, love for everyone, boundless creativity, and a golden heart above all are what makes her so special, and a person #madeofgreat.

She has seen life in all its colours, welcomed every hardship that came her way, and conquered all her problems with a smile, sensibility, self confidence and strength. As Straightforward and honest she is in her opinion, she is never discouraging. She may tell you directly when you are at wrong, but she always treats everyone as equal, with fairness, compassion and respect.

I met Judy a little over a year ago on Facebook via a blogger's forum Ultimate Blog Challenge.  Our friendship was instantaneous.

Having spent years trying to find my space in the world of writing and failing one too many times by then, I was ready to give up everything, accept failure and lose myself in oblivion. But on Judy's insistence I decided to give the forum's month long Daily Blog Challenge a try. And her first comment on my first blog under the Challenge proved to be my anchor against my inner storm and a leverage to keep trying onto the end.

In consequence, I completed a very successful Challenge, improved my writing skills by degrees, reached international readers, and made some truly precious friends from around the world. Judy has always been by my side ever since providing me the much needed moral support, advice, counselling and career guidance. She has helped me find new avenues and learn from every new experience.

Judy Yaron for me is the definition of true friendship, perseverance, and wisdom. A woman #madeofgreat, made for great, and someone I will always admire and look up to from the bottom of my heart.

* To understand better how special Judy truly is read one of her latest blogs- Don't you just hate it hate it hate it when people take take take?

* To know more about Tata motors campaign #madeofgreat with the amazing footballer Lionel Messi visit http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

* You can know more about the YALP organization from their website www.yalp.org.au/

* And here's a chance for my readers to win big. Amazon Voucher worth Rs.750 to be won for the best comment on this blog post which answers the question "What do you think of Tata Motors' association with Lionel Messi?".

To Become Ultra-Orthodox

Today I welcome a very precious friend of mine, who has grown really close to my heart in the few months that we've known each other.

Judy is a Pedagogical Artist (Pedagogy is the Art of Teaching) from Israel. She is one of the most amazing, and vibrant personalities I have ever met; who derives such deep wisdom from simple everyday experiences. Her daily posts -to teach and to delight - always leave us with lesson for life and a smile to brighten our day.

You have to read her posts on her own web page www.cutthecrapsolutions.com to actually know what I mean. Her posts
● War is a Good thing (which deals with how minds and hearts can be manipulated with words),
and
• Don't Take It Away From Me (a post I've read over and over again),
are closest to my heart.

Thank you, Judy for honouring my request and gifting us this wonderful blog to make our first New Year together more special.

* * * * *

Guest blog of Judy Yaron on what she plans for 2015

To Become Ultra-Orthodox

As fit for the time year, people around the world are making their New Year resolutions. I’m not into New Year celebrations, but I can’t help jumping on the NY Resolutions bandwagon. These are mine:

• Drink more water, starting my day with warm water and lemon. • Learn to cook Indian food. • To become more Ultra-Orthodox

The first two are pretty self-explanatory. Let me explain #3.

Many years ago, I worked as a teacher-trainer in a religious community in the south of Israel. My teachers and I came from opposite worlds. They were Ultra-Orthodox: extremely pious Jewish women, devoted to their faith, who live their lives according to strict laws and commandments. I, in turn, am what you might describe as culturally Jewish. I take deep pride in my heritage; holidays are a time for family celebrations; but other than that I conduct a purely secular lifestyle.

We differed in our dress, our food, and the way we spend our leisure time, but that never came between us. Even our dissimilar beliefs in a higher power, our personal relationships and how we raise our children were never an unsurmountable barrier. For many I was the only secular person they had ever had a real conversation with, and so I became a window to the world beyond their town and way of life. As women we loved to talk and share our lives. We would talk about anything and everything.

One day I had a question of a religious matter and approached the principal of one of the schools, where I worked. He happened to be a rabbi, and we too often spent time discussing the ways of the world. When I posed my question he gave me a curious look. “You realize I’m not religious,” I reminded him. He then turned to me and said,

“Perhaps between you and the Almighty, you are secular, but your kindness, compassion and acceptance of others are Ultra-Orthodox.”

To become Ultra-Orthodox

Today I welcome a very precious friend of mine, who has grown really close to my heart in the few months that we've known each other- Judy Yaron.

A pedagogical expert (pedagogy is the science of teaching) from Israel(though she prefers to call herself an artist instead), Judy is also one of the most amazing, and vibrant personalities I have met; who derives such  deep wisdom from simple  everyday experiences, its always leaves us with a lesson for life and a smile to brighten our day.

You have to read her posts on her own web page www.cutthecrapsolutions.com to actually know what I mean. Her posts
● War is a Good thing (which deals with how minds and hearts can be manipulated with words),
and
• Don't Take It Away From Me (a post I've read over and over again),
are closest to my heart.

Thank you, Judy for honouring my request and gifting us this wonderful blog to make our first New Year together more special.

* * * * *
Guest blog of Judy Yaron, on what she plans for 2015

To Become Ultra-Orthodox

As fit for the time year, people around the world are making their New Year resolutions. I’m not into New Year celebrations, but I can’t help jumping on the NY Resolutions bandwagon. These are mine:

• Drink more water, starting my day with warm water and lemon.

• Learn to cook Indian food.

• To become more Ultra-Orthodox

The first two are pretty self-explanatory. Let me explain #3.

Many years ago, I worked as a teacher-trainer in a religious community in the south of Israel. My teachers and I came from opposite worlds. They were Ultra-Orthodox: extremely pious Jewish women, devoted to their faith, who live their lives according to strict laws and commandments. I, in turn, am what you might describe as culturally Jewish. I take deep pride in my heritage; holidays are a time for family celebrations; but other than that I conduct a purely secular lifestyle.

We differed in our dress, our food, and the way we spend our leisure time, but that never came between us. Even our dissimilar beliefs in a higher power, our personal relationships and how we raise our children were never an unsurmountable barrier. For many I was the only secular person they had ever had a real conversation with, and so I became a window to the world beyond their town and way of life. As women we loved to talk and share our lives. We would talk about anything and everything.

One day I had a question of a religious matter and approached the principal of one of the schools, where I worked. He happened to be a rabbi, and we too often spent time discussing the ways of the world. When I posed my question he gave me a curious look. “You realize I’m not religious,” I reminded him. He then turned to me and said,

“Perhaps between you and the Almighty, you are secular, but your kindness, compassion and acceptance of others are Ultra-Orthodox.”

Role distance plays

Continued from "Distance, thou art strange."

Where distance has played such magical medium on one hand, it has on the other played the trickster who slowly, silently, flungs us in the labyrinth of daily routine and such priorities where we don't find a way to interact with each other except once in a blue moon. These have been friends from my childhood and school life, who have seen through life with me. We have learnt together, played together, grown up together, shared our dreams, confided our secrets, been partners in mischief, spoken hours at length about everything and nothing! With whom I understood the meaning of friendship, who have now moved to various destinations with their life, but are still as dear to me.

Taranum Fathima, Arshiya Nausheen, Trupti Jain, Mahalakshmi Satish Balaji, Kavita, Charanya, Kusuma, Seema, and so many playmates of my childhood...
I can't blame them, I hold myself responsible most of the time. I have been the one to drop my end of the thread, to give in to the delicacy of the situation and not pursued them enough.

I still recall the after school minutes I spent with Arshiya on the steps of our school waiting for our parents to pick us up and sharing all the knowledge we had in the world. I was so hurt when in the first year she chose someone else as her best friend! But she proved herself to be a true gem and kept me as close as ever.

Charanya was the first to separate choosing another high school, but for years till she moved to another city we met often, exchanged letters and stayed up to date with each other.

Trupti was the next to go away with her family shifting to Pune, but the distance was yet to not settle between us. We sincerely wrote letters to each other every two months, and what letters they were! Each of a dozen+ pages, complete with the latest minutest development to the last detail, livened up with jokes, quotes, designs, drawings and picture postcards!

Anybody else who saw it wondered how we could write and read such novel-sized letters to each other and what on earth could we have written in such close knit handwriting, but only we knew how short the letters seemed to us. Yet now, we have each other's phone number and email id but have no time except for an occassional Hi.

Taranum has been another gem and probably the one amongst us who goes out of the way and to lengths to maintain a steady interaction and never forgotten a friend. Maha and kavita have tried their best to remain in touch since distance set in, but we all have a void in our lives which only we can fill.

My note to them is: "You remember, whenever I was asked who my best friend is, I always replied as- All my friends are best in their own ways.

I wasn't wrong and I can still proudly say so. Thank you for enriching my life and sorry for all the forfeiture on my part."

Distance, thou art strange!

It's really funny how distance plays such tricky games with our heart. Sometimes when it takes two close ones far from each other, they writh and wither in each others memory, and sometimes it becomes such a casual thing we accept it like morning after night.

I understand more than blaming distance, the onus lies on the love and dedication the two people shared betwixt them. But what when the feelings are equally true, and affection equally indepth in both the instances? I speak from my own experiences here, and of friendship- a relationship I hold truly precious and sacred in my life.

I don't know if the proverb "Distance makes the heart grow fonder" suits the instances I relate to here, because they have always remained at far flung places from me. But yes, they all have surely become important part of my existence in such a short duration that I strongly believe destiny had planned our friendship.

Cindy Ackley, Judy Yaron, Elly Stornebrink, Yatita shah, my group of co-authors from the anthology "Love stories that touched my heart", so many friends and siblings I made via facebook and in my college years! Our interactions have usually been of touch-and-go nature, and always via one telecom media or another(except for a few whom I have met for a short duration). But my friendship with each of them has clicked almost instantly, and the honesty, trust, joy, comfort and respect I share with each of them, (I know) comes from true friendship.

A personal note from me to each of them: "I don't know if we would ever meet in person, but somehow it already feels like we have, and I'm so grateful to each of you for all that you have done, have been and mean for me."

Continued in Role distance plays.

Maze of my own

This was what I was like the whole of last week.

Everytime I try to write,
I always get so distract,
I'm lost in a maze of my own.

My words take flight,
Then simply disappear from my mind.
They are lost in the maze I told.

I want to read and read,
Share, like, reply and comment,
But when I wish to write...

All is lost in the maze you know.

Then my dear friend Elly Stornebrink came to my rescue, and in the past two days, she did me a world of good. The below four lines are specially made and dedicated to her. Thank you, Elly!

Then I told my friends,
And amidst them a friend replied,
With her pep talks, aid and advice,
She brought me out of the maze of mine.

Month of many firsts

This July has really been eventful to me. There have been so many good things happening to me for the first time ever, I can only be only all the more grateful and happy about them.

Firstly, There was this awesome blog challenge I embarked on (by chance), and I'm so glad I was able to meet it.
Then, they are all the lovely friends I made through UBC's forum. My first international group!
My short story won the second prize in an online forum. It will be my first to be published as part of an e- book.
My first haiku! Oh, how much I love them. I wanted to write one on this blog, but couldn't clear my mind enough.

After coming so far in this challenge, it almost seemed I would fail at the last step. What with all the guests teeming at home, and not a moment to spare.

I had to squeeze time to type both the blogs I post today, at nearly 3 a.m via my Android (and fell asleep over it!). I completed this blog in the morning and now posting it to complete my challenge. Thus, being the proverbial rortoise once again.

More beautiful than the end

I embarked on this daily blog challenge by chance. I had joined UBC few months ago as a desperate effort to revive my blogging spirit. I used to blog so often n spontaneously when I first began it nearly six years ago.

I had my account at rediff back then, and the site was called rediffiland. You can still find my blogs there via this link-

It was a beautiful site with wonderful outlook about it-very social, friendly n happy-go-lucky kind. Then, I don't know what went into the heads of rediff's creative department, or what madness possessed it, it decided to revamp it, closed it all down, and re-opened it as rediffblogs with an almost lifeless, fussy and all-business appearance. It killed the fun of blogging and dampened the spirits of we fellow bloggers. We gradually scattered and migrated to other sites.

I came to google's blogger. But blogging didn't feel the same again. I blame myself for it. I must have not taken things in the right stride.

Then again magic happened! A chance reading of Judy Yaron's blog and commenting on it changed the whole equation. She noticed me and my absence in the challenge, and prompted me to join it. I really can't tell you how thankful I am, Judy.

The first few blogs were spontaneous, then inspirations, anecdotes, imagination and encouragement took over and I all seems right again.

I met such wonderful friends here like Judy Yaron, Cindy Ackley, Elly Stornebrink, Sophie Bowns, Huma Masood and all; and learnt so much from you all. I really love you all dearly.

This 31 days journey has become more important and beautiful than it's destination, and I admit like all beautiful things I am a tad disheartened that it will end soon.

Of Dickens' and of Doyle

To frame these two pairs in a quote, I recollect these words I read somewhere, but I don't recollect whose they are. It goes like this,
"Do not walk before me, I may not follow you. Do not walk behind me, I may not lead you. Just walk beside me and be my friend."

These two pair live this essence up so well, they make life seem such a joyful experience.

Dear boy Pip and his comrade's story is one of the most lightly handled in english fiction, but it goes so deep! It reflects all colours of friendship and shines like a radiant gem. They are just two simple friends always by each other.

No big promises, no grave issues, no hard efforts, no exceptional acts, and no heart-rendering sacrifices. Just together forever.

Be it in Pip's prosperity or his doom, during Herbert's struggle or on his success, even after their love interests oppose the other's influence on them, they never said adieu, never even turned their face away from each other. This is the beauty of their relationship. Together they withstood the test of time.

In fact, for me their life story seems a long happy song which goes something like this:
"In happiness and in pain,
In loss and in gain,
Together we have been,
And we shall always remain the same."

Dr. Watson and det. Holmes:
As celebratory their titles are, so valliant is their feats and even more glorious is their cameraderie. These two live the above quote to the T. They have fought, they have reconciled, they have had their differences and they have sort it out.
I couldn't comprehend any draconian tests in the lives of these friends, except that of having extreme faith in each other at the most trying moments, and always looking out for each other.

All in all, these two pairs of Dickens and Doyle resonate the simple yet strong message that we need not go to great lengths to prove our worth. Just being friends and true to it is the essence of real friendship.

... a friend indeed!

Winnie The Pooh, once said to his friend Tigger,
"If you live to be a hundred, I would wish to live a hundred minus one day so I won't have to live without you."

The stories I look into here, reflect similar sentiments and devotion, but in completely contrasting circumstances. Both the stories were written to touch our hearts and both succeed effortlessly.

Sam and Frodo:
Sam often said, "He (Gandalf) told me, Don't you lose him Samwise Gamgee!... and I don' t intend to Mr. Frodo." But this shows Sam's devotion to his friend, rather than an awe for Gandalf. He follows Frodo with adamine dedication, even nearly drowning himself to persuade the other to take him along when Frodo decides to renegade the Fellowship.
Sam passes the test of endurance and fellowship with valour, always being Frodo's strength, support and salvaging factor. But Frodo is not spared too, with his trust and faith in Sam tested mercilessly. He nearly succumbs almost chasing away Sam... but everything is restored before it's too late and their friendship survives and shines in the end to tell a tale of bravery and togetherness.

By the by, If you were to ask me, Sam is one friend, i would die for.

Aamir and Hassan,
Must prove their loyalty and friendship in a completely world beseeched with equally daunting evilry.
Irony of their story is Hassan is always there for Aamir, even when Aamir isn't there, or even if he doesn't need him. On the other hand, Aamir is never there for Hassan, even if Hassan is right there and even when he needs him the most.

Hassan undisputably passes his test, but it is Aamir's long at last return that salvages their friendship, it's glory and it's essence. Else, Hassan would have been disgraced to be a fool, than a friend... and Aamir would have proved himself to be worser than a foe.

Tried, tested and ok?

When i started planning this blog, the first thought which came to my mind was Byron's words about his friend John Hobhouse, while dedicating the fourth canto of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage to the latter.

"... A friend often tried and tested, Android  never found wanting."

This simple dedication speaks volumes of their friendship, and reflects the essence of this relationship most splendidly.

Here I shall revisit the fabulous tales of comradeship, and see how they fare in the face of adversities that tested their worth:

Peter Parker and Harry Osbourne have already been analysed in this light and so I won't fiddle with them again here. Their friemfdhip passes with distinction, and spiderman is one lucky guy to have such lovely people around. None the less, Peter and Harry are one of the most awe-inspiring pair of friends in fiction.

Brutus and Caesar:
It is very complicated to just classify this pair as victors or not in the test of time. Yes, Brutus failed Caesar. But he didnt do it for personal gain or revenge. He loved his friend, but loved his country more, and went truth was revealed repented the most.

His failing was in not trusting his friend enough, not testing his friend before reaching a verdict, and not even giving his friend a chance to mend or explain. Caesar trusted him even on to his death.

This friend fails the test but they friendship still retains its essence in its history, and there's still glory in both loving each other to the end.

An ode to friends

There are so many instances of amazing friends in the world of english literary fiction, i can spend a lifetime writing about them. But as too much of a good thing is not good too, I rest my series here (atleast for now).

But before I move on to analyse these friends in a different light, here is my tribute to all my friends, old and new, of my childhood, adolescence and youth, from rediffblogs, facebook and Ultimate Blog Challenge...my co-authors, my sister and my nephew :) i take the liberty to include my parents too.

A haiku, which refers to all of you:

what birds mean to sky,
and the seasons to the sun,
you mean to my life

Friend of a super-hero

If we are to include comic strips into proper literary fiction, they would open a whole new vista of amazing friends. But one friend who stands apart from the rest is
Peter Parker's best friend Harry Osbourne.

Peter and Harry have been friends even before Peter became Spider-man, and in a way their friendship has withstood the test of time.

I might even say, Peter failed many a times as a friend, stealing Harry's love-interest and even killing his father (though he never did any of it intentionally), but I have always found Harry true and precious. He always looked out for him and took everything in their friendships' stride.

He did revolt to avenge his father's death but it was only natural. Didn't Peter himself writhe in the same fire for the murderer of his uncle?

But what passes Harry as a true friend is that he didn't nurture ill-will for Peter, and when he needed him he did not fail him.

He is one friend every super-hero or otherwise would love to have.

Friends forever

To be speaking of friends and not reminisce Charles Dickens Pip and Herbert is just not possible.

Great Expectations is a tribute to relationships and a satire on human failings. But through out one relationship that shines, passes through the test of time with flying colours and becomes the heart of the story is the friendship between Pip and his room mate Herbert Pocket.

The very manner in which the latter endears the former as 'my dear Handel' wins our heart and makes him the most desirable friend in english fiction.

This pair doesn't do great feats or go to great lengths to prove their fealty, but it is in the humble and simple manner in which they stick to each other through thick and thin, and look out for each other, which mak this pair so special and commendable.

Goes on to prove we don't have to be a super hero to be a good friend.

A story of dedication and disappointment

The debut novel of Khaled Hosseini took us through the lives and times of two friends,

Aamir and Hassan.

The kite runner is a novel for the speaking heart. It reveals the glory and plight of Afghanistan through the lives of these two childhood friend. On one hand, where the rich and sensitive but self absorbed Aamir treated his friendship with Hassan as a plaything and to his convenience (sadly it is how so many today their friendships too!), On the other hand, the sweet, brave and poor Hassan reciprocated with utmost honesty and unimaginable dedication. So much that it haunted Aamir even thousand miles apart across the globe, and to the extend that Hassan remains true to it till the end, even forgiving Aamir unasked.
I have often wondered if there can be friends like Hassan in today's world. I don't know! But it is his version of friendship and Aamir at long last redemption which makes their friendship one of the best in fiction.

Fabulous and fearless duo

Continuing with my blogs on some of the best fiction friends, here's my take on the remarkable pair of detectives created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND Dr. JAMES WATSON

These need no introduction and I doubt if there would be a reader who wouldn't like them. They are charming, witty, clever, courageous and classic!

Though they always seemed to maintain the professional audacity, there was a touch of comradeship and the warm undertone of informality, which spoke volumes about their friendship. They compliment and complete each other so well, they have themselves writhed over each others absence and pain,; and also gone through the whole world for each other.

This blog to the very charming, lively and another unforgettable pair of fiction friends.

Friends unforgettable

English literature abounds with instances of friendship that have gone beyond the usual peripheral of its definition.

From the very charming Mr. Darcy and his sweet tempered buddy Mr. Bingley, the eccentric pirate Jack Sparrow and his alter-ego comrade Will Turner, to the extraordinary Sherlock Holmes and his very reliable and dedicated partner Dr. Watson; all have become the essence of their stories and made a unique place in the hearts of their readers.

In this blog and few others to follow i revisit such lovely tales and present my take on them.

My take 01: Julius Caesar and his best friend Brutus.

"Et tu, Brute! Then fall Caesar." These last words of the great emperor who had once proudly declared 'I will die but once', speaks volumes of his friendship with Brutus. The treachery of his friend felt more fatal to the noble king than the wounds inflicted on him. Such was their trust and affection to each other.

Now, Brutus was a honourable man too! And an equally wonderful friend. Misled by Caesar's foes, he did what they told was best for his nation. A folly he regretted to his own death.

But this is one story of friendship and trust that generations will recall.

An odyssey of friendship

My take 02: Frodo and Sam.

Lord of the rings series by Sir J.J.R Toelkin is a master-epic and every character in it are larger than life, and in this records of heroism comes a humble tale of two hobbits- Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee.

Bond by fate, co-incidences, faith, trust, love, promises and hardship, both these friends sketch a beautiful portrait of comradeship, faith and determination, which takes the definition of friendship to greater heights. I love these duo for the fact that they go through hell, yet in the end they remain as angelic as ever, but it's the way Sam remains by Frodo's side throughout that truly wins our heart.

He never once hesitated to stand by Frodo even at the face of death, and never once retraced his path come what may. It was his liveliness and positivity that helps Frodo emerge through the adversity and if anything, Sam is the heart of their story if Frodo is the life.

Noblest of them all!

Once when i was little, my sister was so touched by the dedicated attention of doctors to my father when he was undergoing some treatment, I recall her observing that surely a doctor's is the most noblest profession.

I agree, to heal, save and care for a life is a really honourable and noble way of life, but to confer it the title of being "the noblest" seems a bit overdone to me.

I mean there are so many professions without which humanity and life on earth would suffer and struggle! There's nobility is every deed and honour in every profession (that are not vice).

And the comradeship and acceptance i found here, in the blogging community and amidst the co-authors of my anthology is really so amazing and humbling.

All of you help and support with such altruism, connect with such honesty and goodwill, and care with such concern, you really belittle the agonies, disappointments and heartbreakers in life. You hold us up and never allow us to give up.

You all rock and this blog is dedicated to all you precious friends i found in this wonderful world of writing and blogging.