Basket Full of Dreams I Story By Ankush
Basket Full of Dreams
In September, streaming clouds trumpeted like haughty tuskers, lightning banners, and drumbeats of thunderclaps. I stood at the Rohini bus stand. The clouds hid the sun and covered the entire sky in a dusty gray colour, as if someone had painted it. Not a single bird chirped, as if they had left the place for freedom, or someone had captured them all. At that moment, the bus came to the station. And I entered it.
I started my journey from Rohini to Connaught Place. It wasn’t my first time traveling that route, but today, it felt unfamiliar. The bus was quite empty. I sat in the window seat and thought about my childhood, specifically how I used to think I could travel the entire world by bus.
I studied B.Com at Delhi University. I remember that I was never good at finance or commerce. But I chose it solely to appease my family. I read fiction novels, finding solace in those pages. Without it, my life felt like a fish out of water. I also wrote many manuscripts, but I had no courage to publish them. Humans are very social animals-we never dare to do what we want, forever waiting for the right motivation.
I turned my eyes to the window and looked outside. My gaze went to the road where children were begging. I forgot what I was thinking and focused on the children. At that moment, my eyes fell upon a boy balancing a basket on his head. The basket was filled with novels. It was too strange because I had never seen someone sell books in a basket.
He started walking toward the bus and entered it. At that time, the bus engine started. Outside, sun rays hid behind the clouds, and it became darker as somebody switched off the light. My white shirt was blowing in the cold breeze. And the rain started pattering against the road.
The fellow boy came to my side and sat beside me. He wore an old brown shirt and black pants. He gazed toward me with his dark ocean eyes. We both were quiet until he broke the silence with a little smile and asked,
“Sir, do you want any books?”
He had a lot of literature books. I said nothing but just observed him. My brain was making more and more questions.
“Why do you sell books like this? I mean, do you earn money from this?” I asked without answering his question.
“More than enough to survive,” he said.
“Well, if you don’t mind, may I ask your name?”
“Aksat, my name is Aksat,” he said with a smile, like he wanted to share something. “My mother said Aksat means one who never breaks. She said that my father gave that name to me before he went to the army.”
“And now where is he?” I asked.
He gazed down toward his feet, and then he took a long breath and said,
“He went to another world…”
“I am so sorry.”
“No, it’s okay,” he said slowly.
I never thought a child would have this type of problem, and yet he smiled.
“How do you smile?” I asked. “Your smile is very beautiful, more than a heavenly wind.”
He tapped his finger on the books, and he said, “I have nothing without it.”
He searched for something in his basket, and then he mentioned, “I like William Wordsworth’s poems, like that quote: ‘Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.'”
“Do you read William Wordsworth’s poems?”
“Yeah, I also write something.” He took a long breath and said, “Night is not always dark. Sometimes it has the brightness of the past.”
“Beautiful. I believe you will become a very fine artist.”
“And what about you?” he asked.
“Well, I want to be a writer, but I cannot be.”
“And why can you not?” he said. “I am a child, but I know becoming an artist is not hard; showing art to others is hard.”
His gaze went toward his basket, and he started searching for something. He found a notebook. He passed the notebook to me.
“Try to write in it one time,” he said.
The fellow boy’s eyes sparkled like he wanted me to take it. But why? I never knew. Did he know me? Or did I help him in another world? Only heaven knows this, but I took the notebook.
It was a very colorful notebook with empty pages.
“It is free for you,” he said. “I will be happy when you become a writer. And then I will sell your book too.”
“You should also try it?”
He did not answer. Just then, the bus stopped at a station. He started walking toward the door. For the last time, he looked at me with a heavenly smile, and then he exited the bus, but my journey had just started…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Basket Full of Dreams
1. What is the story “Basket Full of Dreams” by Ankush about?
The story is about an unexpected meeting between a man who dreams of becoming a writer and a young boy named Aksat, who sells books from a basket. Their conversation inspires the man to rediscover his passion for writing.
2. Who is Aksat in the story?
Aksat is a young boy who sells literature books on a bus. Despite losing his father, he remains cheerful, loves reading and writing, and dreams of becoming an artist.
3. What does the title “Basket Full of Dreams” signify?
The title symbolises the power of books, imagination and aspirations. Aksat’s basket contains not just books but also dreams, hope and inspiration.
4. How does Aksat inspire the narrator?
Aksat encourages the narrator to stop holding back and start writing. By gifting him a colourful notebook, he gives him the confidence to pursue his long-forgotten dream of becoming a writer.
5. What does Aksat mean when he says, “Showing art to others is hard”?
He means that creating something is only one part of being an artist. Finding the courage to share one’s work with the world can be even more challenging.
6. Why does the narrator feel connected to Aksat?
Both share a love for literature and writing. While the narrator has given up on his writing ambitions, Aksat continues to express himself through books and poetry, creating an unexpected connection between them.
7. What is the central message of “Basket Full of Dreams”?
The story reminds us that dreams should never be abandoned because of fear or circumstances. Sometimes, inspiration comes from the most unexpected people and experiences.
8. What role do books play in the story?
Books represent hope, comfort, imagination and freedom. They connect the narrator and Aksat and become the bridge through which they share their dreams.
9. What can young readers learn from Aksat?
Young readers can learn to stay hopeful, nurture their creativity, face life’s challenges with courage and never hesitate to share their talents with others.
10. Who would enjoy reading “Basket Full of Dreams”?
Children, teenagers and young adults who enjoy emotional stories about books, dreams, creativity, kindness and unexpected encounters will find this story meaningful.
11. Where can I buy books?
You can buy books at Bookosmia.com and Amazon,in
The Fearless Four: The Papers, the Phrase and the Chase | A Mystery Adventure of Friendship, Science and Secrets
Four best friends. One stolen question paper. A national mystery only the Fearless Four can solve! Fresh from their adventures at camp, Avisu, Zara, Damayanti, and Meenu are back in their club house, balancing school life with secret meetings and plates of puttu kadala and adapradaman. But their peaceful routine is shattered when a “National Level Calamity” strikes. The original question papers for the National Science Olympiad have been stolen from a locked office, putting the nation’s brightest students at risk of losing their chance at glory. From analysing mysterious white powder through chemistry experiments to pursuing the shadowy Ms. Mysterious through Towers Park, the Fearless Four must use their intelligence, scientific thinking, courage, and teamwork to uncover the truth. With clues to decode, secrets to unravel, and a mystery to solve, can the four friends identify the culprit before it is too late? Written by Avya Krishna and illustrated by Ashwini Mangudi, The Fearless Four: The Papers, the Phrase and the Chase is an exciting children’s mystery adventure filled with friendship, science, suspense, and problem-solving, set in a relatable Indian context. Published by Bookosmia, this book is perfect for young readers who enjoy detective stories, school adventures, puzzles, and stories about brave and clever friends, this thrilling tale celebrates curiosity, collaboration, and the power of thinking outside the box.
https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190337009
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This article is published by Bookosmia, India’s #1 publisher for and by young people. Bookosmia publishes stories, books, podcasts, events, TED-Ed talks, workshops, bedtime stories and more related to kids and young adults.
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