In all of Jonathan’s 27 years of existence, he had gone through all sorts of situations and met even more sorts of people. Jonathan prides himself over his easy going and adaptable nature. But perhaps, nothing could have prepared him for this moment.
Because right on top of Jonathan’s work-from-home desk, now sat, a delicate, glittery and tiny being. A very glittery, about half the size of Jonathan’s palm, and extremely pissed off being. And the creature— let’s just call it a pixie— was talking.
“You vile, evil human! No manners at all! I’ve been sitting inside my tulip for the past 21 sunrises and sunsets, while all you have done is spill coffee on me, put me on a very unstable stack of papers and ignore me! How dare you!”
Jonathan’s a little confused— and offended— to say the least. And to be fair, he didn’t have any water in his home office, so he poured in a bit of his coffee to keep the tulip alive. Coffee does have water. He was just trying to help.
How was he supposed to know the little tulip plant that Harry gave him on his birthday to “brighten up your cave” housed an actual-
“I haven’t seen the sunlight in days! You haven’t even watered me once!”
Okay, maybe the pixie was right. Jonathan really hadn’t taken care of his tulip. He had sort of placed it on his desk, because he didn’t really think he could keep a plant alive.
But now he felt a little bad.
“I’m- wait. What should I call you?”
The pixie looked slightly out of breath, and Jonathan had the urge to provide the pixie with something to drink— which was probably not a good idea considering the only things in Jonathan’s mini fridge were coffee and soda.
“Raven,” the pixie— Raven— sneezed out, and tumbled across a stack of old papers falling off of Jonathan’s wooden shelf.
In an instant, Jonathan was picking Raven up— which wasn’t too hard because he was not even the size of Jonathan’s palm.
“Easy there, Raven.”
The pixie huffed at him, but Jonathan continued, as Raven made himself comfortable on Jonathan’s hand.
“I’m really sorry, Raven. I had no idea that you were in the tulip which Hoseok gifted me. I know it’s no excuse but I would have taken better care of it if I knew. I hope I can make it up to you somehow, if you will let me.” Jonathan tried his best to show the sincerity in his heart through his words, he wasn’t always good with speaking.
Raven looked at him, head-tilted in thought— and even though Jonathan knew the pixie was probably still mad, he couldn’t help but find him adorable.
“Okay.”
His thoughts stuttered, “Okay?”
“Okay, I’ll forgive you.” Jonathan sighed in relief. “Now, let’s start with throwing that sinful amount of coffee out, and replace it with some-”
“Not my coffee!” Jonathan protested.
“-water.” For Raven’s tiny size, he sure could hold a demeaningly convincing stare.
“Ugh.” Jonathan almost smiled at the evil pixie with the most adorable persona that now sat on his desk, “Fine. But no changing my office. I’ll build you a nice mini garden on the window sill.”
Raven’s face lit up, “You will?”
Jonathan smiled, marvelling at how he had ended up in this situation but not regretting it at the slightest, “Of course, I will.”
Rating: 4.5/5
Anwesha Ghosh’s “The Tulip” is a charming and captivating short story about an unexpected meeting between a human named Jonathan and a little, sparkling pixie named Raven. This delightful story transports readers on a journey full of humour, redemption, and the power of compassion.
The interesting idea of the story—a dissatisfied pixie living inside a tulip plant atop Jonathan’s work-from-home desk—captivates readers right away. Jonathan is initially perplexed and upset by the pixie’s allegations, but he gradually realizes his neglect of the plant and the small creature concealed within it. This realization causes Jonathan to rethink his mind, and he honestly apologizes to Raven and wants to make amends.
Anwesha Ghosh handles the characters’ emotions and interactions with ability, establishing a strong bond between Jonathan and Raven. Jonathan’s transformation from apathy to genuine care for the pixie’s well-being is conveyed beautifully, demonstrating the transformative power of empathy. The two protagonists’ banter is humorous and entertaining, contributing to the story’s appeal.
Ghosh’s rich descriptions bring the story to life, allowing readers to visualize the setting and the small pixie sitting on Jonathan’s fingers. The contrast between Jonathan’s ordinary office surroundings and Raven’s otherworldly presence offers an intriguing contrast that adds a sense of magic to the story.
“The Tulip” delves into topics of responsibility and the value of caring sentient beings. The novel discreetly emphasizes the need of caring for both nature and the creatures that inhabit it through Jonathan’s desire to learn from his mistakes and his devotion to establishing a little garden for Raven.
The story’s rhythm is consistent, keeping readers interested from beginning to end. The ending, in which Jonathan pledges to create Raven a little garden on the windowsill, leaves readers feeling warm and eager to see how their unusual friendship develops further.
Overall, “The Tulip” is a charming and inspiring story that combines fantasy, humour, and human growth. Anwesha Ghosh’s writing skills are on display through vivid descriptions, fascinating characters, and a heartfelt message about the power of compassion and redemption. This lovely narrative is sure to leave readers smiling and with a renewed appreciation for life’s minor wonders.