This is a collection of 15 unique bedtime stories for adults by veteran writer Nikhil Khasnabish. Nikhil Khasnabish’s stories are known for their rhythmic and slow-paced style. The stories are taken from the chapters of his novel “For Existence” – the first Indian English fiction based on the Assam Agitation.
What are Bedtime Stories?
Bedtime stories help in mental relaxation and reduce anxiety. The slow, melodic narration and vivid imagery of these stories of this collection make them perfect for your bedtime stories. Bedtime stories have many benefits. These stories can improve memory, cognitive function and emotional regulation. Adults read these stories to reduce their everyday stress from work, etc. Bedtime stories can either be read or listened to. Reading these stories supports comprehension and retention, while listening to these stories enhances emotional connection and convenience. Including bedtime stories in your nightly routine can help manage insomnia, stress, and anxiety.
What are these Bedtime Stories About?
These original stories/chapters are written by Nikhil Khasnabish. Nikhil Khasnabish has nearly 30 years of experience as a fiction writer. These stories are about love, kindness and justice. His writings are mainly known for their purpose-driven plots. His stories explore Assamese culture – a unique part of India.
Through this project, we are trying present the readers high quality stories for feeling good. The short stories of this collection are “feel good” short stories focusing on humanity majorly.
Welcome to the World of Bedtime Stories for Adults
The length of the stories/chapters of this collection is medium and long. The key features of these unique stories that make them suitable for bedtime stories are:
- The narrations of the short stories are rhythmic and slow.
- The short stories are highly visual.
- The sentences are simple, and the paragraphs are lucid, which makes the brain relax while reading the story.
- The stories are calming, making the mind feel soothing.
- The stories have plenty of dialogues to make the reader synchronize with the characters and feel them.
Historical Bedtime Stories for Adults
Story 1: The Agitation
“The Agitation” is a story about the start of the Assam Movement. A person is caught by the police and dragged along the road. This makes Diganta, an Assamese boy, feel very sad and worried. He runs to his friends and tells them about the incident. The story depicts Diganta’s kindness.
Story 2: Sunjuri
“Sunjuri” is a small fictional town of Assam where the Assam Movement takes place. Anshuman and Sumit talk about the beauty of Sunjuri town. They talk about its future as well, which provokes deep thoughts in them. Sumit is against the movement.
Story 3: The Affair
“The Affair” is a short story about Sumit who loves a girl called Dolly. She often visits Sumit. This bedtime story is about their soothing conversation. She is a student of Sumit.
“The Meeting” is a story about the Assamese people’s emotions toward their most beloved and famous festival, Bihu.
“The Conversation” is a bedtime story that shares a conversation about the Assam Movement, Assamese cuisine, and the Bihu festival. The story is filled with soothing conversations.
Story 6: Riha
The story called “Riha” vividly depicts the Assam Agitation. It was a widely known agitation by the Assamese people. Behind the conversations, the author brings to light the culture and traditions of the Assamese people. The story talks about Riha. It symbolizes puberty. It also talks about Bihuan, kopou-phul, keteki-phul, and the traditional Assamese musical instruments such as gogona, pepa, and dhol, which are part and parcel of Bihu.
Story 7: The Threat
“The Threat” depicts the time of the Assam Movement. Sumit is threatened by supporters of the Assam Movement because he opposes it. At night, he sees two people emerging from Dharani Bora’s house and disappearing into the darkness. He starts inquiring about it.
“The Attack” depicts the attack on Dharani Bora’s family by the supporters of the Assam Movement. Sumit, the protagonist, saves Dharani Bora and his wife. Dharani’s wife, Malati Bora, is tied to the guava tree. She is senseless! Sumit frees her from the tree and shines the torch on her face. Blood clots on the left side of her forehead. He picks her up in his arms and struggles into the room where her husband is lying.
Story 9: The Provocative Speeches
“The Provocative Speeches” depicts how the leaders who channel the course of the agitation make fiery speeches in important places, including Sunjuri. Except for the activities of the agitators, everything in the town, along with the closing of the educational institutions and the picketing of the Government offices, almost comes to a standstill.
“A Walk in Nature” visually narrates the soothing feeling after walking in nature. Walking in the forest calms the mind. The story depicts especially the jungles of Assam.
Story 11: Fight Against the Movement
This bedtime story depicts the situation of Assam during the Assam Movement. During a student protest at a school and college, lecturer Sumit criticizes the students for boycotting classes and damaging property. His colleagues, however, support the protests against police violence. As the situation escalates, clashes break out, the police intervene, and several people are arrested. Tensions grow as students bring more peers into the movement, leading to Sumit being humiliated and causing deeper divisions and a loss of trust throughout the community.
Sumit faces student agitators who want others to join their procession. He disagrees with their attitude and is concerned about Dolly getting involved. Dolly is Sumit’s lover. Caught between his responsibilities and his feelings, he worries about the future of the youth and the growing unrest.
Story 13: The Nobel Efforts of Anshuman
“The Nobel Efforts of Anshuman” depicts Ansuman’s efforts to keep SES school open during bandhs, helping to build peace, resilience, and strong academics in a time of violence.
“The Heartbreak” is a story of preferences and moral conviction. Amid escalating tensions of the Assam Movement, Sumit’s ideals clash with Dolly’s loyalty to AASU, leading to his heartbreak.
“The Depart” depicts the intensity of the Assam Agitation. Ansuman prepares to leave Assam amid unrest. He shares emotional farewells with Sumit. At the airport, they part with heavy hearts as Ansuman departs for Calcutta.