Ram Halady

It started as a hobby for me - writing entertaining stories for my nephews Reuben and Andrew. It was also a revelation for me that I could write short stories for children, providing myself an escape from the business profession of being a consultant for a software company.

Although I had moved away from India to Chicago over 20 years back, I had good childhood memories of visiting my uncle’s farm. In each of us, there is a child who longs to have adventures in the safety of love of their uncles and protective pets. My wife Jeanne and I have fantasized about settling in India with a farm and roaming elephant, which the villagers would love to feed.

So, I based my stories with real family in my imaginary farm in India, right next to the forest, where there is no shortage of animals or adventures. I also wanted to put the children in charge of this world, assisted by animals that can communicate especially to them. In these stories, Reuben and Andrew visit the farm; get exposed to different animals in their adventures and learn something along the way.

The first chapter has appeared in Deccan Herald in 2008. This is my first attempt at publishing this collection of short stories.