Pinki
and the Butterflies collects fifteen of the best stories by its author. Each of the
stories has at least a child as its protagonist, and the plot unfolds to assert
a serious concern about the child’s rights, social cognition, the talent he or
she promises and the treatment needed in the adults’ company. A wonderful sense
of optimism pervades her stories, and she sees in children dreams that can
change the world into a better places. She airs outright disagreement with
discriminatory and traditional ways of thinking. For her, genders are equal,
handicap is not a crime but an opportunity to unfold other talents, vice is
bad, pampering punishes and hard work and dedication always pay. Most of the
stories moralize, and the messages are pertinent to both children and adult.
About the Author
Jaleshwori Shrestha is a renowned storywriter and
novelist. Mihineti Gauri and Sunpari are her novels for children, Shantako
Ichchha is a collection of long stories and Pariko Ghar and Tisako Janmadin are her collections of
stories for children, from which, this collection derives most of its stories.
For adults, she has published two story-collections Lavaka Baaph and Maun Bidroha,
and a novel titled Niyati Chakra. She
is also a social worker prodigally donating to trusts that award the best of
writers in different fields and genres. Some of the awards she has established
are ‘Goma Memorial Award’ through Women Literature’s Foundation, ‘Devkumari
Thapa Children’s Literature Banita Award,’ ‘Gunjan Talent Award,’ ‘Bandipur Children’s
Literature Award,’ ‘Govinda Bahadur Malla Gothale Young Adults’ Literature Manuscript Award’ etc. With
royalties for her writings, she has also established ‘Jaleshwori Children’s
Talent Award’ at the initiative of her daughter Nibha Shrestha.
The Editor’s Say
Pinki and the Butterflies enters the
mainstream Nepalese Children’s Literature with a overt announcement: the world
needs to read us and our children! In fact, the choice to publish this work
into English is an anticipation of global audience. Considered this way, the
collection holds the responsibility to present to the world the best of works
the author has accomplished in her long writing career, especially for children.
I consider most of the stories in this collection thrilling, though some have
the inherent flaw of being too overtly moralistic and didactic. I am hopeful
that the success of this collection shall inspire the author to look for
alternative models of presentation.
The
author’s attempt to localize the stories in certain, real-life setting is a
quality that pervades over all these stories. The stories take readers to
locations that can, in reality, unfold before eyes, and the plot becomes easily
conceivable. She has been extremely careful in crafting her language, marked by
easy vocabulary and wonderful imageries. The best part of her writing, perhaps,
is her characterization. All characters appear life-like, and easily
identifiable.
These
stories should be, in my opinion, read for the messages they air. The author
has in her mind a world free of violence, caprice and discrimination. In
children, she envisions great seers, patriots, social workers and winners. All
we need to do is prepare rooms and environment for such exponents to develop.
Mahesh Paudyal
Central Department of English
Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur
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