Tikta: Mother's Love

Once upon a time, in a small town filled with aromatic spices and tantalizing flavours, there lived a young girl named Maya. Maya's mother, Mrs Verma, was a passionate cook known for her creative culinary skills. However, Maya had one recurring nemesis in her meals – the bitter taste.

Tikta, as they called it in their household, represented a world of bitterness. It appeared in different forms - karela (bitter gourd), neem (bitter leaf), parwal (pointed gourd), drumsticks, amla (Indian gooseberry), and more. Each dish served with Tikta was a culinary adventure that Maya was reluctant to embark upon.

In the Verma household, Tikta was a constant presence. Mrs Verma believed in its nutritional value and sought to introduce it in various ways. She experimented with spices, textures, and combinations to make Tikta more palatable. But no matter what she tried, Maya's taste buds recoiled from the bitter sensation.

As Maya grew older, she realized that her relationship with Tikta reflected her love/hate relationship with her mother's cooking. While she appreciated her mother's efforts and the nourishment Tikta provided, she couldn't deny her instinctual aversion to its bitter taste.

One day, inspired by the writing contest, "Tikta Tales: Love & Bitterness," Maya decided to confront her feelings towards Tikta. She sat down with her mother and shared her memories of Tikta, the bitter moments that left an indelible mark.

She recounted the time when she sneaked out of the house, pretending to have eaten her Tikta-laden meal, only to throw it away. She remembered her mother's disappointment, yet her unwavering determination to provide a balanced diet.

Maya realized that her mother's love was intricately intertwined with Tikta. It represented her mother's unwavering care, even in the face of Maya's stubbornness. She appreciated her mother's ability to see beyond the bitter taste and focus on the nutritional benefits Tikta offered.

With newfound appreciation, Maya began to embrace Tikta in her own way. She discovered that blending Tikta in smoothies, incorporating it into curries, or adding a dash of sweetness helped balance the bitterness. Over time, she grew to enjoy the unique flavours and textures Tikta brought to her meals.

In the end, Maya understood that Tikta wasn't just about bitterness; it symbolized her mother's love, care, and dedication. It was a reminder that sometimes, the things we resist the most hold the most significant value.

Maya sat down to write her Tikta tale, pouring her heart into the story of her love/hate relationship with bitter foods and her mom. Little did she know that her story would touch the hearts of many, resonating with their own bitter and sweet memories.

And so, through her words, Maya encouraged others to share their Tikta tales, to celebrate the love, the bitterness, and the undeniable bond between mothers and their children.

The "Tikta Tales: Love & Bitterness" contest became a platform for people to reflect on their own experiences, showcasing the intricate flavours of life and the unique relationships we have with food and family.