Denzil's Stories

Numbers and Friendships: Denzil’s Under Graduate College Chronicles Denzil Jayasinghe 4 min read The story follows Denzil, a seventeen-year-old student, as he navigates the challenges of college life, including difficult coursework and social dynamics. He finds solace in his friendships with two young women, Dushyanthi and Mala, who help him with his studies and offer companionship. The story explores themes of friendship, belonging, and the complexities of adolescence. D enzil found himself in a predicament that felt all too familiar. The classroom was stifling, and the numbers danced mockingly in front of his eyes. He had spent the night poring graphs and equations, yet Statistics remained an inscrutable beast. Mr. Fernando, with his habitual air of authority, continued to lecture, oblivious to the turmoil brewing in Denzil’s mind. The bell was his only hope, a signal to escape this torment. “Is it three now?” he whispered to his neighbour, a girl with a knowing smile. “Maybe,” she r...

The Postcards of Ceylon Denzil Jayasinghe 2 min read The Postcards of Ceylon” by Denzil Jayasinghe recounts the author’s childhood fascination with Christmas cards, sparked by Brother Ignatius’s tradition. Inspired, young Denzil embarks on creating his own postcards with the help of Brother Patrick at De La Salle Printing Press. The story highlights Denzil’s desire to capture moments and forge connections through these personalised cards. Ultimately, the postcards become a symbol of shared experiences, echoing the legacy of the Christian brothers and extending greetings beyond geographical boundaries. In the sun-drenched corridors of St. Joseph’s Juvenate, where teenagers’ laughter echoed, young twelve-year-old Denzil stumbled upon a peculiar fascination — one that would shape his destiny. It was the tradition of sending Christmas cards, a practice that transcended mere greetings and became a canvas for the soul. Denzil watched Brother Ignatius, a sprightly Christian brother with ink-s...

Paper Boats and Dreams Father and Son, Paper and Rain Denzil Jayasinghe 2 min read A short story about a heartwarming moment between a father and son in   Dalugama   during a monsoon. The story highlights the simple joys of childhood and the special bond between a father and son. T he rain fell like a whisper, a gentle magic that transformed the world outside. In my early childhood, it was as if the sky had opened its heart, and the front yard became a shimmering expanse of water. Young Denzil stood at the doorway of his house, eyes wide with wonder as the monsoon rains turned the dusty streets of Dalugama into a child’s playground. “Thaththa, look!” he cried, tugging at his father’s sarong. “Can we make boats?” Thaththa chuckled, his laughter mingling with the patter of raindrops. “A sea, indeed. But only if we make it so,” he replied, his eyes twinkling with delight. Together, they gathered sheets from an exercise book and sat cross-legged on the veranda. “Now, watch closely...

The Guardian of Mudiyansegewatta Denzil Jayasinghe 2 min read A short story set in the late sixties Ceylon, in the village of Dalugama.   The story centres on Felix, a respected young villager who is regarded as a protector by the community.   When a thief disrupts the peace, Felix gives chase, determined to apprehend the culprit.   The excerpt highlights Felix’s heroism and the villagers’ reliance on him during a time of change and uncertainty. In the sleepy village of Mudiyansegewatta, Ceylon, 1969, the afternoon sun beat down relentlessly. The air was thick with the scent of spices and sea salt when a woman’s scream pierced the tranquillity. “Hora! Hora! Thief! He’s running!” Villagers rushed into the dusty street, doors flying open in unison. Felix burst from his small shop, a loaf of bread in one hand and a sturdy stick in the other. His sarong was hitched up to his knees, revealing a bare chest glistening with sweat. “Aiyyo! What’s happening?” Felix’s brother, Anton...