Naushad Parpia: How Small Moments Become Memorable Stories

How small moments in our lives become memorable. Naushad Parpia explains how everyday scenes in Brooklyn can hold memories that matter for years.

Quick Information: Naushad Parpia is a writer and storyteller, in which he describes how small details of our lives can become so memorable. His work covers neighbourhood shopfronts and inherited recipes as well as family sayings. His voice is reflective and warm with quiet humour. He sees small moments in the places where stories begin.

Introduction 

Most of us are used to remembering the occasions when an event occurred, which was significant, while not remembering the little things that occur regularly in our lives. Naushad Parpia remembers the little things, which go unnoticed by most people. In the conversation that occurs during a brief stop at the corner store and on the crowded train, he captures all these little things. They hardly seem significant when they are taking place and only become so with time as places and people change. He describes these changes in his stories and represents how they become memorable with time and attention.

A writer who looks closely 

Life is mostly contained in normal days. People spend far more time completing routine tasks than having memorable experiences. As Naundaneushad Parpia says, mundane days should be treated with more reverence than people usually do. They include people's habits, their sounds, and faces that contribute to shaping people's personalities. A lot of people discover later on in their lives that everyday mornings seem like their most cherished memories. Grand moments are easier to remember, as they have photographs and speeches accompanying them. The everyday days leave a gentler footprint but are equally as significant. By concentrating on them, people become more familiar with their true selves. At the same time, it is possible to cultivate the ability to be aware of things before it is too late. Slowly but surely, one creates a storehouse of memories from one’s everyday experiences.

City street and the past behind it

Each street has its own past, which is usually ignored by most people. The shop on the corner could have been a bakery, a tailoring shop, or even a small workshop before. All those stones and lamps and worn-out steps have seen numerous faces. People who lived for some time in that area can recall names of previous owners of the building and sounds of their activities in the early morning hours. This kind of information is usually not documented anywhere. It exists in the conversations of people or in their routines. Once it is known, the street starts looking different. It is more than a way to get from one place to another and it shows how people really live. 

Old objects we keep 

Objects remain valued by everyone, not only because of their use. Objects might be out-of-date, broken or outdated but remain in drawers for many years simply because they carry an irreplaceable fragment of history of that person. These objects become associated with the history of that individual in case of any change in his/her life because of relocation, job changes, or any loss. Besides, they represent the atmosphere of the era that has passed. Contacting these objects helps one to recreate the voice, room, or season within minutes. People often do not realise the reason for keeping these objects until trying to get rid of them. It is the gravity of memory that makes it difficult for people to get rid of them.

How small moments become a story

An observed situation becomes a story only when someone recognises its significance. The first thing is to observe it as it happens. The next step is to preserve the emotion it has caused. This is possible by fixing particular details like a voice, a smell, or an expression. Then, the author selects the key moments and arranges them in an elementary form. This structure adds an opening, development, and closure to a scene. Simple language makes it easy for a reader to be absorbed in it. Having been told, the story starts to develop. Every listener associates it with some of his or her experiences, and this association gives it additional sense. And this is how an insignificant episode may become widely known.

What we can learn from him

His writing demonstrates that giving attention is possible for anyone. The individual does not need to have any particular talents to become aware of the environment around him/her. Just some time is required. It allows us to enjoy those things which we do not normally pay attention to, such as a polite hello from the passer-by or a smell of the warm home kitchen. His works are about encouraging people to listen more than to speak. Stories lie in the hearts of the elderly and neighbours and passers-by who need to be listened to. Yet another important thing he tells is to put everything in writing before it gets forgotten. Several truthful lines written in the notebook will ensure preservation of the memory for decades to come. More than anything else, his method teaches us to take good care of our own experience.

FAQ

Who is Naushad Parpia?

He is a Brooklyn writer and storyteller. 

What does he write about?

He writes about neighbourhood shopfronts and inherited recipes as well as family sayings and public transport.

Why do small moments last so long in memory?

They are tied to feelings and feelings stay with a person longer than facts.

How does he work?

He looks closely at everyday life as a curious participant and finds the stories hidden in ordinary routines. 

How can readers keep their own small moments?

They can notice the details around them and write them down or share them with family.

Final Verdict

As Naushad Parpia describes in his piece, a story doesn’t have to be sparked by an extraordinary occurrence. A person can find significance in the ordinary as well as in the familiar streets and objects. The author’s prose encourages his audience to take note of everything surrounding him and pay more attention to what is going on.