What do you think?
Rate this book
THE MISSING TILE AND OTHER STORIES
The Missing Tile and Other Stories is a collection of short stories and Saeed Ibrahim’s second book after the widely acclaimed family saga, Twin Tales from Kutcch. The fifteen stories in this collection are slice-of-life, character-based portraits reflecting on various aspects of human behaviour. Drawing us into the lives of ordinary people, their cares and concerns and their very human foibles and failings, these people-centric stories are sure to resonate with a large spectrum of readers, both young and old alike. Although the stories are set in India, the underlying themes are universal in their relevance.
Some are light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek pieces on the quirks and idiosyncrasies in people’s behaviour, whilst others offer surprising insights into human nature’s compassionate and humane side. The tenor in the funny stories is entertaining and in the more serious ones connected with socially relevant issues; inspiring and thought-provoking. A notable feature is that the various stories in the collection celebrate India’s diversity, pluralism, and composite culture, which of late have been severely threatened.
Danesh Bharucha’s imaginative sketches bring to life the characters in the stories and are skillfully adapted to suit the ambience and mood of these evocative tales.
Some are light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek pieces on the quirks and idiosyncrasies in people’s behaviour, whilst others offer surprising insights into human nature’s compassionate and humane side. The tenor in the funny stories is entertaining and in the more serious ones connected with socially relevant issues; inspiring and thought-provoking. A notable feature is that the various stories in the collection celebrate India’s diversity, pluralism, and composite culture, which of late have been severely threatened.
Danesh Bharucha’s imaginative sketches bring to life the characters in the stories and are skillfully adapted to suit the ambience and mood of these evocative tales.
212 pages, Paperback
Published December 22, 2021
3 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Saeed Ibrahim
2 books12 followersBangalore-based writer, Saeed Ibrahim, is the author of two books - “Twin Tales from Kutcch,” a family saga set in Colonial India, and the recently published - “The Missing Tile and Other Stories,” a collection of fifteen short stories reflecting on various aspects of human behaviour.
Saeed was born and brought up in Mumbai and was educated at St. Mary’s High School and St. Xavier’s College and later, at the University of the Sorbonne in Paris. He has had a long and eventful working career in India, the UK and France spanning marketing, advertising, airline and travel industries. Today he works part time as an independent consultant and devotes his spare time to writing.
Although Saeed has been writing on and off ever since his school and college days (he was editor of his school newspaper and contributed regularly to his college magazine); his actual journey as a writer started with the publication of his first book "Twin Tales from Kutcch," which was followed by several short stories which have been published in The Deccan Herald, The Beacon Webzine, Bengaluru Review, The Blue Lotus Magazine, Borderless Journal and Muse India. His other writings include newspaper articles, some travel writing, several book reviews and two essays for the Museum of Material Memory, a digital repository of stories linked to objects of material culture.
Saeed is also a French language specialist having studied at the University of the Sorbonne in Paris. In his spare time, he has taught French to students at IFLAC - Institute of Foreign Language and Culture. His other interests include Theatre, Music, Cinema, Impressionist Paintings, Travel & Travel Photography, Heritage & Heirlooms.
Saeed was born and brought up in Mumbai and was educated at St. Mary’s High School and St. Xavier’s College and later, at the University of the Sorbonne in Paris. He has had a long and eventful working career in India, the UK and France spanning marketing, advertising, airline and travel industries. Today he works part time as an independent consultant and devotes his spare time to writing.
Although Saeed has been writing on and off ever since his school and college days (he was editor of his school newspaper and contributed regularly to his college magazine); his actual journey as a writer started with the publication of his first book "Twin Tales from Kutcch," which was followed by several short stories which have been published in The Deccan Herald, The Beacon Webzine, Bengaluru Review, The Blue Lotus Magazine, Borderless Journal and Muse India. His other writings include newspaper articles, some travel writing, several book reviews and two essays for the Museum of Material Memory, a digital repository of stories linked to objects of material culture.
Saeed is also a French language specialist having studied at the University of the Sorbonne in Paris. In his spare time, he has taught French to students at IFLAC - Institute of Foreign Language and Culture. His other interests include Theatre, Music, Cinema, Impressionist Paintings, Travel & Travel Photography, Heritage & Heirlooms.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 28, 2022
The Missing Tile and Other Stories is a delightful collection of short stories that delves into the lives of people in India. Saeed is a writer with an eye for those little moments, which make for a very enjoyable and thought-provoking read. The tales are moving, and can feel very real, like 'Colonel Chengappa's Legacy' which can remind one of people one knows.
Then there are other stories like ‘The Talkathon’, which seem humorous but give the reader a surprise. Some of my favourites are ‘Peace of Mind’, a wickedly funny and satisfying tale about house guests, and ‘Pesi’s Pastime’, which is again a glimpse into a mischievous mind. But the writer has shown his talent with serious subjects too, such as ‘Dalit Lives Matter’. These stories show the kaleidoscope that is the Indian people — and what makes them tick —from different communities, cultures and parts of the country.
Saeed’s writing style is fluid and easy, and the art of the short story is alive and well. He is wonderfully descriptive, without launching into lengthy, complicated writing. He is also able to delve into emotions, without being sentimental. The writer’s knowledge of Indian history and culture is apparent. This book makes a for a light and relaxing read, and is of the perfect length too. It is made all the better with beautiful pen illustrations by the Paris-based illustrator Danesh Bharucha. The book is peppered with these gorgeous, detailed pen drawings, which tell a story of their own and truly enrich the written word. One rarely finds illustrated fiction these days, and this book is a real gem.
Then there are other stories like ‘The Talkathon’, which seem humorous but give the reader a surprise. Some of my favourites are ‘Peace of Mind’, a wickedly funny and satisfying tale about house guests, and ‘Pesi’s Pastime’, which is again a glimpse into a mischievous mind. But the writer has shown his talent with serious subjects too, such as ‘Dalit Lives Matter’. These stories show the kaleidoscope that is the Indian people — and what makes them tick —from different communities, cultures and parts of the country.
Saeed’s writing style is fluid and easy, and the art of the short story is alive and well. He is wonderfully descriptive, without launching into lengthy, complicated writing. He is also able to delve into emotions, without being sentimental. The writer’s knowledge of Indian history and culture is apparent. This book makes a for a light and relaxing read, and is of the perfect length too. It is made all the better with beautiful pen illustrations by the Paris-based illustrator Danesh Bharucha. The book is peppered with these gorgeous, detailed pen drawings, which tell a story of their own and truly enrich the written word. One rarely finds illustrated fiction these days, and this book is a real gem.
Read
March 31, 2022Such happy and simple stories and yet so diverse and multi-faceted in the themes and arcs it employs. I just wished each story was longer because the characters were so wonderfully created that you felt like you knew them personally and wanted to know more about their lives. When one is surrounded by so many heartbreaking news everyday, this book manages to touch upon heavy themes in the most human and beautiful way possible!
January 12, 2022
A delightful collection of stories
This is a great collection of stories to dip into, and would appeal to young and old alike. It is an eclectic collection, with characters you meet from all walks of life, simple everyday people who you rub shoulders with on a daily basis. What I like best is the humanity that runs through the stories; there is no bitterness or rancor even when describing unsavory characters. This collection would be a delightful read on a lazy Sunday afternoon, and the pen-and-ink illustrations by Danesh Bharucha complement the stories.. I look forward to reading Saeed's next collection!
This is a great collection of stories to dip into, and would appeal to young and old alike. It is an eclectic collection, with characters you meet from all walks of life, simple everyday people who you rub shoulders with on a daily basis. What I like best is the humanity that runs through the stories; there is no bitterness or rancor even when describing unsavory characters. This collection would be a delightful read on a lazy Sunday afternoon, and the pen-and-ink illustrations by Danesh Bharucha complement the stories.. I look forward to reading Saeed's next collection!
February 5, 2022
Reviewed in India on 5 February 2022
This book of stories is a wonderful melange of characters and contexts that cuts across time to make it relatable to every reader. Some stories put us in touch with our childhood dreams, while some keep us reverberating with laughter or nostalgia as they remind us of people we might know. Saeed's stories expose how precious life is and how fleeting each moment can be. They have an underlying message to remind us to cherish each moment through a host of varied protaganists - an important lesson especially in pandemic times!
This book of stories is a wonderful melange of characters and contexts that cuts across time to make it relatable to every reader. Some stories put us in touch with our childhood dreams, while some keep us reverberating with laughter or nostalgia as they remind us of people we might know. Saeed's stories expose how precious life is and how fleeting each moment can be. They have an underlying message to remind us to cherish each moment through a host of varied protaganists - an important lesson especially in pandemic times!
March 15, 2024
Excellent set of short stories, well told. The stories has an everydayness to it and yet reads so fresh and simple. As I read, most of the stories resonated with me or I have seen or heard happening to someone I know. The short story titled The Missing Tile, also the title of the book is highly moving. Dalit Lives Matter is another story which is contemporary and touching. Overall an excellent collection.
January 28, 2022
Kaleidoscope of human nature
I enjoyed reading Saeed's second book as much as I did his first one "Two tales from Kutch".
The stories depict very effectively how human interactions impact the relationships.
Saeed is a great storyteller and that's evident all through.. Be it a short story like "The postman takes a break" / "When the giver receives" OR "Colonel Chengappa's legacy"; one gets completely abosorbed in the plot.
The sketches by Danesh enhance the effect still more.
Overall very good experience !!
I enjoyed reading Saeed's second book as much as I did his first one "Two tales from Kutch".
The stories depict very effectively how human interactions impact the relationships.
Saeed is a great storyteller and that's evident all through.. Be it a short story like "The postman takes a break" / "When the giver receives" OR "Colonel Chengappa's legacy"; one gets completely abosorbed in the plot.
The sketches by Danesh enhance the effect still more.
Overall very good experience !!
February 13, 2022
An exquisite collection of simple, interesting short stories full of emotion, subtle humour and wit at times. This bundle of “ Feel Good Stories”also gives you some wonderful insights on life. Excellent illustrations by Danesh Bharucha who has literally given life to the characters and never missed the minutest detail! I would highly recommend this book to the young and not so young, to the old and not so old.
Really looking forward to your next Saeed Ibrahim!
Really looking forward to your next Saeed Ibrahim!
Read
January 24, 2022Is "The Missing Tile and Other Stories" a children's book?
There is a common misconception among people that books with illustrations are meant only for small children. That, of course, is far from the truth as my latest book, "The Missing Tile and Other Stories," shows.
Some of the stories in this collection are light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek pieces on the quirks and idiosyncrasies in people's behaviour, whereas others, of a more serious tenor, offer thought-provoking reflections on socially relevant issues of our times.
The characters in the stories, so vividly brought to life by delightful sketches by artist Danesh Bharucha , are sure to resonate with a large spectrum of readers. They are the kind of characters that we encounter in our day to day lives - individuals that are harmless and lovable, if a wee bit eccentric in their habits and behaviour.
So do get your copy of the book and give yourself several hours of pleasurable and enjoyable reading.
The book is now available on Amazon in both Paperback as well as Kindle versions.
Happy Reading!
There is a common misconception among people that books with illustrations are meant only for small children. That, of course, is far from the truth as my latest book, "The Missing Tile and Other Stories," shows.
Some of the stories in this collection are light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek pieces on the quirks and idiosyncrasies in people's behaviour, whereas others, of a more serious tenor, offer thought-provoking reflections on socially relevant issues of our times.
The characters in the stories, so vividly brought to life by delightful sketches by artist Danesh Bharucha , are sure to resonate with a large spectrum of readers. They are the kind of characters that we encounter in our day to day lives - individuals that are harmless and lovable, if a wee bit eccentric in their habits and behaviour.
So do get your copy of the book and give yourself several hours of pleasurable and enjoyable reading.
The book is now available on Amazon in both Paperback as well as Kindle versions.
Happy Reading!
January 26, 2022
Fantastic collection of easy to read stories
August 10, 2022
As the name indicates "The Missing Tile & Other Stories" is a collection of stories where the author has compiled 15 short fables. All these tales present a piece of life where the characters come from our surroundings only. The author with his acute observation has caught little moments of life and weaved some beautiful and heart-touching stories.
There's no doubt that you will find magic in these short tales and will be taken into the world of different characters. What touched me the most was the portrayal of all the characters, as this is a short story collection hence the author was bound to finish his tales in limited words yet he succeeded in describing all of his characters gorgeously and as if his words were not enough, the illustrations inside the book by Danish Bharucha bring all the characters and their stories alive.
Among these 15 stories, you will get doses of laughter, love and despair. One such story is "Pesi's Pastime" which made me laugh my heart out. It's a story of a man in his mid-sixties who like to play pranks frequently and the author has shared one of Pesi's prank.
The story that touched my heart is 'Dalit life matters' where the author has touched on the hot topic of the cast system prevalent in our country.
With his witty and precise narration, the author surely succeeds in entertaining his readers. However, I feel that the author has not only narrated some stories to entertain you rather all these tales have a deep message which we all need to learn and think about.
This book is surely a perfect gift to give your young ones (precisely kids above 10 years) but these stories can also be read by adults as there are lots of things which we adults need to reflect on.
There's no doubt that you will find magic in these short tales and will be taken into the world of different characters. What touched me the most was the portrayal of all the characters, as this is a short story collection hence the author was bound to finish his tales in limited words yet he succeeded in describing all of his characters gorgeously and as if his words were not enough, the illustrations inside the book by Danish Bharucha bring all the characters and their stories alive.
Among these 15 stories, you will get doses of laughter, love and despair. One such story is "Pesi's Pastime" which made me laugh my heart out. It's a story of a man in his mid-sixties who like to play pranks frequently and the author has shared one of Pesi's prank.
The story that touched my heart is 'Dalit life matters' where the author has touched on the hot topic of the cast system prevalent in our country.
With his witty and precise narration, the author surely succeeds in entertaining his readers. However, I feel that the author has not only narrated some stories to entertain you rather all these tales have a deep message which we all need to learn and think about.
This book is surely a perfect gift to give your young ones (precisely kids above 10 years) but these stories can also be read by adults as there are lots of things which we adults need to reflect on.
December 1, 2022
Enjoyed reading this book of short stories! The stories were relatable and covered different slices of everyday life. Loved the diverse characters in the book and the range of emotions they evoked.
May 19, 2023
"The Missing tile and other stories " by Saeed ibrahim is a refreshing collection of short-stories . His stories mainly focuses on the the lives of common people in India. He beautifully captures the those little moments and incorporates them in a very fascinating manner.
This book contains 15 short-stories that talk about human frailty and bandoge. They shade some light on how circumstances play a major role in shaping our overall behaviour and personality. His way of narrating stories sounds pretty interesting and precise when you delve deep in these intriguing tales.
Some of my favourite stories from this collection:-
💙Peace of Mind
💙Pesi's pastime
💙The missing tile
💙The idea of india
Some stories bring back our childhood memories, while some of them keep reverberating with laughter and joy.
This beautiful collection of stories is well complemented by aesthetically curated illustrations between the pages. These illustrations by artist Danesh Bharucha, add more charm to the book. Moreover, author's choice of words creates an image in reader's mind and helps them to depict the entire scene in his/her imagination.
Cover of the book looks captivating with those visually appealing colour schemes. Overall, If you are looking for some light-hearted collection of stories then this book is a must read for you.
Must read❤❤
Must read❤❤
This book contains 15 short-stories that talk about human frailty and bandoge. They shade some light on how circumstances play a major role in shaping our overall behaviour and personality. His way of narrating stories sounds pretty interesting and precise when you delve deep in these intriguing tales.
Some of my favourite stories from this collection:-
💙Peace of Mind
💙Pesi's pastime
💙The missing tile
💙The idea of india
Some stories bring back our childhood memories, while some of them keep reverberating with laughter and joy.
This beautiful collection of stories is well complemented by aesthetically curated illustrations between the pages. These illustrations by artist Danesh Bharucha, add more charm to the book. Moreover, author's choice of words creates an image in reader's mind and helps them to depict the entire scene in his/her imagination.
Cover of the book looks captivating with those visually appealing colour schemes. Overall, If you are looking for some light-hearted collection of stories then this book is a must read for you.
Must read❤❤
Must read❤❤
February 7, 2022
Book Review by Yunus Chitalwala.
The collection of short stories by Saeed Ibrahim 'The Missing Tiles and other stories' add to the experience of enjoyable reading. They narrate about the rough and tumble of our mundane life to which a reader connects easily. We see people busy doing their chores and in the process raking up issues that forms the pivot round which Saeed Ibrahim weaves his tales. The author with his deft handling brings forth the best out of his protagonists. The persons like Ms. Rita, Bhola Dada, Shakina , and Sheila Mami endear themselves to the reader by their actions and propensities. They are the class of people one encounters in our immediate social environment. Some are exasperating and others
are endearing, but the author by his deft handling maintains a delicate balance that pulsates them with a breathe of life. The effect of realism is enhanced by the illustrations drawn by the sensitive pencil work of Danesh Bharucha. For a reader who is looking for a book of stories that makes for a good reading, "The Missing Tiles' is an eminent reading option.
The collection of short stories by Saeed Ibrahim 'The Missing Tiles and other stories' add to the experience of enjoyable reading. They narrate about the rough and tumble of our mundane life to which a reader connects easily. We see people busy doing their chores and in the process raking up issues that forms the pivot round which Saeed Ibrahim weaves his tales. The author with his deft handling brings forth the best out of his protagonists. The persons like Ms. Rita, Bhola Dada, Shakina , and Sheila Mami endear themselves to the reader by their actions and propensities. They are the class of people one encounters in our immediate social environment. Some are exasperating and others
are endearing, but the author by his deft handling maintains a delicate balance that pulsates them with a breathe of life. The effect of realism is enhanced by the illustrations drawn by the sensitive pencil work of Danesh Bharucha. For a reader who is looking for a book of stories that makes for a good reading, "The Missing Tiles' is an eminent reading option.
February 11, 2022
I read this book with enthusiasm, having already read and thoroughly enjoyed Ibrahim's previous book, 'Twin Tales from Kutcch'. 'The Missing Tile and Other Stories' contains a number of short stories which at first appear simple and straightforward. Yet, each story reverberates with emotion that one can't help thinking about long after the story is over. Some of them are nostalgic, speaking of past times; others bring to life characters which display universal human traits; but most relevant of all, the stories are about old friendships, old family ties, communication (or a lack thereof) between generations, young and old. The simplicity of each story belies the depths that each one actually has. I highly recommend this book, which can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to the elderly.
December 26, 2025
A collection of 15 short stories (some too short) covers human relationships and everyday lives of common people in India. The stories are good to read (but not great) as readers can relate to the storylines and people involved.
Sketches covering protagonists and events in the stories are very vividly drawn and compliment the stories.
Stories like "Pesi's Pastime"& "Peace of Mind" provide the fun elements.
Inter faith bonhomie is depicted through "The Idea of India".
Serious issues like cast discrimination etc. in India is depicted through "Dalit Lives Matter".
"The Rendezvous" provides a romantic sweetness.
Overall a quick and light reading experience aided by very large font size of the print(unlike most paperbacks these days!).
Sketches covering protagonists and events in the stories are very vividly drawn and compliment the stories.
Stories like "Pesi's Pastime"& "Peace of Mind" provide the fun elements.
Inter faith bonhomie is depicted through "The Idea of India".
Serious issues like cast discrimination etc. in India is depicted through "Dalit Lives Matter".
"The Rendezvous" provides a romantic sweetness.
Overall a quick and light reading experience aided by very large font size of the print(unlike most paperbacks these days!).
December 21, 2022
The stories in this collection have a comforting, old-fashioned feel to them, but they often touch upon difficult issues such as class, caste, and family quarrels. "Dalit Lives Matter," for instance, brings to mind the tumultuous demonstrations in defense of African Americans in the United States while telling a story of friendship between two boys of different castes. Ibrahim has said that it was his goal to produce a book of simple stories to comfort readers during the pandemic. I believe that he has succeeded. As a bonus, these short tales, some of which have appeared in journals and newspapers, are illustrated.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews