I went to a writer’s meetup recently, and was given a prompt “Monsoon” to write about. It took me some resistance to avoid using AI. I made two versions at the end.
- Best version by me.
- After coming home, I used claude, to make it more experessive, improve the version while retaining the simplicity, and language tone.
Which one do you think is bettter?
Best version of mine + iterations from Claude:
For over ten years, Pune has been my home. Each year, after the hot summer months, I eagerly wait for the arrival of monsoon.
When the first rain hits the dry ground, the aroma of the wet earthy smell fills the air. It brings back the memories of childhood. It also stirs up the cravings for hot wada pav and kanda bhaji along with a cup of tea. These simple treats make rainy days feel cozy and special.
Every week, I visit Panchvati hill or “tekdi” as the locals call it.
Rain changes everything there. On top of the hill is a large crater. In summer, I walk across it. But when it rains, it fills up with water, becoming a large pond. It’s fun to watch local dogs playing in it.
The hill doesn’t just change because of the water. It changes it colours too, from dusty brown of summers to lush green carpets. New leaves blossom, seeds that were dormant for months, sprout and push through the softened soil. Tiny insects appear everywhere. It’s like a watching a birth of a whole new ecosystem. This is what real growth feel like in its purest form.
Despite my love for this season, work and daily life often keep me inside. I long to spend more time outdoors, soaking in nature. Most days, I only get short walks in the drizzling rain. But even these brief moments feel refreshing, like small escapes from the busy world.
Recently, an old college friend visited, giving me the perfect excuse to go on a adventure. We went to Tamhini Ghat, a place full of waterfalls and forests, it felt like stepping into scenes from Avatar. For a while, surrounded by all that wild beauty, we forgot our worries. We just enjoyed being present in the moment.
This trip inspired me to make the most of this monsoon. I want to prioritize happiness and exploration. I plan to go on more bike rides through the ghats, find hidden waterfalls, and climb up old forts. Each adventure is a chance to make lasting memories and feel more connected to nature.
As the rain continues to bring joy and growth, I wonder: What do you plan to do this monsoon? How will you embrace it this time?
Best version of mine:
Monsoon
I have been living in Pune for more than a decade now, and each year, I eagerly wait for the monsoon to arrive. It is a much-needed respite after the peak summer heat.
With the first rain drop hitting the dry soils, the aroma from the wet earthly smell brings back the memories of childhood. It is a reminder of playing in the rainwater, not caring about the world. Enjoying hot tea and kanda bhaji, sitting in balcony with my grandpa.
These days, all I do is go on long walks in the drizzling rains. Once a week, I go to nearby Panchvati hill (or tekdi as some of you might fondly know).
There is a big crater on the hill. In summer one could walk across it from one end to another. But, as monsoon starts, it starts filling up, and sometimes dogs jump in it for a nice swim.
Everything else changes too. The air feels fresh. The nature changes its colours, turning from brown to green. New leaves blossom, seeds germinate, and plant their roots in the ground, and along with them baby insects and animals emerge. It’s a birth of a whole new ecosystem. There is growth all around us.
Pune is blessed with a lot of forts and waterfalls in nearby areas. How can one miss the road trip though Tamhini Ghats, among the waterfalls, streams of water, gushing down from the mountains and falling on the roads. It literally feels like a scene from Avatar.
I long for spending time in nature. I promise myself every-year, I will spend more time outdoors, go and visit more waterfalls, do more treks and bike rides. And each year I disappoint myself by not doing enough. This time, I might keep that promise.
Here is to going on more bike rides, and creating new monsoon memories.
How are you going to spend your monsoon?