My son inspired me to write books – I’m now inspiring young minds through stories

By Komal Malhotra

From a shy small-town child, to an HR professional forced to leave her career in Delhi due to concerns about women’s safety after the Nirbhaya assault, to an award-winning author of children’s books – the tremendous power of storytelling literally changed my life.

Raised in the small town of Mathura, I was a quiet, shy girl with big dreams but little confidence. As the eldest of three daughters, I was fortunate that my parents prioritised my education. They enrolled me in one of the most prestigious ‘English-speaking’ schools in town. But while my classmates thrived, I often felt out of place.

I had no access to sports or extracurricular activities, and I struggled to find my voice. Yet, my teachers saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. They encouraged me to participate in competitions, giving me small but significant moments of validation.

Looking back, I realise that those early nudges played a crucial role in shaping my journey – one that would eventually lead me to the world of storytelling.

A life of twists and turns

My world expanded when I moved to Delhi for college. The transition was overwhelming. I didn’t know how to navigate the city, and suddenly I was responsible for myself. But that experience taught me resilience. It forced me to grow, to adapt and to find my independence.

After graduation, I joined a reputed company as an HR professional. Life seemed to be on track until fate intervened. The Nirbhaya case of 2012 shook the entire country – and my mother’s heart. Overcome with fear, she insisted that I leave my job and return home. In a single moment, my career came to a halt.

Back in Mathura, I found myself lost. What would I do in a town with no corporate opportunities? Days turned into weeks, and frustration grew. That’s when I turned to teaching – not out of passion, but out of necessity.

What I didn’t realise was that this unexpected detour would become the most fulfilling path of my life.

Teaching children who struggled with English humbled me. It made me realise how many young minds felt the same fear and hesitation I once did. Slowly, I started loving the process – watching a child’s eyes light up when they finally understood a concept, seeing their confidence bloom through stories. Parents began approaching me for private tuitions, and just when I thought I had found my calling, life took another turn.

I got married and moved to Mumbai. Every time I thought I was settled, the universe had other plans. But I never let go of education. I pursued my MA and B.Ed, attended and conducted workshops. I got an opportunity to pursue a PhD and work as a junior lecturer. However, once again, life had a surprise in store – I was expecting my first child.

Then came Covid. The world paused, but I didn’t. I began conducting GRE online classes, and English became my forte. But something even more magical was happening at home.

The storytelling spark

From the time my son was six months old, I read to him daily. Our home transformed into a mini library, and books became our world. One evening, while reading, I casually mentioned that every book has an author and an illustrator.

My son looked at me and asked, “Mamma, why don’t you become an author?”

That simple question shook me. Writing had always been a part of me, something I loved but had buried under responsibilities. That night, I picked up my pen again.

I started writing stories – stories that I wished someone had told me when I was younger, stories that made learning fun, stories that gave children the gift of imagination and confidence.

Today, I am the author of two published books: Mia’s Magnifying Glass and A Journey Through India: One Bite at a Time. My second book has been nominated for the Sahitya Sparsh Award, and I recently received the Radiance Women Award for my contribution to storytelling and education.

The science of stories

But storytelling is not just an art – it is backed by science. Neuroscience proves that stories activate multiple areas of the brain, engaging memory, problem-solving and emotional processing. Unlike rote learning, storytelling makes knowledge stick because it blends logic with emotion.

Yet, many parents ask me, “Storytelling is fine, but what about grammar?” The reality is that storytelling naturally builds language skills – introducing sentence structures, enriching vocabulary and enhancing comprehension without the rigidity of memorisation.

A child who loves stories will instinctively absorb grammar, sentence patterns and expression. It is time we stop separating storytelling from traditional learning and instead embrace its power as a holistic educational tool.

My mission now is to redefine children’s literature and education through storytelling.

I want to show the world that stories are not just for bedtime – they are tools of inspiration, transformation and connection. Through stories, we can pass down knowledge, emotions and values across generations – becoming a part of each other’s lives without even knowing it.

Every pause, every setback and every detour in my life has led me to this moment. I didn’t find success at 20, but today, in my late 30s, I am a published author, an audiobook narrator, a storyteller and an educator. My journey has taught me that life doesn’t always go as planned, but sometimes, the most unexpected turns lead to the most beautiful destinations.

Because in the end, we are all stories waiting to be told.

Komal Malhotra is a children’s author, storyteller and educator on a mission to make learning exciting. She is the founder of Magic StoryTime and works as a Curiosity & Excitement Architect at Dreamtime Learning. You can find her on LinkedIn and Instagram.