Retirement to most of us is a permanent break from our routine job or work. We are stressed out in our work lives and dream of retirement. We plan exotic holidays and a carefree life ahead. Just imagine, a whole stretch of time hanging loose on our hands, which we firmly believe that we would use to the best of our ability, in hobbies like reading, gardening or cooking! God knows what each one does after retirement. But the general feeling of a retired person is one of leisure and time spent meaningfully.For army men, however, retirement is the beginning of a new life. They will have to shed their military overalls for the life of a civilian. Until then, every minute is precious. It is a perpetual question of life and death. Their entire day is spent either in training for the tough times or on duty at the borders, keeping vigil 24x7. And when called to wage wars, they are prepared to lay down their lives unquestioningly, for the safety of their countrymen. They retire young, like say when they are in their mid-thirties. After this, they don't have to be ever alert or active. But they have the potential to lead a healthy and prosperous life of a civilian.Retirement for army men means making up for the lost time with family and friends. Later, it is taking up some job or avocation, to spend their time usefully. But the change, from a highly disciplined, active lifestyle, to one in which they have practically nothing to do, is overwhelming for these bravados. Some are sad, others are confused. Most of them are happy to go back home to their families. But soon these well-trained fighters, full with the spirit of nationality, realize that they are not in sync with the 'comfortable' lifestyles of their own family members, especially their children.So how do they cope? Each one has a unique solution to this problem. Their stories therefore make an interesting read. With this in mind, Eka Pblishers have come up with Moulting Days, a collection of 10 short stories that speak of soldiers' paradoxical situations. These stories are inspired by a book, Monsoon Mischief, written by Hari Aryammakul, himself an ex-serviceman. The synopsis of Hari's book can be found in the Preface to this collection of short stories. Monsoon Mischief is a fictional tale of a retired soldier, who finds the challenges of civilian life a different ball game altogether.The 10 stories in Moulting Days deal with the ways and means discovered by these bravados, to resolve the issues faced by them in civilian life. They could come to terms with a 'corrupt society' as in Life after Retirement, by Ashish Khandare, use their experiences to become a coach to young students, as in Trial of Life by Disha Soni or even take to writing books like in Pieces of Rose by Rabi Chatterjee. They could even choose the spiritual path like in 'He is a Soldier, ' by Saheli Banerji or dare to fight ghosts like in Ghosts in the Walls by Swapnil Saurav. All the stories are a variety of possibilities that are open for ex-servicemen who have to return to civilian life, after a stint in the Armed Forces. Each story is unique in that it shows how the protagonist comes to terms with life of an ordinary citizen of the land, after selfless service in a position of high honor and dignity