Despite a life plagued by ill health, it is the most unlikely of things that strikes down this writer's brother.
By Hemanta K. Sarkar
I got out of bed early in the morning on Oct 5, 1995, with a bitter taste in my mouth, wondering what happened to my brother, Chandu.
Only a few minutes earlier, I had been peacefully asleep in my apartment in Houston, United States, when the telephone rang. It was my father, calling from India.
"Could you come home?" Baba said in a whisper, "Chandu is in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit)."
Later that morning, I received a telegram from a friend - it said, "Chandu expired. Come soon."
After a long flight and another six hours on a train, I finally reached Jamshedpur 40 hours later. Throughout my journey, I kept thinking about Chandu.
From his childhood days, Chandu suffered from asthma. Sometimes, these attacks were life threatening. He learnt yoga at an early age and practiced it religiously to keep his asthma-related problems under control.
When he was 26, he started having excruciating back pain. Medical misdiagnosis made things worse, and he was bedridden for several months. It took months of treatment and two years of rehabilitation before he was able to lead a near-normal life.
When I reached home, I found Maa sitting on the floor in front of a framed picture of goddess Durga, the one she kept in her worship room. She was crying her heart out and asking the goddess why she took her son's life.
I sat down next to Maa, embracing her. She cried louder. I noticed Baba standing silently in a corner. A few other people - family, friends and neighbours - were sitting or standing in the hallway.
I was still in the dark. So I went to Baba and asked what happened. Without uttering a word, he handed me a couple of newspapers. I noticed the red-ink marked articles and read them several times. Later that night, after talking with several other people, the whole story became clear.
Every autumn, Bengalis all over India and abroad worship goddess Durga in a four-day long celebration, known as the Durga Puja. In Jamshedpur alone, hundreds of neighbourhoods organise and celebrate this festival every year, and welcome the goddess with much fanfare and gusto.
On that fateful October afternoon, after the celebration ended on the fourth day, the neighbourhood Durga idol was loaded onto the back of a truck for immersion in the nearby river. Thirty children also rode the back of the truck along with the idol. Men and women followed on foot as it slowly headed towards the river. It was time to bid farewell to the goddess until next autumn.
Suddenly, the back panel of the idol, which was decorated with tinsel ornaments, came in contact with a live high-voltage electric wire carrying 10,000 volts of current. Immediately, sparks flew and the idol burst into flames.
Pandemonium broke out. Children riding the truck panicked, men and women started running and shouting. The driver stopped the truck but the sparks continued.
Chandu and another man, Roy, quickly jumped on the truck, grabbed the children and started shoving them off. Suddenly, Roy was thrown off as if some strong force had pushed him hard. Minutes later, Chandu, as he grabbed th elast child, was also thrown off the truck.
Still holding the child in his arms, he fell. He hit the pavement and blood began oozing out from the back of his head. He was rushed to hospital, and was immediately taken to the ICU. But all efforts to save his life failed.
Miraculously, Roy survived the fall, though most of his toes on his left foot were badly fractured. All 30 children who were riding the truck also escaped the jaws of death.
The morning after I arrived home, Chandu's body was brought from the morgue to our home for the last time. Hundreds of people - relatives, friends, neighbours and people I did not recognise - came to bid him goodbye. They laid flower bouquets and garlands on his body.
Maa, sitting next to Chandu's lifeless body, gently moved her hands over his face, chanted hymns and cried. Baba showered Chandu with perfume - my brother loved smelling good. I stood in a corner and watched.
Chandu appeared to be sleeping peacefully, his eyes half closed, just like when he took an afternoon nap.
While performing the last rituals at the river bank before cremation, I discovered six large dark brown marks on Chandu's body. "Electrical burns," explained one of my friends, "It's in the autopsy report." Apparently Chandu received those burns while trying to save the children. And with the last child in his arms, he received the fatal jolt of electricity that ruptured his lungs and caused the fall that broke his skull.
As Chandu's body burnt on the pyre, the weather changed abruptly - winds started blowing, dark clouds appeared from nowhere, and then it started raining heavily, as if Mother Nature had joined our sombre gathering to bid Chandu goodbye.
On that fateful autumn afternoon, my brother's bravery cost him his life. His untimely death broke my mother's heart, for she lost her favourite child. But his deed made many parents happy.
Even today, when we meet the parents of the children he saved, they always smile to express gratitude for their children's life. The children may not remember what my brother and Roy did, but the parents will. for as long as they live.
Taken from Starmag 12 July 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Track Not Taken
A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track.
The train is coming, and you are just beside the track interchange. You can make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?
Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make.................
Scroll down
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally.
But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place? Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was.
This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.
The great critic Leo Velski Julian who told the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that the track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens. If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track!
Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.
'Remember that what's right isn't always popular...and what's popular isn't always right.'
Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils.
From my email today
The train is coming, and you are just beside the track interchange. You can make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?
Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make.................
Scroll down
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally.
But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place? Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was.
This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.
The great critic Leo Velski Julian who told the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that the track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens. If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track!
Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.
'Remember that what's right isn't always popular...and what's popular isn't always right.'
Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils.
From my email today
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Programmed to Stay 2
Dear Tech Support,
Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0. What I have noticed is a slow down in the performance of the flower and jewellery applications, which had operated flawlessly under the Boyfriend 5.0 system. In addition, Husband 1.0 un-installed many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.9, but installed undesirable programs such as Sport 7.3, NFL 3.2 and Tennis 4.1.
Conversation 8.0 also no longer runs and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail. What can I do?
Your faithfully
Desperate Susan
---------------------------------------------
Reply from Tech Support
Dear Desperate Susan,
First, keep in mind that Boyfriend 5.0 was an entertainment package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system. Try to enter the command C:/I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME and install Tears 6.2. Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications: Guilt 3.3 and Flowers 7.5. But remember, overuse can cause Husband 1.0 to default to such background applications as Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0, or Beer 6.1. Please remember that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will create Snoring Loudly.WAV files.
DO NOT install Mother-In-Law 1.0 or reinstall another Boyfriend program. These are not supported applications and will crash Husband 1.0. It could also potentially cause Husband 1.0 to default to the program: Girlfriend 9.2, which runs in the background and has been known to introduce viruses into the Operating System.
In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have a limited memory and can't learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to enhance his system performance. I personally recommend Home Cooking 3.0 and Single Malt Scotch 4.5. Finally consider applications such as Lingerie 6.9 (which has been credited with improved performance of his hardware).
Good Luck
Tech Support
True Heaven
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog had been dead for years. He wondered where the road would lead them.
After awhile, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble.
At the top of a long hill, the wall was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. As the man stood before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like it was made of mother of pearl. The street that led to the gate looked like it was paved with pure gold.
He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" he asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."
The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend come in too?" the traveller asked, gesturing toward his dog.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The traveller thought for a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going.
After a long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there."
The reader pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveller gestured to his dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump."
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.
The traveller filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to his dog.
When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.
"What do you call this place?" the traveller asked.
"This is Heaven," was the answer.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveller said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."
"Oh, you mean the okace with the golden street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad that they use the name 'Heaven' like that?"
"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."
Sent ti Starmag by Dr Manoharan Krishnan
After awhile, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble.
At the top of a long hill, the wall was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. As the man stood before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like it was made of mother of pearl. The street that led to the gate looked like it was paved with pure gold.
He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" he asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."
The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend come in too?" the traveller asked, gesturing toward his dog.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The traveller thought for a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going.
After a long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there."
The reader pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveller gestured to his dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump."
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.
The traveller filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to his dog.
When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.
"What do you call this place?" the traveller asked.
"This is Heaven," was the answer.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveller said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."
"Oh, you mean the okace with the golden street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad that they use the name 'Heaven' like that?"
"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."
Sent ti Starmag by Dr Manoharan Krishnan
Stale State of Mind
Long ago, there was an old man who lived in a village. Although very poor, he was the envy of many because he had a beautiful white horse. Kings had approached him and offered huge sums of money for the horse.
But the man would always say, "To me, this is not a horse. He is a person, a friend. How can you sell a friend?"
One morning, the man found his horse missing from the stable. The villagers gathered round and proclaimed, "You foolish old man! We knew that someday, the horse would be stolen. It would have been better if you had sold it. What a misfortune!"
He replied: "Don't go so far as to say that. Simply say that the horse is not in the stable. That's the fact; everything else is judgment. I don't know if it's a misfortune or blessing. Who knows what's going to happen next?"
People laughed at him. They'd always known that he was a little crazy. But after two weeks, suddenly one night, the horse returned.
He had not been stolen; he's just escape into the wild. And what's more, he brought a dozen wild horses back with him.
Again the people gathered and said: "Old man, you were right. It was not a misfortune. Indeed, it has proven to be a blessing."
"Again you are going too far," he answered. "Just say that the horse is back. Who knows whether it is a blessing or not? If you read a single word in a sentence, how can you judge the whole book?"
This time, the people could not say much, but deep inside, they thought he was wrong because he now had 13 beautiful horses.
The old man's only son began to train the horses. But a week later, the boy fell from a horse and broke his legs. The people gathered around once more and exclaimed: "Yes, you were right! It was a misfortune. Your son, who is your only support, has lost the use of his legs. Now you are poorer than ever."
"You are obsessed about passing judgment," the man said, "Don't go that far. Say only that my son has broken his legs. Life comprises of fragments and you don't get more than you can handle."
It happened that a few weeks later, the country went to war and all the young men in the village were conscripted by military. But the old man's son was spared because of his crippling leg injury.
The villagers wept because they knew theirs was a losing battle and that most of their young men would never come home.
They went to see the old man and said: "You were right. Your son's fall has proved to be blessing. He may be a cripple but he's still with you. Our sons are gone forever."
"You go on and on, judging. Nobody knows for sure! Only say this - Yous sons were forced to join the army while mine is not. Only God knows whether this is a blessing of misfortune."
Judgment reflects a stale state of mind. Once you start judging, you stop growing.
Sent to Starmag by Timmy Say
But the man would always say, "To me, this is not a horse. He is a person, a friend. How can you sell a friend?"
One morning, the man found his horse missing from the stable. The villagers gathered round and proclaimed, "You foolish old man! We knew that someday, the horse would be stolen. It would have been better if you had sold it. What a misfortune!"
He replied: "Don't go so far as to say that. Simply say that the horse is not in the stable. That's the fact; everything else is judgment. I don't know if it's a misfortune or blessing. Who knows what's going to happen next?"
People laughed at him. They'd always known that he was a little crazy. But after two weeks, suddenly one night, the horse returned.
He had not been stolen; he's just escape into the wild. And what's more, he brought a dozen wild horses back with him.
Again the people gathered and said: "Old man, you were right. It was not a misfortune. Indeed, it has proven to be a blessing."
"Again you are going too far," he answered. "Just say that the horse is back. Who knows whether it is a blessing or not? If you read a single word in a sentence, how can you judge the whole book?"
This time, the people could not say much, but deep inside, they thought he was wrong because he now had 13 beautiful horses.
The old man's only son began to train the horses. But a week later, the boy fell from a horse and broke his legs. The people gathered around once more and exclaimed: "Yes, you were right! It was a misfortune. Your son, who is your only support, has lost the use of his legs. Now you are poorer than ever."
"You are obsessed about passing judgment," the man said, "Don't go that far. Say only that my son has broken his legs. Life comprises of fragments and you don't get more than you can handle."
It happened that a few weeks later, the country went to war and all the young men in the village were conscripted by military. But the old man's son was spared because of his crippling leg injury.
The villagers wept because they knew theirs was a losing battle and that most of their young men would never come home.
They went to see the old man and said: "You were right. Your son's fall has proved to be blessing. He may be a cripple but he's still with you. Our sons are gone forever."
"You go on and on, judging. Nobody knows for sure! Only say this - Yous sons were forced to join the army while mine is not. Only God knows whether this is a blessing of misfortune."
Judgment reflects a stale state of mind. Once you start judging, you stop growing.
Sent to Starmag by Timmy Say
Prayers Answered
A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, deserted island. The survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they have no other recourse but to pray to God.
However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they decided to divide the territory between them, thus each would stay on opposite sides of the island.
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.
After a week, the first man was lonely and decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship sank nearby, and the only survivor was a woman, who swan to his side of the island. On the other side, there was nothing.
Soon, the first man prayed for a house, clothes, and more food. The next day, like magic, all these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.
Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. He boarded the ship with his spouse and decided to leave the second man behind.
He considered the man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.
As the ship was about to sail off, the first man heard a booming voice which seemed to come from way above his head: "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"
"My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them, His prayers were all unanswered, so he does not deserve anything."
"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings."
"Tell me," the first man said, "what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?"
"He prayed that all your prayers be answered."
Sent to Starmag by Jaysheila Manoharan
However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they decided to divide the territory between them, thus each would stay on opposite sides of the island.
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.
After a week, the first man was lonely and decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship sank nearby, and the only survivor was a woman, who swan to his side of the island. On the other side, there was nothing.
Soon, the first man prayed for a house, clothes, and more food. The next day, like magic, all these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.
Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. He boarded the ship with his spouse and decided to leave the second man behind.
He considered the man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.
As the ship was about to sail off, the first man heard a booming voice which seemed to come from way above his head: "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"
"My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them, His prayers were all unanswered, so he does not deserve anything."
"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings."
"Tell me," the first man said, "what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?"
"He prayed that all your prayers be answered."
Sent to Starmag by Jaysheila Manoharan
Work Smart
An old man who lived in Idaho wanted to hoe his garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, who used to help him, was in prison. He wrote a letter to the boy and described his predicament.
Dear son,
I'm feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my potato garden this year. I am just getting too old to be digging up the garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you will dig the plot for me.
Love, Dad.
A few days later, he received a letter from his son.
Dear Dad,
For heaven's sake, don;t dig up that garden. That's where I buried the BODIES.
Love, Son.
The next morning, at four, FBI agents and the local police showed up at the old man's house and dug up the entire garden. They found nothing, apologised, and left.
That same day, he received another letter form his son.
Dear Dad.
Go ahead and plant the potatoes now. That the best I could do, under the circumstances.
Love, Son.
Sent to Starmag by Wong Miaw Lee
Dear son,
I'm feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my potato garden this year. I am just getting too old to be digging up the garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you will dig the plot for me.
Love, Dad.
A few days later, he received a letter from his son.
Dear Dad,
For heaven's sake, don;t dig up that garden. That's where I buried the BODIES.
Love, Son.
The next morning, at four, FBI agents and the local police showed up at the old man's house and dug up the entire garden. They found nothing, apologised, and left.
That same day, he received another letter form his son.
Dear Dad.
Go ahead and plant the potatoes now. That the best I could do, under the circumstances.
Love, Son.
Sent to Starmag by Wong Miaw Lee
No Taking Words Back
One day, a good woman said something that hurt her best friend of many years. She regretted it immediately and would have done anything to take back those thoughtless words. Close as she and her friend were, she hadn't considered the effects of her hasty action.
What the woman said hurt her friend so much that she herself felt the pain she had caused. In an effort to undo what she had done, she went to a village elder for advice.
The older woman listened patiently to determine just how sincere she was, then asked: "What are you willing to do to repair the damage done?"
The answer was heartfelt: "Anything!"
"There are two things you need to do to make amends. The first is extremely difficult.
"Tonight, open a small hole in each of your best feather pillows. Before the sun rises, you must place one feather on the doorstep of each house in the town. When you are through, I'll tell you the second task."
The good woman hurried home to prepare for the chore, even though the pillows were very expensive and dear to her. All night long, she worked alone in the cold, going from door to door and placing a feather on each doorstep, taking care not to miss a single house.
Her fingers were frozen, and the wind was so sharp it caused her eyes to water. But she trudged through the streets, thankful there was something she could do to set things right again.
Finally as the sky was getting bright, she placed the last feather on the doorstep of the last house. Just as the sun rose, she returned to the village. She was exhausted, but relieved that her efforts would soon be rewarded.
"My pillows are empty. I placed a feather on the doorstep of each house."
"Now," said the wise woman," go back and refill your pillows. Then everything will be as it was before."
The young woman was stunned.
"That's impossible! The wind blew away the feathers as soon fast as I placed them on the doorstep! You didn't say I had to get them back. If this is the second task, then things can never be the same again."
"That's true," said the wise old woman.
"Never forget. Each of your words is like a feather in the wind. Once spoken, no amount of effort, regardless of how heartfelt or sincere, can ever get them back into your mouth again. So choose your words well and guard them, especially in the presence of those you love."
Sent to Starmag by Y2Khay
What the woman said hurt her friend so much that she herself felt the pain she had caused. In an effort to undo what she had done, she went to a village elder for advice.
The older woman listened patiently to determine just how sincere she was, then asked: "What are you willing to do to repair the damage done?"
The answer was heartfelt: "Anything!"
"There are two things you need to do to make amends. The first is extremely difficult.
"Tonight, open a small hole in each of your best feather pillows. Before the sun rises, you must place one feather on the doorstep of each house in the town. When you are through, I'll tell you the second task."
The good woman hurried home to prepare for the chore, even though the pillows were very expensive and dear to her. All night long, she worked alone in the cold, going from door to door and placing a feather on each doorstep, taking care not to miss a single house.
Her fingers were frozen, and the wind was so sharp it caused her eyes to water. But she trudged through the streets, thankful there was something she could do to set things right again.
Finally as the sky was getting bright, she placed the last feather on the doorstep of the last house. Just as the sun rose, she returned to the village. She was exhausted, but relieved that her efforts would soon be rewarded.
"My pillows are empty. I placed a feather on the doorstep of each house."
"Now," said the wise woman," go back and refill your pillows. Then everything will be as it was before."
The young woman was stunned.
"That's impossible! The wind blew away the feathers as soon fast as I placed them on the doorstep! You didn't say I had to get them back. If this is the second task, then things can never be the same again."
"That's true," said the wise old woman.
"Never forget. Each of your words is like a feather in the wind. Once spoken, no amount of effort, regardless of how heartfelt or sincere, can ever get them back into your mouth again. So choose your words well and guard them, especially in the presence of those you love."
Sent to Starmag by Y2Khay
The Perfect Heart
One day, a young man stood in the town square and proclaimed that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd soon gathered and everyone admired his heart - it didn't have any mark of flaw. Yes, they all agreed, it truly was the most perfect heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted even louder.
Suddenly, an old man appeared before the crowd and said, "Why, your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." Everyone turned to stare at his heart. It was beating strongly, but it was full of scars. It had parts where pieces had been removed and others put in, but these didn't quite fit and there were jagged edges.
In fact, there were even gouges where whole bits were missing. The people stared: how could he say his heart was more beautiful?
"You must be joking," the young man laughed. "Your heart is a mess of tears and scars."
"Yes," said the old man, "but I would never trade mine with yours. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I had given my love. I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often, they give me a piece of theirs. But the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish because they remind me of the love we share.
"Sometimes, the other person doesn't give a piece of their heart in return. So the gouges. When you give love, you take a chance. Although the gouges are painful, they stay open, to remind me of the love I have for these people. I hope some day, they will return and fill the space I have waiting."
As tears coursed down his cheek, the young man reaches into his perfect heart and ripped a piece out. With trembling hands, he offered it to the old man.
The old man placed the offering in his heart, then took a piece from his scarred organ and put it over the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not quite.
The young man looked at his now imperfect heart, and felt the old man's love flow into it. They embraced and walked away, side by side.
Sent to Starmag by Celia Yap
Suddenly, an old man appeared before the crowd and said, "Why, your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." Everyone turned to stare at his heart. It was beating strongly, but it was full of scars. It had parts where pieces had been removed and others put in, but these didn't quite fit and there were jagged edges.
In fact, there were even gouges where whole bits were missing. The people stared: how could he say his heart was more beautiful?
"You must be joking," the young man laughed. "Your heart is a mess of tears and scars."
"Yes," said the old man, "but I would never trade mine with yours. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I had given my love. I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often, they give me a piece of theirs. But the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish because they remind me of the love we share.
"Sometimes, the other person doesn't give a piece of their heart in return. So the gouges. When you give love, you take a chance. Although the gouges are painful, they stay open, to remind me of the love I have for these people. I hope some day, they will return and fill the space I have waiting."
As tears coursed down his cheek, the young man reaches into his perfect heart and ripped a piece out. With trembling hands, he offered it to the old man.
The old man placed the offering in his heart, then took a piece from his scarred organ and put it over the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not quite.
The young man looked at his now imperfect heart, and felt the old man's love flow into it. They embraced and walked away, side by side.
Sent to Starmag by Celia Yap
Turn a Deaf Ear to Negative Folk
Once upon a time there was a frog race. The contestants had to climb to the top of a high tower. Many people turned up to watch and cheer the frogs on.
The race began.
Truth is, the people who had gathered didn't quite believe that it was possible for the frogs to reach the top of the tower. Thus, they started shouting: "What pain! They'll never make it!"
One by one, the frogs began to give up ... until there was just one contestant left. As the people continued to shout, "She'll never make it!", this lone frog kept on climbing. Finally, with one enormous effort, she pulled herself up to the top of the tower.
The other frogs were curious as to how she managed to finish the race. As one of them approached her to ask how she did it, he discovered that the winner was deaf!
Sent to Starmag by Khoo Vee Lynn
The race began.
Truth is, the people who had gathered didn't quite believe that it was possible for the frogs to reach the top of the tower. Thus, they started shouting: "What pain! They'll never make it!"
One by one, the frogs began to give up ... until there was just one contestant left. As the people continued to shout, "She'll never make it!", this lone frog kept on climbing. Finally, with one enormous effort, she pulled herself up to the top of the tower.
The other frogs were curious as to how she managed to finish the race. As one of them approached her to ask how she did it, he discovered that the winner was deaf!
Sent to Starmag by Khoo Vee Lynn
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The Promise
How long more do you intend to pore over that newspaper? Can you come here right away and make your darling daughter eat her food?"
I tossed the paper away and rushed to where the question came from. My only daughter, Sindu, looked frightened. Tears were welling up in her eyes. In front of her was a bowl filled to the brim with curd rice.
Sindu, who has just turned eight, is a nice child, quite intelligent for her age. But she particularly detests curd rice. However, my mother and wife are orthodox about certain things: they believe firmly in the "cooling effects" of curd rice!
I cleared my throat and picked up the bowl.
"Sindu darling, why don't you take a few mouthful of this? For Dad's sake. If you don't, Mom will shout at me."
I could sense my wife scowl behind my back. Sindu softened a bit, and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
"Okay, Dad. I will eat - not just a few mouthfuls, but the whole lot. But you should ..." She hesitated. "Dad, if I eat the entire bowl of curd rice, will you give me whatever I ask for?"
"Sure, darling."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
I covered the soft, pink hand she extended with mine, and clinched the deal.
"Ask Mom to promise too," she insisted.
My wife slapped her hand on Sindu's and muttered "Promise" without any emotion. Suddenly, I feel a bit anxious.
"Sindumma, you shouldn't insist on getting a computer or any such expensive items. Dad doesn't have that kind of money now. Okay?"
"No, Dad, I don't want anything expensive." With that, she turned to the bowl. Slowly and painfully, she spooned the curd rice into her mouth, I kept silent but was angry with my wife and mother for forcing my child to eat something that she detested.
When her ordeal was over, Sindu came to me, her eyes wide with expectation. All our attention was on her.
"Dad, I want to have my hair shaved off this Sunday!"
"Atrocious!" shouted my wife. "A girl child having her hair shaved off?"
"Never in our family!" my mother rasped. "She has been watching too much television. Our culture is being eroded by those TV programmes."
"Sindumma, why don't you ask for something else? We will feel quite sad seeing you with a clean-shaven head."
"No, Dad, I don't want anything else," she said firmly.
"Please, Sindu, try to understand our feelings," I pleaded with her.
"Dad, you saw how difficult it was for me to eat that curd rice ..." Sindu was in tears again. "And you promised to grant me whatever I asked for. Now you are going back on your word. Did you not tell me the story of King Harishchandra, and how we should honour our promise, no matter what?"
It was time for me to call the shots. "Yes, we should keep our promises."
"Are you out of your mind?" chorused my mother and wife.
"No. If we go back on our word, she will never learn to honour hers. Sindu, your wish will be granted."
On Monday morning, I dropped Sindu at her school. With her head shaven clean, her face looked round and her eyes, big and beautiful. As my hairless daughter walked towards her classroom, she turned around and waved.
I waved back, with a smile. Just then, a boy got out of a car and shouted: "Sinduja, please wait for me!" What struck me was that the kid was hairless too.
"Maybe that's the in thing today," I thought to myself.
"Sir, your daughter Sinduja is just great!" Without introducing herself, the lady who had gotten out of the same car continued: "That boy walking beside your daughter is my son, Harish. He has ... leukaemia."
She paused to stifle her sobs. "Harish could not attend school the whole of last month. He lost all his hair due to the side effects of the chemotherapy. He refused to come back to school for fear that his classmates would tease him.
"Sinduja visited him last week and promised that she would take care of the teasing. But I never imagined that she would sacrifice her lovely hair for my son! Sir, you and your wife are blessed to have such a noble soul for your daughter."
I stood transfixed. Then I began to weep.
"My little Angel, will you grant me a wish? Should I be born again, will you be my mother and teach me what love is about?" I whispered.
Sent to Starmag by Thanavalli Rajaretnam
I tossed the paper away and rushed to where the question came from. My only daughter, Sindu, looked frightened. Tears were welling up in her eyes. In front of her was a bowl filled to the brim with curd rice.
Sindu, who has just turned eight, is a nice child, quite intelligent for her age. But she particularly detests curd rice. However, my mother and wife are orthodox about certain things: they believe firmly in the "cooling effects" of curd rice!
I cleared my throat and picked up the bowl.
"Sindu darling, why don't you take a few mouthful of this? For Dad's sake. If you don't, Mom will shout at me."
I could sense my wife scowl behind my back. Sindu softened a bit, and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
"Okay, Dad. I will eat - not just a few mouthfuls, but the whole lot. But you should ..." She hesitated. "Dad, if I eat the entire bowl of curd rice, will you give me whatever I ask for?"
"Sure, darling."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
I covered the soft, pink hand she extended with mine, and clinched the deal.
"Ask Mom to promise too," she insisted.
My wife slapped her hand on Sindu's and muttered "Promise" without any emotion. Suddenly, I feel a bit anxious.
"Sindumma, you shouldn't insist on getting a computer or any such expensive items. Dad doesn't have that kind of money now. Okay?"
"No, Dad, I don't want anything expensive." With that, she turned to the bowl. Slowly and painfully, she spooned the curd rice into her mouth, I kept silent but was angry with my wife and mother for forcing my child to eat something that she detested.
When her ordeal was over, Sindu came to me, her eyes wide with expectation. All our attention was on her.
"Dad, I want to have my hair shaved off this Sunday!"
"Atrocious!" shouted my wife. "A girl child having her hair shaved off?"
"Never in our family!" my mother rasped. "She has been watching too much television. Our culture is being eroded by those TV programmes."
"Sindumma, why don't you ask for something else? We will feel quite sad seeing you with a clean-shaven head."
"No, Dad, I don't want anything else," she said firmly.
"Please, Sindu, try to understand our feelings," I pleaded with her.
"Dad, you saw how difficult it was for me to eat that curd rice ..." Sindu was in tears again. "And you promised to grant me whatever I asked for. Now you are going back on your word. Did you not tell me the story of King Harishchandra, and how we should honour our promise, no matter what?"
It was time for me to call the shots. "Yes, we should keep our promises."
"Are you out of your mind?" chorused my mother and wife.
"No. If we go back on our word, she will never learn to honour hers. Sindu, your wish will be granted."
On Monday morning, I dropped Sindu at her school. With her head shaven clean, her face looked round and her eyes, big and beautiful. As my hairless daughter walked towards her classroom, she turned around and waved.
I waved back, with a smile. Just then, a boy got out of a car and shouted: "Sinduja, please wait for me!" What struck me was that the kid was hairless too.
"Maybe that's the in thing today," I thought to myself.
"Sir, your daughter Sinduja is just great!" Without introducing herself, the lady who had gotten out of the same car continued: "That boy walking beside your daughter is my son, Harish. He has ... leukaemia."
She paused to stifle her sobs. "Harish could not attend school the whole of last month. He lost all his hair due to the side effects of the chemotherapy. He refused to come back to school for fear that his classmates would tease him.
"Sinduja visited him last week and promised that she would take care of the teasing. But I never imagined that she would sacrifice her lovely hair for my son! Sir, you and your wife are blessed to have such a noble soul for your daughter."
I stood transfixed. Then I began to weep.
"My little Angel, will you grant me a wish? Should I be born again, will you be my mother and teach me what love is about?" I whispered.
Sent to Starmag by Thanavalli Rajaretnam
One Bedroom Apartment
As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true.
Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.
My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom apt.
I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of fast food at McDonald's and pizzas and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.
Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight.
Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate.
After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to USA.
My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing.
After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.
Every year I decide to go to India... But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India ... The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rights the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.
After couple more years passed away, much to my children's dislike and my wife's joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA...
My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India... My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA... I decided that had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India... I had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom APT in a well-developed locality.
Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the APT is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes
I wondered was it worth all this?
My father, even after staying in India,
Had a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more.
I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.
Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing.
This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well at least they remember me.
Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them.
But the question still remains 'was all this worth it?'
I am still searching for an answer.................!!!
START THINKING
IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???
LIFE IS BEYOND THIS.....DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE........
START LIVING IT ........
LIVE IT AS YOU WANT IT TO BE .......
by Mohit Rajvanshi, India
A Smart Indian Mother
Indian mom comes to visit her son Kumar for dinner.....who lives with an Indian girl roommate Sunita. During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but notice how pretty Kumar's roommate was.
She had long been suspicious of a relationship between the two, and this had only made her more curious. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between Kumar and his roommate than met the eye. Reading his mom's thoughts, Kumar volunteered, “I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, Sunita and I are just roommates.”
About a week later, Sunita came to Kumar saying, “Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the silver plate. You don't suppose she took it, do you?”
Kumar said, “Well, I doubt it, but I'll email her, just to be sure.”
So he sat down and wrote:
Dear Mother:
I'm not saying that you 'did' take the silver plate from my house, I'm not saying that you 'did not' take the silver plate.
But the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.
Love, Kumar
Several days later, Kumar received an email from his Mother which read
Dear Son:
I'm not saying that you 'do' sleep with Sunita, and I'm not saying that you 'do not' sleep with Sunita.
But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the silver plate by now under the pillow...
Love, Mom.
Lesson of the day:
Don't Lie to Your Mother...........especially if she is Indian!!!
by Mohit Rajvanshi, India
Puppies For Sale
A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read "Puppies For Sale." Signs like that have a way of attracting small children and sure enough, a little boy appeared by the store owner's sign. "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked. The store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30-$50."
The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have $2.37," he said. "May I please look at them?" The store owner smiled and whistled, out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind.
Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog?" The store owner explained that the veteriarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. "That is the little puppy that I want to buy." The store owner said, "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I'll just give him to you."
The little boy got quite upset. He looked into the store owner's eyes, pointing his finger, and said, "I don't want you to give him to me. That dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact, I'll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for."
The store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies."
To this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, "Well, I don't run so good myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!"
By Paty Manterola, Mexico
Nine Words Women Use
(1) Fine
This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes
If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing
This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead
This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh
This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay
This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks
A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome'. that will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever
Is a woman's way of saying F--- YOU!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it
Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.
This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes
If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing
This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead
This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh
This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay
This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks
A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome'. that will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever
Is a woman's way of saying F--- YOU!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it
Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.
Reaping Rewards
One evening a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue sea. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of landing a catch.
Soon, a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to find relief for the stress that had built up throughout his workday. He noticed the fisherman and decided to find out why the guy was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family.
"You aren't going to catch many fish that way," he said. "You should be working rather than lying on the beach!"
The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and said, "And what will me reward be?"
"Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!"
"And then, what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again, still smiling.
"You will make money and be able to buy a boat, which will then result in your catching even more fish."
"And what will my reward be?"
The businessman was beginning to get irritated at the fisherman's questions. "You can buy bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!"
"And then, what will my reward be?" the fisherman repeated.
The businessman was getting angry. "Don't you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let your employees fish for you!"
Once again the fisherman asked, "And what will my reward be?"
The businessman was red with rage and began shouting at him.
"Don't you see? You can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again. You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won't have a care in the world!"
The fisherman looked up, beamed at him, and said: "And what do you think I'm doing right now?"
Taken from Starmag
Soon, a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to find relief for the stress that had built up throughout his workday. He noticed the fisherman and decided to find out why the guy was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family.
"You aren't going to catch many fish that way," he said. "You should be working rather than lying on the beach!"
The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and said, "And what will me reward be?"
"Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!"
"And then, what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again, still smiling.
"You will make money and be able to buy a boat, which will then result in your catching even more fish."
"And what will my reward be?"
The businessman was beginning to get irritated at the fisherman's questions. "You can buy bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!"
"And then, what will my reward be?" the fisherman repeated.
The businessman was getting angry. "Don't you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let your employees fish for you!"
Once again the fisherman asked, "And what will my reward be?"
The businessman was red with rage and began shouting at him.
"Don't you see? You can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again. You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won't have a care in the world!"
The fisherman looked up, beamed at him, and said: "And what do you think I'm doing right now?"
Taken from Starmag
Programmed to Stay
Last year, I upgraded from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0 and noticed that the new program began unexpected child processing that took up a lot of space and valuable resources.
No mention of this phenomenon was included in the product brochure. In addition, Wife 1.0 installs itself into all other programs and launches during system initialisation, where it monitors all other system activity.
Applications such as Smoking 10.3, Boozing 2.5 and Saturday Night Pubs 5.0 no longer run, and the system crashes whenever they are selected. I cannot keep Wife 1.0 in the background while attempting to run some of my other favourite applications like Night Club 4.3, Dance 'n' Drunk 2.0 and Bachelor Party 7.77/
I am thinking about going back to Girlfriend 7.0, but the Un-install does not work on this program. Once I tried to Un-install Wife 1.0 but got this error message, "General Protection Fault in module House Security", after which the Un-installation aborted.
The following is a reply from Tech Support:
Dear Software Engineer,
Ref: Upgrade from girlfriend to wife
This is a very common problem men complain about, but it is mostly due to a primary misconception. Many people upgrade from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0 with the idea that Wife 1.0 is merely a UTILITIES & ENTERTAINMENT program. Wife 1.0 is actually an OPERATING SYSTEM and designed by its creator to run everything.
It is unlikely that you would be able to purge Wife 1.0 and convert back to Girlfriend 7.0. It is impossible to Un-install, delete, or purge Wife 1.0 from the system once installed.
You cannot go back to Girlfriend 7.0 bacause Wife 1.0 is not designed to do this. Some have even tried to install Girlfriend 8.0 or Wife 2.0 but end up with more problems than the original system.
Look in your manual - which was given to you at the time of registration with Wife 1.0 - under "Warnings-Alimony/Child Support".
I recommend you keep Wife 1.0 and just deal with the situation. Having installed Wife 1.0, I might also suggest you read the entire section regarding General Partnership Faults (GPF's).
The best course of action will be to enter the command C:\APOLOGISE. In fact I would suggest you use this command every time Wife 1.0 crashes on your system. Wife 1.0 is a great program, but requires very high maintenance.
Consider buying additional software to improve the performance of Wife 1.0. I recommend Flowers 2.1 and Chocolates 5.0 or Movies 4.5. Do not, repeat DO NOT, under any circumstances, install Visual Secretary with Short Skirt 3.3. This is not a supported application for Wife 1.0 and is likely to cause irreversible damage to the operating system.
A recent survey says that Add-Od software like Dress 2.0, Jewels 3.0, and A Long Holiday at a Beach Resort 1.0 are the best Third Party tools that supports the Wife 1.0 program to run smoothly and effectively.
Regards,
Technical Support, Wife Software Inc.
Sent to Starmag by Rosemary Tan
No mention of this phenomenon was included in the product brochure. In addition, Wife 1.0 installs itself into all other programs and launches during system initialisation, where it monitors all other system activity.
Applications such as Smoking 10.3, Boozing 2.5 and Saturday Night Pubs 5.0 no longer run, and the system crashes whenever they are selected. I cannot keep Wife 1.0 in the background while attempting to run some of my other favourite applications like Night Club 4.3, Dance 'n' Drunk 2.0 and Bachelor Party 7.77/
I am thinking about going back to Girlfriend 7.0, but the Un-install does not work on this program. Once I tried to Un-install Wife 1.0 but got this error message, "General Protection Fault in module House Security", after which the Un-installation aborted.
The following is a reply from Tech Support:
Dear Software Engineer,
Ref: Upgrade from girlfriend to wife
This is a very common problem men complain about, but it is mostly due to a primary misconception. Many people upgrade from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0 with the idea that Wife 1.0 is merely a UTILITIES & ENTERTAINMENT program. Wife 1.0 is actually an OPERATING SYSTEM and designed by its creator to run everything.
It is unlikely that you would be able to purge Wife 1.0 and convert back to Girlfriend 7.0. It is impossible to Un-install, delete, or purge Wife 1.0 from the system once installed.
You cannot go back to Girlfriend 7.0 bacause Wife 1.0 is not designed to do this. Some have even tried to install Girlfriend 8.0 or Wife 2.0 but end up with more problems than the original system.
Look in your manual - which was given to you at the time of registration with Wife 1.0 - under "Warnings-Alimony/Child Support".
I recommend you keep Wife 1.0 and just deal with the situation. Having installed Wife 1.0, I might also suggest you read the entire section regarding General Partnership Faults (GPF's).
The best course of action will be to enter the command C:\APOLOGISE. In fact I would suggest you use this command every time Wife 1.0 crashes on your system. Wife 1.0 is a great program, but requires very high maintenance.
Consider buying additional software to improve the performance of Wife 1.0. I recommend Flowers 2.1 and Chocolates 5.0 or Movies 4.5. Do not, repeat DO NOT, under any circumstances, install Visual Secretary with Short Skirt 3.3. This is not a supported application for Wife 1.0 and is likely to cause irreversible damage to the operating system.
A recent survey says that Add-Od software like Dress 2.0, Jewels 3.0, and A Long Holiday at a Beach Resort 1.0 are the best Third Party tools that supports the Wife 1.0 program to run smoothly and effectively.
Regards,
Technical Support, Wife Software Inc.
Sent to Starmag by Rosemary Tan
Four Seasons of a Tree
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted them to learn not to judge things so quickly, so he sent each, in turn, on a quest to look at a pear tree a great distance away.
The first son went in the winter, the second in spring, the third in summer, and the youngest, in the fall. When they had all returned, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the pear tree was ugly, bent and twisted. The second one said no - it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third said the tree was laden with blossoms that smelled sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but one season in the tree's life. He added that you cannot judge a tree - or a person - by only one season, and that the essence of who we are - and the pleasure, joy and love that come from life - can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
Taken from Starmag
The first son went in the winter, the second in spring, the third in summer, and the youngest, in the fall. When they had all returned, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the pear tree was ugly, bent and twisted. The second one said no - it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third said the tree was laden with blossoms that smelled sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but one season in the tree's life. He added that you cannot judge a tree - or a person - by only one season, and that the essence of who we are - and the pleasure, joy and love that come from life - can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
Taken from Starmag
Installing Love
Tech Support: Yes ma'am ... how can I help you?
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?
TS: Yes, I can. Are you ready to proceed?
C: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?
TS: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart ma'am?
C: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?
TS: What programs are running?
C: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.
TS: No problem. Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs will prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ma'am?
C: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?
TS: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment are completely erased.
C: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?
TS: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.
C: Opps! I have an error message. It says, "Error - program not run on external components." What should I do?
TS: Don't worry, ma'am. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.
C: So, what should I do?
TS: Can you pull down Self-Acceptance, then click on the following files: Forgive Self; Realise Your Worth; Acknowledge Your Limitations.
C: Okay, done.
TS: Now copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.
C: Got it. Hey, My Heart is filling up with new files! Smile is playing on my monitor, and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?
TS: Sometimes. For others, it takes a while, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So, Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.
C: I promise to do just that. By the way, what's your name?
TS: Just call me the Divine Cardiologist, also known as the Great Physician, or simply "I AM". Most people feel all they need is an annual check-up to stay heart-healthy. But the manufacturer (ME) suggests a daily maintenance schedule for maximum Love efficiency.
Sent to Starmag by Su Hisen
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?
TS: Yes, I can. Are you ready to proceed?
C: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?
TS: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart ma'am?
C: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?
TS: What programs are running?
C: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.
TS: No problem. Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs will prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ma'am?
C: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?
TS: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment are completely erased.
C: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?
TS: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.
C: Opps! I have an error message. It says, "Error - program not run on external components." What should I do?
TS: Don't worry, ma'am. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.
C: So, what should I do?
TS: Can you pull down Self-Acceptance, then click on the following files: Forgive Self; Realise Your Worth; Acknowledge Your Limitations.
C: Okay, done.
TS: Now copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.
C: Got it. Hey, My Heart is filling up with new files! Smile is playing on my monitor, and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?
TS: Sometimes. For others, it takes a while, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So, Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.
C: I promise to do just that. By the way, what's your name?
TS: Just call me the Divine Cardiologist, also known as the Great Physician, or simply "I AM". Most people feel all they need is an annual check-up to stay heart-healthy. But the manufacturer (ME) suggests a daily maintenance schedule for maximum Love efficiency.
Sent to Starmag by Su Hisen
Test of True Love
My husband is an engineer. Since the day we met, he has always been the rock of my life. I knew he had his feet firmly planted on the ground, and it seemed that no matter what else went crazy, he would always be the one constant.
Three years of romance and two years of marriage later, I'm tired of him. He is the most unromantic man I know. He never bought me flowers, he never surprised me, and nothing had changed in our marriage.
After some time, I finally found the courage to tell him that I wanted out. He just sat there, speechless. My heart froze: what kind of man was I married to who didn't even know what to say to make me stay?
After a while, he spoke. "What can I do to change your mind?"
"I will stay if you can give me a good answer to this question, "I replied coldly.
"If I asked for a flower that grew on a cliff, and you knew that getting it for me would meant certain death, would you still get it for me?"
His face grew troubled. "Can I give you the answer tomorrow morning?"
With that, my heart sank. I knew that I could never be happy with a man who couldn't even give me an answer straight away.
The next morning, when I woke up, he was missing. In the living room, under a warm glass of milk, was a note. My eyes grew misty as I read it.
"Dear, I have my answer. I will never pick the flower for you if it meant certain death.
But before you leave, I hope you will give me a chance to give you my reasons.
You will always sit in front of the computer and type the whole day. But you always end up in tears because your formatting goes all over the place. I need my fingers to do the formatting for you, so that your tears will become smiles.
You like to travel but always get lost. I need my eyes to take you to the nicest places on earth.
Every time you leave the house, you forget your keys. I need my legs to run home and open the door for you.
You never know how to take care of yourself. I need my hands to help you get rid of the pesky white hair you hate so much when you grow old, to trim your nails, to feed you.
So you see, that's why I cannot pick the flower for you. Until I find someone who loves you more than I do, I will need my body to take care of you.
If you accept my reasons, then open the door and I will be waiting with your favourite muffin."
With tears streaming from my eyes, I opened the door. And there he was, extremely worried look on his face. He still had nothing to say; he just stood there, waving the packet he had in his hand in front of me.
I knew then that I would never find another man who will love me as much as my husband does.
Just because someone does not love you the way you want him to, it doesn't mean that he does not love you with all he has.
Sent to Starmag by Cheow Yuen Lim
Three years of romance and two years of marriage later, I'm tired of him. He is the most unromantic man I know. He never bought me flowers, he never surprised me, and nothing had changed in our marriage.
After some time, I finally found the courage to tell him that I wanted out. He just sat there, speechless. My heart froze: what kind of man was I married to who didn't even know what to say to make me stay?
After a while, he spoke. "What can I do to change your mind?"
"I will stay if you can give me a good answer to this question, "I replied coldly.
"If I asked for a flower that grew on a cliff, and you knew that getting it for me would meant certain death, would you still get it for me?"
His face grew troubled. "Can I give you the answer tomorrow morning?"
With that, my heart sank. I knew that I could never be happy with a man who couldn't even give me an answer straight away.
The next morning, when I woke up, he was missing. In the living room, under a warm glass of milk, was a note. My eyes grew misty as I read it.
"Dear, I have my answer. I will never pick the flower for you if it meant certain death.
But before you leave, I hope you will give me a chance to give you my reasons.
You will always sit in front of the computer and type the whole day. But you always end up in tears because your formatting goes all over the place. I need my fingers to do the formatting for you, so that your tears will become smiles.
You like to travel but always get lost. I need my eyes to take you to the nicest places on earth.
Every time you leave the house, you forget your keys. I need my legs to run home and open the door for you.
You never know how to take care of yourself. I need my hands to help you get rid of the pesky white hair you hate so much when you grow old, to trim your nails, to feed you.
So you see, that's why I cannot pick the flower for you. Until I find someone who loves you more than I do, I will need my body to take care of you.
If you accept my reasons, then open the door and I will be waiting with your favourite muffin."
With tears streaming from my eyes, I opened the door. And there he was, extremely worried look on his face. He still had nothing to say; he just stood there, waving the packet he had in his hand in front of me.
I knew then that I would never find another man who will love me as much as my husband does.
Just because someone does not love you the way you want him to, it doesn't mean that he does not love you with all he has.
Sent to Starmag by Cheow Yuen Lim
Poor Comparisons
One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from the trip, the father asked his son: "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.
"Oh, year," said the son.
"So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
"We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
With this the boy's father was speechless. Then his son added: "Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are."
Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don't have. What is one person's worthless object is another's prized possession. It is all based on one's perspective. Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for all the bounty we have, instead of worrying about wanting more. Take joy in all you have, especially your friends.
Taken from Starmag
On their return from the trip, the father asked his son: "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.
"Oh, year," said the son.
"So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
"We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
With this the boy's father was speechless. Then his son added: "Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are."
Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don't have. What is one person's worthless object is another's prized possession. It is all based on one's perspective. Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for all the bounty we have, instead of worrying about wanting more. Take joy in all you have, especially your friends.
Taken from Starmag
God's Watching
Nothing beats honesty and wisdom, straight from the mouths of babes.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because, even though it was a very large mammal, its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human - it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah.
The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him."
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because, even though it was a very large mammal, its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human - it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah.
The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him."
******
A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The child replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without looking up from her drawing, the child said, "They will in a minute."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without looking up from her drawing, the child said, "They will in a minute."
******
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five- and six-year-olds. After explaining the commandments to "honour" thy father and thy mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"
Without missing a beat, one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill.
Without missing a beat, one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill.
******
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out on her brunette head.
"Why are some of you hairs white, mum?"
"Well, every time you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turn white."
The girl thought about this for a while, then said, "How come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"
"Why are some of you hairs white, mum?"
"Well, every time you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turn white."
The girl thought about this for a while, then said, "How come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"
******
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer.' Or, 'That's Michael. He's a doctor'."
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher. She's dead."
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher. She's dead."
******
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I'm standing upright, the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted, "Because your feet ain't empty."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I'm standing upright, the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted, "Because your feet ain't empty."
******
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.
The nun made a note and posted it on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."
Further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table, was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note: "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."
Taken from Starmag
The nun made a note and posted it on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."
Further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table, was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note: "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."
Taken from Starmag
Friday, July 3, 2009
She Ain't Heavy
On my wedding day, the bridal car stopped in front of a one-room flat and I carried my wife into our new home. She was plump and shy; I was strong and happy.
In the decade that followed, we had a kid, I went into business and she remained a civil servant/ Our marriage looked happy but as our assets steadily increased, the affection between us ebbed. Then Dew came into my life.
As I stood on the balcony of the apartment I'd bought for her, Dew hugged me and said: "You're the kind of man who draws a girl's eyes." Her words brought to mind what my wife had said when we were newly-weds: "Men like you, once successful, will be very attractive to girls."
I knew I had betrayed her but I couldn't help myself. I left after telling Dew I had something to attend to. Suddenly, divorce, which had seemed impossible before, became a clear option.
The problem was telling my wife about it. I knew she would be deeply hurt because she had been a good spouse and mother.
Once, I had raised the subject in a joking manner: "Suppose we were to divorce ... what would you do?"
She stared silently at me; the notion seemed too far-fetched to even consider.
Days later, when she dropped by the office, all my employees gave her sympathetic glances. She smiled gently as she spoke to them, but I could see the pain in her eyes.
Before long, Dew broached the subject again. "Divorce her, okay? Then we can live together."
That night, after my wife had served the last dish, I grabbed her hand. "I've got something to tell you." She sat down and started eating. Again, I noticed her sad eyes. "I want a divorce."
"Why?" she asked softly.
"I'm serious," I said, avoiding the question. She threw her chopsticks and shouted, "You're not a man!"
That night, we didn't speak to each other. She wept and waited for my answers. Engulf by guilt, I drafted an agreement which stated that she could have our house and car, and a 30% stake in my company.
She glanced at the paper then tore it to pieces. I felt a stab of pain at the thought that this woman who had lived 10 years with me would soon become a stranger.
The next morning, my wife showed me an agreement she'd drafted: she didn't want anything from me, but I had to wait a month before filing the papers. During that time, we should continue as before. Her reason was simple: Our son's summer vacation would end in a month.
As she passed me the draft, she asked: "Do you still remember how we entered our bridal room on our wedding day?"
I nodded as memories flooded back.
"From now until the end of the month, can you please carry me from the bedroom to the front door every morning?"
I agreed. I knew she missed those sweet days and wished to end things in a romantic manner. When I told Dew about her request, she laughed and thought it absurd.
My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since I asked to divorce. So, when I carried her out on the first day, we both felt clumsy. Our son clapped behind us: "Daddy is holding mummy in his arms."
As I walked the 10m from the bed to the door, she closed her eyes and whispered: "Let's start from today. Don't tell him."
On the second day, she leaned on my chest. We were so close I could smell the fragrance on her blouse and see the fine wrinkles on her face. I realised that I had not looked at her for a long time.
On the third day, she cautioned that there was some work going on in the garden outside. On the fourth, when I lifted her up, I felt a certain intimacy - as though I was holding my sweetheart. I did not tell Dew about this.
On the fifth and sixth days, my wife reminded me where she'd kept the ironed shirts, and that I should take care while cooking. She was looking through her dresses as I waited to carry her out. She tried on a few, then sighed. "All my dresses have grown bigger."
Suddenly, it struck me that I could lift her more easily now because she had shrunk, not because I'd grown stronger from the daily exercise. I knew she had buried all the bitterness in her heart. As I reach out to touch her head, our son walked in and said, "Dad, it's time to carry mum out."
She hugged him tightly when he came close and I turned away, for fear I would change my mind.
On the last day, as I held her in my arms, I could hardly move a step. My wife said, "I had hoped you would hold me in your arms until we were old."
After I'd left her at the door, I drove straight to the apartment and ran up the stairs. As Dew opened the door, I blurted out: "Sorry, Dew, I won't divorce her." She made to check my forehead, but I brushed her hand away.
"Our married life was boring because my wife and I didn't value the little things in life, not because we don't love each other anymore. Now I understand: As I carried her into our home, I have to hold her until I am old."
Dew slapped me hard, burst into tears, and slammed the door on my face.
On the way back to the office, I stopped by the florist's. When the salesgirl asked my message for the bouquet, I smiled and wrote: "I'll carry you out every morning till we are old."
Taken from Starmag
In the decade that followed, we had a kid, I went into business and she remained a civil servant/ Our marriage looked happy but as our assets steadily increased, the affection between us ebbed. Then Dew came into my life.
As I stood on the balcony of the apartment I'd bought for her, Dew hugged me and said: "You're the kind of man who draws a girl's eyes." Her words brought to mind what my wife had said when we were newly-weds: "Men like you, once successful, will be very attractive to girls."
I knew I had betrayed her but I couldn't help myself. I left after telling Dew I had something to attend to. Suddenly, divorce, which had seemed impossible before, became a clear option.
The problem was telling my wife about it. I knew she would be deeply hurt because she had been a good spouse and mother.
Once, I had raised the subject in a joking manner: "Suppose we were to divorce ... what would you do?"
She stared silently at me; the notion seemed too far-fetched to even consider.
Days later, when she dropped by the office, all my employees gave her sympathetic glances. She smiled gently as she spoke to them, but I could see the pain in her eyes.
Before long, Dew broached the subject again. "Divorce her, okay? Then we can live together."
That night, after my wife had served the last dish, I grabbed her hand. "I've got something to tell you." She sat down and started eating. Again, I noticed her sad eyes. "I want a divorce."
"Why?" she asked softly.
"I'm serious," I said, avoiding the question. She threw her chopsticks and shouted, "You're not a man!"
That night, we didn't speak to each other. She wept and waited for my answers. Engulf by guilt, I drafted an agreement which stated that she could have our house and car, and a 30% stake in my company.
She glanced at the paper then tore it to pieces. I felt a stab of pain at the thought that this woman who had lived 10 years with me would soon become a stranger.
The next morning, my wife showed me an agreement she'd drafted: she didn't want anything from me, but I had to wait a month before filing the papers. During that time, we should continue as before. Her reason was simple: Our son's summer vacation would end in a month.
As she passed me the draft, she asked: "Do you still remember how we entered our bridal room on our wedding day?"
I nodded as memories flooded back.
"From now until the end of the month, can you please carry me from the bedroom to the front door every morning?"
I agreed. I knew she missed those sweet days and wished to end things in a romantic manner. When I told Dew about her request, she laughed and thought it absurd.
My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since I asked to divorce. So, when I carried her out on the first day, we both felt clumsy. Our son clapped behind us: "Daddy is holding mummy in his arms."
As I walked the 10m from the bed to the door, she closed her eyes and whispered: "Let's start from today. Don't tell him."
On the second day, she leaned on my chest. We were so close I could smell the fragrance on her blouse and see the fine wrinkles on her face. I realised that I had not looked at her for a long time.
On the third day, she cautioned that there was some work going on in the garden outside. On the fourth, when I lifted her up, I felt a certain intimacy - as though I was holding my sweetheart. I did not tell Dew about this.
On the fifth and sixth days, my wife reminded me where she'd kept the ironed shirts, and that I should take care while cooking. She was looking through her dresses as I waited to carry her out. She tried on a few, then sighed. "All my dresses have grown bigger."
Suddenly, it struck me that I could lift her more easily now because she had shrunk, not because I'd grown stronger from the daily exercise. I knew she had buried all the bitterness in her heart. As I reach out to touch her head, our son walked in and said, "Dad, it's time to carry mum out."
She hugged him tightly when he came close and I turned away, for fear I would change my mind.
On the last day, as I held her in my arms, I could hardly move a step. My wife said, "I had hoped you would hold me in your arms until we were old."
After I'd left her at the door, I drove straight to the apartment and ran up the stairs. As Dew opened the door, I blurted out: "Sorry, Dew, I won't divorce her." She made to check my forehead, but I brushed her hand away.
"Our married life was boring because my wife and I didn't value the little things in life, not because we don't love each other anymore. Now I understand: As I carried her into our home, I have to hold her until I am old."
Dew slapped me hard, burst into tears, and slammed the door on my face.
On the way back to the office, I stopped by the florist's. When the salesgirl asked my message for the bouquet, I smiled and wrote: "I'll carry you out every morning till we are old."
Taken from Starmag
The Rat Trap
One day, in a poor country town thousands of miles away from the nearest city, a rat looked through a crack in the wall to see a farmer and his wife opening a package.
What food might it contain? But no ... it was a rat trap! Retreating to the farmyard, the shocked creature announced the imminent risk.
"There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Excuse me. Mr Rat, I can tell this is a grave concern for you. But it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by the trap. Not my problem."
The rat turned to the pig and told him, "There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!"
"I am so very sorry Mr Rat," sympathised the pig, "but there is nothing I can do about it except pray. Be assured that you are in my prayers."
The rat turned to the cow, who said: "A rat trap? I am in grave danger? Duh! I'm the biggest animal here. Do I look like I'd be trapped in one?"
So the rat returned to the house, head down and feeling rejected. It braced itself to face the farmer's rat trap alone.
That very night, a sound was heard throughout the house. The farmer's wife rushed out to see what had happened. In the darkness, she did not notice that it was a venomous snake, who had been caught by its tail.
The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer couldn't rush her to the hospital as the town had no transport service and the nearest hospital was a few days' travel away. As a result, she developed a fever.
Now everyone knows that you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup. So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.
But his wife continued to be sick. Therefore, friends and neighbours came to sit with her round the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. Still, her condition did not improve.
Eventually, the wife died and the villagers came to the funeral. Now the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide for all those who turned up.
So, be warned: When there is a rat trap in the house, the whole farmyard is at risk. Even if you're not part of the problem, you can be part of its solution.
Sent to Starmag by Wong Miaw Lee
What food might it contain? But no ... it was a rat trap! Retreating to the farmyard, the shocked creature announced the imminent risk.
"There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Excuse me. Mr Rat, I can tell this is a grave concern for you. But it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by the trap. Not my problem."
The rat turned to the pig and told him, "There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!"
"I am so very sorry Mr Rat," sympathised the pig, "but there is nothing I can do about it except pray. Be assured that you are in my prayers."
The rat turned to the cow, who said: "A rat trap? I am in grave danger? Duh! I'm the biggest animal here. Do I look like I'd be trapped in one?"
So the rat returned to the house, head down and feeling rejected. It braced itself to face the farmer's rat trap alone.
That very night, a sound was heard throughout the house. The farmer's wife rushed out to see what had happened. In the darkness, she did not notice that it was a venomous snake, who had been caught by its tail.
The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer couldn't rush her to the hospital as the town had no transport service and the nearest hospital was a few days' travel away. As a result, she developed a fever.
Now everyone knows that you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup. So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.
But his wife continued to be sick. Therefore, friends and neighbours came to sit with her round the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. Still, her condition did not improve.
Eventually, the wife died and the villagers came to the funeral. Now the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide for all those who turned up.
So, be warned: When there is a rat trap in the house, the whole farmyard is at risk. Even if you're not part of the problem, you can be part of its solution.
Sent to Starmag by Wong Miaw Lee
Late for Dinner
As the flashing lights blinked in his rear view mirror, Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73kph in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?
When his car had slowed to 10km an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.
Bob? Bob from church? Jack sunk farther into his seat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office.
Jumping out of the car, he approach a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform. "Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this,"
"Hello, Jack." No smile.
"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."
"Yeah, I guess."
Bob seemed uncertain. Good.
"I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit - just this once." Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"
"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct."
Ouch. This was not getting in the right direction. Time to change tactics.
"What'd you clock me at?"
"Seventy-one. Would you sit back in your car, please?"
"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65. The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.
"Please, Jack, in the car."
Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad.
Why hadn't he asked for his driving licence? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of sundays before Jack ever sat the this cop again.
A tap on the door made him jerk his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere five centimetres, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.
"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.
Bob returned to his car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. He unfolded the paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke?
Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:
"Dear Jack,
Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car, You guessed it - a speeding driver. A fine and three months of jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All three of them.
I had only one, and I'm going to have to wait until heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I nedd to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful. My son is all I have left." -Bob
Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he, too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness. He hug a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Sent to Starmag by Kevin Khor and Nick Lim
When his car had slowed to 10km an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.
Bob? Bob from church? Jack sunk farther into his seat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office.
Jumping out of the car, he approach a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform. "Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this,"
"Hello, Jack." No smile.
"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."
"Yeah, I guess."
Bob seemed uncertain. Good.
"I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit - just this once." Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"
"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct."
Ouch. This was not getting in the right direction. Time to change tactics.
"What'd you clock me at?"
"Seventy-one. Would you sit back in your car, please?"
"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65. The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.
"Please, Jack, in the car."
Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad.
Why hadn't he asked for his driving licence? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of sundays before Jack ever sat the this cop again.
A tap on the door made him jerk his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere five centimetres, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.
"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.
Bob returned to his car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. He unfolded the paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke?
Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:
"Dear Jack,
Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car, You guessed it - a speeding driver. A fine and three months of jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All three of them.
I had only one, and I'm going to have to wait until heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I nedd to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful. My son is all I have left." -Bob
Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he, too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness. He hug a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Sent to Starmag by Kevin Khor and Nick Lim
Window to the World
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activities outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while the children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of very colour of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospitals attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have to joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had describe such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
Sent to Starmag by Nadarajan
And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activities outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while the children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of very colour of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospitals attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have to joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had describe such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
Sent to Starmag by Nadarajan
Five Lessons for Life - Part 5
Giving When It Counts
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of survival was a blood transfusion from her five-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and developed the antibodies to combat it.
The doctor explained the situation to the boy and asked if he was willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes if it will save her."
He lay in bed next to his sister and as the transfusion progressed, he smiled, as we all did, seeing the colour returned to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale as his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?" The little boy had misunderstood the doctor - he thought he had to give his sister all his blood in order to save her. Yet he was willing to do it.
Sent to Starmag by Lim Siew Yin
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of survival was a blood transfusion from her five-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and developed the antibodies to combat it.
The doctor explained the situation to the boy and asked if he was willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes if it will save her."
He lay in bed next to his sister and as the transfusion progressed, he smiled, as we all did, seeing the colour returned to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale as his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?" The little boy had misunderstood the doctor - he thought he had to give his sister all his blood in order to save her. Yet he was willing to do it.
Sent to Starmag by Lim Siew Yin
Five Lessons for Life - Part 4
Remember Those Who Serve
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.
"Fifty cents," she replied.
The boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?"
By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she said, brusquely.
Again the boy studied his coins, then said, "I'll have the plain ice cream."
The waitress brought it, put the bill on the table and walked away.
The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies.
You see, he couldn't have the sundae because he had to have enough to leave her a tip.
Sent to Starmag by Lim Siew Yin
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.
"Fifty cents," she replied.
The boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?"
By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she said, brusquely.
Again the boy studied his coins, then said, "I'll have the plain ice cream."
The waitress brought it, put the bill on the table and walked away.
The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies.
You see, he couldn't have the sundae because he had to have enough to leave her a tip.
Sent to Starmag by Lim Siew Yin
Five Lessons for Life - Part 3
The Obstacle in Our Path
In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed in the middle of a road. Then he hid and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.
Some of the kingdom's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around the boulder. Many loudly blamed the ruler for not keeping the roads clear, but no one did anything about getting it out of the way.
Then along a peasant came carrying a load of vegetables. When he came to the boulder, he laid down his goods and attempted to move it to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.
After the peasant had picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying on the road where the boulder had been. It contained many gold coins and a note from the king stating that the coins were reward for whoever removed the rock.
The peasant learned what many of is never understand: Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our lot.
Sent to Starmag by Lim Siew Yin
In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed in the middle of a road. Then he hid and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.
Some of the kingdom's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around the boulder. Many loudly blamed the ruler for not keeping the roads clear, but no one did anything about getting it out of the way.
Then along a peasant came carrying a load of vegetables. When he came to the boulder, he laid down his goods and attempted to move it to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.
After the peasant had picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying on the road where the boulder had been. It contained many gold coins and a note from the king stating that the coins were reward for whoever removed the rock.
The peasant learned what many of is never understand: Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our lot.
Sent to Starmag by Lim Siew Yin
Five Lessons for Life - Part 2
Pickup in the Rain
Late one night, a middle-aged African American woman stood by the side of an Alabama highway in the midst of a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. She decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help the soaking wet woman, generally unheard of in the conflict-filled 1960s. He helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi. She seemed to be in a hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.
Seven days went by and there was a knock on the man's door. To his surprise, ot was the delivery man, with a giant console colour TV. A special note attached to it read:
"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.
Sincerely, Mrs Nat King Cole."
Sent to Starmag by Lim Siew Yin
Late one night, a middle-aged African American woman stood by the side of an Alabama highway in the midst of a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. She decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help the soaking wet woman, generally unheard of in the conflict-filled 1960s. He helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi. She seemed to be in a hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.
Seven days went by and there was a knock on the man's door. To his surprise, ot was the delivery man, with a giant console colour TV. A special note attached to it read:
"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.
Sincerely, Mrs Nat King Cole."
Sent to Starmag by Lim Siew Yin
Five Lessons for Life - Part 1
The Cleaning Lady
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving that question blank.
Just before class ended, one student asked if it would count toward our quiz grade.
"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned that her name was Dorothy.
Sent to Starmag by Lim Siew Yin
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving that question blank.
Just before class ended, one student asked if it would count toward our quiz grade.
"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned that her name was Dorothy.
Sent to Starmag by Lim Siew Yin
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Be a Lake
The Master instructed the unhappy young man to put some salt on a glass of water, and the drink it.
"How does it taste?"
"Awful!" spat the apprentice.
They walked in silence to a nearby lake, where the Master asked him to take another handful of salt and throw it in. After he had swirled the salt into the water, the old man said, "Now drink from the lake."
As the water dripped down the apprentice's chin, the latter asked, "How did it taste?"
"Good!"
"Did you taste the salt?"
"No."
The Master sat beside this troubled youngster, took both his hands, and said: "The pain of life is pure salt, no more, no less. The amount of pain in life remains exactly the same.
"But the amount of 'pain' we taste depends on the container we put it into. So when you are in pain, the only thing to do is to enlarge your sense of things. Stop being a glass. Become a lake!"
Sent to Starmag by Mohamed Ismail
"How does it taste?"
"Awful!" spat the apprentice.
They walked in silence to a nearby lake, where the Master asked him to take another handful of salt and throw it in. After he had swirled the salt into the water, the old man said, "Now drink from the lake."
As the water dripped down the apprentice's chin, the latter asked, "How did it taste?"
"Good!"
"Did you taste the salt?"
"No."
The Master sat beside this troubled youngster, took both his hands, and said: "The pain of life is pure salt, no more, no less. The amount of pain in life remains exactly the same.
"But the amount of 'pain' we taste depends on the container we put it into. So when you are in pain, the only thing to do is to enlarge your sense of things. Stop being a glass. Become a lake!"
Sent to Starmag by Mohamed Ismail
Only Time Can Tell
Once upon a time, there was an island where all the human emotions and desires lived - Happiness, Sadness, Vanity, Knowledge and all others, including Love.
One day there was an announcement that the island would soon sink. So everyone flew to his own vessel and prepared to sail away.
Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. But when the island was almost submerged in water, he had to seek help.
Wealth was passing by in a grand boat, so he called out: "Can you take me with you?"
"No, I can't," Wealth replied. "There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."
Love turned to Vanity, who was also passing by, in a beautiful vessel: "Please help me!"
"I can't. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity said.
Sadness was close by, so Love called out: "Let me go with you, please."
"Oh, Love, I am so sad I need to be by myself!"
Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear Love calling.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Come Love, I will take you."
It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he forgot to ask him his name. When they finally arrived on dry land, the elder went his own way.
Love, who realised the debt he owed, asked Knowledge, another elder: "Who was that?"
"It was Time."
"Time? But why did he help me?"
Knowledge smiled, then said: "Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."
Sent to Starmag by Debbie Tang
One day there was an announcement that the island would soon sink. So everyone flew to his own vessel and prepared to sail away.
Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. But when the island was almost submerged in water, he had to seek help.
Wealth was passing by in a grand boat, so he called out: "Can you take me with you?"
"No, I can't," Wealth replied. "There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."
Love turned to Vanity, who was also passing by, in a beautiful vessel: "Please help me!"
"I can't. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity said.
Sadness was close by, so Love called out: "Let me go with you, please."
"Oh, Love, I am so sad I need to be by myself!"
Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear Love calling.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Come Love, I will take you."
It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he forgot to ask him his name. When they finally arrived on dry land, the elder went his own way.
Love, who realised the debt he owed, asked Knowledge, another elder: "Who was that?"
"It was Time."
"Time? But why did he help me?"
Knowledge smiled, then said: "Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."
Sent to Starmag by Debbie Tang
It's All In the Mind
A salesman had a flat tyre somewhere out in the countryside. He opened his trunk and looked for his jack, but it wasn't there.
"Hmm ... no what do I do?" he said to himself.
Since he was stranded on a small country road on a hot summer day, he doubted anyone would drive by to help. He spotted the spire of a church in the distance and decided to walk to the nearest village and borrow a jack.
It was a long way and the sun was blazing. On the way he thought, "I hope someone in that town has a jack he can lend me."
As he walked further, sweating profusely, a thought struck him: "I know what the people around here are like. They don't take kindly to strangers."
He plodded along and chewed on that thought. "Since they don't know me, I really don't think anyone is going to lend me a jack."
"So he continued walking and imagining the worst possible outcome to his predicament ... no one in the town would be willing to lend him a jack; people would be so suspicious they'd even refuse to sell him one, and so on;
By the time he got to the village he was so upset that he made straight for its square and started shouting: "All right, since that's the way you feel, you can keep your damn jack!"
Sent to Starmag by Gilbert Tan
"Hmm ... no what do I do?" he said to himself.
Since he was stranded on a small country road on a hot summer day, he doubted anyone would drive by to help. He spotted the spire of a church in the distance and decided to walk to the nearest village and borrow a jack.
It was a long way and the sun was blazing. On the way he thought, "I hope someone in that town has a jack he can lend me."
As he walked further, sweating profusely, a thought struck him: "I know what the people around here are like. They don't take kindly to strangers."
He plodded along and chewed on that thought. "Since they don't know me, I really don't think anyone is going to lend me a jack."
"So he continued walking and imagining the worst possible outcome to his predicament ... no one in the town would be willing to lend him a jack; people would be so suspicious they'd even refuse to sell him one, and so on;
By the time he got to the village he was so upset that he made straight for its square and started shouting: "All right, since that's the way you feel, you can keep your damn jack!"
Sent to Starmag by Gilbert Tan
Mommy's Little Girl
There came a frantic knock at the doctor's office door,
A knock, more urgent than he had ever heard before.
"Come in, Come in," the impatient doctor said,
"Come in, Come in, before you wake the dead."
In walked a frightened little girl, a child no more than nine.
It was plain to see, she had troubles in her mind.
"Oh doctor, I beg you, please come with me,
my mother is surely dying, she's as sick as can be."
"I don't make house calls, bring your mother here."
"But she's too sick, so you must come or she will die I fear."
The doctor, touched by her devotion, decided that he would go.
She said he would be blessed, more than he could know.
She led him to her house where her mother lay in bed.
Her mother was so sick she couldn't raise her head.
But her eyes cried out for help and help her the doctor did.
She would have died that very night had it not been for her kid.
The doctor got her fever down and she lived through the night,
And morning brought the doctor signs that she would be all right.
The mother praised the doctor for all the things he'd done.
He told her she would have died, were it not for her little one.
"How proud you must be of your wonderful little girl.
"It was her pleading that made me come, she is really quite a pearl!
"But doctor, my daughter died over three years ago,
"Is the picture on the wall of the little girl you know?"
The doctors legs went limp for the picture on the wall,
Was of the same little girl for whom he'd made this call.
The doctor stood motionless, for quite a little while,
And then his solemn face, was broken by his smile.
He was thinking of that frantic knock at his office door,
And of that beautiful little angel had walked across his floor.
Sent to Starmag by Premalatha Nadesan
A knock, more urgent than he had ever heard before.
"Come in, Come in," the impatient doctor said,
"Come in, Come in, before you wake the dead."
In walked a frightened little girl, a child no more than nine.
It was plain to see, she had troubles in her mind.
"Oh doctor, I beg you, please come with me,
my mother is surely dying, she's as sick as can be."
"I don't make house calls, bring your mother here."
"But she's too sick, so you must come or she will die I fear."
The doctor, touched by her devotion, decided that he would go.
She said he would be blessed, more than he could know.
She led him to her house where her mother lay in bed.
Her mother was so sick she couldn't raise her head.
But her eyes cried out for help and help her the doctor did.
She would have died that very night had it not been for her kid.
The doctor got her fever down and she lived through the night,
And morning brought the doctor signs that she would be all right.
The mother praised the doctor for all the things he'd done.
He told her she would have died, were it not for her little one.
"How proud you must be of your wonderful little girl.
"It was her pleading that made me come, she is really quite a pearl!
"But doctor, my daughter died over three years ago,
"Is the picture on the wall of the little girl you know?"
The doctors legs went limp for the picture on the wall,
Was of the same little girl for whom he'd made this call.
The doctor stood motionless, for quite a little while,
And then his solemn face, was broken by his smile.
He was thinking of that frantic knock at his office door,
And of that beautiful little angel had walked across his floor.
Sent to Starmag by Premalatha Nadesan
The Price of Kindness
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found that he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water.
The woman thought he looked hungry and so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for kindness."
The boy said, "In that case, I thank you from my heart."
Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognised her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life.
From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room.
The woman feared opening it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attenti0n on the side of the bill. She read these word... "Paid in full with one glass of milk," signed, Dr Howard Kelly.
Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands."
Taken from Starmag
The woman thought he looked hungry and so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for kindness."
The boy said, "In that case, I thank you from my heart."
Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognised her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life.
From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room.
The woman feared opening it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attenti0n on the side of the bill. She read these word... "Paid in full with one glass of milk," signed, Dr Howard Kelly.
Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands."
Taken from Starmag
Maternal Reflections
I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I can't force you to show honour.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can advise you about friends, but I can't choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you about cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, but I can't say "No" for you.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you with unconditional love all of my life...
and I will.
Sent to Starmag by Rani Jarjan
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I can't force you to show honour.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can advise you about friends, but I can't choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you about cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, but I can't say "No" for you.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you with unconditional love all of my life...
and I will.
Sent to Starmag by Rani Jarjan
Steps to Staying Young
1. Throw out the non-essential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain be idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud.
6. The tears happen. Endure the grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, or whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
And always remember: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Sent to Starmag by S.P. Chin
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain be idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud.
6. The tears happen. Endure the grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, or whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
And always remember: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Sent to Starmag by S.P. Chin
The Rocks in Your Life
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, each about five centimetres in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "Yes".
"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children - things that, if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
"The pebbles are the other things that matter - like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff."
He continued: "If you put the sand into the jar first, there would be no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical check-ups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
Taken from Starmag
They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "Yes".
"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children - things that, if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
"The pebbles are the other things that matter - like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff."
He continued: "If you put the sand into the jar first, there would be no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical check-ups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
Taken from Starmag
Dad, when I was ...
Four years old: My daddy can do anything.
Five: My daddy knows a lot.
Six: My dad is smarter than yours.
Eight: My dad doesn't know exactly everything
10: In the old days when my dad was growing up, things were sure different.
12: Oh well, naturally. Father doesn't know anything about that. He is too old to remember his childhood.
14: Don't pay any attention to my father. He is so old-fashioned!
21: Him? My lord, he's hopelessly out-of-date.
25: Dad knows a little about it, but then he should because he has been around so long.
30: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he's had a lot of experience.
35: I'm not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad.
40: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise and had a world of experience.
50: I'd give anything to have Dad here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I didn't appreciate how smart he was. I could have learned a lot from him.
Taken from Starmag
Five: My daddy knows a lot.
Six: My dad is smarter than yours.
Eight: My dad doesn't know exactly everything
10: In the old days when my dad was growing up, things were sure different.
12: Oh well, naturally. Father doesn't know anything about that. He is too old to remember his childhood.
14: Don't pay any attention to my father. He is so old-fashioned!
21: Him? My lord, he's hopelessly out-of-date.
25: Dad knows a little about it, but then he should because he has been around so long.
30: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he's had a lot of experience.
35: I'm not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad.
40: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise and had a world of experience.
50: I'd give anything to have Dad here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I didn't appreciate how smart he was. I could have learned a lot from him.
Taken from Starmag
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Four Wives and One Life
Once upon a time, there was a handsome and powerful king who had four wives.
He loved the last one most. He adorned her with rich robes and baubles, treated her to the best delicacies and took great care of her.
The king was proud of his third wife's looks and talents, and was always showing her off to his friends. However, he was always afraid that she might run off with some other men.
Now, the second wife was very considerate and patient, In fact, she became the king's confidante and he would always turn to her whenever he faced any problem. She would then help him out or give him advice on matters concerning the kingdom.
Now, the king's first wife was a very loyal partner who had contributed greatly towards maintaining his wealth and businesses as well as taken good care of the royal household. She loved him deeply, too.
However, he did not love her and hardly took any notice of her.
One winter's night, the king fell ill. His condition worsened and he knew that he would die soon. He reflected on his luxurious life and said to himself: "Now I have four wives with me, but when I die, I will be all alone. How lonely I'll be then!"
Thus, he asked wife No. 4:"I have loved you the most, given you the finest clothes and jewellery, and showered you with care. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No way!" she replied, and walked away without saying another word. Her answer cut into hos heart like a sharp knife.
The sad king then asked wife No. 3: "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No!" she replied. Life is good here! I will remarry after you are dead!" The king's heart turned cold and sank.
He then asked wife No. 2: "I've always turned to you and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" she replied. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of lightning and the king was devastated.
Then a soft, gentle voice said: "I will leave with you. I will follow you no matter where you go."
The king looked up and there was his first wife. Clad in simple clothes, she looked skinny and neglected.
The aggrieved king said: "I should have taken much better care of you when I could!"
Like the king, each of us has four wives too.
Our fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we spend to make it look good, it will leave us when we die.
Material wealth is like the third wife. When we die, we cannot take our possessions along with us.
Family and friends are like the second wife. No matter how close or dear they are to us when we are alive, the furthest they can stay by us is at the grave.
Our first wife is our soul - the only thing that follows us wherever we go.
Unfortunately, like the king, we often neglect it in our mindless pursuit of beauty, wealth, and sensual pleasures.
Perhaps it might be timely to cultivate and strengthen our soul now, rather than wait and lament on our deathbed.
Sent to Starmag by S.P. Chin
He loved the last one most. He adorned her with rich robes and baubles, treated her to the best delicacies and took great care of her.
The king was proud of his third wife's looks and talents, and was always showing her off to his friends. However, he was always afraid that she might run off with some other men.
Now, the second wife was very considerate and patient, In fact, she became the king's confidante and he would always turn to her whenever he faced any problem. She would then help him out or give him advice on matters concerning the kingdom.
Now, the king's first wife was a very loyal partner who had contributed greatly towards maintaining his wealth and businesses as well as taken good care of the royal household. She loved him deeply, too.
However, he did not love her and hardly took any notice of her.
One winter's night, the king fell ill. His condition worsened and he knew that he would die soon. He reflected on his luxurious life and said to himself: "Now I have four wives with me, but when I die, I will be all alone. How lonely I'll be then!"
Thus, he asked wife No. 4:"I have loved you the most, given you the finest clothes and jewellery, and showered you with care. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No way!" she replied, and walked away without saying another word. Her answer cut into hos heart like a sharp knife.
The sad king then asked wife No. 3: "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No!" she replied. Life is good here! I will remarry after you are dead!" The king's heart turned cold and sank.
He then asked wife No. 2: "I've always turned to you and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" she replied. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of lightning and the king was devastated.
Then a soft, gentle voice said: "I will leave with you. I will follow you no matter where you go."
The king looked up and there was his first wife. Clad in simple clothes, she looked skinny and neglected.
The aggrieved king said: "I should have taken much better care of you when I could!"
Like the king, each of us has four wives too.
Our fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we spend to make it look good, it will leave us when we die.
Material wealth is like the third wife. When we die, we cannot take our possessions along with us.
Family and friends are like the second wife. No matter how close or dear they are to us when we are alive, the furthest they can stay by us is at the grave.
Our first wife is our soul - the only thing that follows us wherever we go.
Unfortunately, like the king, we often neglect it in our mindless pursuit of beauty, wealth, and sensual pleasures.
Perhaps it might be timely to cultivate and strengthen our soul now, rather than wait and lament on our deathbed.
Sent to Starmag by S.P. Chin
Change for the Better
One day, a blind man sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet and a sign that read: "I am blind. Please help."
A creative publicist who was walking by stopped and noticed that there were only a few coins in the hat.
He dropped some coins into the had and, without asking for permission, took the sign, turned it around, and wrote something on it.
He placed the sign by the blind man's feet and left.
That afternoon the publicist returned and saw that the hat was full of bills and coins. The blind man recognised his footsteps and asked what he had written on the sign.
The publicist replied: "Nothing that was not true. I just rewrote it differently." He went on his way.
The blind man never knew it, but his new sign read: "TODAY IS SPRING AND I CANNOT SEE IT."
Change your strategy when something does not go your way and it will probably be for the better. Have faith that change can be good for you.
Sent to Starmag by Vinnilaa Aurumugam
A creative publicist who was walking by stopped and noticed that there were only a few coins in the hat.
He dropped some coins into the had and, without asking for permission, took the sign, turned it around, and wrote something on it.
He placed the sign by the blind man's feet and left.
That afternoon the publicist returned and saw that the hat was full of bills and coins. The blind man recognised his footsteps and asked what he had written on the sign.
The publicist replied: "Nothing that was not true. I just rewrote it differently." He went on his way.
The blind man never knew it, but his new sign read: "TODAY IS SPRING AND I CANNOT SEE IT."
Change your strategy when something does not go your way and it will probably be for the better. Have faith that change can be good for you.
Sent to Starmag by Vinnilaa Aurumugam
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