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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Courage / Heroism
- Published: 05/25/2021
Asking question, an art
Born 1945, M, from Mumbai,, IndiaTwo friends extremely opposite in nature , discipline, life-style , habits and temperament , but yet they used to gel very well with each other . It was just a miraculous coincidence, that despite being 180 degree opposite in nature and attitude, the chemistry of friendship between them was a truly cohesive bond . During week days , busy in their works, they used to meet on week ends to spend their quality time together, part happily with a word to meet next week. Days went by and their friendship continued.
I will Name them “A” & “B” , reason being whatever names you give, there could be actual persons with those names, and reading this story , may not feel comfortable or may even feel bad. “A” was very methodical , cool in nature , disciplined, soft spoken, orthodox, God fearing, used to go for Sunday Mass in the Church regularly, whereas Mr.”B” was a flamboyant , care free , easy going, fun loving , bit authoritative in nature and almost an atheist. Besides all this he was a Chain Smoker. During the meets between these 2 friends, “B” used to smoke heavily , which ”A” somehow never used to object , being a simpleton.
During one of their meets on a Saturday, “A” took some initiative , knowing his friend too well , asking him “ Why don’t you go to Church, pray for yourself, well being of your life. I have never seen you going to a Church”. “A” continued as his friend’s well wisher and firmly ordered him , gathering some courage ” Look here, tomorrow is Sunday, and you must come to me tomorrow morning , I will take you with me to attend to Sunday Mass in my Church”. To “A”’s astonishment, his friend readily agreed without making any fuss . For “B” it was just a change, which he took as “ Let me try this experiment of going to the Church, as never before I have done it . No harm , let me oblige the God”. So, both friends, guided by “A”, made their visit to the Church on Sunday morning, “B” being a stranger to this site was little conscious and alert , following “A” carefully , but before entering the church “B” patted his left packet of his trouser to ensure his smoking kit he has not forgotten to carry. Mr.”B” , alien to this environment inside the church, was looking around the religious proceedings going on. Was patient for sometime and then he felt like smoking , controlled himself for some time, during which he was not bothered what all is going on in the church. His urge for smoking , reached his unbearable level and he simply whispered into his friends ear “ Can I smoke here “? “A” gave him an angry and constipated look with burning eyes and just gestured “ No” by the negatory nod.
But “B” was troubling “A” to the extent that he compelled “A” to go and ask the Priest and take permission for smoking. “A” being a simpleton, approached the Priest with a dead heart asked the priest : “ Father , can my friend smoke while he is praying ?” The father looked quite puzzled at this silly question but keeping his cool and patience as a priest , explained “A” ::“ No….No my Son, how can you smoke while you are praying. God will punish you for this sin. You will never be pardoned by the God for this blunder” Father continued his teachings to “A” ,for this stupid query. Poor “A” , doing all this on behalf of his atheist friend, had to tolerate this predicament.
Any how after the mass, both friends came out of the church, this time “B” rushing out earlier than “A” , and first thing he did was to light his cigarette, before “A” could vomit out all his anger on “B” , who let his friend vent out all his anger , busy enjoying his smoke.
Poor “A” after some time cooled down , when " B” took over telling “A”:: “ My dear you don’t know to ask a question” .
“A” shouted back ::“ Rascal, I never wanted to go to the priest asking for his permission for your silly act of smoking there at that moment, but still I did it for you and you are teaching me how to ask question?”
But “B” being a smart, tricky guy, managed to cool down and console his friend with his sweet talks and their conversation in normal moods then continued. “A” in anguish and anger told ”B”:: “I can not forget today’s dirty episode and can not be in peace till you convince me how to ask a question"
This challenge was a God gifted opportunity for “B” who replied his angry friend::” Look my friend, I never wished to put you in any sort of trouble but it was my urge to smoke pricking me at that moment, I could not control. You know , never before I had visited a church. So all that happened in that fit “
“A” bounced back interrupting “B”:: “ Stop all your cock & bull stories. I need you to convince me’ How to ask a question, understand !! ” OK , said “B” asking “A” “ Can I visit the church with you next Sunday ?”
“A” perceiving in his mind, this being a good chance to take revenge from his friend replied “ OK, but I will not talk, all talking you have to do without creating a scene in the cathedral”.
“Perfect “ said “B”.
Both friends with enthusiasm visited the church next Sunday “A” made “B” to take lead and he followed. “A” was to be the silent partner today. In fact he was itching to see how “B” behaves today. “ B” after some time told “A” to follow him to the father.
B” in a very respectful manner asked the priest “ Father , can I pray while , I am smoking”??
The priest apparently, pleased at this question, putting his both arms on 2 shoulders of ”B” , replied with compassion “ O’ yes my child, why not, there is no restrictions on when & where you pray, so long as you are praying with a pure heart “. He continued “ God always blesses those who approach him through prayers, for their well being” .
“B” felt obliged and profusely thanked father for his teachings in such an affectionate manner .
Both friends , after that, returned to their common meeting place.
Surprisingly “ B” never boasted to “A” of his great show today, that instead his body language, after the teachings from the priest with both his arms on the 2 shoulders of “B”, was making it evident that he is a changed person now.
“ A” obviously looking convinced, was requested by “B” :” Can I, now on join you to visit church every Sunday :”
“A” , aghast, stared at “B” from his toe to head, shook his friend holding both his shoulders , asked “ Are you feeling well my friend . Is everything fine with you ? “
“B” realizing the genuine astonishment of his friend , replied “ The teaching of the father today has opened my eyes. I give up my smoking today and if you permit me , I will join you to the church every Sunday “.
“A” with sparkling eyes, pulled “B” and hugged him very tightly and their friendship bond further strengthened , the two friends remained in their friendship lock for ever.
Hem Bhandari
Asking question, an art(Hem Bhandari)
Two friends extremely opposite in nature , discipline, life-style , habits and temperament , but yet they used to gel very well with each other . It was just a miraculous coincidence, that despite being 180 degree opposite in nature and attitude, the chemistry of friendship between them was a truly cohesive bond . During week days , busy in their works, they used to meet on week ends to spend their quality time together, part happily with a word to meet next week. Days went by and their friendship continued.
I will Name them “A” & “B” , reason being whatever names you give, there could be actual persons with those names, and reading this story , may not feel comfortable or may even feel bad. “A” was very methodical , cool in nature , disciplined, soft spoken, orthodox, God fearing, used to go for Sunday Mass in the Church regularly, whereas Mr.”B” was a flamboyant , care free , easy going, fun loving , bit authoritative in nature and almost an atheist. Besides all this he was a Chain Smoker. During the meets between these 2 friends, “B” used to smoke heavily , which ”A” somehow never used to object , being a simpleton.
During one of their meets on a Saturday, “A” took some initiative , knowing his friend too well , asking him “ Why don’t you go to Church, pray for yourself, well being of your life. I have never seen you going to a Church”. “A” continued as his friend’s well wisher and firmly ordered him , gathering some courage ” Look here, tomorrow is Sunday, and you must come to me tomorrow morning , I will take you with me to attend to Sunday Mass in my Church”. To “A”’s astonishment, his friend readily agreed without making any fuss . For “B” it was just a change, which he took as “ Let me try this experiment of going to the Church, as never before I have done it . No harm , let me oblige the God”. So, both friends, guided by “A”, made their visit to the Church on Sunday morning, “B” being a stranger to this site was little conscious and alert , following “A” carefully , but before entering the church “B” patted his left packet of his trouser to ensure his smoking kit he has not forgotten to carry. Mr.”B” , alien to this environment inside the church, was looking around the religious proceedings going on. Was patient for sometime and then he felt like smoking , controlled himself for some time, during which he was not bothered what all is going on in the church. His urge for smoking , reached his unbearable level and he simply whispered into his friends ear “ Can I smoke here “? “A” gave him an angry and constipated look with burning eyes and just gestured “ No” by the negatory nod.
But “B” was troubling “A” to the extent that he compelled “A” to go and ask the Priest and take permission for smoking. “A” being a simpleton, approached the Priest with a dead heart asked the priest : “ Father , can my friend smoke while he is praying ?” The father looked quite puzzled at this silly question but keeping his cool and patience as a priest , explained “A” ::“ No….No my Son, how can you smoke while you are praying. God will punish you for this sin. You will never be pardoned by the God for this blunder” Father continued his teachings to “A” ,for this stupid query. Poor “A” , doing all this on behalf of his atheist friend, had to tolerate this predicament.
Any how after the mass, both friends came out of the church, this time “B” rushing out earlier than “A” , and first thing he did was to light his cigarette, before “A” could vomit out all his anger on “B” , who let his friend vent out all his anger , busy enjoying his smoke.
Poor “A” after some time cooled down , when " B” took over telling “A”:: “ My dear you don’t know to ask a question” .
“A” shouted back ::“ Rascal, I never wanted to go to the priest asking for his permission for your silly act of smoking there at that moment, but still I did it for you and you are teaching me how to ask question?”
But “B” being a smart, tricky guy, managed to cool down and console his friend with his sweet talks and their conversation in normal moods then continued. “A” in anguish and anger told ”B”:: “I can not forget today’s dirty episode and can not be in peace till you convince me how to ask a question"
This challenge was a God gifted opportunity for “B” who replied his angry friend::” Look my friend, I never wished to put you in any sort of trouble but it was my urge to smoke pricking me at that moment, I could not control. You know , never before I had visited a church. So all that happened in that fit “
“A” bounced back interrupting “B”:: “ Stop all your cock & bull stories. I need you to convince me’ How to ask a question, understand !! ” OK , said “B” asking “A” “ Can I visit the church with you next Sunday ?”
“A” perceiving in his mind, this being a good chance to take revenge from his friend replied “ OK, but I will not talk, all talking you have to do without creating a scene in the cathedral”.
“Perfect “ said “B”.
Both friends with enthusiasm visited the church next Sunday “A” made “B” to take lead and he followed. “A” was to be the silent partner today. In fact he was itching to see how “B” behaves today. “ B” after some time told “A” to follow him to the father.
B” in a very respectful manner asked the priest “ Father , can I pray while , I am smoking”??
The priest apparently, pleased at this question, putting his both arms on 2 shoulders of ”B” , replied with compassion “ O’ yes my child, why not, there is no restrictions on when & where you pray, so long as you are praying with a pure heart “. He continued “ God always blesses those who approach him through prayers, for their well being” .
“B” felt obliged and profusely thanked father for his teachings in such an affectionate manner .
Both friends , after that, returned to their common meeting place.
Surprisingly “ B” never boasted to “A” of his great show today, that instead his body language, after the teachings from the priest with both his arms on the 2 shoulders of “B”, was making it evident that he is a changed person now.
“ A” obviously looking convinced, was requested by “B” :” Can I, now on join you to visit church every Sunday :”
“A” , aghast, stared at “B” from his toe to head, shook his friend holding both his shoulders , asked “ Are you feeling well my friend . Is everything fine with you ? “
“B” realizing the genuine astonishment of his friend , replied “ The teaching of the father today has opened my eyes. I give up my smoking today and if you permit me , I will join you to the church every Sunday “.
“A” with sparkling eyes, pulled “B” and hugged him very tightly and their friendship bond further strengthened , the two friends remained in their friendship lock for ever.
Hem Bhandari
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