Meena Mangalathil:

Chapter - 3 “Actually, what was the reason that Sanjo couldn’t ask anything?” Rafael smiled. “Beauty.” “Beauty? Rafael please say it clearly.” “The lady standing in front was the most beautiful one, Sanjo had ever set eyes upon.” “Well, that’s natural because, he has no opportunity to see a woman at sea.” All nodded. “Yes, its true, Mathew. Now, there is one difference, there are two types of beauty, skin deep and soul deep?” “Oh Wow!! that’s cool. But what is the difference?” “Well, skin deep beauty, is just beauty which deteriorates as time passes. It can be kept intact only with regular make up  and the soul deep beauty, stays till the very end of time, there is no need of make up.” “I’d rather have the soul deep one, at least I can save on make up.” All smiled. “That’s a wise thinking Rebecca and it is easy to achieve too.” “Really, hey guys sorry eh. I really would like to know how I can make myself beautiful.” “No problem

Chapter - 2 “Rafael, what did Alfonso see?” “He saw a dismembered body of a man, with full consciousness.” “You mean, the legs and hands cut off?” “Exactly” “Oooo….h my God. But Rafael, why should Alfonso be shocked at seeing this sight? He usually kills people?” “Well, Alfonso never killed people, Monica. He would never harm anyone in the process of looting. He usually locks them in a room and takes off their valuables but if there is surplus food and water, they would take some and. they never attacked cruise ships. They targeted only cargo ships.” “That’s a relief.” All nodded. “Then what happened?” “He immediately called the other crew members and they all arrived quickly. Sanjo lighted his torch and lighted all the lamps. Since these people knew, the basic first aid, they immediately got to work, first placing the sick man in a safe and comfortable place, as he had to wait till the current situation is rectified.” All nodded “Ra

Chapter - 1 “Rafael, I would like to become an astronaut, what should I do?” All smiled. “Its good to have an aim in life Ajay, but there are things, first you should know before you think of a goal?” “Really, that I didn’t know.” All nodded. “Yes Mark, the best way to make you known your aim is through a story.” “Great Rafael, we are ready.” All nodded. “Once upon a time, there lived a Pirate, named Alfonso, who wanted to help the poor.” “Rafael, a pirate is a man who loots. He is not a saint and you say, he wants to help poor. Really Rafael, you have really a weird sense of imagination.” All smiled. “Thanks for the compliment, Mark. But it is true, this pirate wanted to help the poor, but circumstances forced him to loot. So he had been looting from age 12. He was never able to get out of this web. Every sleeping hour and the waking hour, the first thought was help the poor.” “But Rafael, in water, where is the poor, except the people

(64) “Well how was your day children, anything new happened?” “Rafael, one of my classmate’s mother was thrown out, but the family says she left. But why is it so Rafael? Which is the truth?” “Well it’s a sad thing, I’m sorry to hear it. I’ll say a story, are you ready to hear?” All nodded. Once upon a time, there was a man, named Asif who collected beautiful things, it was so rare and very beautiful, that it was worth his money and energy. So one day, one of his friends Jameel happened to see this collections and wished he had one and he asked directly to Asif, since Jameel was his friend, he consented to give him, whatever he wishes to have it. So Jameel said, that he would select it the next day.” “If I were in Jameel’s place, I’d have selected done then and there or else, if Asif would change his mind next day, its gone, what do you think Rafael.” All nodded. “Well, if I were in Jameel’s place, I’d never ask Rebecca. I fell its not fair to Asif. How mu

(63) “Rafael, tomorrow is International Woman’s Day and we have celebrations in our school. Since you are a man, what do you think of this celebration? Is it really necessary?” “ Well Monica, that’s a good thought to have. I’ll say a story, where you’d know, what difference it makes.” All nodded. “Once upon a time, there was a tree which bore fruits abundantly.” All nodded. “But the speciality of the tree was , it bore several types of fruits.” “Rafael, that’s extending our imagination to a no man’s land.” All smiled. “I know Mathew, anyway hear it.” All nodded. “No problem, Rafael, go on.” “OK Thanks. So to the story. Since this tree had several fruits, everyone was attracted to it and the people of the village took the seed of the tree. So that they could have the same tree, in their own yard, front or back.” “But there is one confusion Rafael, it has several fruits, then which would produce the tree which bears the whole lot of fruits?”

(62) “Hi guys!!!!!!!!!! So what news today? How was your day today?” “One of my friend’s parent died, Rafael. Her mother was suffering from cancer for sometime. But she was inconsolable today. I do not know why, but I felt it was not fair for the child. It was really heart rending Rafael.” “The lady was very spiritual too Rafael, and still, how did she contract the disease? I do not know, seeing all this, our little faith would go into thin air. What do you think Rafael?” “I’m really sorry to hear about your friend’s situation, Rebecca and regarding faith in God, well we’ll have to look into it. Is it so delicate to go off thin air. Are you in a mood to hear a story?” “Yes please, Rafael” All nodded. “Good, now make yourself comfortable.” All nodded and sat on the grass, some stretched their legs. Some folded, according to their comfort. “Long time back, in a boarding house, there was a girl of age 14, her name was Kalpana. She was actually an orph