BMH Connect Second Issue

IY
English short story
competition
It was a rainy day, making wild the nature with thunder and storms. There sits a
2 nd Prize
Beard
Elizabeth Varkey
Associate Professor
pretty little girl, Sangreal in front of her hut. Her eyes seemed to be weary and her
clothes were fully dirty with mud and was torn. She hasn't taken food since three
days and was all alone at home. She was crying and her heart seemed to be worried
as she was awaiting somebody at her door. The rain drops were flashing on to her
face, but was still looking on to the road to hear the footsteps, as if she was
expecting somebody.
She has lost her parents two months back in a flood which had made her life
miserable. She was in the pits of pain and had no interest in anything nor did she
want to live. She remembered the days that she spend with her parents, the lovely
golden days. Days passed by, mourning and cursing her faith, came the fabulous
days of Christmas. She went back to the day where her parents decorated their
houses with lights and stars. The jingle bells echoed her ears, the beautiful nights in
songs. She couldn't bear the pain as she burst out in tears.
She planned to end her life as she felt all alone. It was a Christmas eve. She thought
of going to Church and pray to God to forgive herself for the decision she has
taken. The church door was decorated beautifully, with some words in a board.
With fearing eyes and shivering hands she read the verses written there. It stated
that 'Today is Christmas, and the old man in
white beard is waiting to give you a gift'….
The White
Rope to Life
'Don't worry'… 'I am there'…
She felt somewhat lightened in her heart, stood
still, closed her lovely eyes and prayed that, 'I
am alone in this world and I don't want to live
anymore. Kindly forgive me as I am eagerly
waiting to join my parents at heaven'. She immediately ran out to the hill tops. Her
eyes were overflowed with tears and her heart beats were beating hard. The valley
under the hill was glittering with the light of stars. With her eyes closed, she
jumped down from the hill top. She was flying deep in to the pits, suddenly her
dress caught in the branches of a tree. She was struggling hard to release herself but
her efforts were in vain. She cried louder asking for help, but no one answered.
Suddenly she saw a soft white rope, handing down asking her to hold it and climb
up. She was confused. She caught on to the white raid rope and managed to come
up to the hill top. While searching there she identified that it was the long white
beard of the Santa Claus braided finely, which came to save her. Suddenly the Santa
vanished, leaving a note 'Life is precious. You are the gifted life of God, you have
many things to do in your life,… there are miles to go before you sleep'.
The little girl looked here and there, but couldn't find him. The braided long white
beard showed a path to a place, where she found a house decorated with stars, lights
and illuminations. She stepped into the house in surprise and found this braided
beard curled around on the corner of the house. A box decorated in beautiful paper
was found lying near to it. She managed to open the box with an anxious and
fearful heart. While she unwrapped the box, found a button. She rotated it, suddenly
a voice waved out saying, I am your lovely beard, I will be there with you
throughout your life as I have no death.
The little girl was overwhelmed with joy and confidence feeling that she was not all
alone. She decided to obey the words of Santa, and lived happily with a thankful
heart loving and helping the needy.