story#1

THE MESSAGE FROM GOD

CHAPTER 1: Frasby becomes Sister Frasby

‘SHARE THE MESSAGE OF LOVE! SHARE THE MESSAGE OF GOD!’

Sister Frasby admiringly read it as she managed to hold the poster with both her hands. It had been placed in a cylindrical box and hence it was difficult to hold it straight. The poster was a rich ledger,     11” x 17”, finished with net binding internally. The glossy finish on the front made it attractive in light. There was a portrait of Lord Jesus in the background on the printed side which Sister Frasby noticed a little later. “Let’s attach it to my cupboard mother”, Sister Frasby told her mother while still looking at the poster. Soon the mother daughter duo neatly attached the poster on the cupboard door. Sister Frasby moved her hand on the poster in admiration. She loved the checkered feel which was due to the net binding. The shining glossy poster was strong enough to last for years.

The poster had been gifted to Sister Frasby by Sister Margaret, the eldest nun in the school. It was a habit of 71 year old Sister Margaret to gift posters with quote of Jesus to all those who came to join the convent. The 21 year old Sister Frasby was now the youngest nun in the school. She was given a room in the staff quarters where all nuns stayed. After working two years as a novice, Frasby now became Sister Frasby, joined the school, and embarked on the journey of service to humanity. 

It was not an easy childhood for Sister Frasby. Her father left her mother for another woman when she was 9. Since then, she had not seen her father and saw the pains her mother took to bring her up. Sister Frasby grew hating her father. She hated the concept of male dominance in society. She found solace in religious works in her convent school and gradually developed an aim to lead a life of a nun and serve the humanity. Her mother had a dream to settle her daughter’s life with a man of character and integrity. She felt that it would heal the scars of grief that Frasby’s father had given her. However, Frasby was a staunch opposer of marriage. She felt that marriage encouraged men to suppress women and eventually commit crimes against them. It was her dream to establish gender equality in the entire world. In 2012, Frasby decided to enroll as a novice, there was a huge conflict between the two women. Eventually Frasby’s mother gave in to her daughter’s decision of a tough life. In 2014, Frasby became Sister Frasby.

“I felt very proud of you when you took the vows Frasby”, her mother said looking at her daughter who was engrossed in the poster.

“Are you happy mother?” asked Sister Frasby changing her direction to her mother.

“I am the happiest Frasby”, her mother replied. “Oops.. I mean Sister Frasby!” Her mother chuckled. Both of them shared laughter. 

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All the nuns gathered at the chapel every evening. They did evening prayers and dinner together before heading for sleep. Sister Frasby had become close to Sister Margaret. She confided in her and found comfort in her guidance. One evening Sister Frasby found it difficult to do her prayers. The thought of her father took over her mind. She was unable to concentrate. It had been a sad day for her and she had that feeling of being an unlucky child of God. Her mind was playing games with her making her sadistic, bore!

“Sister Margaret, I cannot concentrate. When they say pray for all, I can’t. My father comes over my mind and my heart can’t pray. I don’t have the power to forget.” Sister Frasby confessed.

“My child, this is what prayer is. You seek forgiveness for all. It makes you stronger and wiser.” Sister Margaret explained.

“But I can’t. That feeling of prayer for all doesn’t come to me. My mind reminds me of an exception, my father. My prayer gets destroyed. I can only feel the lump of angst and nothing else.” Sister Frasby painfully confessed.

“Man is the most intelligent, but also the most foolish creation that God has made!” Sister Margaret said, now feeling the lump of angst that Sister Frasby had. 

“My child, when you pray forget everything. Close your eyes. Let your mind stop. Let the ears listen what it can listen. Let the nose smell what it can smell. And if thoughts come to mind, stop them. Just let your body free but mind still. Let there be no mind, only body! Enter the state of zero mind!” Sister Margaret said very slowly, very calmly.

“It will be difficult my child; but just follow it.” Sister Margaret concluded.

“Will this bring any justice to me and my mother!” Sister Frasby exclaimed disheartenedly.

Sister Margaret (laughed) said, “What do you think will bring you justice?” Sister Frasby had no answer. Her head bent low.

Sister Margaret continued, “My child, have faith in the almighty! Don’t have hatred for your father. You never know what may be his mindset. Instead, use your life’s opportunity to teach the school kids the values you feel enlightened to. Teach the kids the importance of gender equality. Teach the boys that it is important to respect women. Spread the message of God, of love my child!”

Sister Frasby was relieved. She was lightened. She felt blessed!

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CHAPTER 2: The rape

One year later, March 2015, darkness loomed large across the convent. Large thundering clouds and lightening storm had replaced the serene sky of God. The blessing hand of God over the school suddenly disappeared as fate took an ugliest; most shocking turn in the lives of nuns. Their mentor, their guide, Sister Margaret was lying unconscious injured in a hospital. She was brutally gang-raped in the wee hours of a morning when she tried to prevent a group of thugs from looting the school. The violent gang turned evil as they oppressed the septuagenarian Sister Margaret by raping her.

The senior most officials, in no time, declared a holiday for all the students and all the staff members, teaching and non-teaching. The officials got their hands on CCTV footage from the library camera. The video clearly shown four individuals walking past the school library before the video went corrupted. Additionally, three sisters were found tied tightly with a rope. Administrative funds were looted and a mobile phone along with a laptop was taken away. Sister Margaret was allegedly raped when she tried to stop the miscreants, believed to be 8 to 12 men, from stealing from the school. 

As the news starting to spread, the nuns became very sad. The incident was sudden. No one was prepared for such an ill-fated event in their holy place. The sisters were in grief as if Sister Margaret had passed away. Even if she had not, would she ever live with same spirits she had before this brutality! The shocking incident had the potential of causing more pain to the nuns than the death of Sister Margaret. What if she never wakes from unconsciousness! What if she is reduced to a rotten state needing a care taker for the rest of her life! The nuns were traumatized praying that the outcome of the incident be as less an extreme as it can be.

When Sister Frasby came to knew of the horror, she found herself in an uncivilized world. A world where crime such as rape is committed and that too against a septuagenarian! Sister Frasby did not drown in agony and saddening thoughts on what consequences the incident will have on beloved Sister Margaret’s life. It was as if Sister Frasby expected the male gender to be this much pathetic. As the news started spreading the town, the students got involved. They started protesting outside the school. Against the oppressors, against the police, against the government! The intensity of ‘WE WANT JUSTICE’ movement started increasing as the hours passed by. Seeing such angst among students, the people in general, Sister Frasby too became red-boiled. The grunt was against the government, the law makers, the law keepers, the law safe-guarders, everyone! 

No sooner, the media got involved. The news was all over the news-channels on TV, radio, social media, and what not! Noon had passed. Sooner it was time for sun set. The protests had not stopped. Sister Frasby had not eaten anything since she woke up to the news in the morning. She, along with all other nuns, had hardly followed any routine. But that did not mean no work. It actually meant the opposite. Sister Frasby’s mind had already drained more than the usual. Slowly, she had started channelizing her anger she had on the rapists in the morning. She decided to not lose her calm due to anger. The support of the people on social media, their voices against evil had only encouraged her to stay strong. Whenever she felt helpless, Sister Frasby remembered Sister Margaret, her teachings. 

All the school officials, the nuns were proud that the students had continued the protests even in the evening. Some parents had even joined their wards. Sister Frasby had maintained a calm mind till now. At random, an idea stuck Sister Frasby. She decided to deal everything in a peaceful Gandhian way. When you sit alone, with a calm mind, your mind gives you some brilliant strategies. The same happened. Suddenly out of the blue, Sister Frasby remembered that Steve Jobs had once said that he lives each day of his life as if it is his last. This allows him to follow his heart, most truly. This makes sure that doesn't have any regrets later. Following suit, Sister Frasby decided that she would deal everything considering what Mahatma Gandhi would have done had he be in her place. This convinced her that she will not do anything stupid in anger. She resolved that she will live her life like Mahatma Gandhi and eliminate gender in-discrimination from this world.  

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CHAPTER 3: The news show

A popular news show invited Sister Frasby to participate in a debate which was to be live telecasted within few hours. The debate was on the increasing rape cases reported in the country. Sister Frasby felt an initial win-win as she got a chance to place her views on TV which the entire nation will hear. The resolve to perform like the Gandhi, stay calm like the Gandhi was apparent.

Sister Frasby, Mr. Shashikant Rane (an expert in sex-crime psychology), Mr. Ashok Dande (former Chief Justice of India), spokespersons of all major political parties and a few more people relevant to the incident joined the show host for the heated debate. The show host began by giving the details of the sad rape case of Sister Margaret in more depth. He told the viewers that the 72 year old nun was still unconscious; the police are still on the hunt of 4 men caught on CCTV footage. Additionally, the students of the school are doing heavy protests demanding speedy trial and justice in the case. Also the show host gave the details of the comments that the chief-minister of the state had made on the incident. The debate began with the recalling of the nirbhaya case of Dec 2012 of India.

Calm, focused, determined Sister Frasby directed her attacks on the patriarch society, the judgment of courts in India. “Sadly, we Indians have not improved our society even after the nirbhaya case. In less than 3 years, there is a case of rape against a nun. That too, a 70 year old nun! The men accused in the nirbhaya case have not yet been hanged even after the judgment was made long ago. How will the culprits fear if the law gives such a free hand to evil!” exclaimed Sister Frasby.

Mr. Ashok Dande expressed regrets on the slowness of decisions taken by courts. He briefed the viewers on some of the aspects of judiciary of the country. He said that in a democratic nation of India, every accused has a right to make an appeal to hold his execution. This kind of stays on verdict takes long time because the accused can keep on appealing till there is no further chance of judgment going in his favor.  Mr. Ashok Dande said that India follows the principle of tolerance in justice. The four accused in the nirbhaya case had appealed for a stay on their execution. But there was no decision from the Supreme Court yet. The case has not moved an inch since then. Mr. Ashok Dande said that though such huge delays are not justified, the Supreme Court is so bogged down with cases that if an accused by the lower court applies for a bail from the Supreme Court, there are about 5000 such applications in queue before him. There is no surprise that implementation of punishments to criminals in India take ages!

Sister Frasby understood Mr. Ashok Dande's viewpoint and the reasons why judgment takes long time. 

At one point in the show, Sister Frasby expressed, “Is our society so male biased that elders teach boys to rape to satisfy sexual urge! Do women always have to suppress to men’s wishes? Clearly, there has to be a solution for such a thought process which is deadly a pandemic issue.”

Mr. Shashikant Rane gave some enlightening points on the mindset of men charged with cases of sexual crimes against women on the news show. “While it was believed that sexual urge was the reason behind rapes, it is only a case in a few minorities of cases. Majority of rapes happen when the boy wants to display power, a control over the female. When men want to have sex with women without their consent, it is to justify that men are superior. It is to justify that men will always control the relation with a women and not the opposite.” “Some rapists commit the crime because they believe they have done it (‘steal’ the virginity) from the women. Now the woman cannot enjoy her societal life.” “Some men who have been bought up in the background of extreme violence against women end up sexually harassing women because it gives them the feeling that they have grown up.” “There is no single thumb rule to identify the mindset of a rapist!” These were some of the quotes of Mr. Shashikant Rane on the show.

Sister Frasby understood that it was not sexual urge that men committed rape. It is psychological problems with these men. But she really wanted to end gender inequality, gender discrimination, sexual crimes from world. Understanding that it was not easy, she did not want to just up. She wanted an absolute solution.

The show concluded with the host saying, “The dirty weeds of patriarchal society cannot be eliminated in a short span. Everybody of us will have to come together and sow the seeds of gender equality, of modern thoughts and teach our kids that our nation will grow only when our women are respected.”

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CHAPTER 4: The conflict of emotions

Sister Frasby returned home. She had mixed feelings. She realized how tough it was to be a Gandhian. ‘It is not as simple as to pick up the right and leave the wrong from the option of two! Life is much more complex!’ her heart whispered to her.

Sister Frasby was so determined to remove male dominance from the society that her mind tried to oppose Mr. Shahikant Rane’s views and also the principles of the judiciary of India. But the 22 year old was not satisfied with the response her mind was giving. It was like everything on the opposite made sense in some way or the other. ‘Or is that all the people have become manipulative?’ her mind asked. ‘They have become used to the age old followings. They have probably given in to the poisonous attitude that men are always superior to women and it will always be this way! And they are giving excuses. Because the change is tough! People have found comfort in the immoral world they have been living in. And they are reluctant to leave the cocoon that has been created over years, ’she thought. 

‘The only way to remove the evil from people is by giving it your all! You have to show the mankind the path of God, the path towards a world free from gender discrimination! You should join the protests, observe hunger strike! Only then will the dirt filled ears of jury listen to the protests and deliver justice!’ said one part of her mind.  Sister Frasby was scared by the thought of sacrifice. The lump of fear, the lump of pressure to do something superimposed the lump of anger she had on the rapists. ‘But you will have to leave the order of the church! You won’t be able to follow the vows you took shall you decide to sacrifice everything for the fight,’ said another part of her mind giving her a jerk. 

“Be the change you want to see the world!” Sister Frasby remembered the words of the Mahatma. ‘She will have to walk on the bed of burning coal if she has to bring the change. It will probably take her entire life for the fruits of change to bear. It took infinite struggle for Mohandas Gandhi to become the Mahatma, endless sacrifice to teach the world non-violence. Probably it was the call of Jesus that it was her turn to be the Mahatma! She will have to give her all for the universal establishment of gender equality. She will have to sow the seeds now so that the world could live in the heaven of gender in-discrimination ages later. Probably Jesus wants her to sacrifice her life for this cost. No matter the path is the toughest, but this is the only path. No shortcuts!’ her mind convinced her.

Sister Frasby felt the pressure of her thoughts. She could feel the fear. The fear of being alone, the fear of walking the path of God! She realized the fear her mother had gone through when she had told her about her decision to become a nun. She could now understand the insecurities her mother had back then. Sister Frasby was bogged down with so much of intense thoughts. She had not slept for the past 16 hours. She just lay on her bed. Though she did not intend, she fell asleep. 

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It was 4 am. The alarm of Sister Frasby’s mobile phone started ringing, an everyday affair. Sister Frasby woke up on the sound attentively, her eyes opening almost instantly. Within duration of seconds, her mind recalled the sad incident of Sister Margaret. Sister Frasby, awake from a deep sleep, was back into the vicious world her life was undergoing. She realized that it was morning and it was time she usually started her everyday routine. Her mind started casting a web of thoughts that had started trapping Sister Frasby since she returned from the news show. She recalled that she will have to abandon her life of service as a nun and embrace the life of even more greater struggle for the cause that had haunted her since she was 9. She recalled that she had decided to live a life like Mahatma Gandhi in the night. 

Sister Frasby did her morning prayer. She was unable to concentrate. Her mind playing the game with her! She was clueless on what to begin, where to begin, how to begin! Soon her mother came to her room in the staff quarters. Her mother bought some breakfast to eat together. Sister Frasby’s mother was anxious about her state of mind so she decided to have breakfast with her and spend some time with her. Her mother said, “I am proud of you dear. You put up some eye-opening thoughts on the news show so maturely. You were non-violent. Jesus resided in you.” After a pause she continued, “The school needs bold souls like you. Your responsibility towards school and church grows even more now. You have to show the world that the school will not shut down by the acts of evil people. It will continue to preach the message of love to the kids and build a better tomorrow for them. You now have to work for the mission of Sister Margaret’s even more strongly!”

Sister Frasby said “Yes mother!” She didn’t have any expression. She didn’t tell her mother the thought that occurred to her in the night. The thought of sacrificing everything and walking on the path of endless struggle till women biased crimes are completely eliminated. Till she eliminates every sign of patriarchal society! 

The mind is a funny thing humans have got. Suddenly Sister Frasby recollected an incident of 2014. The trustees of the school admitted a boy to the next level even though he had failed his exams. The boy was from the family of a local corporate, and heavy donations were paid for his un-detainment. 

Shri Anna Hazare was the pillar behind the passing of the lokpal bill in the parliament. The bill had only recently passed in the parliament in 2014 that time. Anna Hazare, a Gandhian, attracted supports from all over India in his anti-corruption movement in 2011. Now in 2014, when the bill was passed, the same common man did not shy from corruption. No sooner there was already an incident of corruption in school. Sister Frasby’s mind asked, ‘Was Anna Hazare’s (a follower of Gandhi) efforts useless?’ 

Seeing Sister Frasby lost, her mother asked, “Where are you lost my child? Are you feeling okay?” “Nothing”, Sister Frasby replied. Sister Frasby was again lost in thoughts related to Shri Anna Hazare and corruption in school. ‘In 2014, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi; the former supporters of Anna Hazare did not agree on the bill which was passed. The ties were broken. There has definitely not been complete removal of corruption in the nation after the bill. The roots are very much there. Were Anna Hazare’s efforts incomplete? Will my efforts bear results? Will there ever be complete removal of gender discrimination from its roots?’ continued the mind of young Sister Frasby. She remembered that she had gone to Sister Margaret and told her that she was depressed on hearing that the boy was admitted to next level even though he had failed. The act of corruption in school had disturbed Sister Frasby. Sister Margaret had answered her, “When a person does his duties with conscience, he follows the path of God! When he loses his conscience, the evil takes over!” 

‘But what was the solution of avoiding evil to take over the minds of people?’ Sister Frasby’s mind asked itself. Now Sister Frasby started doubting that walking on the path of Gandhiji was not the solution. She started doubting herself. Her mind was asking several questions. With no answers, Sister Frasby decided to shut her mind completely and lay on the lap of her mother.

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CHAPTER 5: The message from God

Soon, there was a phone call from the hospital. Everyone was anxiously waiting for this. Sister Margaret had gained consciousness. The doctors had successfully performed the surgery and Sister Margaret was out of danger now. Sister Margaret had requested to see Sister Frasby and all other nuns. 

It was nearly 36 hours after the incident that Sister Margaret was ok. She spent some time with her closed ones. Sooner she sent out the message to the media.

“I am grateful to my lord Jesus! I seek forgiveness for my oppressors. I seek forgiveness for all. But I am worried about the security of my school, of my kids.” Sister Margaret’s statement read.

Everyone was obviously shocked that Sister Margaret asked forgiveness for the rapists. A majority admired the sacredness of her soul. “Such is the serenity of a great soul!” a parent was quoted.

Sister Frasby too never imagined this. Forgiveness! She returned home from hospital, knowing that she has got her answer. Only that she was not recognizing it. ‘What I was thinking of becoming the next Gandhi! I never even thought of forgiveness. I never even forgot my own father. I don’t even come close to the greatness of Sister Margaret. The symbol of purity! But how do I live a life of example? How do I live the life based on values that I believe? How do I make people believe the importance of these values?’

Sister Frasby reached her home. Her mind was still unsatisfied. Searching for that concise point! That perfect answer her heart was seeking! This is when her head turned towards her cupboard and her sight towards the poster that gave her the answer:

‘SHARE THE MESSAGE OF LOVE! SHARE THE MESSAGE OF GOD!’ 

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Note: The story is fiction. But in March 2015, a 72 year old nun was raped in a school in West Bengal. She asked for forgiveness for her oppressors. This story is my tribute to the divine soul. The names of characters in the story are pure fiction.

Let's teach our kids the importance of women in our society. Let's pray that a heinous crime like rape gets completely eliminated from this world.

Thank You!