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Preface
Our life is full of unexpected events,
acquaintances, surprises! Sometimes it seems to us that we fail, but later we realize that any change ends well! Some years ago, I came across a statement in a book. It says that our dreams come true in the most unexpected time, and in the most unplanned way! Wish you all patience to wait for your dreams come true! Night. It was pleasantly quite everywhere despite the rain. It seemed like the rain was singing just to celebrate the moments of rest. There was nobody at the street, besides darkness. The light from the rooms of the houses lay on the asphalt, as if they had been illuminating the dancing of the rain on the stage. All the streets, which are usually crowded during the day, were empty now. It seemed like that the light was fighting with the darkness of the night under the rain…
Everybody was sleeping. Only the moon was
watching everything from far away. Only the voice of the crying child spoilt the dead of night. Nevertheless it was not the baby`s fault that her mother gave her a birth at midnight but why did the baby burst into tears? Maybe she was unhappy because of her mother`s death at the time of the birth. Perhaps, she had already understood that she had just lost her dearest person in the world or it was too cold for the newborn child. It was possible that the baby wanted somebody to take her in his hands and take care of her.
I am awfully sorry that I have completely
forgotten about the baby`s father! He was about thirty, but looked much older than her age. His long beard and hair made him even older. However, it was not so important now. His wife was dead! It was so impossible for him to believe it that he hoped that her wife would stand up now and they would go on living their happy life together.
-My love! Do you remember that you asked
me if I loved you or not, but I avoided answering your question at that moment. Alas! If that time came back, I would never miss my chance to say-“I love you!” I always thought that you knew everything about my feelings! You were my life, but why didn`t I tell you about it? I realize that my tears can`t change anything. With these words he took her wife`s right hand and kissed it, but the tears were not going to cease. Unable to move he put his head on her bed. At that moment, all of his feelings and emotions turned into something like bomb and made caused him to cry more and more loudly. Men don`t prefer to cry under any kinds of circumstances, but now nobody was listening to him besides the abandoned on her own baby. The whole house consisted of only one little and almost destroyed by a great number of times of rain and snow room, which was full of love and happiness until his wife left them forever! This little apartment was lit with the thunder time by time. Only then, we could see that everything was in mess. The rain found its way through the holes of the roof. The only dry and whole thing in the room was the bookshelf on the left from the dead woman`s bed and which covers the entire wall. Each shelf was full of books. Despite the dust on the books, which affirmed that nobody had paid attention to poor books for ages, the bookshelf seemed perfectly clean. If the woman were alive she would wonder, or might be annoyed with the careless attitude towards the order in the house, as she had always taken care of her house. For her husband everything about the room lost its meaning. The news about the death stroke him as the lightening. He was seized by anger and began to throw anything his hands could reach. The broken and spread all over the floor pieces of the dishes could say that the message got him lose control. Using the case that the owner was too engaged two rats were walking looking for something to eat through the house calmly! Unbelievable! Even these brainless beings understood what happened and used it perfectly, but for the woman`s husband the bed in the middle in front of the window was the only center of the whole universe. He forgot about both his newly born daughter and the house. It seemed to him that everything was over. Some minutes ago, the man supposed that he would never stop crying but now they came to the end. It was so strange. He intended to cry, and get rid of the horrible truth in this way. No! He couldn`t manage it any more. With the heart full of anger, anxiety, sorrow he remembered the God.
-My God! You know that my life and I had
always believed in happy life that would start one day. Were we born only for the challenges of life? Maybe you created us only just to make us suffer! Why do we need such kind of life? You said yourself that you would give us if we asked. We always wanted to be happy. We wished to become together all our life. Why did you not hear us? Was it my mistake to address to you? Why? Why aren`t listening to me? We have always obeyed every of your rule. Where did I mistake? What is my fault and what is my wife`s sin? Tell me! If you really exist, talk to me! Help me. He shouted as loudly as he could, but only the thunder, the rain and his two-year-old daughter heard it. He assumed that it was the ending of their life, but he couldn`t imagine that it was just the beginning actually, and what was waiting for him ahead.
Time passed. The man`s black hair turned
white. The little baby girl, who was abandoned in a cradle, turned into a pretty, seventeen-year-old-lady. Her father`s eyesight was growing poorer and poorer day by day. He was always sitting on the small and wooden chair near the only window of the room, his eyes fixed outside as if he had been waiting for somebody. Nothing had changed in his house since that difficult to both forget and remember time, when he lost his dear wife, if we didn`t consider the fact everything in the apartment was already out of date. The door creaked as his daughter was opening the door. The room was lit with a candle, as they had no electricity due to their debts. Virginia stepped in with a basket of wood tapped her legs on the doorstep to move the crusted snow from her dark shoes with patches where they were only possible. The door crunched once more and closed itself. -Dad, -she addressed to her father, -why have you not eaten your dinner yet? She came up to the fireplace and burnt fire to heat the room. Sitting in front of the fire, she turned her face to her father. He didn`t even move. -Dad, -she said once more. -Dad, do you hear me? –she decided to come closer to see if he was listening to her. -Yes, I heard. -Come, your dinner has already turned cold. I`ll heat it now. Her father sat at the table not because he was hungry, but he felt sorry for her young daughter. She was the dearest person for him in the world. It seemed that nobody could love and take care of him like his daughter. Time was flying and her face hair eyes even words reminded her mother more and more. -Here is your dinner! –said she handing him a spoon into his hand. With his trembling hands, he began his dinner. How pleasant it is when you have something hot in cold weather. It seemed like he relived from the first spoon of the food. -When I see you, I always remember your mother: even the meal you cook is similar to hers. I know that she is living on in you. -Maybe, you missed her so much lately, therefore, you said so. Dad, I know that it is complicated, but life is going on, please, don`t forget about it. I`m not going to say to forget her. No! I mean we must live even happier instead of her too. Everything can be changed in a moment, don`t lose your hope for future and you must know that I love you, Daddy! -Thanks, -said her father hugging Virginia. He couldn`t even imagine how true Virginia`s words were. Father and daughter were sitting in their tiny room safely, but something was happening above at that very moment: -This man looked much older than his age as if he was ready to die tomorrow. -His mind abandoned him with his wife when she left this world. Since, that time his body has existed on earth like a doll. -Dear God! Is it really the end of his life? Then, why did you not take his spirit away with his wife? -You don`t know what I know! This man needs his daughter in that world more than here. The very time when their lives will change is near. -We are angels. We always remember that everything is in your hands. Let ask one question! -Of course, you may. -How are you going to help them? Will they find some treasure? -No! -Then, is it possible that they will move away? -No, it`s not a good idea! -Will his daughter get married to a handsome rich prince, and become happy together? -I can give them anything you told, but that is not what they wanted indeed. The matter is that they must understand what the meaning of life is and how all of the rules of this world work. They need our help. -Well! Are you going to come up to them yourself? -Certainly, not! Anyway, I`m sure that one of you can do it instead of me. -I`ve never doubted about your decisions, but you do know that people go mad, if they hear our voice without seeing our bodies. -I didn`t say that you would go there invisible like ghosts. One of you will go down to them as a human. Michael, you can fulfil this task. -Everything will be carried out as you told, Your Highness! -As a result of the loss, they didn`t even notice the signs I hinted at. They always ask, and don`t receive what they pray for! There is one way only: you will go down and explain that I`m able to help them if only they trust in me! -There is no doubt that you`re aware of what we aren`t. can you explain me what to do more plainly? -Sure! Michael was listening to God with great attention. He fixed the order of tasks on earth in his mind.
Meanwhile our man and his dear sister were
busy in their poorly furnished accommodation. When Virginia put an old but warm scarf over her father`s shoulders, he came to himself and realized that he was half asleep. His face blushed from the fire in the fireplace. At the same time, it was the fire, which livened him up. There was something in his mind which he couldn`t solve at all: “Why was he alive after all?” “What is the meaning to live on without his wife?” “What was he supposed to carry out before leaving this world with all of its honest and dishonest people, luck and fail, up and downs?”
-Dad, -distracted his attention Virginia. –
What is going on in your mind? If you don`t want to tell me, no matter what you are so worrying about, anyway, I believe that everything is going to be ok. Trust me! I miss my mother whom I`ve never seen. I`ll never forget her. Nevertheless, we must also keep on going ahead. I don`t think that she`ll be glad to see us suffering.
-Yes, you are right, -said her father and tears
beamed on his eyes. –I want you to be happy. I`m too old to be with for a long time, or what`s more, help you. Don`t sacrifice your life for me. Live your own full-of-happiness- life. You deserve it, my honey. Virginia knelt near him, and put her hand on theirs kissing them, and crying silently.
-You`ll be with me, Dad! I won`t let you go
anywhere. -Of course. Wherever I`m I`ll always be in your heart, -replied her father and kissed her head slowly. Who knows how long they would cry if nobody tapped on their door. Virginia took control first and asked wiping her eyes: -Who`s there? From such kind of a pleasant soft and charming voice, the angel was so impressed that he stood there for a while uncertain to knock on the door once more or not. On hearing that voice for the second time courage returned to him. -Can I talk to you, if you don`t mind? –said the voice at the door. The door crunched and two couples of eyes met on the doorway. -Hello, young lady! -Hello! -I`m awfully sorry for disturbing you! I lost my horse, which was supposed to take me to the station. Unfortunately, my wallet was in the bag on the horse, besides, I don`t know anybody here. Can you do a favor me to stay in your house for some days until I find my lost horse? I promise that I`ll substitute my living and food here.
There was a little pause and they stood
gazing at each other`s eyes. -Young lady, did you hear me? –the guest relived. -What? –asked she blushing. – Hmmm. I live with my father. I should consult him. Please, wait for a minute! –added Virginia and closed the door. She came up to her father and looking at his questioning face, tried to foresee if he`ll agree this strange visit or not. At last his father`s patience came to an end. -Who was there, Virginia? What did you talk about with him? -Father, -started she with hope. One gentle man, who came in an unplanned, difficult situation, asked us to stay here for some days. He also promised to pay for everything. What do you think I should answer him? -Oh. It`s so sudden! –her father thought. –We have no money left to live on. Maybe God sent him to us knowing and seeing everything. There is nothing bad to allow him to live with us. -Let him in Virginia –said he at last. She was so pleased that she didn`t notice how quickly she ran to the door. Catching her father`s eyes on herself she stopped at the door and opened the door slowly with a smile on her lips. -Come in, please! -Oh. Thank you very much. -You are likely to have a cold. -Yes. As you see it`s terribly freezing outside. Good evening Sir –addressed he to Virginia`s father. –I beg you for pardoning me for inconveniences, but there was no way for me. -Never mind! Welcome to our house. I can`t say our house is luxurious, but I`m sure you`ll feel comfortable here with us. Mr? -Oh, I`m so sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. Michael Robinson. -Nice to meet you, Mr Robinson. My name is Jack and this is my daughter Virginia. -I`m so glad to see you. -And me too, Mr Robinson. -No, no. Please call me just Michael. -Ok, Michael. Maybe you are hungry. Do you want something? -Oh, I`ll be very grateful to you -Sit down here, please -she pointed at the chair near the fireplace and in front of his fathers`. -What do you do Michael? -Oh, I am a trader. I go in for commerce of jewelry. My job requires me to go from one place to another one a lot. -You must be very rich then, -laughed Father. -I was, but everything changed today. I think you should thank for that you`re alive and healthy. -You`re right. To tell the truth there always happen some unexpected situations, but I`ve learnt to overcome those challenges by smiling and with calm mind. -You`re like you had been travelling a lot, -said Virginia bringing a plate of soup to their guest. -How did you know about it? -I understood it when you told me that you moved from one place to another because of your business. -Oh. I`ve completely forgot about it. You are very attentive. -Thank you. Yes. Indeed, I love travelling more than anything in the world. -So, what kind of cities have you been? -My best times passed in London, New York, Paris. -Parle france? I don`t, but do you speak French? -No. As you notice, we have a great deal of books here. They are my world. Sometimes I wish to appear in one of those beautiful islands described in the books. Oh, I`m sorry I`ve distracted. -No. On the contrary, I like listening to you. Do you have any favorite books? -Yes, one, but it`s a long story. -I`d listen to it with pleasure. -There were two girls in one family. The girls were twins, but their characters differ. -So, what did you mean when you said that their characters differ? -The eldest of them was Alice, the other – Emma. Alice was hardworking and self- confident. On the contrary, one could describe Emma as lightminded, aimless though she was funny and kind. -Oh, this story took me aback. Pray, go on!
-So, the girls grew up. Time passed and it
was time for them to enter the University. Both of them chose the same place to study. They both got ready for the entrance exams, but in different ways: Alice concentrated all of her attention on her studies forgetting about anything apart from the exams and preparation. Emma wanted to become a student, but it`s a pity, dreaming about something isn`t enough to achieve it. Listening to her favorite bands, chatting, visiting parties, and birthdays attracted Emma more than reviewing the difficult materials, which seemed to her impossible to memorize. At that moment, something rang. Both Michael and Virginia turned to that sound and saw that her father was standing right behind them. -It`s too late. Don`t you want to go to bed? – asked he. -Oh. You`re right, -said Michael looking at his watch. -Oh, of course. Good night, Michael! -Have a nice dream! I`ll be waiting for the end of the story counting every second, -said Michael saying good night. -So will I, -agreed Virginia.
It was impossible to imagine three people
sleeping in a room where there is no bed, no sofa, except the floor and pillows. Fortunately, the warm clothes saved them. Mr….placed in the middle of the room. Michael and Virginia – on the left and right sides. When Mr. … fell asleep, their eyes found each other to give a smile. The day was so tiresome that both of them couldn`t help closing their eyes, even though their souls were against it. Nature never betrays its rules, even people obey it intentionally or unwillingly. If one tries to unfollow a rule of it, he may harm himself first of all. Times passed without changing, but days and nights never stop alternating. Night is a chance to earn more energy, and be ready for a new day.
Have you ever noticed that you`ve been
sleeping for a long time? I – never. It doesn`t matter two hours or ten, anyway, it seems to me that I just close my eyes and open in a minute. The only difference is my body. It`s full of energy capable of doing anything in the mornings and exhausted at nights. I suppose a dream is our energizer.
The darkness left its place to the morning
everyone was asleep, apart from Michael. His eyes were shut, but his mouth was uttering something. He was praying! His thoughts, soul, mind were above. Therefore, he didn`t notice Virginia standing beside him. -May God save you! –said Virginia smiling. -I wish you the same! –answered Michael, turning to her. –You look even more beautiful today! Looking into her eyes, he understood that he was falling in love with these eyes more and more each day! Despite his deep love for her, his task made him abstain him from touching her face, holding her hands. It was not the only reason for his sadness. Can an angel be with a human? He tried to avoid those thoughts. -You didn`t finish your story yesterday, -he found what to say at last. Virginia was confused and blushed catching herself staring at his eyes. She pretended thinking for a while and answered: -These two girls had the same opportunity to get ready. Nevertheless, Alice was able to enter the University while Emma couldn`t. What do you think what was the reason for it? -I suppose that Emma didn`t study well enough to pass the exam. -Yes, but it didn`t explain the reason completely. -Why? -Emma didn`t intend to enter the University as much as Alice did. Perhaps, she envied her elder sister. Sometimes it is very difficult to admit that a wish isn`t something you really want, but it`s an attempt to become like others. -If a wish is yours you can achieve it, otherwise, you fail. -You are right! I`m sure of this fact. -What do you really want? -Me? -If you don`t want to talk about it, I understand you. It`s Ok. -I don`t think that it is something to hide. It mostly reminds me a dream, rather than a wish! Something impossible! -What exactly? -Happiness! I want to be happy! I wish all of my problems and sorrow would disappear. -Then, what kind of life do you want? -The life full of love! -I promise that you`ll have this life. Promise! –said Michael holding her white and soft hands. -You don`t look like anyone I know. You are different! -You mean I`m good! -I mean you seem to me the purest and noblest man all over the world! -Do you believe me so much? -Is it bad? -No,-his words were interrupted by her father again. -Will we eat something for breakfast? -Certainly, I will prepare something now, -replied Virginia and came to the left corner for breakfast. At the same time, her mind was full of pleasant thoughts, which had never happened to her before. -Have you rested well? -Thank you. What about you? Is it convenient for you here? -Absolutely! -How are you going to search for your horse and lost things? -I don`t know yet! -You don`t know! How can you be so calm about it? Does it mean nothing for you? -On the contrary, it is the most important thing for me, but I`m not alone. God is with me. He will support me every time. He helps each of us! -Why do you trust in God so much? -Because, it is our creator! -And a killer! -What? No! You are wrong! -Really? Why did He kill my wife some years ago? -You know that we can`t live forever. Early or late we return to Him. -Then she returned too early! –said he moving his plate towards himself, which Virginia put on the table. The breakfast continued in silence. None of them was as thoughtful as Michael. He looked unsatisfied with the meal as he was looking at his plate with a spoon in his right hand. At least Virginia understood it so. -Do you not like potatoes? –her words prevented him from thinking. -No! I think it smells good! -Help yourself! -Thank you very much! After the breakfast Michael showed boredom as a reason and went to the library. He needed some time and a peaceful place to concentrate and arrange everything so that nobody would disturb him.
As he wished there was nobody in the library
except four students who were extremely busy reading. Michael chose the quitest place in the right corner to sit. Since he wasn`t going to attract others` attention, he took a book to his place pretending reading it, but what was going on in his mind was something different from Astrology.
Actually he came here to find answers to his
questions like “How can I help these two people?”, “What can I do so that they will be inspired to live a happy life?”
He noticed that his questions were
increasing. Therefore, he decided to write the most important ones on paper. He took a sheet of paper out of his pocket with a pen. First he hesitated what to write, but soon it was impossible to keep up with speed of appearance of questions in his head. Prescribing question wasn`t as helpful as he intended. However, searching for the reply he was able to clarify five-step-plan for himself.
Michael returned home as soon as he had
written his plan. His landlord and landlady were thinking that he ran away leaving them: -Good afternoon! The sky is cloudy! It`s going to rain, I`m afraid. -What? –asked Virginia. –Oh, my God! -What? Why are you so frightened? -We must have repaired our roof, but… I can`t imagine what we`ll do in rain. -I know your house is dear to you. Anyway, I would be glad if you visited my house. -Do you have a house? -Of course! It`s much farther from here than you can imagine. That`s why, I`ll show it when we get. We can leave right now.
The father and daughter were not fond of
unarranged journeys. Perhaps, the reason was the clear destination and companion, which made their travelling less fearsome. Everyone took, chose his or her favorite from tours. Someone like observing, watching, others – learning, investigating different places, a group of other people want to find more friends.
Virginia got on the train for the first time, so
everything was different. It seemed to Virginia that the train was taking her away from her old house with its hopeless scenery and her sad memories, endless thoughts.
Her father was happy to go out somewhere
apart from the shop. This journey was nothing, but a change in his life. The more Virginia wanted the tour to last, the sooner it was finishing. What can we do? We aren`t rulers over time. It goes no matter we want it or not.
At last they arrived. When they got off the
train, they felt exhausted after two hours of travelling. On the other side, they were suffering from the burning sun. Virginia was happy for the hot weather, especially when she came from the cold country. However, he father didn`t think so. He could hide neither his surprise, nor anger. He was first to address Michael: -Where did you lead us? -To my house as I told before. -Why did you not tell us that it`s too hot in your country? -I just imagined that you would be glad to visit a warm country out of the cold weather in your state. -Warm doesn`t mean hot! -Oh! I`m sorry! I just wanted to please you! -It`s all right! –joined Virginia. –Where do you exactly live? -We will have to take a taxi! -Taxi? This is a desert. Everywhere is sand and sun! -You`re right! Anyway, it isn`t a reason for not using a taxi. They had to walk until the taxi approached them. Only one person was disappointed and felt sorry about his decision to travel with someone, whom he doesn`t know well enough! It was Virginia`s father. They didn`t talk on their way Michael`s home.
His house consisted of a large white camp
where three or four people could live together. This house was something the most unexpected. If it was possible to call it a house. -Will we live here? –worried father. -Certainly! -However, there is no wall, no roof here. What will we do during rain? -We have special umbrellas for that case. -Umbrellas? Listen! We came here because we intended to avoid rainy days, but it`s worse here. -I don`t think so! -What? What do you mean? -I mean there are a huge number of homeless people around us. Therefore, I call my home Paradise! Come in! I suppose you get tired! Change your clothes! I`ll cook something to eat for you. -How can one live in such a house? -As you see, people can live even in such circumstances! Please, hurry up! We must also visit somewhere! -Is that place better than your house? -It depends on what you mean by the word “good”. Hunger and tiresome took advantage over their questions and upset. Maybe, that`s why the dinner seemed the most delicious to them. They had a little rest while eating. Then, Michael led them to that promised place. Virginia and his father imagined that place, but none of them could foresee that it would be a hospital under the sky in the field. The sign of the hospital was the beds, on which the injured patients lied. It was impossible to find something tidy there. Even beds, blankets, pillows were in mess, but it was a hospital. The hospital was full of complaining, crying men, women, also children. -I don`t know why you led us here, but I`m not going to stay here, -started father. -Why? Why do you not want to help others? –asked Michael. Only Virginia didn`t care about why they were at the hospital, what Michael wanted to do. She looked around it terrified. All of the people there were wounded badly. Nevertheless, there were four nurses, each of whom was too engaged. They looked so tired as if they hadn`t been sleeping for some days. Virginia felt sorry for both the injured and the nurses. Even though nobody asked her to help, she couldn`t stand aside.
At last, father looked into the patients` eyes.
He recalled his wife dying. There were lots of people dying. Despite his fear, he overcame his inattentiveness and came to help them.
It seemed like a few minutes ago they arrived
in this place. When we are busy, five hours seem five minutes to us. The same happened to them. The day was over. Everyone was going to sleep. Virginia was steel working. Her father and Michael were outside the hospital. -Today was my most effective day! –said Michael. -However, why do you spend time on helping them? You don`t receive any money, but you lose your time and energy. -You are right. I don`t work here for money. I`m here to see smiling faces of other people. Admit, please, you are feeling much happier after today`s visit to the hospital. -I agree with you, but life is more complicated one. You must try harder to find your place in this life and to keep living. -Why do you think so? The animals don`t worry about what to eat every next day, but they always have what to eat. Have you ever thought why? -They are animals, so they can eat each other, or anything around. We are humans! -You are right! Anyway, you can have anything you want, if you trust and ask about it. -Your words remind me statements from books. -For instance, what do you want? -Oh! I`ve never imagined what I really wish! -I`ll try to explain your situation! Imagine that you are standing in front of the door without knocking it, but waiting for the door to be opened at the same time. Will anybody open the door? -How a stupid question! You know that nobody will. -If you don`t wish, don`t ask anything, it means that you are standing and waiting without calling anybody! The principle is quite simple! If you don`t ask, you will not receive. Father was shocked! He was terrified because of his useless life full of complaining on God and everyone around. However, everything was so incredibly simple. -You mean I don`t have anything, because I don`t ask them for! -Yes! Your life isn`t over yet. You have a chance to use this strict and plain rule of life. You`ll change not only your life, but your daughter`s too. -I think I can find some courage to do it for her. Thank you!