Shiny
This story stresses the fact that death is just a bridge or a travel from one temporal world to an eternal one. It is a transformation of mortals into the world of immortality. Death, which is deemed by many as being an end, is considered in this story as being a beginning. This mortal life shows us sundry signs of destructiveness and decay. Death itself mirrors the triviality of life. If we meditate upon some events--natural disasters, diseases, accidents—we can realize that we should not cling to this decaying life. The latter is created for us, and we are created for the hereafter. Therefore, we would better prepare ourselves for the sake of living gaily in the world to which we belong. When we lose someone whom we love, we should not agonize ourselves by brooding on their absence. On the contrary, we would better ask God to have mercy on them and on us as well so that we can have the way paved for us to meet our beloved ones there in Heaven.
N a sweet home, Shiny lives with her sweet Mum. This home smells, so to speak, of warmth and so much tenderness. As soon as you near it, you hear Shiny laughing heartily with her all-loving Mum. This lovely girl is so talkative to the extent that she spends most of her time asking questions and getting satisfying answers from her Mum.
Shiny: Do you really love me Mum?
Mum: Sure sweetheart! You are my everything.
Shiny: [happily] and we will live together for the rest of our life; won’t we?
Mum: Of course sweety, but not in this temporal world. We shall live eternally in the hereafter. Why are you asking me these strange questions?
Shiny: [now she seems sullen] I don’t know why, but I feel a sense of bewilderment.
Mum: [she nears Shiny and holds her to her breast] Don’t worry honey, and never forget that we’ll be together even when physically separated.
The confusion of Shiny hints at the advent of the change which will bring some temporal sadness to this peaceful home. Now, Shiny and her Mum are dining together.
The atmosphere inside the home seems cordial, suggesting warmth and bliss. Shiny leans on the shoulders of her Mum and says: Oh Mum! If this life is not eternal, it is better to depart to the eternal one right now, but together.
Mum: [stroking her hair] Oh my sweetheart! It is God who decides whether we depart together or one by one.
Shiny: [taken aback] Oh Mum! There is a star coming from the sky; it is coming towards us.
Mum: [shivering] Oh! That’s amazing; I feel that my soul is stirring inside my body because of the light of the star.
The star has arrived and gently gets inside. It is a white angel with great wings. He seems powerful and no one can dare confront him. Then, he speaks with a heavenly tone to the staggering mother.
Angel: I’m the messenger of God. My mission is to tell you that it is time for you to leave this world and join the eternal one. This life is not important to such a good woman like you.
The Mum shows a sense of obedience and succumbs herself to the angel. She helplessly turns to her confused girl and says: This is God’s will. This is the only truth. I can’t stop that…I can’t …I can’t, but make sure that in heaven we shall meet.
Shiny: Oh Mum! I’m going with you Mum! Mum!
Angel: My sweetheart, we want her to join us. God has called for her, but I promise that you shall meet once again. Follow the right path till the time when I come back for you. [He kisses her and gently caresses her hair] your Mum will be safe with us in the eternal world.
The angel takes the mother under his great wings and flies towards the sky. Shiny is left in agony. Shaken is her harmony. She feels so much alone. Tears are running over her beautiful cheeks. She can not realize that this separation is just a physical one. Her soul is united with her Mum despite her absence. Shiny does not realize that someday she will live eternally with her Mum in heaven.
eing so sad because of the absence of her mother, and having a sense of desperation, Shiny decides to desert her home and go to live in the woods. The departure of her Mum has bewildered her. Now, Shiny is in the woods, and the situation evokes evil and wickedness. She is fully forlorn in a world unknown to her. It is getting dark now, and there is no sign of any living thing. The silence is unbroken. Some moments later, the sweet girl panics at the sight of a pale light coming through the trees. The light is nearing her, and it is becoming more and more bright. Then, this light turns into a heaven-like creature who tenderly gets near the alarmed girl.
Shiny: wh.. who are you? What do you want from me?
The creature: Have no fear. You are a brave girl to dare live in the woods alone. Your Mum bid me come and tell that you have got to stop this madness and go back home. She says that your sadness brings about her agony. Your souls are united, and if you keep being sad, you will cause your Mum great suffering.
Shiny: God knows that I want not her being hurt. I don’t mean to darken the light she is living in now.
The creature: When you need her, just close your eyes and you shall feel that you are filled with her loving soul. She wants you to be a good girl. She wishes you all happiness. Remember! Your gladness gladdens her and your sadness saddens her. I know that you are a strong girl, and I believe that you will succeed in this temporal life before you join your Mum in the eternal world.
Shiny: [convinced that he is right] I shall do my best to shun anything that may hurt my Mum. I’ll try to be happy during my whole life. Now, I realize that Mum will be by my side wherever I’m.
The creature: you are a nice girl. I think my mission is done. Go back home, and see you there in heaven when you join us.
Shiny tells him goodbye, and presently runs to her sweet home to start a new life independently. But! Can she really live independently all her life?
ow Shiny is 19 years old, and she is strikingly beautiful. She is a University student now. Everyone wishes to live by her side. Her amazing behaviour and her attractive personality makes of her a lovable person. She has a lot of friends in the University, including girls and boys. One of these friends, who is four years older than Shiny, seems mysterious and silent. His silence suggests a lot of unspoken words. Sometimes, the unsaid is more important than the said. Hobby is the name of this person, and his hobby in this life at this time is to strengthen his friendship with his best friend, Shiny. His hobby is becoming fruitful as their friendship has gained more strength.
Shiny has married the person who, to her mind, has shown a great deal of respect and love since they have met. Yes, she is married to the mysterious Hobby who has always imagined being with Shiny a far-fetched dream.
obby and Shiny are now old. Their life has been full of happiness and joy to the extent that they have not felt the passing of time. The youth is gone, but they can feel it through their son and daughter who are on the peak of youth. The latters feel that they are strong enough to live independently as Shiny herself said when she was young.
Shiny: [to Hobby] I feel like visiting my Mum’s home. Shall we go there?
Hobby: [with the same gentle tone] sure! You know that I can do whatever gladdens you.
Being in her old home, Shiny remembers all the sweet moments she spent. She is weeping now, and Hobby is holding her to his breast and lovingly stroking her hair.
Shiny: [alarmed] Hobby! Look there is a star coming from the sky. It is heading towards us.
Hobby: [with tears in his eyes] yes I see; he is coming for you, the angel.
The angel lands and respectfully gets inside the home.
Angel: [with the same powerful tone] peace be with you! It’s time sweet old Shiny to join us. Your Mum is awaiting you on pins and needles.
Shiny: [half-smiling half-weeping] I’m happy because of that, and I’m sad since I’m deserting my husband and children and all those I love. However, this life is temporal, and we shall meet all of us in the eternal world.
Shiny bids Hobby goodbye and tells him to take care of the children and passes away with the angel.
