Thanksgiving and Christmas Story - a True Love Story

Empty roads with dirt flying with slightest of movement of wind and deserted old village street, old dry leaves lying on the street without any meaning why they are left there, no one to pick them, neither the wind blowing them away. Some old weather bitten small pebbles that were smooth by rain, discoloured by sun's ray, grass grown from all sides are the sole witness to the village history.

Some old stone houses half broken half turned into ruins with glass panes half broken, windows slowly moving along the wind. Inside the houses covered with cow webs, water dripping from walls. Fireplace not used for ages, from roofs some tiles coming out was telling the tale of the village.

Suddenly the village roads wake up from slumber with the cranking and grunting sound of old pickup van, which is discolored, smelling with gasoline, tyres weather beaten cracks and patched in most of the places comes to halt in the middle of the village. Seeing the condition of the pickup van one can easily guess the condition of the owner of the truck.

Slowly the front door of the pickup van with great difficulty opens with squeak sound and even more slowly a tall, thin old war horse comes out and tries to straighten himself and regroup his left over energy come to the other side of van and with a gruff, coughing and chocking voice calls "Devil".

Unwilling to respond, a lazily and uninterested to come out of the comfort of the dirty and half torn seat a big dog was sleeping. The dog on the owner voice wags his tail and opens its big old eyes and with winking sound again goes to sleep, not at all interested to leave the van's seat.

Again the voice calls "Devil, come on, you lazy old fellow, come out or I will pull you out".

Reluctantly the dog jumps out of the van and straighten himself shook side to side to stake of the remaining dirt from his body.

The old war horse half bald, grey hair, face weather beaten, wrinkles and not shaved from ages walked on the pebbles and halts in front of one of the houses and knocks the front door.

Christmas - True love story meeting of village belle
A young charming eighteen year old beautiful looking village belle in a traditional costume, hair loosely kept in topknot style, hand filled with wheat flour, big eyes, youthful lips, red cheeks all that can be described as a native beauty should have, without opening her mouth, enquires from her bright eyes. What does he want?

The old man replied" I am looking for a house for rent".

She instantly calls "Father, there is someone here looking for renting the house".

Then a bulky looking middle aged man slowly comes out of the door and says "$100 per month".

To this the old war horse nods and carefully takes out his pouch and handovers $100 bill to the young girl.

After, a few minutes the young girl comes out with a bunch of keys of the opposite house. The old war horse along with his dog and two bags followed the girl. She opens the door with a grunt, probably not opened for ages.

She asked the old man "What's your name?"

After, entering the house and putting his bags on the ground he replies "My name is Bill" clears his throat and says: "Bill John".

And the young girl even without being asked says: "My name is Mary".

Further she enquires "Where is your family?"

To this Bill says: "No I don't have a family".

She voluntarily helps in opening the big windows, cleaned the floor, the table and chair and asks Bill to sit.

Then Mary asks "Do you need anything to eat?"

To this Bill nods his head and points towards his dog, to indicate that both of them are hungry. She stares from head to toe and moves towards her house and after some time comes with two big loaves of bread, big jar of water, some lean meat and some quantity of Soya bean soup.

Slowly Bill settled in the village, he became a paying guest in Mary's house since there was no one to cook food for him. Time slowly passed away and Bill along with his faithful dog Devil became members in the village community. But always Bill longed for a family with whom he can talk, laugh, cry and share his feelings. But it remained a dream and a pain in his heart.

Christmas - True love story - Jesus hearing Bill's pray

One day as usual Bill along with his lone companion his dog were sitting in front of a lake which was in the extreme corner of the village. The lake was surrounded by trees and few wooden benches for sitting. There were few ducks with its ducklings swimming and fishing in the lake. Bill was totally rejected, sad and despair. He closed his eyes and prayed to God that he too need a family or someone to whom he can call his own. Suddenly he heard a sound in the lake as if someone has thrown a stone in it. The still lake had a few ripples as a result of the stone and far away the ducks took off from the lake. Fishes who were moving casually now moved here and there. In short the whole still environment came in to life.

Bill turned slowly towards his back and there he saw a small five to six years boy shabby face, hair uncombed, torn shirt and without shoes in his feet. But with a smiling face he was throwing stones in the lake.

Bill spoke to the lad "What is your name?"

The little lad said: "If I tell you my name will you give me some chocolates?"

Bill laughed at the innocent reply and said: "Yes, my dear, I will".

The little lad with doubt in his mind came towards Bill and said: "Naughty is my name and let us go at once to buy chocolates, please".

Bill readily accepted the request and started with Naughty and Devil towards the village market to buy some chocolates.

On their way Bill enquired "Where do you stay?" What a strange name you have?"

Naughty said: "I am an orphan and working in the local motel and people called me by this name only".

Bill felt very concerned and took pity on the lad. On reaching the street grocery shop purchased chocolates for Naughty. Naughty never in his life received any chocolate from any one, gave an innocent smile and took the chocolates and stuffed them in his pockets and few in his mouth. Bill took Naughty to near by dress store and purchased a new shirt & a pant and a pair of shoes. Naughty this time could not keep his emotions back and hugged Bill and started crying.

Bill said to Naughty "Ok, Ok don't cry" and both set out towards Bill's house.

As time passed by both Bill and Naughty became good friends. Bill's dull life started floating once again to life. He started enjoying his life and managed Naughty to stay with him and not work in the motel. He also admitted Naughty in the village school.

Christmas - True love story - Mary in problem
One fine morning Mary as usual brought food for Bill and started sobbing in the corner of the room sitting with crossed legs.

Bill asked Marry "What happened sweet pie?"

But she kept on crying and Bill now became quite serious and went near her and comforted her. And spoke in a reassurance voice "Don't cry sweet heart, tell me what's your problem?"

After, few minutes of sobbing she cleared her eyes wiped her face with hands and narrated her story.

Mary said: "In our village there lives a Muslim boy named Imran who was a Salesman by profession and he is an orphan & orthodox Muslim. And we both love each other from childhood and I want to marry him". "But my father wouldn't allow it. I cannot live without Imran. I don't know what to do and how to convince my father."

Mary further said: "Nobody can help me, how can I live without Imran?"

Bill pondered for some time on Mary predicament and then consoled her by saying: "Honey don't worry, pray Jesus and he is going to give a solution to your crisis".

Christmas - True love story - Bill plays as a mediator
Next day after taking bath, having clean shaved, well combed and well-dressed with his old military costume proceeded to meet Mary's father.

Bill sat in one chair and Mary's father on another in front of the fireplace and started discussing on the matter.

Mary's father said: "Bill how can I give my daughter's hand to a Muslim?", "You know, our religion don't permit such marriages"

Bill said to Mary's father "Look Mr. Imran is a well-mannered, well educated handsome young man. He is also getting handsome salary as a salesman. Further Imran and Mary both love each other very intensely and want to marry. I don't see any problem in giving Mary's hand to Imran".

Mary's father bit reluctantly said: "No Bill I cannot give my daughter's marriage to Imran. His way of life is diagonally opposite to our way of life."

This discussion went on for an hour and Mary's father stood firm on his ground. And Bill could not convince Mary's father. Bill left her place and went to the lakeside where he met Naughty and started to think afresh. After an hour he set out to his place.

He said to Naughty "Tell Imran and Mary to come to our house in the evening".

Christmas - True love story - Imrans arrival
In the evening Bill sat in front his balcony with a glass of wine and waited for his young guest's arrival. On the arrival of his guests Bill offered wine to Imran and spoke to both.

Bill said: "I tried my level best to convince Mary's father, but he is not interested in your marriage." "He says that Imran cannot be his son-in-law". "Tell me what I can do?" saying this bill pours another glass of wine and gulps it.

Then like a flash Bill gets an idea and he asks Imran a question "How much do you love Mary?"

Imran says: "I love her very deeply and I will do anything for her"

Bill said: "Ok, this is the answer I was looking from you" Will you be my son?".

Imran was taken aback & couldn't believe his ears and said at once "Oh yes, I will".

Bill said: "Fine Imran we will meet tomorrow at 6 PM at Mary's house. Is it Ok for you?"

Imran and Mary nodded and they both proceeded to their respective homes by biding good night to each other and to Bill.

Next day evening Bill once again went to Mary's house along with Imran. Mary was already waiting very eagerly with thousand eyes for their arrival, opened the door and made to sit them near the fireplace. Her mother too joined with them along with her father.

Bill introduced Imran to Mary's parents "This is Imran. He is working as a sales man in a good company and draws handsome salary and wants to marry your daughter" further Bill continued "Imran loves your daughter very intensely, what do you say?".

To this Marry's father replied "Bill I have already told you about my opinion on this matter and there is no benefit in further discussion on this topic".

Bill said: "You have a problem with Imran's faith and religion. I have one announcement to make, from today I want to adopt Imran as my son in the church and now I don't think you have any problem in giving Mary's hand to Imran in marriage?"

Mary's mother came forward towards Bill and said: "Thank you Sir. You have taken out a great burden from my heart. I was worried with Mary's marriage and you have solved it. You are a very kind hearted man Sir".

And she hugged Mary. Mary's father came forward and shook his hand with Bill and Imran and nodded for the marriage.

And with tears of joy and gratitude in her eyes Mary's mother invited Bill and Imran to dinner that night.

The dinner went smooth and they all discussed on the date and place of marriage.

Christmas - True love story - Adoption and wedding
Next day Bill, Imran, Naughty, Mary, Mary's parents and of course Devil set out to the local church for adoption. Local church's father performed the adoption.

Bill announced "Imran from today you will be called Imran John, and you are my legal son and stay with me and Naughty in my house'.

On the date of wedding Bill was well-dressed, well combed along with Naughty in his smart new dress which Bill purchased for him and of course Imran the bridegroom nicely dressed in suit, all arrived to the village church and some time after Mary and her parents too reached the wedding venue.

After, the priest read the ceremonial pledge asked Imran to say: "Mary will you be my wife?"

Mary says: "Yes"

And both kissed and the wedding was over.

The whole village was called for the wedding reception and after the party all the villager's danced in merriment.

Christmas - True love story - Bill's gratitude for Jesus
After, the wedding reception is over Bill bids good night to all and reaches the lake along with Naughty.

Bill closes his eyes and prays the God "God you are very kind to me, I have no one and you have rewarded me with one grandson Naughty, sweet and very lovely daughter and daughter-in-law in form of Mary and a son in the name of Imran. God Thank you very much, I have got all the happiness in the world that you could give. I am alone, but you have full filled my void space with wonderful children. I once again from the bottom of my heart wants to Thank you".

After, the honey moon they all lived together in Bill's house. Once the house looking empty and deserted now is full of happiness and merriment all around.

Bill kneel down before Jesus, lighted candles and said: "Thank you Jesus, you are very kind to me! This is the best Christmas gift ever I had."

(True love story comes to end)