It had been a delightful dinner, A hearty meal topped with some interesting conversations Leaving one satiated. After all isn’t that what friends are for? You spend time with them To be left with happiness, lingering like an aftertaste for many days thereafter. Picking our choice of desserts We had just returned back From the buffet counter, When my cell phone beeped and attracted my attention. The message received, left me shocked. “Friends,” I said addressing the other two. “Shraman has had a sudden cardiac arrest And is battling for his life in the hospital.” Our dear old friend, barely in his forties, Had been hospitalised and was battling for survival, Was news that was difficult to digest. It was unjust, we felt but were clueless about our course of action! Far away from the hospital, The three of us then, On the spur of the moment decided, To pray for our friend In our own special way. So we lit a candle and stuck it at the centre of the cup cake we had picked up from the buffet counter. Then, in our own way we prayed to the Gods- “Dear God! For the sake of our friend This is our offering of the moment. Let him be blessed with light Of your kindness”. As we closed our eyes and fervently prayed, On the spur of the moment In my mind, I added my own plea- “Dear God! This cup cake, my favourite, I offer to you. I promise to give away All sweets henceforth In return for my friend’s life. This cupcake and all sweets Is my sacrifice In return for the gift that I seek Of my friend’s life!”
Copyright @ Goutam Dutta
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2020/11/23/three-things-challenge-426/
Ohhh…what a gentle gesture !! Such love for friends ❤ I loved the last personal addition to the prayer 🙂
Is it true story ? If yes, hope your friend is healthy now ..
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Thank you for liking the story. Yes, it is partially true….what i had decided to give up was not sweets but meat. Thankfully, my prayers were answered and he has recovered now. It’s been 5 years now but the incident actually happened the way i have described it here. I was attending a conference in Goa and was in teh middle of my lunch when i received this message on my mobile. On the spur of the moment, I prayed and decided to give up in the hope that I could pack some punch in my prayers. 🙂
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Ok.. and hope you had to give up eating meat altogether ?
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I did, for about 2 years. Then my friend came to know about it and then compelled me to re-start. So I started after that. 😊
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Haaa okk 😀😀
Glad to hear he is ok 😊
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🙂
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Beautifully written …
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Thank you so much. 😊
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This is a very interesting story Goutam. Reads like real life story. Thanks for joining in
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It is….with a few minor modifications. Thank you so much. So happy to know that you liked my write. 😊
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You’re welcome 😉
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A meaningful gesture, well made.
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Thank you so much. 😊🙏
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Thanks for playing along.
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A pleasure. Thank you so much. 🙏
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My grandmother was a big believer in this kind of sacrifice–although, she called it “a promise”. For instance, since I was born seriously ill, she promised the Universe that neither her nor I would never cut our hair until I was 13 years old. I still remember her chanting and dancing on the day my 13th birthday came. I never heard the actual words, that was between her and the Universe, but I remember feeling the energy of it all… and feeling rather grateful and hopeful for what she did for me.
I really like the realistic tone of your poem, how it suggests that belief doesn’t have to take super elaborate rituals. In fact, the strongest of gestures and offerings might be those that arise out of need, and in the moment.
Again, welcome to Poets and Storytellers United. I hope you enjoy that others share. And I hope to see you there again. 🙂
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Thank you so much for putting across the essence of the poem so beautifully. I guess it is the sincereity in the sacrifice ( or promise) that probably moves the Supreme power. In any case, we do not have the power to grasp the logic behind His actions; can only make an earnest appeal from the bottom of our heart. I will certainly read the other posts and I look forward to posting more in the group in future. Thanks once again. 😊🙏
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A thoughtful gesture and a beautiful poem, Goutam. 🙂
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Thank you so much. The gesture was made absolutely on the spur of the moment but I am happy that it worked to help my friend recover. 🙏😊
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Selfless actions always work, that’s my belief. 🙂 I’m happy things turned out well for your friend.
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Thank you. 🙂
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You are welcome, Goutam. 🙂
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Real tears on this one. Lovely
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Nice! Prayer is powerful; I’m glad in this case yours were answered so favourably.
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Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes…it certainly made me happy that my prayers were answered and that my friend recovered. 😊🙏
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Loved the story. The gesture,however small it might be, matters when made with good intentions.
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Thank you so much. 🙂
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A lovely story…..He’s really blessed to have such sincere friends. I wish and pray that your prayers were answered
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Thank you so much. Yes…the prayers were indeed answered. My friend survived and is well now. 😊
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🙏😊
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Thank you for sharing this story. I am glad the Gods accepted this heartfelt sacrifice.
~cie from poetry of the netherworld~
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Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes…it certainly brought happiness to me as well as my friend’s family. 😊🙏
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Loved the story, the kind thoughtful gesture. So well written 👏🏼
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Thank you so much. 🙂
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Glad your friend is ok. Nice gesture to give up, what you relish.
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Thank you for your message. Yes….at that point in time, I thought that was probably the only way I could reach out to the Supreme with my prayers. Thank God he survived…it was quite a bad scene judging from what he told me later on. 🙂
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Happiness is having prayers answered; God always hears our prayers and does answer them in His perfect time.
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I guess so. He has certainly heard mine whenever i needed him to. 🙂
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