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| Sunday, 09 April 2006 |
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Short story:
Cupid returns Mr. Jones breathed a sigh of relief. Ultimately he was able to solve a problem which neither remained a mystery. He felt a great sense of grief about his nephew, Steve a lad of 20 years. Mr. Jones lived in a mansion in the region called Warwick in England. He possessed basically everything a human being should have to live a satisfactory life.
Yet what he valued most was the company of people. Apart from the housekeeper and servants, the only near and dear companion he had in this mansion was Steve. All his children were scattered in different countries. His wife, Cheryl whom he loved so dearly died a few months back. On the day she died, he felt as if his whole world has collapsed. But the beautiful memories she left behind helped him to go on. Though a number of friends visited him each day, nobody was able to fill the void left by Cheryl. Hobby The only thing that Jones engaged in with zest was his hobby, collecting antiques which Steve made fun of often. But Mr. Jones never felt offended for he knew the great gap between their worlds. Steve belonged to the so-called modern world. Mr. Jones had a solid collection of antiques. He derived utmost pleasure in showing them to his friends. The admiration some people showed for them made him so thrilled. He went antique hunting in the countryside whenever he had the time. Statue Among all there was an antique which he loved the most. It was a bronze statue of a cupid which he got as a present from his wife Cheryl. They were lovers then. Knowing his craze over antiques, she had bought it on a visit to Rome once. For Mr. Jones it had a vast sentimental value apart from the value that it had as an antique. The intricate carvings in the statue made it so fine in appearance. The statue had a flap underneath and inside it Mr. Jones kept a lock of his wife's golden hair together with the piece of paper in which Cheryl had written "To the soul of my life, Joe". Secret Mostly he admired the cupid in secret for he thought that it would not suit his age to do it in public. Yet, he knew age is not an obstacle when it comes to love. Each day, he used to stare at it for some moments. Often the memories he treasured of his wife came back. Though a period of thirty-five years has elapsed since he got it, the cupid looked the same even after all these years. It seemed to be an undying token of love. One day he returned home after a meeting with his business partner. He felt so tired and with a cup of cappuccino he settled in a cozy rocking chair with the intention of indulging in his usual habit of going down the memory lane gazing at the cupid. Suddenly he stood aghast. The statue of cupid was no longer on the mantel piece. He felt as if he was dying. He grasped the arm rests of the chair tightly and stood up. He desperately looked for it everywhere. But it was fruitless. The statue was nowhere to be seen. Day by day, Mr. Jones became morose not knowing what happened to the statue of cupid. Mr. Jones strived to seclude himself in his room as much as he could. He felt as if his wife has isolated him in this dark world. Ridiculous An inanimate object possessing such a power over one's life seemed ridiculous to Steve. But he never uttered a word of any sort realizing his uncle's immense sorrow. However much Steve tried, Jones never regained his earlier jovial way of life. A month elapsed since the cupid bade farewell to Mr. Jones. It was a fine morning. Mr. Jones looked out of the living room window. The luscious greenery invited him to come out of the mansion to enjoy the cool breeze. The panoramic view of the birch trees made him forget his blues for sometime. After a long lapse he wanted to enjoy the picturesque sight more. Unusual sight He opened the door of the living room. He was suddenly taken aback by an unusual sight. The statue of cupid had reappeared on the threshold in all its grandeur. The statue of cupid seemed prettier than it was earlier. He forgot where he was and screamed in joy. He grasped it in delight. For a moment he wondered whether a cupid could really work out miracles. He opened the flap underneath to check whether the thing he treasured the most was there. The lock of hair was there unharmed. Other than that, there was a piece of folded paper to his amazement. He opened it desperately. It said: Dearest Mr. Jones, I'm so sorry. I'm sure you would grant me pardon for all this. Don't consider this an act of stealing. I'm Jessica, Steve's girl friend. hope you can remember me and how I admired the statue of cupid on the day I came to dine with you. I was so tempted by it. I couldn't have a wink of sleep thereafter. I was so obsessed by it. The status has miracle powers I suppose. It is because of me that Steve brought it to me. I don't want to call it stealing. Love knows neither ethics nor limits. I hope you would agree with me for you seem to be an ardent lover in the days gone by and even now. It was proved to me only when the flap underneath opened accidentally one day. Then only I realized the sentimental value that it has for you. I felt so guilty. I felt as if I have done a crime. I couldn't come to terms with my conscience. Please don't have ill feelings towards Steve or me for now I have explained the whole thing with love. Jessica. Mr. Jones felt so sorry about both Jess and Steve. He called out in a relaxing tone to Steve. "Steve, do you mind my keeping the cupid in your room. He will teach you what true love means" He felt that he chose to do the most appropriate thing for he saw love as a feeling to be shared to make the world more beautiful. Indu Gamage, University of Ruhuna |
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