|
|
|
| Sunday, 11 December 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Short story: Pack up your troubles "Oh yes mom you are right, I'm always angry, stupid and moody girl" Judy shouted and slammed the door. Judy was a pretty girl of 18; she was the captain of the school swimming team and was attending a leading school in Colombo.
As a keen student she studied for her A/L exam in the Mathematics stream. She had everything any person would need to live a happy, comfortable and a luxurious life but alas though everyone thought so there was one person who thought the other way round. And that was Judy herself. She didn't have any friends in her class nor in her sports team or in the neighbourhood. Her parents were busy with their office and business work. She wasn't invited to any party or gathering. The family moments brought pain to her as there was no one who was happy. Nothing to cherish except the family fights the parents had scolding each other loud, making her and her sis cry in fear. It was a common daily occurrence in her house. Judy hoped and prayed with tear-filled eyes that someone would bring joy into her life. New faces The new school term began with a lot of new faces in the class. When Judy came to the class after her regular swimming practice she was so annoyed to see a new girl sitting while she and an old girl of the class was standing. As she had no friends. No one had bothered to keep a chair for her as she didn't exist in the class. She went to the desk, stood in front of the new girl and gave her an angry look which made the girl understand. She looked around, stood up apologizing with a smile and offer her the place. Judy sat there with a smile of contentment, but felt a little guilty to see how humble and friendly the other girl was and to see her roaming around looking for an empty chair. The bell rang for assembly, it was a call of torture to her because, all the girls had to go and stand in lines in pairs, and she was often the lonely one and the back of the row. Today, as she was standing all alone a new girl came and stood beside her she turned to see and it was the girl from whom she got the chair from. She smiled and said "Hi! I'm Amy, what's your name?" Judy told her name and then ignored Amy. On the next day, when she entered the class it had been rearranged make room for the new girls. She went to the place where she guessed was her seat as she had no other option to find a place, and asked the girl sitting there to move out and give her the place, this made Maya who was sitting there angry and Maya and her friends started to shout and fight. The whole class was staring, but then suddenly she heard a voice say "Oh! Come on, there are so many extra desks in the other class and there is a little space for two in the last row too. Why are you fighting for this one desk like little ones?. Judy turned to see Amy standing beside her. Her friendly manner made Maya back off and the others too sat feeling ashamed but relieved to see the fight end. Amy turned to Judy and asked "I too don't have a place to sit so I found the desks, come we'll go to the last row". Close Judy doesn't know what made her feel so close to Amy, but something made her believe that this was the friend she has been looking for. Amy was soon very friendly with the girls, they often talked to her and shared secrets and jokes with her. Amy didn't let Judy feel left out and she often made Judy join in the friendly chats and brought out her inner friendliness in no time. She didn't have to wake up in the morning and torture herself to get dressed and go to school. Instead she was glad to spend more time in the school. Amy would be there in the assembly line with her, she would be waiting for her when she gets late, she would call her, do the home work together in their spare time and even sing together during free periods. Judy was happy to have a best friend like Amy who shared the same interests in music,sports, books and studies. Judy's family was so happy to see her laugh a lot and is so happy almost all the time; most of her attitudes had changed for the good. It was no secret to them that it was all because of Amy, as Judy talked so much of Amy and the funny things they did in school. Amy would always prevent Judy from fighting. Once when they were walking with cups of lemonade in their hands, a girl came running and knocked on Amy, spilling the drink on her uniform, the 'thug' like girl stopped and Judy turned to scold the girl, but Amy said "its ok I know you didn't mean to do it" With this the girl who was known as "the fighter" of the Arts section smiled and said "I'm so sorry, it's so careless of me, I'll buy you a drink", surprising for Judy who was ready for a fight. So Judy believed that Amy could charm people and do magic. She must be so lucky and must be having a happy family, Judy often thought and sighed. Brighter Judy started looking at the brighter side of life and appreciated every single help she began to accept any person for what they are. She learnt that life is all about living it happily, facing challenges with a soft, but brave heart. Judy made a speedy progress, found new friends in the sports teams, became a better swimmer and became the most wanted person in the swimming team. Above all she was able to achieve her dream of being the national swimming champion with Amy's courage, cheer and help. Her joy soon spread to her house too. Her boring parents joined her singing and dancing to radio music. They became friendlier and started learning exciting things such as music and went on more and more trips. Her happiness was like a fast spreading disease, when she was at home none of the members were able feel bored. Alas she wasn't able to stop her parents from fighting but, was able to reduce its pain by adding her funny remarks and by cooling them down and sometimes even by ignoring it. Amy often says "people should have troubles to live with, but they should be able to overcome and challenge them so that it could do no harm to them. If you don't have problems the best thing is to go to your room and pray and to make you strong to face life and to make you feel that you live". Maybe Amy was kidding but Judy strongly believed it and it kept her going. Willing Amy loved swimming and so Judy was so willing to help her join the team. When days passed by, they became the best of best friends and were always seen together and nicknamed "Thompson & Thompson". Ofcourse there were times that Amy's friendly nature did nothing to help her but push her far back and such a place was the tuck-shop, Judy easily pushed the crowd aside and squeezed in reaching her target, while hungry Amy chats with some one or stare at the ice creams and chocolates till their food and dessert arrived. And there were times when they annoyed each other such as, Amy being too friendly with Judy's "Archenemy". Even though they had troubles like every other friend does, troubles never lasts for long with special friends like them. Examinations were close by and Judy went to study at Amy's place. She was so surprised when she was greeted by Amy's mom, because Amy's mom was on a wheel chair. Amy saw Judy's shock and said "yeah she can't use her legs any more, but that doesn't matter to us because that doesn't mean she can't move and live a normal life" then with a smile Amy led Judy upstairs to the room to study. While they were studying, she noticed Amy's mom moving around so quickly like a player in the basketball court murmuring a song so happily. Later she learnt that a fight between her parents four-years ago had ended up leaving her mom unable to use her legs and her dad a very devoted husband who never forgave himself and was ashamed by his wife's unlimited forgiveness. Shocked It shocked her more to know that Amy's little brother was an Asthma patient who had somehow made his way to the school basketball team. She was so touched to see how Amy nursed her brother every night giving him his medicine, teaching and helping him with his school work. He was a friendly, adorable little boy and they had a strong bond. She saw that there were people with greater trouble in this world, but that they didn't even mind it at all. They don't wait till happiness comes but makes their lives and even the lives of others happy. It's true that the happiest of men don't necessarily have the best of everything, but they bring out the best with what they have. The last sports meet of their school life drew near, they both were selected to compete in the breaststroke swimming competition. Judy knew that if she was going to be the best among the competitors, Amy would be second best, so while swimming through, she slowed down on purpose because she knew that, winning a gold medal for swimming from the school, was one of Amy's dreams, because she wants to fulfil her brother's dream of swimming, as it is a dream he can't achieve with his asthma, even through he loved swimming. She was so happy to see Amy reach the end, win and jump with joy. Judy felt that she did the right thing for the first time. When Amy got the Gold medal and was still overjoyed with happiness Judy clapped loud as she thought, "In this competitive world it is amazing how some people think life is all about giving and serving and would leave all their sorrows behind and help others achieve their dreams and at the same time be truly contented and happy". Finally the best person who deserved a medal got one. But it is still not enough for her greatness. Dilini Amalka Goonewardena, Kandana. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
She
was the youngest daughter of a family of four. Her elder sister was a
computer engineer and was always so into the computer leaving everything
aside. 
