Old Ben’s Prayer (574 words)

As I deleted some old emails and messages today to create storage space, I came across luckily this touching and inspiring write-up by Gary Lee Tolley from someone. I  wish to share with you, knowing well that some of you would have read this earlier.

           

Gary Lee Tolley

A Minister passing through his church
In the middle​ of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
To see who comes to pray.
Just then, the back door opened,
And a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw the man
Hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was torn and shabby,
And his coat was worn and frayed,
The man knelt down and bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed at precisely noon,
The preacher saw this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
With robbery a main fear,
.

He decided to stop and ask the man,
'What are you doing here?'
The old man said he was a factory worker
And lunch was half an hour
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.
I stay only a moment

Because the factory's far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kinda what I say:

.

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,

BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS BEN,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY.'

.
The minister feeling foolish,
Told Ben that it was fine.
He told the man that he was welcome
To pray there anytime.
'It's time to go, and thanks,' Ben said
As he hurried to the door.
Then the minister knelt there at the altar,
Which he'd never done before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
As he met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed down his cheeks,
He repeated old Ben's prayer:

.

'I JUST CAME by TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY.'
.

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Ben hadn't come.
As more days passed and still no Ben,
He began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,

Learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.

.

The week that Ben was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles and joy contagious.
Changed people were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Ben could be so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.
.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends had come to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up
And with a winsome smile;
'The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
He's been here all the while.'
Everyday at noon He comes here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down and takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
.

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, BEN,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN .
I THINK ABOUT YOU ALWAYS
AND I LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
AND SO BEN, THIS IS JESUS,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY .'
.

55 word fiction

1.Retribution

I was polishing shoes.

He called me from his car.

“Drop this box in the garbage bin yonder and take these 100 rupees,” he said

I demurred.

”I will break your head. Do it now,” he threatened.

I stealthily dropped it in his car even as I proceeded towards garbage bin

“BOOM”. The car was ablaze.

2.First time

My family was away.

I found her when strolling in the mall. Tall, shapely and attractive, she was.

I took her home. What a pleasant surprise it would be I thought even as I laid her on bed.

I gingerly caressed her soft hair.

It’s my first gift of Barbie doll for my young daughter.

3. Fortune

I was sitting on the bench at the park.

When a small dog snuggled my feet, I patted it gently

Wagging its tail, it romped on the side walk happily.

A man on cycle foolishly crushed the puppy.

Struck with remorse, he thrust 500 rupees.

“What name?”

“Dunno”

“Strange name”

I genuinely pitied the street dog.

4.A night at a motel

It was midnight

“No vacancy” said the motel clerk.

 I pointed to hanging key at the corner.

“Not suitable”

“Give me the key, I have no place to go”

“You will regret”

As I inserted key, I heard “It is my room. I live here for ages”

An icy cold hand tapped me from behind.

5.Surgery

“I have unbearable pain below right abdomen ”.

After examination the physician asked “Have you made your will?”

Shocked, I asked “Is it life threatening?”

“Acute appendicitis”

“It is minor surgery,” I said

Yes, minor for most but not for Dr Rajan, the only surgeon available”

“Why?”

“He failed in anatomy thrice scoring single digit marks"

55 word fiction

1. Loyalty
He is loyal to me and rarely complains what food i serve him. In the four years we got together his face sparkles at my sight and accompanies me willingly wherever I want him to. He is unhappy when i fail to respond to his cuddles. Not my poodle as imagined but my dear hubby

2. Jackpot

The neighbour said first thing in the morning "You will hit the jackpot today!" I wondered how he knew my plan to visit Casino. With high spirit I determined to try my luck fully. As I took car out I broke a flower pot by mistake .. My wife shrieked "You have hit Jack’s pot!!!"

3. Stolen kisses
When I move stealthily to her apartment, she takes me in her arms and showers her kisses to my great delight but only when she is alone. Her hubby hates me and shoos me away whenever he sees me. He has a reason. I broke his TV screen once with my tiny cricket bat by mistake.

4. Ideal house
The description in the ad suited my requirements. A house away from others, a garden, long pathway and spacious rooms. Though dark the trees made place cool.The agent showed me all special features and the rent he told was dirt cheap. I knew the answer in the first night itself that it was haunted.

5. Friendly alert
He whispered to me in the crowded bus stand “Pickpockets are plenty here. Be careful." Immediately I felt my back pocket and sighed with relief. "Thank you for alerting" I said as he came closer and shook my hands. When he took the next bus I felt grateful till I touched my back pocket again.

55 word fiction

1) Impatience
“Daddy, here is the report card”
All Cs and couple of Ds with ‘Very poor’ remark
“You bring shame, you fool” said dad and slapped the boy
“That is brother’s. He didn’t attend school. Here is mine” said sobbing boy
All A plus with one A
Daddy shrank in shame as he hugged the boy
2) Double standard
“I am bored stiff. Let us go to casino and have fun” prodded Sunita
“I am in no mood. Let us watch TV” replied hubby
“No, we are going”
“Mommy, let me come. Me too bored” said her small daughter
“No, play with nanny”
“She doesn’t. She talks on mobile”
“Then watch Tom and Jerry”
3) Vanity
The girl in tatters swiped the car clean at the signal.
He dropped a rupee coin in her hand.
“Daddy, you paid ten rupees for the gateman at the restaurant”
“He opened the door”
“He did his duty. This girl voluntarily cleaned the car, daddy” said the girl
“Shut up Be your age” snapped daddy
4) Surprise
It was the third day after marriage.
Her dinner was a total failure again.
She trembled as hubby said “Drop everything. You are going out. Get ready as I bring the car”
Crest fallen she feared the worst as she sat in the car.
He drove silently and stopped the car before Pizza hut
5) Reality
The baby looked at her mom crying
Mommy was forcibly feeding something through a device.
“Don’t cry” said the cute baby. She didn’t hear
“Mommy, my stomach is burning. Please stop feeding”
Deaf must be mommy but tears rolled faster
“I love you mommy” said the baby girl as she closed her eyes permanently.

55 W fiction

1. Welcome
He had not seen his grandparents in India. He has seen them only in mom’s photo album. He was happy to see them in all smiles along with his eldest sister welcoming him. Where are his parents and other siblings, he wondered? He looked down to see them all crying in the hall at his home

2. Despicable

It was dark and raining. She was again missing in the night. It happened frequently. Despite the vigil she gives the slip, a dirty slut.It is frustrating to stir out in dark to find her engaged in despicable act somewhere. He decided to throw her out. He found her near a puddle with another dog.

3. Birthday gift

Arun madly in love with Agnes was in wonderful relationship with her.Oflate he felt she was cold and distant. May be she was busy with work. Tomorrow is his birthday. He opened with excitement the packet from Agnes. She hasn’t forgotten. Obviously she is in love. Inside a tiny box was his ring.

4. Cost of a wink
Immigration over, he got his baggage quickly. Avoiding eye contact and heart pounding he passed through green channel. She was standing a little away smiling at him. What a stunning beauty, twenty-eight at most. He returned her smile with a faint wink. She came over and whispered “Please come aside and open your boxes”

5. Pride

Lata entered the restaurant with her friends
“Get us masala dosa and coffee” she told the server.
Lingering he asked “Do you recognize me,?”
She betrayed no sign of recognition.
“Balu from RKM School, Chennai” he said
“Sorry, I don’t remember” she replied
Another server brought them the food.
Embarrassment avoided, she saved her pride

55 W fiction

Chain snatching
I was taking evening walk alone in the lonely road. Two men in their motorbikes suddenly ambushed me and sped away after snatching daringly my chain. I neither resisted fearing harm nor screamed to attract attention. Instead I smiled to myself.
I use the glittering brass chains for my walks

Soliciting
They were young pretty girls clad in jeans and T-shirts.
When I stared, one of them said “Just 200Rs Sir. You will be happy for the visit”
I was hesitant wondering at the open soliciting.
“Come I will myself attend on you” she offered
My wife nudged and said “Try, it is a new salon”

Beating death
It was a complicated and long heart surgery for four hours.
The cardiac surgeon emerged triumphantly announcing ’Operation success. I can beat death”
He told his assistant ‘Keep things ready for the next surgery. Will be back after a short rest”
After an hour, assistant was waking up an inert doctor. Death was laughing

Man delivers baby
In the exhibition the marquee screamed “ONLY 25 Rs.SEE A MAN DELIVERING A BABY
With disbelief people rushed in to see the strange show
When the hall was full, the showman ordered silence. Lights focused on stage.
A man walked from behind the screen and placed a basket with a new born babe in it

55 word fiction

The disconnect

A young feminist Sally passionately spoke in a women’s programme on equal rights and no discrimination against women.

She hurried to her gynaecologist for an ultrasound.

The doctor smiled and said “it is a girl.”

There was a frown in Sally’s face

“Just kidding.It is a boy” said doctor

Sally’s face beamed with large smile

55 Word fiction

My stalker
He has been following me for long whenever I stir out.I am unable to shake him.My conscience pricks when he is watching me do evil things.That is my profession.I asked the temple priest.He said “he will always stalk you and you can ease your conscience only by not doing wicked acts.He is your shadow.”

Prayer answered

The man had dragged me into his van on my way home and pulled me behind bushes.His unbearable stench assailed my nose.My screams were not heard.Prayer was my only recourse as he disrobed me and fell on me.As I was fighting him away,I heard his scream.I saw a black snake slithering away.God had anwered

The mango trick

After the street magican performed the rope walk and wriggling out of a narrow ring, the dumbfounded audience clapped. Commencing the mango trick he placed the seed under a basket as watchful eyes stared.After some mumbo jumbo, he was about to lift the basket.when his young son shouted”appa, you have left the mango here with me”

Miracle
He was a class topper He missed the last paper in final semester as fell ill.He was inconsolable at having lost an year.His mother asked him to pray.He felt it was futile as the damage had been done.To please her he prayednevertheless.Next day it was announced examination cancelled due to leakage of question paper

For a ride
The young boy mute and deaf was pathetic.His hand and leg were under bandage with stains of dry blood underneath.He invited pity.Coins fell before him in abundance from devotees to temple.It was past noon and hot.Crowd had thinned.The boy shouted “Amma,remove the bandage.I need to relieve myself”

55 Word fiction

Fire in belly

Why am I always running behind others for my success?

Don’t I have any other way to shine in life?

Those ahead hardly care for me pushing themselves to the front.

I am determined to succeed..

God has been kind to give me sturdy legs and hands.

I finally gave up track races and chose wrestling for profession.

55 Word fiction

Obsession
He made sure to see her thrice daily.

Her blue eyes, the way she spoke and her smile made her his obsession.

She never knew his love for her.

She talked a lot but never to him .

She just ignored him.

He hung on to her words till his mom switched off the TV

Chotu’s liberation?

It was Children's day..The minister spoke passionately amidst applause on the bane of child labour and wanted a relentless war on it

It was midnight when he went to bed.His legs were aching much.Chotu was massaging his legs till 1am when the boy fell asleep involuntarily.Bang came a slap on the ten year old.

55 Word fiction

Identity

Policeman stopped the car

‘You jumped signal.Pay me Rs100’

No,I didn’t.It was green

‘I dunno.Either pay up or take the challan]

OK give me challan’

‘Show me your license’

‘See my ID card’

“Guruprasad
Vigilance commissioner
Government of ……”

Sir, excuse me.I didn’t know

Never mind.Show me your identity card

Kiss

If you kiss her, you get the money you wanted

I don’t like it and in public

Take it or leave it

She may not like

She will say nothing and is within your reach

Why do you insist?

So you will not ask again

OK I need money

He produced a frog to kiss

55 Word fiction

A weakness

A high ranking elderly politician though happily married with grownup children had a weakness for beautiful women.

Constant tours provided him opportunities.

In the sprawling meeting ground he saw the young beauty approaching him being stopped by his security.

He shooed them away by beckoning her .

He lifted her happily as she bent down.

Boooom…she was a suicde bomber.

Innocence

The worried elderly woman brought the young beauty with her dark eyes .

The doc came out with grim face after examination.

“She is pregnant” he said

“Oh my god, I never allowed her alone without one of us.A sweet innocent thing ...How did it ever happen?”

"With dogs around, the bitch is never safe”

55 word fiction

Charity
He touched me outside temple
I turned round.
“Please give me a rupee.I am starving’
I was angry the beggar touched me with his dirty hand.
I ignored him
He strode a few steps and fainted on road as a speeding car ran over him
The rupee coins meant for charity jingled in my pocket

55 word fiction

Encounter
“Hand over the wallet” barked the man
Raju saw the cold pistol staring at him
Unfazed he laughed uproariously.
“Why do you laugh, you fool?”
“See where you are standing”
The man turned his gaze down
The next second a thunder blow struck his chin as pistol fell
Raju an encounter specialist grappled the man

Abduction
A motor bike with a woman on pillion whizzed at breakneck speed
Another one with a man hurried behind despite red signal.
The policeman stopped him
Are you colour blind? Don’t you see red
I am in hurry to catch him.
Then pay Rs.200
Don’t you see he is abducting?
Abducting? Whom?
My wife, his lover

Invention

Calling himself a scientist, he always worked on something.
He came one afternoon as I was eating
'Raj, I have made a great invention.Will send it for patent.No more pangs of hunger if one takes them..I will become very rich.'
I was awestruck
'Can I join in your lunch? I am famished' he said

Mom is coming

‘Got a call, mom is coming in two days’said Raju.
‘Kids have examinations.She can come later’replied his wife
‘It shouldn’t affect.’
It will. Besides I have tour for fortnight
‘I can take care’
‘You don’t understand.I am exhausted. I don’t want her now’
‘Be reasonable’
‘Sorry, it is final’
‘Actually your mom called,not mine’

55 word fiction

A threat

Hello
Who is that?
Your nemesis
What
Boss has decided.Fix your funeral
What crap? Who are you?
You will be dead by tomorrow
Why? I didn’t hurt a fly.
You are a squealer,
Whom do you want to kill?
You
What name?
Surendran
I am Joseph
What is your number?
9244112347
Sorry wrong number

A stroke of luck

Sandhya was in a hurry for an interview.She saw an elderly gentleman trip. She rushed to help collect his strewn things.He thanked her with a smile..She prayed at Ganesh temple and rushed.She badly needed this job but was shaken by waiting crowd.
When she entered the room, same gentleman smiled again saying’ you are selected’

55 word fiction

Why?
She saw her ex-flame in mall
He dropped her at her place
‘Won’t you come in?’
‘Why not,I will’’
They sat in sofa with drinks.
He hugged her tight.She melted
Soon they locked lips passionately
She led him into bedroom and closed the doors
Next moment she rushed out screaming
Why?
Sorry, 55 words restrction!!

55 word fiction

Rendezvous
‘Can you come after 8pm? I will be alone.’
'My hubby will be home. I will try to sneak out though cannot stay long'.
‘I think it is enough though this is the first time.’
‘Don’t worry.You will be pleased when you are done’.
At 8 pm Shanthi entered to teach Sita for dyeing her hair.