JACK BATSON AND THE HOLY GRAIL

by Georgekutty Adappur

  “So, Lord what will be next?” Jack Batson asked.

  “You will propose to her and she would tell you to do something special to marry her, something extra ordinary and something which other people can’t do.”

  “Why Lord, why is it like that?”

  “Because, she is ready to give her hand in marriage, if you can impress her parents. So, she will suggest a way. If you do, what she would ask you, she will be yours. That’s what she thinks. But, I have another way to prove to you. From today, you are going to see and experience my miracles throughout your life. I ASSURE YOU, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN GOD.”

  “But Lord, do you think it is possible for a person whom other people think useless?”

  “DEAR CHILD, IF SOMEBODY SPEAKS SOMETHING AGAINST YOU, IT IS THEIR MISTAKE. DON’T JUDGE THE VALUE OF YOUR LIFE FROM WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SPEAK ABOUT YOU. ALWAYS THINK THAT YOU ARE A KING, EVEN IF OTHER PEOPLE SAY THAT YOU ARE A BEGGAR. WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT YOURSELF WILL BE WHAT YOU BECOME. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR PRICELESS LIFE FROM OTHER PEOPLE’S JUDGEMENT.”

  “So, what do you think Lord, is it a practical thing, she is going to tell me?”

  “POSSIBILITY TO SUCCESS IS, HOW YOU TAKE DECISIONS UPON THE GOALS, AND THE WAYS YOU FIND OUT TO FULFIL IT. Let’s wait and see. But, remember, when you need my help, I will be there to help you. So, see you soon.”

  “But, Lord, how can I?” Jack Batson asked while he started the car again, but he couldn’t hear any more voice. The Lord had disappeared. But, he could see a small light that went out from the dash board and flew towards the sky and disappeared. As the light passed through, the branches of the trees that stood beside road side started to dance and the clouds moved to both sides to give it way. He could see something written by the cloud:

  “MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD WILL BE WITH YOU AND ALL HIS PEOPLE.

  Jack Batson drove the car and finally reached the park where he already planned to meet with Nova. He could see her sitting on a bench, beside a wooden square shaped table. On the table, in front of her, a bottle of sparkling grape juice, two wine glasses, two burgers and two packets of potato chips, a bottle of tomato sauce and two large pizzas were arranged. He remembered, she told him once that, she loves those kinds of food very much. And as the Lord Jesus Christ said she was clad in a white wedding gown and she had a red rose flower in her hand.

  “Hi, Nova, how are you dear? Why do you wear this wedding dress? Are you on your wedding celebrations, today?” Jack Batson smiled and asked as he approached her.

  “Dear Jack, you are the best friend, I had in my whole life. When you are with me, I am always happy. To be frank with you, dear Jack, I think it is the best day ever in my life. That’s why I wore this wedding dress and this rose flower.”

  When Jack Batson heard this answer, he was really shocked and realized that it was Jesus Christ who talked to him. Then he said in his mind ‘thank you Jesus for talking to me, a miserable sinner!”

  “Please do sit down, Jack. I want to talk with you more. That’s why I told you to come here today!”

  “So, you have something important to tell me. Am I right?”

  “Yes, Jack, I want to talk to you personally, but, I don’t know how to start it?”

  “You know, I am your best friend, so you can tell me everything without inhibitions.” He really thought, she was going to propose to him. So, he continued:

  “So, my dear child, what would you like to tell me?”

  “You know, I am working as a doctor in Our Lady of Lourdes hospital for around two years now. I have told you many times about, Richelles, one of my senior doctors of your age. He was very friendly with me, and yesterday, he proposed to me. He told me, he was watching over me for these two years, but afraid to tell me that he was loving me for some reason or other. But, yesterday, he told me clearly, he loves me, and he asked my opinion about that. But, I told him, I want to ask my parents, what they think about it. Then, when I went back home, I told my parents about it, and they already knew him and he is one of the best doctors in the hospital where I am working now. So, when my parents heard about this proposal they are very happy. So, my mom gave me this wedding dress to wear which she had worn in her wedding day, but, she insisted me not to wear it until my wedding. But, do you remember my promise to you? One day, we were sitting in this same park, on this same bench. It was eleven years before. Then you told me that you prefer to see me in my wedding dress, than any other dress. When I heard that I told you, I am just 14 years old kid, and I had to pass minimum ten or eleven years before fulfilling your wish. Then you told me to promise you that, you should be the first person to be fortunate to see me in my wedding dress. So, I promised. That’s why I wore this wedding dress today only to show you and thus you are the first person seeing me in the wedding dress and I kept my promise.”

  “My dear child!” His head sank down and he felt like tears filling his eyes. He gripped on the bench with his two hands, took a paper towel from the table and wiped away his tears.

  “Why do you cry, Jack? Why you became sad? I thought you will be happy to hear my wedding news? Then why, why… you are sad? After my marriage, I promise, I will really miss you than anyone in this world. But, what can I do, Jack? I will really miss my best friend, my angel in my life.”

  “How could you be cruel to me like this, my child? You remember that day, I made you to promise me that I should be the first person to see you in your wedding dress. Yet, you didn’t understand what I meant. How could you be so foolish? Why couldn’t you even understand that I was telling I love you and wish to marry you. I was scared to tell you directly, because I thought if I tell you the truth, I would lose your friendship and you would stop talking to me. So, now, you found another person to love you and want to get rid of me. How could you be so cruel? I never expected you would do this to me!” He covered his eyes and face with his hands and started to weep.

  When he lifted his head, and looked at Nova’s face, she was also crying.

  “I am sorry, I didn’t know that, you were loving me, I didn’t know that, you were waiting for me all these years. I was angry with you when you rejected the marriage proposals from good girls. Even then you didn’t tell me anything. But, I was an innocent girl and didn’t even understand, you were loving me. You know, I was just 14 years old, and at that age, love from a boy was very difficult for me to understand.”

  “So, you have decided to leave me alone. You know the last eleven years, I was thinking and crying only for you. But, you didn’t realize that. Still, you feel like I am joking, but, my dear child it is my life, please… I beg you… try to understand me. You don’t know, how much I was loving you all these years by forgetting myself.”

  “What can I do, Jack? I am sorry, I am helpless. I don’t know what to say! Do you think, I am happy to leave you alone? What you told me just now was the thing I was longing to hear from you all these years. But, you never opened your mind. So I thought, you considered me as your sister. Still, I was waiting for you. What should I do now? I am sorry Jack if I hurt you.”

  “I don’t know anything Nova. I am totally helpless now. You don’t understand my agony. You are a successful doctor, but look at my life. I was wasting all these years without earning anything. I stopped my studies because I thought that it is a waste of time. I wasted all my time doing nothing. The only positive thing I can say about myself is I read many books and got some knowledge out of it. My parents, your parents and even you advised me to give up my laziness, still I adhered into my usual habits. I never thought I will lose you. But, can you please help me? Tell your parents, you don’t like that guy and you need some more time to improve your career. Tell them something and block this marriage to give me time or else I will lose you forever.”

  “If I do so, if I wait for you, will it help? I am not saying that I can’t wait for you. What I mean is, if I do so, can you assure me something positive from you...and…” Nova became emotional and
she couldn’t finish her words.

  “I promise you Nova, if you tell your parents as I told you, then, I will get some breathing time to impress your parents. Don’t be cruel to me, my child. Please try to understand me. You know my heart. At present I am a big zero having nothing to impress your parents. But, I request you to wait for one year. Then I can prove the world that I am the most suitable husband for you.”

  “But, what…what are you going to do? Do you know, if I can become your wife, I will be the happiest girl in the world? But, please tell me your plan…how are you going to impress my parents to get me as your wife?”

  “My dear child, to be frank with you, I don’t know what to do now. I want to do something special and become famous to impress your parents, to get you as my sweetheart. But how is it possible dear child? Do you have any suggestion that help me to become rich and a celebrity? As you know all these years, I was longing and dreaming to become an adventurer, because it was my next greatest dream in life.”

  “But you told me earlier that it was your greatest dream!”

  “No, my dear child, it isn’t!”

  “Then what is the greatest dream in your life?”

  “My greatest dream in life? You know it…. It is only to marry you my sweetheart.”

  “But, how it is possible Jack, how can you marry me? If you are willing to marry me, I am ready, but, how is it possible? I love my parents, and you know, I don’t want to hurt them by deciding on my own selection. I want them to choose for me, because, I promised them that I won’t take my own decision without their consensus. As you know it was their hardships, tears, and struggles, the reason why I am here. So I am helpless, as I already promised them. If I didn’t give them my word I could have done something for you. Then I wouldn’t have to make you despair.”

  “Then go and marry that person who proposed you yesterday.” Jack Batson’s face turned red.

  “Did I mean that? Did I tell you that I want to marry that person who proposed me just yesterday? Do you think I didn’t want you in my life? Why do you talk like that Jack? Please try to understand me. If I was an orphan, I wouldn’t have hurt you! But you know, how can I hurt my parents, when they have big plans about me?”

  “That’s why I told you to marry that guy and spoil your life. Look here…You should remember one more thing…here will be a person who would love you and wait for you until his death. I won’t forget you, even after that!”

  “Dear Jack, please don’t talk about your death. Here I am… Tell me what should I do?”

  “I told you already…. give me one year, then I can do something. I promise you…your parents will agree with my request, because, I believe that nothing is impossible to God.”

  “I shall wait for you Jack, I shall wait for you.”

  “Thank you my dear child. Now, I have no time to waste. The food is getting cold. Let’s enjoy this food and go home.”

  Jack cut a slice of pizza and gave to Nova. She smiled and poured the French sparkling wine into glass. They sipped the wine, it was sour and sweet. The wine bubbles slowly disappeared from the surface while they drank. They ate a few slices of pizza and emptied the tumbler.

  The sun was sinking down into the Pacific Ocean and it glowed like a red coal. Nova’s beautiful face reddened by the sun rays. A pair of wild geese was flying towards its nest in the distance.

  “So, where did you park your car?” Jack Batson broke the silence.

  “No, I didn’t bring my car, I came by walk.”

  “Then I shall drop you home.” Jack Batson said and he looked into her beautiful eyes. He felt as though it was glistening with love for him. He realized at that very instance, he doesn’t want to miss her for anything.

  “My dear Nova, will you marry me?” He whispered again.

  “I don’t know Jack what to say! I can hurt neither you nor my parents. I want to see everyone being happy. The only thing I can do is pray for you to fulfil your dream. So every day, I shall go to Saint Vianney’s Church for Holy Mass and recite Rosary for you. Don’t be afraid, God will help you, don’t get stressed. That’s the only thing I can tell you now. So, when we are going to meet again?”

  “I shall meet you soon my sweetheart before it is too late. I trust in God and I am sure He will open up some ways for me.”

  They got into the car and left. While Jack Batson driving the car, he narrated the prophetic words he experienced. While they talked about this, Jack Batson could hear a mysterious voice talking to him:

  “GOD ALWAYS CHOOSE THE HUMBLE AND ABANDONED AS HIS INSTRUMENT OF MIRACLES”. Finally, they reached in front of Nova’s house and the darkness had spread everywhere. But, the moon was gleaming over them, as though it felt jealous towards those lovers. Jack Batson dropped her there.

  “Jack, why can’t you come in and say hi to my parents and my younger brother?”

  “Not now, sweetie. I will come one day to tell your parents that, I love you. See you soon.”

  “Jack, you don’t need to doubt about what I am thinking about the prophesy and Jesus’ voice that you heard. I believe fully what you told me. The whole world may distrust you, but, I believe you. If Lord Jesus Christ has told you that, you should have faith in Him. So, bye Jack. Hope to see you soon. I have one more request, please try to attend Holy Mass and recite Holy Rosary every day. That will give you the power to see and experience God in your life.”

  “Sure Nova. I am ready to do anything to get you as my wife.”

  “Jack, it is not for marrying me. You don’t know, how lucky you are. You are blessed to hear the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ. When His Holy Spirit come into your life nothing will be impossible for you. So, pray to get anointed by the Holy Spirit and give the rest of your dreams in Jesus’ hands. I am sure, with the help of the Holy Spirit, you will see and experience miracles in your life. God will never abandon you, he will hear your prayers and you will make impossible things possible.”

  “OK, Nova, see you soon!”

  Jack Batson left the place. On the way back home, the rain started to fall mercilessly and lightning appeared in the sky. The Moon had hidden behind the dark rainy clouds, as though it was scared of the bad weather. Then he heard the mysterious voice like before:

  LET THE PEOPLE CRITICISE AND JUDGE YOU. BUT, NEVER LET YOURSELF BE A LAUGHING STOCK FOR OTHERS. REMEMBER, GOLD NEEDS FIRE TO GET PURIFIED AND SEED NEEDS TO BE ABANDONED IN THE GROUND TO SPROUT OUT AS A TREE.

  When Jack Batson reached home, it was 9’O clock. He was tired and had no energy to go back to the library to continue his reading. He went to his room and knelt down. He looked at the image of Holy Family, took his rosary and started to pray. After the prayer, he went to bed.

  Days passed swiftly. Jack Batson was searching for a way to fulfil his dream to become a famous adventurer. Yet he couldn’t find anyway. But, like Nova said, he continued to attend Holy Mass and recite Rosary every day. He understood that it was not easy to fulfil his dreams by achieving his goals. Still he had a hope that GREAT DREAMS, STRONG DETERMINATIONS, FERVERENT PRAYERS AND ARDENT DESIRES WOULD NEVER GO UNANSWERED BY GOD.

  One day he was all alone at home. His parents, grandparents and siblings had gone for a picnic with Nova’s family, as Nova’s dad and Jack Batson’s dad were friends. Nova couldn’t go with them because she was very busy with her work in the hospital. So Jack Batson also decided that he is not going for the trip.

  After his breakfast, he went to the letter box. He could find only one mail in the letter box which was addressed to him:

  “To,

  Mr. Jack Batson

  Batson Family Castle

  Danger Forest”

  He opened the letter and read the following words:

  My dear Jack Batson,

  As you know, we didn’t have any acquaintance before. Yet, I send this letter to request your urgent help in an important matter that I am dealing with. It is an important job that would give you an attractive payment. A gorgeous couple from your fami
ly circle, their small child and their friend came to meet me yesterday. Their request was very appealing and hence I couldn’t deny it. Still, I don’t understand, how they came to know that I was seeking help. It is a confidential matter that may affect the popularity of many people. I was looking for a trustworthy person to handover this duty.

  Your relatives told me that you are the most suitable person for this. I can’t write more in this letter, due to the confidential nature of this subject. But I promise you, if you would accept this offer you will be rewarded with an attractive payment. I would like to meet you in person tomorrow afternoon, if it is OK with you to discuss more in this regard.

  May the Holy Family’s blessings be with you always.

  With Love,

  Father John of the Cross.

  Vicar of the Holy Family Catholic Church