JACK BATSON AND THE HOLY GRAIL

by Georgekutty Adappur

  “Father I am ready to accept this challenge. I will prove myself that, I am worthy to get a million Hostos reward for my adventure. Thank you, Father, Thank You very much!” Jack Batson said as he accepted the cheque.

  “O.K. Then. Good bye Mr. Jack Batson, see you soon!” Father John of the Cross said as he went outside to get into his car.

  “Hope to meet you soon. You can expect my call anytime…. Good bye Father ….”

  Father John left and Jack Batson went to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee to drink. Jack realized that it was God’s plans to make his dreams a reality. He was waiting for a chance to become an adventurer since his childhood. The stories read by his parents and grandparents motivated him to go into the world of fairy tales and far away islands where no men could make their foot prints. Finally he is getting a chance to fulfil his dream after 24 years. He remembered a quote in a book that he read:

  “PEOPLE MAY SAY YOUR DREAMS ARE HARD TO FULFIL, BUT BELIEVE, YOUR FAITH CAN DO MIRACLES... LIKE FAITH CURES SEVERE DISEASES, FAITH HELPS YOU TO ACHIEVE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS.”

  Still he was wondering about that anonymous people who came for his aid that he never knew or met in his life. “Who were they and why have they helped me?” He was thinking about it deeply while he made the coffee.

  Suddenly, he heard someone knocking at the door. He went to open the door grumbling as he felt a little bit irritated about the interruption. He was weaving plans in his mind how to accomplish his task....

  CHAPTER -3

  THE ANONYMOUS GUESTS

  As Jack Batson opened the door, he saw a beautiful young lady of around 19 years, carrying a three years old child in her arms, standing in front of him. She was very gorgeous looking and he realized that her beauty and cuteness were incomparable to any other girls or women that he has seen in his life. She was even prettier than his sweetheart Nova and sister Ann. She had blue shining eyes and her dark long hairs touched the floor. She wore a white long gown and covered her head with a golden veil. The child in her arms was waving his hands towards him and smiled.

  “Hey beautiful lady, please tell me who you are and what made you come here?” As Jack Batson looked at that lady, he felt a feeling of awe towards her and the child in her arms seemed like an Angel of God just came down from Heaven.

  “We are coming from a far, far away place only to meet you Jack!” She replied and smiled.

  Her charming smile was attractive and stunned him and he concluded that she should be an Angel, might be his Guardian Angel who appeared disguised as a lady.

  “Who are you my dear young lady and how did you know about me?” He asked amazingly.

  “I know you very well, even if you don’t know me. I shall tell you later who I am, now I came not to introduce myself, but to say something important.”

  “Are you my guardian angel?” He asked to clarify his doubt, as he still felt her as his guardian Angel.

  “No, I am not!” She replied.

  “Then, are you ghosts? Sorry for insulting both of you, because I can see the halos around the back of your heads and shining auras around your body. So I am sure that both of you are not human beings.”

  “No”, I hail from a far, far away place and am entirely different to other womenfolk. This child, I carry in my arms is no one other than my own lovely son.”

  “Can you pass your child to me? Let me lull and caress your amazing beautiful son.”

  She handed the child and Jack Batson kissed him on both of his cheeks. As he kissed the baby, the child continued his smile. While the baby smiled Jack Batson made a cradle with his own arms and started to lull him.

  “Dear lady, please come in and take a seat on that sofa. Then please relax and tell me more about you and why you came here this night time all the way from your far, far away place to meet me?”

  The lady accepted his offer, came inside and Jack Batson showed her a sofa to sit. She sat there and Jack Batson gave her the child back and she put him on her lap. Meanwhile, Jack Batson went to the kitchen and made another cup of coffee to give her. He took some chocolates too, to give her child and went back to the sitting room to meet the lady. She was sitting in the same position, but that lovely child was playing on the floor.

  Jack Batson offered him some chocolates and handed a packet of chocolates to his mother to give him later. Then he went back to the kitchen and came back carrying some biscuits, coffee cup and a glass of milk in a tray.

  “I think, your child might be hungry. So, please give him this milk, and this is for you lovely lady.” Jack Batson said and gave the whole tray to the lady. While Jack Batson watched her, she started to feed her child by giving that glass of milk. The child seemed very hungry and finished the milk in a few gulps, then looked again towards Jack Batson and smiled.

  Jack Batson was very happy to see him smiling. He asked him:

  “Do you want some more milk?”

  “Na!” The child replied.

  “I think you are tired, I can carry your baby and you can drink the coffee and eat some biscuits; after that let’s talk!” Jack Batson asked the lady and took her son and started to play with him. The lady finished her coffee and biscuits. Finally both of them sat on the sofa relaxed and continued their conversation.

  “Jack Batson, actually, I came here to beg your help. My husband is a famous carpenter and he was working for few months to renovate the Monastery of the Holy Face of Jesus. He had heard that they were keeping the Holy Grail inside the underground chamber in the monastery. He had a strong desire to see the Holy Grail since his childhood.

  One day while he was working there, he found Father Abbot climbing down the steps leading to the underground chamber. My husband stealthily followed him out of his curiosity and entered the chamber after him. He could see Father Abbot opening the glass case where the Holy Grail was kept. Father Abbot didn’t realize that my husband was watching him. Then he started nodding his head from left to right and up to down. He chanted some words in a strange language but my husband couldn’t understand what he was reciting. His voice turned from chanting to groaning. After that Father Abbot put back the Holy Grail into the glass case, closed it and then turned back.

  As he turned back to return to the staircase, he could see my husband standing a few meters behind watching all these deeds done by him. That day when my husband returned home after the work, he told me everything he has witnessed. The next day also he had gone for work, but he didn’t return home. The whole night I waited for him, but my waiting was in vain. The very next day I went to the monastery to meet his co-workers to enquire about his disappearance. I understood that on the previous day, he left the monastery just after one hour of work. I was really worried about this and I went to meet Father Abbot to ask him.

  When I went to meet him, Father Abbot was looking very sad and I introduced myself to him. I asked him about my husband, he replied me that my husband has stolen the Holy Grail and disappeared to somewhere. When I heard this allegation from him, I became angry and pleaded that my husband is not guilty. I really felt that Father Abbot was trying to make my husband a thief.

  Even though I was angry, Father Abbot kept quiet. He heard everything patiently and finally replied:

  “My dear daughter, if you disbelieve me, I can show you something.”

  Then he invited me to another chamber and I followed him. He turned on a computer and I could see a footage of my husband on the screen. I could see my husband opening the glass case and taking out the Holy Grail sneakily and putting into his backpack. Then he took out a replica of the Holy Grail from his bag and looked around to ensure nobody was watching over him. Then he exchanged the replica nicely into the glass case and quietly climbed up the stairs.

  “I am sorry Father, please forgive me! Please, I beg you, don’t inform it to the Police!”

  “No, my dear child, don’t worry, I didn’t inform this to the police.”

  “Father, does anyone know about this incident other than you
?” I asked in despair.

  “Yes my child, one more person- Father John of the Cross knows about it. Yet, you don’t need to worry…because he knows only that it has been stolen, but he doesn’t know who has done it. Moreover I requested him not to tell anyone about this episode.”

  The lady stopped for a moment and continued:

  “I am a strong catholic but my husband is an atheist. Still he is a good person. This is the first time he is doing like this. This incident happened a few days ago, but I never met him thereafter and he didn’t contact me. Could you please investigate where my husband has disappeared? I have nothing to offer you for this help, as Father John did. I beg you, please…I can’t live without my husband. If you get back my husband, God will bless you. Please help me”

  Jack Batson was listening quietly what she said to him.

  Tears started to roll down her cheeks and Jack Batson felt very sad as it was the first time he is seeing a woman crying in front of him seeking for help.

  “Dear lady, please, don’t cry. I promise you, I will do whatever I can to bring back your husband.”

  “Thank you, my dear Jack, thank you so much. I will come and meet you again once you you find my husband. Thank you for considering my request.”

  As she said, she got up from the sofa lifting her baby in her arms, then she went towards the main door to go out. As she reached the main door, she turned back and said:

  “My dear Jack Batson, don’t be afraid. I shall pray for you and God will be always with you to help you to tackle your obstacles. You may face many dangers, but trust me, nothing can harm you. Before I leave, I wish to give you a special gift.”

  She took something from her pocket, gave it to him and said:

  “HOW HARD YOUR PROBLEMS ARE AND HOW DIFFICULT YOUR JOURNEY TO SUCCESS IS, I HAVE A GREAT SOLUTION FOR YOU. WHOEVER YOU ARE AND WHATEVER YOUR PRESENT SITUATION IS, USE THIS MAGICAL WEAPON. IT IS SO SIMPLE. BUT IT HAS EFFICACIOUS POWER EVEN TO STOP WARS AND SHAKE HEAVEN. GOD RULES UNIVERSE; BUT IT RULES GOD. IF YOU USE THIS EVERY DAY, I PROMISE YOU, IT WILL CREATE UNEXPECTED MIRACLES IN YOUR LIFE. RECITE THIS EVERY DAY, AND KEEP IT WITH YOU ALWAYS; IT WILL BE YOUR GUIDE AND PROTECTOR FROM ALL THE POTENTIAL DANGERS THAT YOU MAY HAVE TO FACE.”

  The lady with her child opened the door, got into the car and vanished into the dark.

  Jack Batson was still in an amused state of what happened since the nightfall. He couldn’t guess why he was becoming a part of these strange happenings, unknowingly.

  He forgot to say good bye to them...

  As she left, Jack Batson opened his hand to see what she had gifted him. It was a Rosary with white and blue glass beads. His face started to shine as he looked at his gift. Then He heard a voice from elsewhere:

  “Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Pray for Us.”

  Suddenly, his mobile phone rang and he attended the call.

  “Hi, Jack, why didn’t you call me today?” A female voice asked from the other end. It was Nova Flower, Jack Batson’s dearest girl.

  “I am sorry my child. I was busy. I want to tell you something. I shall explain everything to you.”

  Then Jack Batson narrated every incident to her, since their last meeting until now. She heard everything silently and finally replied:

  “Are you sure, you got an appointment?”

  “Yes my dear, a cheque for one hundred thousand Hostos from Bank of Billston is lying on the table in front of me. So we must believe.”

  “So, don’t you think that it is a fake cheque?” She asked doubtfully.

  “No, dear child, it is an original cheque and the person came to meet me was the famous preacher Father John of the Cross.”

  “Thank God, then you can believe it; now listen! Do you remember what I told you? Jesus listened my prayers. WHOEVER TRUST IN GOD SHALL NOT BE PERISHED.” Nova said pleasantly.

  “So, are you happy now?” Jack Batson asked.

  “I will be happy only after you marry me and once I am your wife! So, what is your next step?” Nova was curious to know his plans.

  “To be frank with you, I don’t know. As dad always say, now success knocked at my door, yet I don’t know what to do next!”

  “Don’t worry Jack, I shall pray. If God has done this for you, he will give directions also to fulfil your dream. So, PRAY, HOPE AND DON’T WORRY, like Saint Padre Pio said.”

  “Thank you my dear child, all these miracles happened in my life because of mom’s and your fervent prayers…Are you busy now?”

  “Yes, anything important?”

  “Yes, I want to say something more!”

  “What is that?’ She was anxious.

  “I love you Nova, I love you so much.”

  “…. I already know that Jack! I will wait for you. Come back as a successful man to marry me.”

  “I promise Nova, that is going to happen soon!”

  “I will wait for you dear.”

  “Sweet dreams dear! Call you tomorrow!”

  “Bye!”

  CHAPTER- 4

  JACK BATSON DISCUSSES WITH HIS FAMILY

  Jack Batson’s and Nova’s family came back after their picnic. Everyone was happy after the trip. All the members of Batson family gathered around the dining table for their dinner and Jack shared his previous days’ experience with his family.

  “Can you show me the cheque, then I can decide if it is fake or not!’ Ben Batson said.

  Jack took the cheque from his wallet and handed to his dad. He thoroughly scrutinised it both sides and said:

  “Give me a minute and I can determine the validity of this cheque!”

  Then his dad took mobile phone from his pocket and opened an app named ‘Fake Currency’. He put the cheque under the mobile camera and analysed it with the app. Then he turned back to Jack Batson. Jack was wondering what is going to happen. Jack was sure that he met the real Father John of the Cross, but was the cheque real too? A ray of doubt went through Jack’s mind about the authenticity of the cheque.

  Why should such a famous priest offer a huge amount of money for him? Until today, he was just an average person with no track of record of solving mysteries. He had no great knowledge or qualification to attract people. Then how could he be paid such an enormous amount of money from a famous person, to carry out such a rather impossible mission, when there are better and smarter options? Even the Police was ready to do anything for Father John of the Cross, as he was a celebrity in Billston.

  While Jack’s mind was trying to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of the Holy Grail and why Father John approached him to loosen this knot, he heard a voice in his ears:

  “PEOPLE MAY CALL YOU USELESS BUT JESUS NEEDS YOU…YOU ARE HIS MOST VALUABLE TREASURE.”

  He was perplexed to hear such a voice and looked around to see where it came from. He couldn’t trace the direction of the voice and he looked at everyone. He understood that only he could hear that voice, as no one else had any change even in their facial expression.

  “Jack”, it is a genuine cheque, so you can trust that. Yet, we don’t understand, why…why such a famous person came to our home to ask your help? Why? We know that you are not a famous person and you are not trained to investigate such a robbery case; then how come?” Ben Batson asked. This time it was not Jack but his mother who has answered:

  “I believe that, it is the intercession of Holy Family and Saint Michael the Archangel who interceded in his needs; otherwise even if somebody recommended his name, I don’t think Father John of the Cross will be willing to give this case investigation to Jack. So, let’s thank Holy Family and Saint Michael.”

  Then Jack looked at his grandpa’s face to know his response.

  “My dear child, now God heard your prayers, and gave you a good opportunity. So proceed. You know how many people cursed you and blamed you. Now, Jesus gave you a chance to be more successful than they are. But, ALWAYS REMEMBER, WHEREVER YOU ARE AND WHATEVER YOU ARE, NEVER ALLOW PRIDE AND GREED TO CONQUER YOUR HEART. ALWAYS
BE HUMBLE, BECAUSE ONLY IN HUMBLE PEOPLE’S HEART, GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT RESIDE. He chose only poor fishermen and ordinary people to become his disciples. He never chose any pride King or Queen. So be humble always; then God will help you to attain higher positions and one day you will become the world-famous adventurer Jack Batson.” His grandpa Gringer Batson advised him.

  “Jack, I will pray for you and you shouldn’t need to worry about anything. It is the right opportunity as grandpa told you. Believe in God and He will help you to fulfil your dreams.” Grandma Barbara advised Jack by caressing his head.