Tata's Dream

Tata's Dream (750 words)

 * Tata - grandfather in Tamil language.

   ** Tudung - a shawl that covers the head of Muslim people.

 

      Ever since your great great Tata was young, his lifelong dream was to become a leader. A law enforcer. At an early age, the wisdom and leadership qualities he possessed were admirable. He felt the need to protect unfortunate people who became the victims of unjust employers.

 

     When he reached the eligible age to attend an interview, he went in hopes to get the position of a police officer, but, he was surpassed by other individuals. He waited for the next interview. 

 

     When that time came, while he was riding his bicycle to the police station, he stumbled and fell on the way down a hill. He landed on his face, and his teeth got hit badly. So, instead of attending the interview, he had to pay a visit to the dentist and got his teeth taken out. From then onward, Tata had to wear dentures. But he never gave up on his dream. Month after month, year after year, he went for numerous interviews, but he never made the cut. The reason was that he suffered from sudden panic attacks, and knowing this, the interviewers did not want to take any risks. 

 

      After two years, his older brother requested him to try for another job and suggested him to go to an employee leader interview at a bank. Tata reluctantly obliged and went for the interview. Since the position was still following his terms, which was protecting people, he was satisfied. After all, he always wanted to uphold the rights of people.

 

      Surprisingly, he got the job. It was his sincerity and determination that did it. He was officially employed as a bank union member. He started off at a low rank, as an ordinary bank employee. Slowly, he worked his way to the top. He helped and guided his colleagues and eventually won their trust. When the elections came, he was voted by his colleagues and became the General Secretary of National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) of Malaysia.

 

      Tata's job was to ensure fairness in all the banks in Malaysia and handle every complain from the bank employees. One day, a woman, Farah, stormed upsetly into his office. " My manager is firing me for wearing a **tudung!" she exclaimed.

 

    " What do you mean? " Tata asked once she calmed down.  "Surely they won't fire you for such a petty issue!" 

 

    Farah said that she had been fired an hour ago, just because her manager didn't like her wearing a tudung. Tata accepted her complaint, and, once she went out, phoned her manager, Mr. Lim. 

    " Mr. Lim! Good afternoon. I'm Shan, NUBE General Secretary."

 

    " Shan! Good afternoon! What can I do for you?" Mr. Lim asked.

    " I heard that you fired one of your employees, Farah, because she wore a tudung?"

 

    " Uh, um, well, I, wasn't trying to.." he stuttered. 

 

    " So, she isn't fired from the bank right? " Tata enquired.

 

    " Uh, yes sir, sure. " 

 

    " In that case, she will be coming to work tomorrow then. Thank you for the clarification, Mr. Lim." Tata said, and hung up.

 

      He then called Farah and informed her that she could go to work the very next day. She was extremely grateful to him and thanked him profusely. She spread the news of Tata's help to all her colleagues and that's how your great great Tata became popular amongst the bank employees of Malaysia!

 

      After solving many problems and gaining the support of all the bank employees, Tata's fame grew and he became the most powerful person in the history of NUBE. Till today, if you mention the name 'Shan' to any former bank employees in Malaysia, you will be surprised to know that they remember him vividly. 

 

      When he got old, he retired, and happily stayed in a small house with his wife. He was proud of himself- he had reached his pinnacle in life and had given justice to many. As he grew older, grandchildren came into his life, and he spent all his time with them recounting memories of his lifelong dream. He became an inspiration to all his grandchildren and advised them in every step of their lives. 

 

      I happen to be his oldest grandchild. Your great great Tata is  the one who has been telling me his life story everytime I meet him. He became the greatest inspiration in my life. Tonight, I pass this inspirational torch to you, my lovely grandchildren. Keep it burning brightly.

    

 P.S. I won the BRONZE AWARD!! :) 

  

Their Adventure Together 24

 Aisha

    I looked up when I heard a loud honk not too far away. I was still panting from running away from Arrow and his pack of wolves. Chris tensed beside me. " Hide the flower. " he hissed. I hurriedly wrapped the flower in my shawl and carefully placed it in my shoulder bag just before the rusty pickup truck pulled up beside us.  

    

    An old man sat with one hand on the wheel and the other resting outside the window. He was bald, but looking at his wrinkles I knew he was old. His white beard greatly contrasted with his dark, tanned skin. His outstretched hand out the window held a burning cigarette and I wrinkled my nose at the foul odour. " Hey kids, where ya going?" he drawled lazily. 

    I gulped and looked at Chris, who shook his head slightly. His message was clear - don't say anything about the flower. I understood his apprehension - it was far too risky to give anything away now, especially after we met Arrow. " We were just taking a walk, sir." I answered briskly. The old man nodded his head. 

    " You guys need a ride?" he asked, after a few seconds. I was surprised at his offer, and was at a loss of words. 'Should I say yes? Or should I reject his offer?' I wondered. Fortunately, Chris answered on our behalf. 

    "Sure, if its not much trouble for you and you happen to be going our way." he said. " We are on our way to the Hidden territory. You know where it is?" 

    " Hidden territory? Why, that's an hours drive from here! You can't be thinking of walking all the way there!" the man exclaimed. 

    " Can you take us there?" I asked. 

    " Of course! Glad to be of help. Come on in!". Chris and I got into the backseat and thanked the man profusely for his kindness. 

    I suspected that the old man would ask for something in the end, but before I could share my thought wtih Chris, I fell fast asleep, dreaming of Sirena and the Black Soldier. 

    A few hours later, I woke up to Chris shaking my shoulders saying that we had reached. I yawned, and looked outside. We had reached the Hidden territory. I got out the truck and thanked the old man who had driven us there. "Don't you want anything in return?" I questioned cautiously. 

    "Anything in return?" he echoed. "My dear girl, I don't want and neither do I need anything from you two teenagers. It was my pleasure to help." he replied.

    I was astonished. "Well, in that case, your help will be remembered forever. Thank you very much, sir." I answered. 

    He raised his cap in farewell and drove off. Chris and I slowly walked into the Hidden territory. It looked exactly like it had when we left. Nothing had changed. We walked straight into the oak tree where the elders were. Via, at the counter, didn't even look up when we walked by. 2 elders were seated in the same seats they were when we last saw them. It was somehow comforting that nothing had changed after all that had happened. 

    We walked in and stopped dead in our tracks. In front of us stood Sirena and her twin! I rushed to Sirena and hugged her tightly. Behind me, Chris caught up with Ian. When Ren entered the room, everyone stood up in respect and bowed. Together, we presented Ren with the Silver Pearl and the True Beauty Flower. We waited with bated breath while the elders carefully inspected the items. 

    Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Ren removed her glasses and smiled at us. I sighed in relief. I mean, it couldn't be bad if she was smiling right? "Congratulations. You have successfully recovered the items you were asked to find before 5 days passed. Now, like we promised, the Hiddens of the Dark Realm and Balance Realm vow to support you in your mission - whatever you need. " she vowed. We cheered and went mad with happiness. Sirena and I jumped up and down and hugged each other while the boys grinned and cheered. It was a festive moment. 

      

    

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