Florence had a flamboyant wedding in one of the best hotel in Dubai. The wedding was well attendent but by the cream of the society. Attendance was strictly on invitation anyone who didn't have an invitation had no business going close to the reception venue as the door was guarded by heavily-built,fierce-looking security men who allowed anyone in only when they presented their invitation. The honeymoon was one of a kind. Immediately after the reception, the couple was picked up by an imalculate white luxury chopper to the airport from where they boarded a private jet to the carribeans. It was a month-long honeymoon which was centred on travels to choicest destinations in the world. Every young woman around must have dreamt of marrying a florence.
Just 2 years later, florence stormed into his father's house: ‘Father,' he said. 'I can't take it anymore. My wife is driving me insane!!! Her attitude has changed drastically compared to when we first got married. She bow behaves like Lucifer herself. I want to kill her, but I'm afraid someone might find out I did it. Please help me?'
His Father looked at him for a few minutes and sighed. He wiped his forehead frantically and dipped his right hand inside his breast pocket to produce a pack of rumpled cigarettes. He tried repeatedly to light one but without any success . He turned himself away from the direction of the fan and continued and finally succeeded. After the first puff, he coughed violently and rushed to the toilet to let out a generous sputum.
‘Yes I can help you,' he said after returning to his seat. 'You can? Thank You!!' Florence screamed. 'However there's a but,' he cut in. 'You're going to have to make amends with her so no one would suspect that it was you, when she dies.' He adjusted his seat and continued. 'You'll have to take very good care of her, be kind, grateful, patient, caring, less selfish, listen more and help her with chores.'
Florence's eyes became wide with joy. He couldn't believe that his father would stand by him that much.
'You see this powder here? Every day you have to put a little in her food. So, she dies slowly, father said
Florence hurried away with so much joy. It would take a long time before the Lucifer dies. But who cares? She is still going to die anyway! Finally, he is going to be free from her schemes, knacking and persistent bitterness.
Thirty days had passed and the son came back and said to his father:
‘I don't want her to die! I have come to love her. And now… how do I cut the effect of the poison?’
Then the father said:
‘Don't worry! What I gave you was rice powder. She's not going to die, because the poison was in you!’
‘When we feed grudges, our love slowly dies. When we make peace with ourselves and with those who offended us, then we can deal with the other, as we would like to be treated.’
Then, we will have the initiative to love, to give, to offer, to serve, to care for... and not just have the need to win, to be served, or to take advantage of and exploit the other.
We all need to stop, pray and ask for that antidote called forgiveness.
