Who Ate my Cheese

Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled at an early age. The Kingdom of his father was divided equally amongst the children of the first wife, who were dominant Politically & Militarily.
Sons of the other two wives had to live with nothing. While in exile, he built a flourishing cottage industry that spawned cheese. Zeenat Mahal died at a young age, and Bahadur Shah bereaved of her loss decided to seek another companion in wedlock. Young Shehnaz Begum would have none of it, and undertook to care for Bahadur Shah Zafar till the very end.
One morning at the Table as all gathered for breakfast, Bahadur Shah Zafar declared his intent to divide his empire. The elder daughter Rabeya Begum had feasted while Zeenat Mahal was alive, and set off on her journey. Abdulla, Ali Shah and Shehnaz Begum the other three children   listened in silence at the division.
Abdulla decided to have a cellar made, to preserve the cheese he had to sell later.
Ali Shah was busy selling on a daily basis and did nothing to preserve the unsold stock, resulting in excess stock produced losing flavour with time and not fit for consumption.
Shehnaz Begum enjoyed her breakfast and daily chores with Mirza Ghalib her husband.
Seven years later Bahadur Shah Zafar called all at the table to check the status of the last division.Shehnaz Begum informed Bahadur Shah Zafar of the issues she faced after her marriage. To hold the pledge given to Zeenat Mahal of ensuring Shehnaz Begum lived well, Bahadur Shah Zafar decided to handover what was left of his empire to Shehnaz Begum and retire for the rest of his life at her new home. Bahadur Shah Zafar decided that since Ali Shah's Cheese had turned sour and thus incurred a loss, he had to be rewarded anew. Abdulla doing well with his share, was asked to compensate Ali Shah for the loss.
This resulted in Abdulla having none of the Cheese given to him at the first division. Miriam wife of Abdulla, suggested that Abdulla go into the unknown and search for a new supply of cheese. Abdulla wanted to know from his siblings ................................." Who Ate his Cheese".

Acceptance.............

Lorac's mother asked her "Why is it so hard to accept? Then she told her the parable of the Lord as an answer to a question about Acceptance : 

Then Peter came and said to him,"Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" Jesus said to him, I don't tell you until Seven times, but, until Seventy times Seven. Therefore the kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him Ten Thousand Talents. But because he couldn't pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife,his children,and all that he had and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him saying,"Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all". The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion,released him and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out, found one of his fellow servants who owed him One Hundred Dinar, and grabbed him. Took him by the throat saying,"Pay me what you Owe". So this fellow servant fell at his feet and begged him saying"Have Patience with me and I will repay you". He did not, but went and cast him into prison,until he should pay back his dues. So when the fellow servants saw what was done, they were sorry, and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him and said unto him," You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn't you also not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you. His lord was angry and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. So my heavenly father will also do to you, if you don't forgive your brother for his misdeeds."  -- Matthew 18:21-35  

The interesting points to be noted here are:

An unaccepting nature is offensive to God. Just as the King accepted the situation of his servant, so also it is necessary for the accepted to accept all. Lorac's mother told her that acceptance helps the family bond better. If inspite of her flaws, she has been accepted by all, then why is she holding against another, who has lesser flaws. We should accept as God accepts.

Todays sermon......11th Sept 2011

Dancing with the Gods

The King was a Neuro Surgeon. At breakfast, the Princes declared their intent to go hunting in the forests nearby. The young prince too joined the melee’. It was customary to ride the Royal Elephant that stood guard at the gate. The caravan entered the jungle, when the lion roared. The troops took position as the grounds men began striking at the drums. The young prince rode the baby elephant, was all excited to be a part of this great adventure. Suddenly as if from nowhere, the lion pounced at the baby elephant, who in fright lost balance, endangering the young prince, who fell off his back. The Lion lost no time in mauling the child. The troops returned to the Palace,with the prince severely mauled, head dismembered, declared dead. Shocked the King declared “If the fault lay with the elephant, then the elephant would have to lose his head”. The baby elephant’s head was dismembered and attached to the young prince. The first recorded evidence of Head transplant . The Kingdom was in mourning at the loss of their beloved Prince. All had declared the young prince dead. As if in response, the young prince breathed life and began to recuperate. A week later, he struck a pose on one leg and began dancing around. News spread like wildfire. It was Resurrection. The entire kingdom gathered at the palace gates to watch their little prince who now wore a elephants head as he pranced around. The wise men declared that this was a Holy Spirit who took birth as the young prince, and is an incarnation of the Gods. The King declared a week of celebration, and thus was born another period of celebration. Every year around the same time celebrations are held throughout the kingdom to commemorate the event, and today the kingdom is dancing with the gods.