Peace in Pieces

“Peace in Pieces” is one of the outstanding stories of the first biannual International Short Story Contest 2018 written by Akshara, Maharaja Agrasain Public School, AshokVihar, Delhi, India.

Peace in Pieces

John sweating with fear went to the boss’s office as he was ordered in.

“Mr. John you have been transferred”, were direct words from the boss. The sweat ran down his shoulder blades. He shivered. He could not convey that he was not willing to go.

With deep sorrow he went back home. While packing his bags, he thought about the new country “Where is this new place? How is this new place? Is it different from here?” Next day, longingly, he had a good look at his house and workplace for the last time and thought, “Would I be able to see all this again?”

When he landed in the new country he checked into a hotel. He opened the creepy door of his room but felt welcomed! There was a king-sized bed, five huge windows, a study table, a washroom, a mirror and never-ending walls. Lazily sitting on his bed “I am bored”, he muttered to himself. Finally, he stood up and sat on the chair near the study table … he idled his time the whole day…the whole night.

Next morning “Kocadoodaldo”, the clock screamed and with this John woke up early. He went to the washroom to get ready but he was still that lazy guy. All of a sudden, a spark lighted John …next to the washbasin, in a bottle, he found a message chit which read “John, start exploring the room and solve the riddle, if you want to reach back your home happily.”

With the speed of lightning John looked for the clues …. on the bed, under the bed, near the wall, far beyond the wall, on the table, under the table and everywhere, anywhere he could reach.

At last he found a dusty, old diary with detailed instructions written in it. John was asked to read, refer or interview anyone to find out the answer of each and every clue. There were 5 clues hidden under the 5 windows of his hotel room, according to the diary. (Poor John needs our help now, dear friends. Take out your dictionaries and help him. Let us solve all the clues and guess the answers)

Each clue’s answer is an English word…

Clue 1: The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.

The word begins with letter P… Search for the word by looking at this picture and the definition.

Clue 2: Being fair and impartial.

The word begins with letter E… Search for the word by looking at this picture and the definition.

Clue 3: Agreement with or belief in an idea or explanation or people.

The word begins with letter A… Search for the word by looking at this picture and the definition.

Clue 4: The state or condition of being free from disturbance or violent activity.

The word begins with letter C… Search for the word by looking at this picture and the definition.

Clue 5: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

The word begins with letter E… Search for the word by looking at this picture and the definition.

Once John had found all the words, he spotted another chit next to the washbasin on the sixth day. This time it ordered him to pick up the first letter of all the 5 answers and form a new word. It told him, once he would find that word and idea, the pieces of his life will be together. It counselled him whatever he wanted from his life is within him not around him.

John did find the word and never felt like going home since then.

Dear readers, guess that word now! As that is the smart way to live happily in today’s troubled times.

ONCE YOU ALL SOLVE IT YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ENJOY ALL THE PIECES IN PEACE.

So, what is the WORD???

John found it, have you??

By the way, which country did John visit??