Peace in Red so Quick - a story for Children

 

Exactly as promised, at 1 minute past midnight her phone made a whoosh sound. Jasmine would only see the message in the morning as she was fast asleep

“You need to find a shop in Balmain. It has an Elephant called Ephemera who has the answer, with lots of love Santa”

Jasmine’s mother looked at the message over and over again. Not believing it. Jasmine was insisting on coming to work with her so she could search for this shop. The message was from the number 05683 5683.

9-year-old Jasmine had woken up early and she was ready. 

After Jasmine’s mother finished her shift at Woolworths, they started searching.

They turned right and went down a hill. On the left was a lovely old building.

“This is the Balmain Watch House and the oldest Police Station in Australia. But sadly we have no Elephant. I have heard there is one near Dawn Fraser Baths”, said the lady there. “Are you from India?”, she also asked. 

Jasmine’s mother admired the red Bandhani scarf the woman was wearing.

Jasmine showed no interest in swimming in the beautiful harbour pool called Dawn Fraser Baths with quaint green wooden balconies and a small sandy beach. There was a little cafe where she also asked. “Sorry no Elephant here,“ replied the attendant. He also offered her an Anzac biscuit.

Normally Jasmine would have loved the pool but today was different. A day to find an Elephant in Balmain and find her answer. She had to hurry.

As if by magic, she saw it. This mosaic of an Elephant outside a shop in Darling Street. Near the bus stop. "Whoosh" went the phone confirming that this was the place.

Jasmine felt she had come home. The colourful block prints, Ajrakh prints, Raj the large wood gatekeeper, the Bandhanis, the Kurtas, Bedspreads with Elephants on them. Handwoven Ribbons and the shiny Kansar thalis, the Kutch bells, the Embroidery, all about India she had heard about

"But where to look?"

Jasmine stood in front of Ephemera the Elephants mosaic with this question in her mind.

"Look in the bags", she heard a whisper. Could this be Ephemera the Elephant whispering?

She inspected the shop. There were many bags

The red recycled bag. She looked in. Empty

The orange Lisa Hall bag with patchwork and mirrors. Nothing

The yellow Kutch bag. Zero

The little green, light blue, indigo-blue wallets from Kutch. Not a thing

The block print toiletry bags, The navy blue, pink gold one nothing, the purple one empty, the gold white black paisley print one empty too.

And then she spotted this small red pouch attached to the Sanganer print cushions.

Jasmine nervously opened the bag. And yes there was a piece of paper with a message. 

This is what it said 

सांता को अपने नोट के लिए धन्यवाद। मैं शांति हूं जिसका अर्थ है शांति। इपमेरा मेरे अच्छे हाथी मित्र हैं। अगर आपको पसंद है तो वह आपको मेरी तस्वीर दिखाएगी

तुम इतनी केयरिंग लड़की हो। और मुझे पता है कि आप अपनी माँ की अनिद्रा के लिए एक समाधान चाहते हैं। अच्छी नींद की कमी सभी के लिए बहुत तनाव पैदा करती है।

मेरा सुझाव है कि जब भी वह कर सकती है, तो आपकी माँ इस चित्र में दिखाए गए अंगूठे और तर्जनी को पकड़ें। एक समय में एक हाथ या दोनों एक साथ

यह आपको दिखाई देगा काम करेगा। इसके अलावा, जब संभव हो तो उसे रंग लाल पहनने के लिए कहें।

आपको हमेशा शांति मिले

PS संदेश यह देखने के लिए अच्छी तरह से छिपा हुआ था कि क्या आप इसे खोजने के लिए पर्याप्त चतुर होंगे

Jasmine's mother translated

Thank you for your note to Santa. I am Shanti which means peace. Ephemera is my good elephant friend. She will show you my picture if you like.

You are such a caring girl. And I know you seek a solution for your mother's insomnia. Lack of good sleep creates too much tension for everyone.

I suggest that your mother hold her thumb and index finger as shown in this picture of the Buddha whenever she can. One hand at a time or both together.

This will work you will see. Also, ask her to wear the colour red when possible.

May you always have peace

PS The message was hidden well to see if you will be clever enough to find it

Jasmine could not stop smiling after what she heard. She turned to her mother and said. "please always carry a Red Kutch Bag". She also decided she would do the same herself for the rest of her life.

written for India in Balmain

indiainbalmain.blogspot.com