The Rich Cinderella

What happened to Sunday "Maria Sunday! Ma-r-i-a-a-a! A sharp hoarse voice followed by an echo, screamed at the far end of the hallway at St Paul's Mission orphanage. It was four thirty in the morning and sister Mary who was a matron at the orphanage was doing her routine check-in. She had a huge roster book in her hand and carried a large torch with the other. The hall was of gigantic size and was creepy too. It was an old church hall that was built in stones and has been there for ages. Some old members of the community were not even born when it's walls were erected. It has been serving the community for almost a century and was a plan of a first missionary evangelist ( father Michael Hendricks) who arrived in the community to be their spiritual leader. There were even rumours that the old hall was haunted by a ghost of an old nun who died of colon cancer many years ago. This former nun was a darling of the community and would visit all the members of the co

Life at the orphanageAs if it was not enough for Maria to go to bed dog-tired every night , sister Mary would make sure they woke up as early as possible every single day of their lives at the orphanage. Four o'clock in the morning seemed to be the ideal time for sister Mary to howl at the hall entrance every day for them to start their daily chores. Some of them would wake up half dozed to grab their coats, gumboots and big hats to make the queue that would lead them to their duty fields. Sister Mary would carry a huge roster book to call and call out their names and the duties assigned to each of them.She would make sure that everyone had left their sleeping chamber. Should anyone happened to be still asleep when everyone had already woken up, such individual would face the serious consequences. A long whip would land between their shoulders and they would regret they ever slumbered when duty called. There were still those who would cry when the

Karma paves the wayMaria's duties were extended to the kitchen. She was among those who were making sure that a big black pot of porridge was boiling and ready to be served at six o' clock every morning. The children would make a queue for the porridge and at seven o'clock they would leaving for their classes. Maria and other girls would was the dishes and sweep the floor before they were off to school. When the school was out they would rush to dish up for everyone. They would serve a plate of samp and a small portion of veges. Most of the time some kids would want more as the food was not enough. They would get scolded by the hot headed sister Mary. One day Maria got a good hiding by giving an extra plate to some of the children who were asking for more. Her plate was taken and she went to bed in an empty stomach. It was stressed that no one was allowed to get an additional amount of food no matter what the circumstances were. So, she learn

Not having everything she wished for was part of Maria's life but to take what did not belong to her was not the part of it. Her mother taught her very well that if she wanted something she should ask nicely so that she could be given. She  knew very well that if she wanted something that was pricey and beyond her parent's affordability, she should wait until it was the right time for her parents to afford it  or she would make a little effort to do a little work in return for a reward. She offer to wash her father's socks so that she would give her few coins. There were many things she would help with to win the favour of the elders. Sometimes she would fetch water for an old lady who was their neighbour. The poor old woman was living with her young grandchild who was only three years. Her mother left her to go and work in the remote city and she never came back. The old woman was struggling to do other household chores as she was feable and sick. So, Maria wou

The light    Maria was lying in her bed later that day and was recalling all the events that took place earlier that day. Her heart was heavy with pain. She could not control her feelings when the thought of missing a chance to go to boarding school crept in. The tears were pouring uncontrollably and her pillow was wet. She missed her family. She missed being her parents's child. Most of all she missed being at home. They did not have everything they wished for but at least they were happy. She enjoyed being at home with people who loved her unconditionally. That was something she lacked and longed for at that particular moment. always heard the stories of children who grew up without parents and had to spend their lives being slaves to the relatives and  their children. Her grandmother used to tell them the folk tales when it was evening after they had eaten their supper. They would sit around the fire listening to the fascinating stories her grandmot