Story 38

"So Pop, will it be just like before?" asked John. Peter, his dad, smiled. "Yes, son. Everything will be the same as before." "Will there be a secret room under the staircase?" the excitement in John's voice was prominent. "We will see to that" Peter replied looking at the construction site. As the cacophony intensified, Peter stared blankly at the ability of human spirit. Are we really that strong? Or does circumstances make us so? Peter's thoughts were disrupted by John's squeaky voice, "They are saying that the bad people have been caught. Is it true Pop? Will Santa punish them before Christmas?" "Yes John. Santa will punish them. They will not get any gifts, like you, from him." "That's good. But Santa will forgive them. Right, Pop?" the asked earnestly. Peter looked at him and asked, "Do you want him to?" "Yes Pop" pat came the reply from John. "But why? You saw what they did? Didn't you John?" asked Peter. John nodded his head. "Yes, Pop. But then, they made a mistake. You told me last week that learn from our mistake. They will also learn from their mistake and they will not do any such things in future. Isn't it Pop?" Peter looked away from his son. His eyes were swelling up. The last few days had been a complete blur for him. He had never expected such things to happen but then the world stood shocked as the horrific event unfolded. "Pop, don't cry. They have been naughty and like you, their pop will also scold them. They will understand their mistake and be a good boy next Christmas" said John as he slowly held his Pop's hand. John burst out crying, the midnights in Paris will never be the same again