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Have you heard the story of Chief Kai, the legendary leader of the Patamona tribe, famously told in indigenous Guyanese folklore? His legend is one of the most sacred and enduring legends of Guyana, a water-rich nation in South America. The Kaieteur Falls, the world's largest single-drop waterfall, is steeped in the legend's folklore. Kaieteur Falls, which translates to “Old Man's Falls”, is found deep within the Pakaraima Highlands, along the Potaro River. Before European explorers set foot in the highlands, the Patamona people lived along the upper reaches of the Potaro River. Among them, Chief Kai, renowned for his spiritual devotion and love for his village, Chenapou, ruled as leader. Chenapou Village is located approximately 36 miles upstream from Kaieteur Falls, along the Potaro River, and is considered the heartland of the Patamona guardians of the falls. Chenapou translates to mountain chicken pond, after the native large frogs found there. The village frequently faced violent attacks from the Caribs, a warring tribe who were neighbours to the Patamona tribe. The Caribs desired Patamona's rich fertile valleys, stored cassava harvests, tools, pottery, and livestock, and captured villagers and forced them into subjugation. Eventually, the Patamona tribe was struck by a severe plague. Seeing his people's distress, Chief Kai sought guidance from Makonaima, the Great Spirit. He and his leaders gathered in prayer and asked for divine intervention for their great malady. The tribe's shaman entered into a trance to consult Makonaima, who revealed that only if a pure and ultimate sacrifice was offered would the village be saved. Chief Kai thought long and hard about what to do. One night, he had a vision in a dream where Makonaima showed him the path to peace. The Great Spirit revealed that Chief Kai had to give up his earthly life and carry the tribe's burden over the great precipice and into the spirit world. The great precipice was the massive sandstone cliff edge over which the Potaro River plunges to form Kaieteur Falls. When he woke up, his decision was final. The revelation was clear that the sacrifice had to be voluntary, made by someone whose love was selfless for the people, and Kai knew it had to be him. It became the supreme sacrifice when he volunteered his own life to save his people. One morning, Chief Kai stepped onto the banks of the Potaro River at the historically acclaimed place today known as Menezes Landing. He carried key sacred and symbolic items in his wood-skinned canoe on his final journey, which contained the essential elements of Patamona life: spirit, food, land, and peace. These four offerings represented his tribe's culture and personal pleas to Makonaima: a. Chief Kai took tobacco leaves to burn, as the smoke carried prayers directly spiralling into the spiritual realm and signified purity, reverence, and respect. b. Freshly baked cassava bread and traditional provisions that were symbols of gratitude for Earth's nourishment. The food offerings were a gift of peace as his village had struggled to protect them from enemy raids. c. He gathered small, polished stones from his village's riverbanks and a pouch of soil. These offerings represented his ancestral land and were a silent plea to Makonaima to protect the Patamona territory from being seized by rival tribes. d. And finally, Chief Kai laid his hunting weapons beside him in the canoe. The act of placing his bow and arrows down rather than wielding them marked the end of earthly violence. He was surrendering his role as a mortal warrior in return for divine protection for his people. The villagers watched sadly from the riverbanks while their brave, beloved leader paddled steadily down the river toward the giant abyss. Without fear, he steered his canoe down the powerful current, over the 741-foot cliff, plunging into the misty gorge below. The Great Spirit was appeased with Kai's sacrifice, and peace and healing were instantly restored to the Patamona people. Makonaima honoured Chief Kai's bravery by turning his image and canoe into stone. Today, visitors can see a natural rock formation along the gorge wall that resembles the profile of an old man looking down into the mist, while a large, canoe-shaped rock resting in the riverbed near the edge of the falls is said to be Chief Kai's vessel. Hence, the Kaieteur Falls were named to honour his legacy. In the Patamona language, 'Kai' is the name of the Chief (Old Man), whereas 'Teur' translates as Falls (Waterfalls). The sharp, right-angled edge of the cliff is one of the most dramatic cliffs in the world and is about four times taller than Niagara Falls in Canada. The edge of the cliff is the sacred threshold between the mortal realm and the spirited world. The End.

The tin was rusted at the seams, lighter than a slice of bread, and it was the only thing in our house that survived being sold twice. My father tried to trade it for kerosene the year the mines closed. My uncle tried to trade it for train fare the year he left for the city. Both times, my grandmother walked to wherever it had gone and walked back with it tucked under her cardigan, saying nothing, as if she'd only stepped out to check the mail. Inside were three hundred and twelve sunflower seeds — "small suns," my grandmother called them, waiting for permission to happen. I know because I counted them once, furious, certain she loved them more than she loved me. That was the winter the money changed its face twice and was worth less each time it did. We ate what we grew and grew less of it every year. I was nine, and I thought my grandmother was cruel for refusing to eat the seeds the week we lived on borrowed flour. "Why won't you just eat them?" I asked her, when hunger made me brave enough to accuse her outright. She didn't look up from her mending. "Because they are not seeds, Ana. They are next year." "Next year won't feed us tonight." "No," she agreed. "Tonight will have to feed itself." The neighbors thought grief had loosened something in her. My grandfather hadn't come back from the border two winters before, and grief does strange things to people, they said, twisting their dish towels tighter than they needed to. Mrs. Kovač told her plainly that a woman alone could not afford sentiment. My grandmother only smiled and offered her a cup of the tea that wasn't really tea — just hot water with a memory of mint in it. When the frost broke, she didn't plant potatoes like everyone else. She walked to the far end of our field, where the soil was too full of stones for anything sensible, and planted all three hundred and twelve seeds in a slow spiral, murmuring under her breath the whole time. I thought it was a song. It was her counting, so she wouldn't crowd them. Everyone else spent that summer arguing over turnip yields. Our spiral grew green, then rough, then taller than my shoulder, then taller than my father, rattling like paper in every wind that came down from the hills. I stopped being angry sometime in July, though I never said so. I told her the stalks were good windbreaks instead, which also happened to be true. By September we had forty sunflowers taller than the church door, heads heavy and dark, ringed in gold: a field of small suns, finally ready. My grandmother cut exactly enough seed for our own winter and set the rest aside in paper twists. Then, before light, she walked to Mrs. Kovač's gate and left one there without a note. I followed her, ten years old and outraged that we were giving away food when we lived on turnip peel ourselves. She left twists at six more gates before the village woke. At the seventh, I finally understood. This wasn't generosity. It was arithmetic. Years before I was born, a harvest had failed badly enough that half the village had eaten its own seed grain to survive, ours included. Every year since, my grandmother had been quietly replanting what fear had made people swallow — one gate at a time — so no single winter could ever again decide a whole spring. She never once called it that. She called it "tidying the field." A year later, six gardens bloomed sunflowers instead of turnips — small, uneven copies of ours. The year after that, eleven — including, at last, Mrs. Kovač's, who never mentioned the seeds and never needed to. By the time I was twenty, the whole valley turned gold every August, and almost no one remembered why. A few of us did the counting. My grandmother is gone now. The tin isn't. It sits on my windowsill in a city she never saw, and every August I fill it with three hundred and twelve seeds — no more, no less — though I don't yet know whose gate I'll leave them at. I only know that somewhere, hungry and proud and certain no one is watching, someone is deciding whether to eat their future. I'd like to be the reason they don't have to.

The nightwolves and shadows moved quietly. The forest creatures kept a watchful eye; when the wolves appeared, the winds howled, warning them of the grave danger approaching from the flesh-eating predators. “Quick, run and hide! The nightwolves are out hunting." The ground below rumbled as the animals ran helter-skelter. Oh, the animals rushed to escape the vile predators. Unfortunately, some were not lucky and got caught within seconds. Their screams broke the quiet of the night as they struggled to free themselves from the deadly wolves. However, in a swift strike, they were killed and devoured. The tall, dark shadows watched, delighting in the bloodied melee. The nightwolves were at their behest as they tore the poor animals apart. They left behind a trail of blood and a heavy stench of rotting flesh. The forest animals now lived in fear. The nightwolves grew in numbers and returned often to hunt for food. One morning, Tabby, the squirrel, ran to the King of the Jungle, Lion. He was worried sick about what was taking place. He ran between trees and foliage deep into the forest until he reached the waterfalls. He saw the lion resting on a rock nearby. Lush verdant vegetation created a magical facade around the waterfalls, while the sunlight danced on the waters trickling below. “What blissful haven!” Tabby was envious. His part of the forest had once been as blissful, but not anymore. The nightwolves prowled the area often and killed many of his friends. He had to find a way to eliminate their threat. The King of the Jungle sat up as the squirrel approached him. Tabby bowed in respect. The clouds shifted in the sky above, blocking out the sun. A sudden gloom overcame them. “Ah, Tabby! What brings you here? It's been a while,” the lion greeted cheerfully. He noticed Tabby's worried face. “What's the matter?” His voice echoed through the forest. Birds flew from nearby branches, eager to hear what Tabby had to say. A deer perked its ears. “It must be important,” it opined. “Your Highness, the nightwolves have been terrorising our part of the forest, killing the animals and coming back each night to hunt for more.” “The nightwolves and shadows?” Lion demanded to know in an angry tone. He thought for a moment. Tabby's habitat was once renowned for its peaceful ambience. A great sage had lived in the resplendent environment. When he died, his soul returned to live in his prized habitat. “Don't worry, Tabby,” the lion assured him, “The Enchantress will get rid of the nightwolves for us.” “The Enchantress?” Tabby asked, confused. He had never heard of her before. The Enchantress was the daughter of a deposed King whose reign ended abruptly when an avaricious King seized his throne. The old King had fled into the forest. There he fell in love with a liminal being—a beautiful spirit incarnate who lived among the will-o'-the-wisps. The Enchantress was their firstborn and possessed her mother's magical powers. Lion related how she had once destroyed a fire-breathing dragon. Her melodious voice made the feared creature fall in love with her, and, lovestruck, he met his fate when she shot him with an arrow between his eyes. “Hurry, let's not waste any time,” Lion said. “She will destroy the nightwolves for you.” Lion offered Tabby a ride on his back as they hurried there. The birds followed discreetly, gliding on graceful wings of flight. The Enchantress was sunbathing with the mermaids by the riverbank when they arrived. As the visitors approached, the mermaids disappeared deep into the river. Their tails created a mighty splash as they dived. “Ah, Your Highness. What brings you here this mid-morning? And who do you carry on your back?” the Enchantress greeted with good cheer. Tabby was speechless when he saw the Enchantress. Her incredulous beauty astounded him. “This is Tabby from the other side of the forest. The nightwolves are attacking his habitat every night. We need your help to stop them from killing all the animals there.” Lion replied. “The nightwolves are protected by the evil shadows,” the Enchantress informed quietly. “The moon will be out tonight; I will entice them with a song. Then, strike them dead as I did with the dragon.” As darkness fell over the forest that night, the moon appeared to gloss over the clouds. The Enchantress began her hypnotising melody. Hearing her, the nightwolves stopped in their tracks. “Who's that singing?” The wolves questioned. The shadows hurried ahead of them in search of the soulful voice. They saw a beautiful woman on a cloud of mist under the moonlight by the mermaid's stream. The magic of her voice enticed the wolves to fall in love. Filled with rage and jealousy, they began to fight over her until the entire pack lay dead at her feet. Tabby and his friends were finally freed of a deadly menace. The forest was at peace once again. The End.

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Abstract This discourse sheds light on how Lutrics Edu, an innovative educational tool, serves as a catalyst for promoting youth empowerment and peacebuilding. youth can access educational content on peacebuilding, fostering positive engagement and productivity in peace efforts. The content spans various subjects, including ethnoreligious harmony, safety skills, and peacebuilding strategies. By equipping young people with the necessary skills and knowledge. Introduction The interplay between youth empowerment and peacebuilding is crucial to addressing the socio-political challenges that Plateau State faces. Youth empowerment is not only essential for personal growth but also central to the collective development of society. In a region marked by ethnic and religious tensions, unemployment, and political instability, empowering young people is vital for creating sustainable peace. This article explores how youth empowerment, facilitated through innovative platforms like Lutrics Edu, can contribute to peacebuilding and development in Plateau State. It also highlights the role of education, skills development, and socio-political inclusion in fostering ethnoreligious harmony and reducing conflict. Key Challenges Facing Youth Empowerment Youth empowerment in Plateau State faces several challenges that impede the realization of its full potential. Some of the key barriers include: 1.Lack of Skills: Many young people lack the necessary skills to engage in peacebuilding or secure gainful employment. This skill gap stems from limited access to education, especially in rural areas, and a lack of investment in vocational training. 2.Lack of Awareness: Many youth are unaware of opportunities for education, employment, or peacebuilding. The absence of proper guidance and mentorship further limits their ability to access these opportunities. 3.Social and Economic Barriers: Economic disparities, gender discrimination, and technological barriers significantly hinder youth development. In Plateau State, poverty and illiteracy are prevalent among young people, limiting their ability to access credit and other resources necessary for entrepreneurship and socio-political engagement. 4.Vulnerability to Extremism: The economic and social marginalization of youth makes them vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups. Addressing the root causes of youth radicalization requires a comprehensive approach that includes economic empowerment, education, and social inclusion. Entry Points for Youth Empowerment Effective youth empowerment strategies must focus on enabling young people to become active agents of change within their communities. Some strategic entry points for youth empowerment in peacebuilding include: Strengthening Youth Networks: Establishing national and regional youth peace networks allows young people to collaborate, share knowledge, and mobilize their communities for positive change. Gender Inclusion: Encouraging the participation of young women in peacebuilding ensures that peace efforts are inclusive and reflective of diverse perspectives. Addressing patriarchal attitudes and gender biases is crucial for empowering all segments of society. Economic Empowerment: Providing youth with alternative livelihoods, particularly in areas affected by conflict, helps to stabilize their economic prospects and reduces the risk of involvement in criminal activities. Community Engagement: Engaging youth in community recovery efforts, such as rebuilding social infrastructure, fosters a positive image of youth and strengthens their role in reintegration processes. Recommendations Achieving youth empowerment requires a concerted effort across multiple sectors. The following recommendations are essential for promoting youth empowerment and peacebuilding in Plateau State: 1.Invest in Youth Skills Development: There must be deliberate efforts to train and empower young people through vocational programs, entrepreneurial training, and leadership development. Economic empowerment through grants and contracts can provide youth with the resources needed to create sustainable livelihoods. 2.Leverage Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship offers a low-cost pathway to self-empowerment and economic independence. By encouraging youth to pursue entrepreneurial ventures, the state can foster innovation and create a more peaceful and stable environment for development. Conclusion Youth empowerment is a vital strategy for promoting sustainable peace and development in Plateau State. By equipping young people with the necessary skills, knowledge, and opportunities, they can play a central role in addressing the socio-political challenges that the region faces. Platforms like Lutrics Edu demonstrate the potential of technology to bridge the gap in education and provide rural youth with the tools needed for peacebuilding.

Are you a business owner looking for effective ways to promote your brand without breaking the bank? Look no further! Joining free advertising WhatsApp groups can be a game-changer for your business. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of these groups and how they can help you reach a wider audience, increase brand visibility, and drive sales. Overview BATS (Build, Automate, Traffic and Sales) Community, African based community, is a digital platform created for the sole purpose of helping small businesses enjoy “FREE Advertising and Promotion” through WhatsApp and other social media channels, Known as a "WhatsApp ADVERT Community" service. Although new but fast becoming the BEST choice for startups in Nigeria and then Africa. This platform is going to be the Biggest Hit in 2025, with a projected expansion reach of 5000 active members within the next 6 months, it is cost-effective, fast and guaranteed to give you 400 – 600% ROI with focus on major locations as Abuja, Lagos, Jos, Kaduna, others will follow. BATS Structure and Services BATS Community leverages “WhatsApp community” and related social media channels to create a smart B2C ecosystem where advertisers can promote their products and services directly to engaged audiences. We will start with a General Community and then divide into other industry sectors, such as fashion, food, and technology etc. Promotional Model BATS Community model is an accessible, free promotional model. If you are new or operating on a limited budget, join our community, invite 10 persons to join (screenshots needed) and get a FREE slot for (1 Advert and 1 Content) at no charge. This model is the BEST for startups and small businesses due to the high Paid Ads costs. This will surely bring in for them increased visibility, engagement and conversion. Our Unique Content Strategy and Audience Engagement To help you stand out, BATS Community encourages the use of 1 content – 1 Advert approach daily to create a balance. Rather posting only sales pitches, users are advised to share 1 content story, tips, and engaging content that builds trust with their audience. This is super effective to grab attention, build loyal fans and encourage conversions. Impact and Reach This new platform is emerging as one of Nigeria's and Africa's largest WhatsApp community, starting with Abuja, then Lagos, to Kaduna, to Jos and other parts of Nigeria then Africa, giving you a very wide audience reach better than any traditional advertising channel. Thank You For Reading, BATS Community Click link below to join for FREE https://chat.whatsapp.com/HXzBHWY1K4wLjpKzfTlPIB

I recount the days of old, When the streets were filled with laughter, When the hours were yours and yours alone, To do as you please, to wander. The lush gardens were filled with roses, The bees buzzed, The butterflies had time to break free from their cocoons, and turn into beauties that filled nature's paradise. The Mountain Dew turned into honey and filled the land with much manna, so the children could be fed, and grow in numbers. The time was yours and yours alone. Then the ways of the world turned away from innocence, And the proud gathered dusts of gold, Forgetting that nothing was as precious, As the peace they let slip unknowing, That golden peace, once inherited by their children, once upon a time, torn away, now beggars rummaging for food, dishevelled and dirtied, The children's cries are louder than the bombings, O, what sadness has befallen the world? Now, there is much heartbreak, the children are besieged in fear, They are fed no more, The mountains are filled with terror, The roars of the wild beasts are heard instead. There is much fighting and the stark rays of doom now fill the gardens, The bees and butterflies have disappeared, The children breathe the dust of war as they grow, to remember their lost right to peace. No more is laughter found, not even in the creaks behind closed doors, no more does the land belong - to you, A stranger walks the streets, as if, it was his and his alone. It is an arduous task I see, To revive your land and make it yours once more. Have you lost what was once yours? It is indeed easy to lose your heritage, to a world that glitters in gold. That Golden Peace that you have forsaken, Will remain in the past, history - a longing for peace in the shadows. -shobana-

Vivid imagery and descriptions in a story will remain in your mind long after reading. While dialogues make a statement to ignite your understanding, descriptive language makes a story come alive to leave a lasting impression. A story should feature dialogues complementing great narratives to make it an immersive read. How does a story capture the interest of a reader? The first few lines in a story are important elements to attract a reader to pick up your book. Readers are interested in reading a story until the end when the descriptions are clear, concise, and engaging enough to pull them into the story. While poets often leave the interpretation of a poem to the reader, narratives must be imparted effectively for understanding. When I delve into a book, I am drawn by the vivid imagery and descriptions in the narratives. If an author has painted a captivating, relatable picture of what the book represents, it would interest me to read the whole story. Here's an example: 'Witnessing their love for each other, were the blue corals and pebbles that lined the seabeds, while the rays from the sun glistened like pearls on the shimmering waters.' Dialogues are important structure-building elements of a story. Dialogues add depth, and realism, and are a vital component to effective storytelling. However, stories can be told without them if the imagery and descriptions ignite an interest in a reader's five senses. ‘The Road' by Cormac McCarthy is a fine example of a successful fiction novel without dialogue that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2007. McCarthy concentrates on rich descriptions to attract the reader's senses, adding depth and rhythm to the story. He was so good that his book exemplified the power of descriptive language to pique a reader's interest and win the coveted title. A dialogue-free novel conveys a character's thoughts and reflections through internal monologues that will provide motivating insights into the story. Descriptions expressed profoundly empower a story. To engage your readers use aesthetic language and metaphors. ‘The lush, breathtakingly beautiful green landscape starkly contrasted the blue of the turquoise waters.' When describing an emotion, make sure the reader feels the story as it unfolds. In a reader's mind, he should be able to see, hear, taste and smell. This way you will engage a reader's senses to respond to your descriptions as you want them to. It is in the hands of the author to align a reader's thoughts with his. For instance, if you are talking about the sea, describe how deeply connected you are to the beauty and vast expanse of the ocean. How do the lapping waves affect you? Or the tides as they rush ashore? Use metaphors to describe nature's phenomenal wonder. ‘The translucent waters covered her feet in lyrical movements.' Write different descriptions of the scenes so you make the story intricately variable. They work wonders to create a lasting impression in the reader's mind. ‘The vivid imagery and descriptions in her writing capture the beauty and magic of the sea, likening the eyes to the breathtaking turquoise waters and exploring the wonders of the underwater world, including the delicate anemones.' In the above description, by referring to the anemones as delicate, the sea creatures' strength, vulnerability, beauty, and resilience are explained as they survive a rough underwater habitat. Through creative figures of speech, the readers will imagine and discover the magic of enchantment and intrigue in the words. ‘With eyes as breathtaking as the turquoise waters of the sea, she discovers the true magic of the island.' Textures, colours, sounds and smells are sensory details to focus on to build a rich setting for a story. Create an awesome emotional experience and add authenticity to your stories so readers will never forget how your book made them feel. Some of the stories I have read have impacted me emotionally to a great extent, and the words and imagery still evoke the same feelings as when I first read them. Authentic writing involves properly researched and truthful narratives incorporated into the story to create a deeper connection with the characters and themes. Storytelling is the ability to emotionally engage the reader and leave them feeling contented with your book at the end. Not only do vivid imagery and descriptions emphasise enrichment and broaden perspectives, but they also inspire personal growth. As an author, your goal is to impress a reader so that he will return to read more of your stories. Isn't that the dream of an author? To have his book recognised as a compelling read so that he attains credibility and is renowned as a writer. Storytelling is the art of weaving narratives and dialogues masterfully to enliven a reader's mind with a well-crafted story. Cheers to the great storytellers of all time.

Life is meant to be lived before it is too late. Treasure those poetic moments, you will never experience them twice. ( Poem recited on YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfzslNFaEn0&t=17s Please like, share and subscribe to the channel.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVRNRZVL Soulful Rhapsody: Step into a world where each note is a heartfelt expression, and every melody weaves a tale of love and longing. "Soulful Rhapsody" is not just a collection of poems; it is a symphony of emotions, an ode to the enduring power of love. Read one of the poems below: I hope you enjoy it. Innamorare The Italian prudent in a small town in Italy Tells us his story A tale about his lost love So callously Slipped through His fingers. He's caught in a tirade Of wishful thoughts Innamorare he declares Is both a curse and a bane A malevolent affection One he foresees As a misfortune. Would he perhaps be right? Not even the picturesque setting Before where he rests His weary feet From his long fatigued travails In search of his Wandering thoughts Gone astray just as his lost mind Has reduced him to madness For a woman's sweet love. Ah, he sees her now among the clouds A tiny pearl at first And then a wondrous sight Of a beautiful outline Of a sensuous woman. Then she was gone. His heart clutched at his bosom Would he find among the throes That walk upon this mighty Earth One as beautiful as her? He had seen her once before Only Once And it was enough To set his heart on fire For a lifetime. -end- Get a copy as a tribute to Valentine's Day A book for lovers to gift, or a keepsake to relive the magic of love. And, if you do, please leave a review. I'd love to hear from you.

A good friend of mine has a very warped and funny sense of humor. One of his favorite comments is: “Opinions are like a@@holes. Everyone has one.” Every time he says this, while I do agree with him, I also laugh with him. Keeping that in mind, here is one of my opinions. While many will agree with me, I also realize there will be just many who won't. As my friend says, you're entitled to yours. I don't often read magazines; I just don't take the time. I do, however, read books to relax, write stories, and dabble around with photography. Truthfully, I only read two magazines. One of them I do enjoy is The Week; I like this magazine because it contains a bit of news from every state, there is a science section, important national news and so much more. It is just about the most interesting magazines on the market. I probably should have written this article years ago, but at the time, I was angry and put the magazine away, as I kept thinking, “How dare he?” Then through the years, I'd forgotten about it. Now, looking back to that issue of March 27, 2015, one of their columns was about clothes designing company called Dolce & Gabbana. It was that article that angered me beyond words. One of the owners, Domenico Dolce was quoted during an interview as saying, “We oppose gay adoptions. The only family is the traditional one.” He went on to describe children born through IVF as “children of chemistry, synthetic children. Rented uterus, semen chosen from a catalogue.” Apparently, Mr. Dolce does not believe in adoption or in in-vitro fertilization. Actually, according to his statement, he doesn't even believe in gay marriages. It's a shame when you think about it. There are so many wonderful, intelligent, gay people who have made their mark on the world and became pillars of society. I have met and made friends with many people who are gay but rather than go into all of them, I prefer to tell you the response to Mr. Dolce's comment made by Elton John. Elton John has two children with his husband, David Furnish. Each child had a surrogate mother who conceived them by in-vitro fertilization. Mr. John's response was: “How dare you refer to my beautiful children as pathetic. Your archaic thinking an out of step with the times, just like your fashions. I shall never wear Dolce & Gabbana ever again.” Ironically these Italian designers who happened to make this atrocious comment are gay, but they consider themselves traditional believing that while they should and can live together, they should not marry nor have children. That's something I just don't understand. If you have a partner with whom you are in love, why shouldn't you get married? Why shouldn't you have children, whether it's by in-vitro or adoption. And let's for a moment jump off the Rainbow train. Whether gay or not, what happens to couples (men and women) who desperately want a child to increase their family but for whatever reason, can't conceive? You mean to say they shouldn't be allowed alternative methods of having children? Since that article, Mr. Dolce has apologized to the gay community. Yet, I can't help but wonder why? Did he apologize out of sincerity? Or did he apologize because his sales were in decline? Hmm. Makes you wonder. Sorry, even if I could afford the items Dolce & Gabbana sell, I surely would never purchase any of them. I'll stick to Walmart and Target!

The nightingale watched him like a hawk. The flautist took out his flute, and looking up at the nightingale, he said, “I shall play a tune to match the moonshine for you. You can sing along if you want.” The soothing sounds of the flute reached the far corners of the land. The nightingale became a shadow for it couldn't match the melodious composition of the song on the flute, a love song that awoke the night from its slumber. Please watch the short video of The Nightingale & The Flautist, taken from The Goddess of the Himavan, best-selling ancient & classical literature on Amazon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arpFUl7fJRU&t=57s Thank you for watching. Please subscribe, like, and share the video. Happy New Year, 2023 everyone.

“You got this. It's just a walk,” I told myself as I stared at the mirror in my room. It had been so long since I left my house that I forgot how to dress nicely. I had finally chosen my outfit for the day after trying out my whole closet. I closed my eyes and tried to find any positivity but nothing. My shaking legs began walking out of the room while I checked if I forgot anything. “My mask!” I exclaimed. Silly me! We've been in a pandemic for six months but this was my first time wearing a mask. “This is uncomfortable. How can I breathe?” I asked. I readjust my mask to make it more comfortable. Attempt failed. “Let's try this again,” I mumbled. “You got this. It's just a walk,” I told myself as I stared at the mirror in my room. I checked my fit and decided not to change it again since I'd have to look through the piles of clothes. My shaking left leg lifted off the ground and slowly stepped forward. Then it was my right leg's turn. It was surprisingly easier than my left's. I continued my journey and was delighted to find that it was getting easier with every step. “I actually got this,” I chuckled. I said it too early. Well, it was easy until I had to face the most daunting task: opening the front door. My trembling right hand reached inside my left pocket and slowly grabbed the key. I proceeded to insert the key into the keyhole but quickly pulled it back. “Come on, you can do this,” I tried to encourage myself. My right hand approached the keyhole again. But it quickly backed away. Then back towards the keyhole. After a few minutes and a million tries to get my right hand to unlock the door, I picked another option: my left hand. “You got this,” I motivated it before handing it the keys. Click! I did it! I opened the door; it felt magical. I took a deep breath and walked forward. The fresh air calmed my heart and blew away all my worries. It tempted me to take another step. Before I knew it, I was next to my mailbox. I looked around and I could feel a smile forming. I turned to my left and saw my neighbor playing with her grandkids in her yard. She told me she hadn't seen them in so long. She was so happy to finally meet them again. I can't help but smile a bit more. I then turned to my right and saw my other neighbor sitting on his rocking chair. Beside him was an empty rocking chair. The chair belonged to his late wife who passed due to the virus. However, he still made her tea every day. My smile slowly disappeared. I decided to walk to the nearby park. I saw that the park wasn't as crowded as it was. There would usually be kids running around the playground, while their parents were chatting on the nearby benches while also watching their kids. Grr! My stomach growled. I just realized that I was so busy deciding on my outfit that I missed breakfast. I decided to go to the hotdog stand. “Can I get a hotdog?” I ordered as I grabbed my wallet from my pocket. “Only that?” asked the owner. I saw that the owner needed money so I ordered a soda. “Ok, that will be four dollars,” the owner replied. “Here's ten dollars. Keep the change. Hard times?” I felt sorry for the owner. His eyes lit up as I handed him the money. “Ya, it used to be so crowded but now not so. Thanks for the tip,” explained the owner. “I'm sorry to hear that. Have a nice day,” I waved goodbye and sat on a bench. The hotdog was really good and the can of soda was very refreshing. Once I finished my small meal, I decided to jog home using the longer route. I jogged through a neighborhood filled with beautiful houses. However, it wasn't the houses that caught my attention; it was the people. On my right, there was a family playing together in their front yard. I guessed the parents were working from home. To my left, there was a truck filled with boxed meals. There were a few people handing out those meals to the community. They even offered me a meal but I politely refused because I knew someone else needed it more than I did. It suddenly started raining. I didn't know what to do. I was pretty far away from home. Luckily, the people who were handing out meals offered me a ride home. I would usually refuse to get in a vehicle with strangers but these people had good intentions and I didn't want to catch a cold. Several minutes later, I was home and thanked the kind people. I cleaned up and said, “What a new world.”