The Happiest Women On Earth (1)

"'Dear sister, the pursuit of happiness is something that concerns us all, no matter where we live or what our station in life is. The way to happiness is to be found in clarity of knowledge and soundness of education. This cannot be achieved by reading romantic fiction that takes the reader away from reality and is filled with rosy dreams and dizzying illusions, but which leads to frustration and depression. You should not care about any worldly adornments, empty decorations, false appearances or transient fashions,' Flora told me this when once I met her, " said the Moon when she came after saying Basmalah and Salaam."Flora added, 'Dear sister, wipe away your tears, when distress strikes and calamities come one after another, then say: Lailaha illallah. Verily with every difficulty there is ease; after night comes the day. The clouds of worry will be blown away, the darkness of distress will be dispelled, and calamities will come to an end, by Allah's leave. Think well of your Rabb, and chase away your worries by remembering the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon you. Do not think that this world is ever perfect for anyone. There is no one on the face of the earth who gets all that he wants or is free from all kinds of distress. Be like a tall tree with high aims; if a stone is thrown at it, it simply lets its fruits drop. Extinguish the flames of hatred from your heart by forgiving everyone who has ever hurt you. Remember that your Lord forgives those who ask Him for forgiveness, and He accepts the repentance of those who repent, and He accepts those who come back to Him.

Dear sister, praise be to Allah, the Almighty. You have to seek reward with Allah. If some worry, distress or grief befalls you, remember that it is an expiation for sin. Allah, the Most Generous, Most Kind, gives to His slave more than he can hope for before he even asks. He appreciates small deeds and makes them grow, and He forgives and erases a great deal of mistakes. If some disability or sickness befalls you, remember that it brings its own reward from Allah, which is preserved with Him. If you fall sick then tum to Allah, the Almighty, and pray to Him a great deal for forgiveness and call upon Him and repent to Him. Be for good cheer, for Allah answers prayers, relieves distress and takes away bad things. Hunger, sickness and poverty all bring their own rewards from Allah. Nothing is ever lost with Him. He keeps it as a trust with Him until He gives it to its owner in the Hereafter.

Dear sister, do you think that happiness is to be found in dollars and dinars, furnishings and clothing, food and drink, means of transportation? Not at all. Happiness has nothing to do with richness or poverty, and happiness is not some kind of magic; if it were, it would be of no value. Happiness is contentment in the heart, peace of mind, a sense of stability, joy in the heart, a righteous attitude, good behaviour and being content with what is sufficient. Be certain that happiness is like a planted flower that has not yet blossomed, but it is certain to appear. The first step towards happiness each day is Fajr prayer, so start your day with it, then you will be under the protection and care of Allah, the Almighty; He will protect you from all evils and guide you to all that is good. Allah does not bless a day that does not start with Fajr. It is the first step towards acceptance and success. So, glad tidings to all those who pray Fajr, and misery and loss to those who neglect this prayer. Try, when you pray Fajr, to sit in a humble manner and face the qiblah for ten or fifteen minutes, remembering Allah a great deal and calling upon Him. Ask Allah for a good day, a blessed day, a happy day, a day of success and achievement with no calamities, crises or problems, a day with bountiful provision, goodness and care.

Dear sister, when morning comes, remember that the sun is shining upon thousands of miserable women, but you are blessed; it is shining on hundreds of hungry women, but you have plenty to eat; it shines on thousands of women who are imprisoned, but you are free; it shines on thousands of women who have been stricken with calamity and lost their children, but you are happy and healthy. How many tears flow down women's cheeks, how many mothers' hearts are filled with pain, how many screams come from girls' throats - but you are smiling and happy.

So praise Allah, the Exalted, for His kindness, protection and generosity. Sit and think, and be honest with yourself; look at the numbers and statistics. How many things do you own, how much wealth do you possess, how many blessings do you enjoy, how many things do you have that bring you delight? Beauty, wealth, children, shade, a home, a country, light, air, water, nourishment, medicine? Rejoice and be of good cheer.

Dear sister, do not spend your time doing nothing. I urge you to keep busy, not to give in to laziness and idleness. Rather, you should take care of your house and home library, make your house a paradise of tranquility, not a noisy playground, for quietness is a blessing. And do your duties and your work, or pray, or read Qur'an or useful books, or listen to useful tapes, or sit with your neighbours and friends and talk to them about things that will bring them closer to Allah. Do not make your problems the subject of conversation with others, for by doing so you create a barrier between yourself and happiness. Then you will find happiness and joy, by Allah's Leave. And beware of giving in to idleness, for this will lead to worries, anxiety, devilish whispers and doubts that nothing can relieve except hard work.

Dear sister, a wise woman is the source of a happy life. There is nothing more damaging to a woman's beauty than anxiety that makes her look older than her age. Enjoy today and make the most of it; look for things that will prevent pain from happening before it attacks you. Life is short; don 't make it even shorter by worrying. Enough of anxiety! Be patient and face reality with steadfastness; fill your time and keep going. Avoid arguments and getting involved in futile discussions about things that may never happen, because that causes anxiety and annoyance. You should not spend half your life in disputes. Do not always try to convince people about matters that are open to different points of view, rather, simply state your view quietly without getting angry or trying to pressurize others. Avoid refuting or criticizing others too much, for that will make you feel uneasy and give others the wrong impression about you. Say what you have to say in a kind and gentle manner, for kindness spreads happiness among us and among those around us, even inanimate objects. Kindness has an intangible beauty that knows no boundary. For man, this is like beauty in a woman, and for woman this increases her beauty manifold. Then you will be able to win people over and inspire them. Moreover, worry and distress lead to backbiting about others and putting them down, which takes away reward, brings you a burden of sin and destroys tranquility. Judging people is not our responsibility. It is not our duty to think of punishing others. So, pay attention to correcting your own faults and forget about people's faults, for Allah did not create us perfect and infallible; rather, we all have sins and faults. So, glad tidings are to the one who focuses on dealing with his own faults rather than the faults of others.

Dear sister, be beautiful and you will see the world beautiful. The real beauty lies in beautiful behaviour, manners and mind. You should take care of your appearance, wear perfume at home, keep your house tidy, and meet your husband, children, siblings, relatives and friends looking cheerful, with a ready smile and an attitude of contentment. A smile is like a ray of sunshine, you should smile if you want others to smile at you. A smile does not cost anything, but it gives a great deal. In order to be beautiful, your thoughts should be so. Trivial things may push wise people to the brink of insanity. Beware of sin for it leads to grief, especially the sins that are very common among women, such as forbidden glances, wanton adornment, being alone with a non-mahram man, cursing, slandering, backbiting, denying one's husband's rights and not acknowledging his acts of kindness. These sins are very common among women, except for those on whom Allah has mercy, so beware of incurring the wrath of Allah and fear Him, for fear of Allah is what brings happiness and a clear conscience.

Dear sister, you are sound in body and in good health, living a life of tranquility, security and contentment. Think of the world as a whole, of the hospitals filled with patients who have been stricken with disease and calamity for many years; and the prisons in which thousands of people are held behind bars, their lives and pleasures ruined; and the asylums and hospitals which accommodate people who have lost their minds and have become insane. Are there not poor people living in tattered tents and hovels, who cannot find a bite to eat? Are there not women who have been stricken with calamities that took away all their children in a single accident? Or women who have lost their sight or hearing, or whose arms or legs have been amputated, or who have lost their minds, or who have been stricken with chronic diseases such as cancer and the like?

So give thanks to Allah, the Exalted, All-Merciful, for His blessings and do not waste your time with things that are not pleasing to Him. Rather, choose that which is useful and beneficial. Be of good cheer, for Allah, the Exalted, has promised you a great reward. Allah has given the same promises to men as to women, and He praises women as He praises men. Women are the twin halves and companions of men, and that your reward is stored with Allah. You can do good deeds at home and in society, that will help you attain the pleasure of Allah. So, set the best of examples. The successful woman is supplicated for, praised by her husband, loved by her neighbours and respected by her friends. Your words should be dhikr, your glance should teach you something, your silence should be contemplation. Then you will find happiness and peace of mind.'"

[Part 2]

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Toad and Frog are Friends

"'Flora told me like this, 'Toad and Frog has been friends for eight years,'" the Moon told a story after saying Basmalah and Salaam. "Then Flora added, 'Frogs fall out of my mouth when I talk. Toads, too.

Toads were easier. Toads are tough. After awhile, I learned to feel when a word was a toad and not a frog. I could roll the word around on my tongue and get the flavor before I spoke it. Toad words were drier. Desiccated is a toad word. So is crisp and crisis and obligation. So are elegant and matchstick.

Frog words were a bit more varied. Murky. Purple. Swinging. Jazz. Love is a frog word, if spoken earnestly—but I doubt his sincerity, and a toad word if spoken sarcastically. Frogs are not good at sarcasm. Toads are masters of it.

I go to vernal pools and whisper sonnets that turn into wood frogs. I say the words squeak and squeal and spring peepers skitter away into the trees. They begin singing almost the moment they emerge. Then I read long legal documents to a growing audience of Fowler’s toads, who blink their goggling eyes up at me. I am practicing reading modernist revolutionary poetry aloud. Here. Listen. I’ll tell you some stories!

One day, Frog ran up the path to Toad’s house. He knocked on the front door. There was no answer. 'Toad, Toad!' shouted Frog,'wake up. It is spring!'

'Blah,' said a voice from inside the house. 'Toad, Toad!' cried Frog. 'The sun is shining! Wake up!'

'I am not here,' said the voice. Frog walked into the house. It was dark.

All the shutters were closed. 'Toad, where are you?' called Frog. 'Go away,' said the voice from a corner of the room. Toad was lying in bed.

He had pulled all the covers over his head. Frog pushed Toad out of bed. He pushed him out of the house and onto the front porch.

Toad blinked in the bright sun. 'Help!' said Toad.'I cannot see anything.' 'Don’t be silly,' said Frog. 'What you see is the clear warm light of April.

And it means that we can begin a whole new year together, Toad. Think of it,' said Frog.

'We will skip through the meadows and run through the woods

and swim in the river. In the evenings we will sit right here on this front porch and count the stars.'

'You can count them, Frog,' said Toad. 'I will be too tired. I am going back to bed.' Toad went back into the house.

He got into the bed and pulled the covers over his head again.

'But, Toad,' cried Frog, 'you will miss all the fun!'

'Listen, Frog,' said Toad. 'How long have I been asleep?'

'You have been asleep since November,' said Frog. 'Well then,' said Toad, 'a little more sleep will not hurt me. Come back again and wake me up at about half past May. Good night, Frog!'

'But, Toad,' said Frog, 'I will be lonely until then.' Toad did not answer.

He had fallen asleep. Frog looked at Toad’s calendar. The November page was still on top. Frog tore off the November page. He tore off the December page. And the January page, the February page,

and the March page. He came to the April page. Frog tore off the April page too.

Then Frog ran back to Toad’s bed. 'Toad, Toad, wake up. It is May now.'

'What?' said Toad. 'Can it be May so soon?'

'Yes,' said Frog. 'Look at your calendar.'

Toad looked at the calendar. The May page was on top. 'Why, it is May!' said Toad as he climbed out of bed. Then he and Frog ran outside to see how the world was looking in the spring. Then Frog ran back to Toad’s bed. 'Toad, Toad, wake up. It is May now.'

'What?' said Toad. 'Can it be May so soon?'

'Yes,' said Frog. 'Look at your calendar.'

Toad looked at the calendar. The May page was on top. 'Why, it is May!' said Toad as he climbed out of bed. Then he and Frog ran outside to see how the world was looking in the spring.

One day in summer, Frog was not feeling well. Toad said, 'Frog, you are looking quite green.'

'But I always look green,' said Frog. 'I am a frog.'

'Today you look very green even for a frog,' said Toad. 'Get into my bed and rest.'

Toad made Frog a cup of hot tea. Frog drank the tea, and then he said, 'Tell me a story while I am resting.'

'All right,' said Toad. 'Let me think of a story to tell you.' Toad thought and thought. But he could not think of a story to tell Frog, 'cause he felt he had no brain at all. 'I will go out on the front porch and walk up and down,' said Toad. 'Perhaps that will help me to think of a story.' Toad walked up and down on the porch for a long time. But he could not think of a story to tell Frog.

Then Toad went into the house and stood on his head. 'Why are you standing on your head?' asked Frog. 'I hope that if I stand on my head,

it will help me to think of a story,' said Toad. Toad stood on his head

for a long time. But he could not think of a story to tell Frog. Then Toad poured a glass of water over his head.

'Why are you pouring water over your head?' asked Frog. 'I hope that if I pour water over my head, it will help me to think of a story,' said Toad.

Toad poured many glasses of water over his head. But he could not think of a story to tell Frog.

Then Toad began to bang his head against the wall. 'Why are you banging your head against the wall?' asked Frog. 'I hope that if I bang my head against the wall hard enough, it will help me to think of a story,' said Toad. 'I am feeling much better now, Toad,' said Frog. 'I do not think I need a story anymore.'

'Then you get out of bed and let me get into it,' said Toad, 'because now I feel terrible.'

Frog said, 'Would you like me to tell you a story, Toad?'

'Yes,' said Toad, 'if you know one.'

'Once upon a time,' said Frog, 'there were two good friends, a frog and a toad. The frog was not feeling well. He asked his friend the toad

to tell him a story. The toad could not think of a story. He walked up and down on the porch, but he could not think of a story. He stood on his head, but he could not think of a story. He poured water over his head, but he could not think of a story, . He banged his head against the wall, but he still could not think of a story, 'cause he felt he had no brain at all. Then the toad did not feel so well, and the frog was feeling better. So the toad went to bed and the frog got up and told him a story. The end. How was that, Toad?' said Frog. But Toad did not answer. He had fallen asleep.

Frog and Toad used to have the same custom Japstyle motorcycle, but frog sold it and bought a custom 'Night Rod' Harley. Understandably, since being appointed as Commissioner of a State-Owned Enterprise, his salary is fantastic.

Once they went out together using their respective vehicles. Until at an intersection, Toad stopped. Frog asked, 'What's wrong Toad?'

'I can't decide whether to turn or to go straight,' Toad answered. He couldn't decide, because he felt like he had no brains at all. Frog was waiting for Toad to decide. He rembered an old saying, 'If words fail, then rhythm would prevail.' Then Frog sang,

Biasa sa cinta satu sa pinta

[At what I'd love, one I ask for]

Jang terlalu mengekang rasa

[Don't be too restrained]

Karna kalau sa su bilang

['Cause when I've said so]

Sa trakan berpindah karna su sayang

[I won't leave because I already love]

Jangan kau berulah sa trakan mendua

[Don't act up, I won't be duplicitous]

Cukup jaga hati biar tambah cinta

[Just take care of your heart so that I'll love you more]

Karna kalau sa su bilang

['Cause when I've said so]

Sa trakan berpindah karna su sayang *)

[I won't leave because I already love]

The Moon said, 'Flora ended her story by saying, 'I learned one day that amphibians are going extinct all over the world, that some of them are vanishing. You go to ponds that should be full of toads and find them silent. There are a hundred things responsible—fungus and pesticides and acid rain.

When I heard this, I cried “What!?” so loudly that an adult African bullfrog fell from my lips and I had to catch it. It weighed as much as a small cat. I brooded about toads for weeks after that, and then eventually, I decided to do something about it. But I cannot fix the things that kill them. One of the cause, is their own fault, too much love for the trust entrusted to them, so they don't want to return it.

Another cause, that toads are always breaking their own rules. Once, they said calmly, 'Rules are made to be broken!' I remember when toads were gathering in a stadium. The toads leader, in his speech about 'grey hair' and the way he shakes hands with world leaders—as if Inyong just managed to shake hands with his idol, and how he speaks English during interviews, reminding me of Latka Gravas, a fictional character on the television sitcom Taxi portrayed by Andy Kaufman. A sweet-natured and lovable-but-goofy mechanic.

But that's not the problem. The problem is, the stadium will be used for FIFA U-20 World Cup, so the toads prohibited anyone to occupy it. They broke the prohibition they made. So, when they were asked, 'Why?' they respond, 'It's not a stadium, it's a pond, and rules don't apply to toads anyway!' And Allah knows best."

Citations & References:
- T. Kingfisher, Toad Words and Other Stories, Red Wombat Tea Company
- Arnold Lobel, Frog and Toad are Friends, Caldecott Honor Book
*) "Karna Su Sayang" written by Immanuel Andra

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