A leading local newspaper had invited me, for its special Christmas feature, to contribute a piece with the theme ‘It Happened One Christmas’ in exactly 100 words. A complete secularist, I instantly wrote the following story in the form of a dialogue, and called it ‘Happy Birthday, God, and Goodbye’ :

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You choose, on My birthday, to tell Me you no longer believe in Me?

Well, Happy Birthday anyway, God.

Why?

I don’t know, God. I suppose I grew up and out of my childhood beliefs.

You call My Nativity a childhood belief?

To the extent that I also believed in the Sky Monster swallowing up the moon and being frightened away by the loud noise made by children banging on pots and pans. Until I learnt about lunar eclipses.

You classify My Nativity, the greatest historical event, with your Chinese myths?

Honestly, God, I wish I knew.

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The newspaper immediately rejected my contribution, saying it would offend some readers. A little disappointed, I wrote back to say I understood their decision. But I do feel that an honest and respectful sharing of beliefs, no matter how different or controversial, how outlandish or even shocking, need not be a bad thing in a maturing society like ours.

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About Vignettes...

A continuing flow of little, readable pieces that will constitute what I feel is an important 'legacy of values' to leave behind. Read more about Vignettes...