A small story on 'Beauty' & 'Love'

Jyoe thumbnail
15th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail + 5
Posted: 14 years ago
#1
I know we have been hearing the word 'Beauty' n 'Betrayal' a lot in the last few days...thanks to Dutta's mahaan ideology around it šŸ˜†

I remembered I had read a small story that was based on beauty and love ( sorry cant recollect the exact story name) when I was in school/college..it was really a touching one...I m guessing some of you may also have already read it..

It may have nothing to do with LTL at all..but still thought of sharing it with you all..as its a story that just makes your heart go aww.for hopeless romantics like me( and I m sure most of us on this forum are like that after watching LTL..šŸ˜)

Here it is. 😊

I remember the story: John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind.

In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Holly Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond.
The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month, the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was budding. Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like.
When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting - 7.00 p.m. at the Grand Central Station in New York.

"You'll recognize me," she wrote, "by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel." So at 7.00 p.m. he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen. I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened:

A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small provocative smile curved her lips. "Going my way, sailor?" she murmured.

Almost uncontrollably, I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Holly Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own.

And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her.

This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever by grateful. I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment. "I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?" The woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. "I don't know what this is about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!"


Hope you liked reading it!😊

Edited by Jyoe - 14 years ago

Created

Last reply

Replies

22

Views

1.7k

Users

14

Likes

51

Frequent Posters

left_forever thumbnail
15th Anniversary Thumbnail Voyager Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 14 years ago
#2
Heart touching story Jyo
Thanks for sharing😊
Edited by ccolaco - 14 years ago
lizdarcy thumbnail
15th Anniversary Thumbnail Navigator Thumbnail
Posted: 14 years ago
#3
Boy, I love this story. I remember reading it many years ago in the Sunday edition of the times. The title was: Tell me who you love, and I will tell you who you are!
Later on, it was also published in one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I love the concept, and though I don't really know if it's a real story, I find it beautiful!
Thanks for posting it here. Got to read it once again. 😊
Keva thumbnail
15th Anniversary Thumbnail Voyager Thumbnail Commentator Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 14 years ago
#4
OMG I have never read this story. I love it. Thanks for posting it.

*Hugs for posting it*
Dancingdoll thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Sparkler Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 14 years ago
#5
Jyoe....beautiful story!
Being true to yourself is also important....and thats what this guy did...didnt let his penfriend or companion down even if she could have been above 40...He decided to call it friendship than love but he still sticked to the image....awesome!
Edited by Dancingdoll - 14 years ago
Jyoe thumbnail
15th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail + 5
Posted: 14 years ago
#6

Originally posted by: ccolaco

Heart touching story Jyo

Thanks for sharing😊



Am glad it touched ur heart crystal.. n u dont hv to thnk me sweet..coz i knew all of us here are diehard romantics n atleast they would not call it spamming!😊
Jyoe thumbnail
15th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail + 5
Posted: 14 years ago
#7

Originally posted by: lizdarcy

Boy, I love this story. I remember reading it many years ago in the Sunday edition of the times. The title was: Tell me who you love, and I will tell you who you are!

Later on, it was also published in one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I love the concept, and though I don't really know if it's a real story, I find it beautiful!
Thanks for posting it here. Got to read it once again. 😊



Hey Liz, looks like we both are from same era/age ..just guessing..šŸ˜†

Oh, thanks for the info on the title..

n dont thank me dear..its a pleasure always sharing similar feelings /thoughts with u all..coz i know u guys understand n appreciate it..atleast will not give me crazy stares like my colleagues thinking m mad!šŸ˜†
Jyoe thumbnail
15th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail + 5
Posted: 14 years ago
#8

Originally posted by: Keva

OMG I have never read this story. I love it. Thanks for posting it.

*Hugs for posting it*



* Hugs to you too* Keva..glad that you loved it..its really a sweet story! 😊
Jyoe thumbnail
15th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail + 5
Posted: 14 years ago
#9

Originally posted by: Dancingdoll

Jyoe....beautiful story!

Being true to yourself is also important....and thats what this guy did...didnt let his penfriend or companion down even if she could have been above 40...He decided to call it friendship than love but he still sticked to the image....awesome!



Yeah did..totally agree with u..n thts wat i loved abt this guy..How I wish D also stayed true to himself n trusted Naku when all the time he has been promisng her that he will trust her all his life..cant blame it coz of the situation though..but i m sure he will come around 😊

Wanderbug thumbnail
14th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail + 4
Posted: 14 years ago
#10
Lovely...my friend requested it be sent to her mailbox immediately and as i m typing this post ...she is forwarding it to all her other frioends..
thankx jyoe

Related Topics

Top

Stay Connected with IndiaForums!

Be the first to know about the latest news, updates, and exclusive content.

Add to Home Screen!

Install this web app on your iPhone for the best experience. It's easy, just tap and then "Add to Home Screen".