THE INVISIBLE POWER

"What's the matter, Atul? You look worried," Poonam asked her son, who had just returned from school.

- Vandana Gupta

"I'm nervous about Monday's exam, Mom. I have only two days to study," said Atul.

"You've studied all year, so use this weekend to revise," said Poonam, encouraging him.

"Mom, can I invite my friends over? We'll study together tonight," Atul asked hopefully.

"Okay, call them over. Tina will sleep with me tonight, so you and your friends can study in your room," Poonam agreed.

Atul immediately telephoned his friends, Manoj, Deepak, and Vibhu, who came over after their dinner.

The boys studied diligently until late night. "I'm so tired. Let's go to sleep," Vibhu said at half past eleven.

Atul shook his head. "I'm still worried that I haven't prepared enough. What if I don't get good marks? If only I could know my marks beforehand..." he said, trailing off.

"We could ask the Invisible Power!" Deepak said, with sudden excitement.

"Invisible power? What exactly is it, and how will it tell us anything?" Manoj asked, surprised.

"I saw it in a video," Deepak explained. "After midnight, if you sit with a few lit candles and call upon this power, it answers all your questions."

Vibhu was intrigued, and said, "What are we waiting for? It's almost midnight.

Atul, bring some candles. Let's give it a try!"

"We need four candles and a sheet of paper," said Deepak.

Atul brought out four candles and Vibhu him a sheet of paper.

On the paper, Deepak wrote the alphabets A to Z, and underneath it, the numbers 0 to 9. Then he wrote 'YES' and 'NO' in the centre, and placed a coin between the words.

The boys switched off all the lights, lit the candles, and placed them on the table. They then sat around the table, holding hands.