The Letters Page #4

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Come, we'll speak to Abu Atal about it.

You Want her to leave? You talk to Atal.

You want that Christian woman here'?

I have no problems with her.

They have nothing. We have nothing.

Maybe the Christian Woman

can give them something we don't have.

You will see!

She will teach them about her god.

That's why she's here.

(exclaims)

(speaks Bengali)

(exclaims)

"At last, ' he thought,

'somehow, I must get the monkeys heart.'

He then thought of a plan,

and he swam very fast to the monkey."

(child giggling)

You, Christian woman.

We do not Want you here. Leave our village.

You are here to convert our children

to your Christian god.

- Go home.

- No.

Go home.

I am not here to convert

your children to my faith.

This you must believe.

I am only here to help, to serve you

and to give your children

possibility for life.

- That's all.

- What are you doing, Kavitha? Huh?

What's happening here, Maharaj?

What are you doing?

This white Woman should go home.

She's stealing our children's souls.

She is here to help our children, Maharaj!

She has hot once

brought up her faith or her religion.

She only teaches them to read and Write.

I've been attending her class

every day with my daughter.

See?

She is evil.

She does not belong here.

Shes even managed to influence her

with her devilish ways.

Dinsha, go. Get Atal, quickly.

You Want this Christian Woman here?

- You Want this Christian Woman here?

- (grunts)

She will convert our children.

You'll see!

(shouts)

(speaks Bengali)

(Bengali)

(Bengali)

- Thank you.

- You're welcome, Sister.

I'm Ashwani, Dinsha's husband.

Oh. Ashwani.

Oh, good.

- Come, come.

- Yes.

TERESA:

Dear God,

I know you Want me to be a free nun

covered with the poverty of the cross.

But I have been experiencing doubt,

loneliness,

the temptation to return

to Loreto and convent life.

But, today, I learned an important lesson.

I went back to Loreto,

and I know I belong with the poor

Of free choice, my God,

and out of love for you,

I Want to remain with the poor

and do whatever be your holy will.

Fella, stop.

Sister?

Shubashini!

What-What are you doing here?

I've come to help you, Sister.

How did you know where to find me'?

I heard that you were

at St. Joseph's Convent,

so I Went there and met Veronica Gomes.

She said I'd find you here.

I brought some medical supplies.

I thought you might heed some.

Is it all right that I'm here?

(laughing)

Yes?

- Come, show me What you have brought me.

- Okay.

(baby crying)

(baby fussing)

Ah.

Thank God.

She's beautiful baby.

Yes, Sister, she is.

(laughs)

Shubashini, are you all right?

I'm all right.

Come. Let's go back in.

YOUNG VAN EXEM:

Dearest Sister M. Teresa,

I received your letter and can only imagine

how difficult it must be

to witness all the suffering

you are seeing each day.

The work you are doing

is being talked about in the city.

The officials at the municipality

have expressed their appreciation.

I have given thought to your need

to find a more permanent place to live.

I've spoken to Jesuit Father Julian Henry

who told me that he had suggested

you might live at Krishnagar,

but that your feeling was they might try

to make things easy for you

because you know most

of the nuns and teachers there

and it is your desire

to have no special treatment.

May I suggest that you go

see the Games brothers.

They are from Bangladesh,

but maintain a house here in the city

at 74 Creek Lane.

Talk to Nicholas.

He's a devout Christian

who might be able to help you.

You are very much missed

by the nuns and students at Loreto

who wish you the utmost success

in your mission.

May God be with you.

Yours devotedly in Christ,

Father C. Van Exem, SJ.

- Yes?

- You are Mr. Gomes?

- Yes.

- I am Mary Teresa.

Father Van Exem told me

you might be expecting me.

- Oh, yes. Come in, please.

- Thank you.

This Way.

I thought you would be wearing a habit.

I was told you were a nun.

I am a nun,

but I Wear a chira so I can mix in with

the people of Moti Jihl.

My work is with the poor.

That's What Father Van Exem told me.

What can I do for you?

I need a place to stay.

If you have something-

anything-I would be very grateful.

My brothers spend most

of their time in Bangladesh.

The upper floor is vacant.

I'm sure they wouldn't mind

if I let you use a room up there.

That's very, very kind of you, Mr. Gomes.

I'm very quiet person.

You would not even know I was here.

I leave very early in the morning.

Coming back, returning late in the evening.

I will be no trouble.

This is a room you could use,

if you like.

Oh.

I can bring in more furniture.

No, no, no. Thank you.

I think I would prefer

we move furniture out.

I need very little.

If it's acceptable with you,

I would just bring in a chair

and some packing crates.

These I can use for a desk and a table.

All right.

Sister, I'm afraid he's dying.

I know.

A little bit of Gods love.

That's all we can do.

Yes.

Help me to lift his head.

Yes.

(gasps)

Yes.

Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh.

It's so sad.

The greatest suffering is to feel alone,

unwanted,

unloved.

But he's not alone now.

He's here with us.

TERESA:

Dear Father Van Exem,

Thank you so much for your

introduction to Mr. Games.

He is wonderful man

and is allowing me to stay in his house.

He says I can use the upper floor

as the first home for my charity.

Today, Father Bawens,

the parish priest at St. Teresa 's,

came by to bless the house,

and tears rolled and rolled.

I have been experiencing great loneliness.

After being at Loreto for so many years,

always surrounded by nuns and students,

I did not expect how alone

I would feel in my new life.

I wonder, how long will my heart suffer?

Pray for me.

Let me not draw back from the sacrifice

I have made of my free choice

and conviction.

- What is it, Sister?

- This letter is from Archbishop Prier.

If I'm not given permission for extension,

I'll have to go back to Loreto,

and we'll have to give up this work.

Read it.

"Holy See has granted you permission

to continue the work for three more years."

God.

Thanks God.

(men shouting)

(shouting in Bengali)

Sister! Sister, it's Kavitha.

She's having a baby, and

something is wrong.

Wait there.

(Crying, grunting)

Kavitha.

What are you doing here? Get out!

Maharaj, please. I asked her to come here.

She has training,

and Kavitha needs her help now.

Please let her. Please!

Please, Maharaj! Go out!

Go out!

Kavitha. Kavitha.

(groaning, grunting)

(screaming)

- It's breech baby. Breech baby.

- Sister.

(Kavitha Wailing)

(screaming)

(screaming continues)

Shh, shh, shh. Kavitha. Kavitha.

(Kavitha groaning)

(groaning stops)

- (baby crying)

- (cheering)

(Crying continues)

(fussing)

(chattering)

(no audible dialogue)

(horns honking)

MAN (on radio):
US cruiser Milwaukee,

a 28-year-old four-stacker

comes home from lend-lease duty in Russia.

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