It was a very normal exchange of pleasantries at the time; the absurdity of it all came much later, too late in fact. But right at that moment in time or better still, at that particular point in space-time since the whole episode had all the hallmarks of quantum fuzziness, he felt that it was a normal conversation he had entered into. And he is a very polite man. At least that is what he thought himself to be. He would be the last man to rebuff an attempt at opening a conversation. Of course he would never address a stranger just like that. That would be unthinkable without a proper introduction. So when he heard a voice saying, “Hello Ivar. How are you?”, he had immediately replied with a “fine thank you and you” before he realised that no one was around him. He might have looked a bit startled because the voice said again, a very friendly voice it was too, “Why do you humans look up when you talk?” There was a definite hint of laughter in the voice.

He looked a bit down then and there it was – the most gorgeous, adorable white pony no higher than his waist looking up at him, and yes he would swear to that, laughing with a merry twinkle in its eyes. That it was talking did not seem strange to him – at that time. Perhaps he did not show his surprise. He never did usually. He always prided on his poker face. The missionary school he had gone to, had drilled that into him – a gentleman does not exhibit his emotions.

“Oh you can talk”. He said that without a hint of surprise as if it was the most normal thing in the world for ponies to talk.

“Of course I can. Do you see anyone else here?”

That was strange. He could swear that he had seen many people around him just moments ago thronging the gate of the Entertainment City, as Kuwaitis called their version of Disneyland. But they seemed to have disappeared. He squeezed his eyes shut in his usual way when anything seemed strange to him. Perhaps he was asleep in bed and dreaming he thought.

“ No you are not dreaming.” Again the hint of laughter.

My god, this damned pony can read my thoughts, he said to himself. On cue the pony said nonchalantly, “Of course silly. I can. I am an elvish pony”

“Elvish?” This is getting a bit silly he thought. Wasn’t elvish in Tolkien?

“Tolkien didn’t know about elvish ponies” The mind reader again!

“Oh. Then Tolkien’s world really exists ?”

“Of course it does. How do you think he got his ideas?” Well it wasn’t really a question.

“Well how did you get here?” This is silly he thought. The people around must be thinking I am mad. But he couldn’t see anyone though the voices were coming through.

“Don’t worry about that. Nobody can see you. But you can’t see anyone too. I have made you invisible.”

“You mean I am invisible” I could rob a bank now he thought. Wow.

“ Well, I won’t let you. Besides you are not made for robbing banks”

“Just a thought.” He was getting used to having his thoughts read. How easily one gets used to the inexplicable. He tried desperately to cut off that thought. Too late.

“Just like you got used to living here and are afraid to move on.” Twinkle swished its tail – it looked rather wise doing that. He had named the pony Twinkle already. He had that habit of giving nicknames to people he liked. Well not only people but ponies too now.

“How did you know that?” He asked.

“I know everything.” Twinkle did not even smirk when it said that. He believed the pony’s words. “Let me tell you something more. You are also a frightened man. Afraid to change.” He could see Twinkle looking at him quizzically after saying that.

“I suppose I am.” He reached out and stroked Twinkle’s mane. Somehow he felt at peace, almost a relief at having his innermost fear exposed. Suddenly he cried. Tears came out gushing. He wanted to tell this pony, this adorable pony, what he had not told any human all his life. That he was afraid to take chances, afraid to go into the world, afraid to live on his terms. He was old and he felt life had gone by. He saw Twinkle looking at him with a sympathy and compassion he had never seen in anyone. He suddenly wanted to hug the pony and felt foolish immediately.

“Well if you want to hug a 432 year old pony, I don’t mind” Twinkle’s eyes were smiling. He broke down then and knelt and put his arms around the neck and went on crying, he did not know for what.

“Well for a poker faced man, you are a cry baby.” It was said with so much compassion he did not feel foolish. “Look Ivar,” now the voice was all business-like, “I came here especially for you and only you can send me back to my realm”

He stood up dusting himself off. “How can I do that?”

“Do you see that metal ring on your finger.?” That’s strange. He had picked it from a wayside bazaar in Tehran quite a while back.Something had drawn him to that ring and the price quoted was ridiculously cheap. “Yes it was cheap wasn’t it? Well that’s an elvish ring. You didn’t know that did you? Well your thoughts came down to us through that. So I had to come and tell you that you have the power to change, to write, to travel, to see the far off places you want to see. Trust in the magic inside you.. Now with that ring you just have to knock me on the head twice and I will go back to my realm”

Never, he cried to himself. I will never let you go Twinkle. No never. He wanted to hug and keep that adorable creature next to him.

“ Well you will have to let me go. I can’t live here all my endless life” It was said with a smile. Almost like the cajoling words one uses with a stubborn child.

“But I will never see you again” He wailed almost.

“How silly can you get. Think man. Use your ring. You just have to knock what you humans call your third eye space between the eyes.It is the gateway to the stars and you will be in my realm. No, no not yet. First you have to write your books, travel and do all the things you want to. The ring will give you all the power to do the positive things you want. Then only can you travel to my land. Now say good bye”

As he walked out of the Entertainment City, he felt that the universe had suddenly opened up for him. He looked back to see the crowds go into the Disneyland but Twinkle had already disappeared. He walked into the first day of his new life looking at his ring.
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