The old man is seating by the entrance of the small town graveyard, he is looking over the first two rows of tombs lost on his thoughts. It’s a warm winter day, a book resting on his lap, he just finished reading it and the feeling of uneasiness that started as soon as he began the book has now taken him over completely.
The book has taken him back to a time when he was a young man full of big dreams, aching for adventures and richness. He took the job at the cemetery as something temporal, as a way to make enough money to take the bus that could take him to the big city where he could make all his dreams come true. But he never got the courage to leave his job, his town, his home. He allowed others to convince him that he was good for nothing, that he should considered himself lucky with what he got and thank God for that.
Fifty years have passed, he has buried half of the town and all the members of his family, as the town was a town of old people, all the young ones left, except for him. Always afraid of failing and having to accept that the others were right, that he was good for nothing. But has he not failed anyway? Tomas started laughing and crying at the same time. Dammed book, why did he have to read it! He should have been like that Santiago; he should have followed his dreams!
Please send your stories (250 words max.) for selection to paulocoelho.writer@gmail.com.
bien hecho Gaby, lindas tus historias y quien lo diria chica! tan original e imaginativa!
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Great theme and very well told. Graveyards have a similar effect on me - I always ask myself “What unfinished business did he/she leave behind?”
Thanks for taking the courage to write this and giving the rest of us the courage to persue our dreams.
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Thank you Paulo and Gabriela,
a nice story…
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Gabriela, this is a great short-story on how people may loose their entire life just because they ‘think’ they are not able to do ‘that thing’.
Thanks Paulo for introducing Gaby for us.
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Gabriela, that is a nice name.
Do you make jewellery?
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Paulo, Paulo,
What was his name?
George or ?
Did he worked close to the Abbey?
Just curious.
How do you know all these things?
I must go and have a chat avec Tonton Jojo…
Beijos,
Marie-Christine
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Marie-Christine Reply:
June 7th, 2009 at 4:31 am
L’oncle de mon papa s’appelait Joseph.
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Gabriela, tu estoria es muy cierta. Muchas felicidades y espero leir muchos de tus estorias. :-)
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And his dreams died at that cemetery… :(
Thank you for the story dear Gabriela
Love and Graditude
Annie
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cristina thanks for giving me the chance to meet people where special spirituality where find strength and courage, where no one fears the fate of the weather, and walking barefoot on roads inaccessible walk towards goals illuminated with hope and faith. thanks because together nourish this world in need of love and light where even through fog and all have different destinies in our hearts the desire to love together. with love. maria a
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grazie cristina per avermi dato la possibilità di conoscere persone speciali dove nella spiritualità trovano forza e coraggio, dove nessuno teme le intemperie del destino, e anche camminando a piedi nudi su strade impervie camminano già verso mete illuminate di speranza e di fede. grazie perchè insieme alimentiamo questo mondo bisognoso d amore e di luce dove anche attraverso nebbie e destini diversi tutti abbiamo nel cuore la voglia di amare all’unisono.with love. maria a.
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Great story. I hope he finds the courage to go wherever he pleases. The only thing to fear is fear itself..
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I feel much honored that Mr. Coelho and his team have shared my short story on his blog. He is one of my favorite writers, and has inspired me many times.
Thank you all for your warm welcome to my story, it means so much. This was the sign I was asking my Angels for! I’m writing a book, but on the way I started having self-esteem problems, so I made a deal with them: I will sent a story to Mr. Coelho, if the story is published I will finish the book, if not I will forget about the book and follow other dreams.
What a sign!! I’m really thankful for all the blessings.
Please feel welcome to visit my blog, which I just started and there is still a long way to go ahead.
http://gabrielaabalo.blogspot.com
Love
Gabi
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Alexandra Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Oh God,Gabriela…Your story would be great even if not posted here.Please dont think that way anymore. I am glad the blog liked your story too, but is not an exclusive criteria to label a story of being good or bad. You have talent for sell, would be a great pity you dont write.Good luck, have always faith.
Love
Alexandra
(already your fan)
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May all the people read Paulo Coelho and … follow their dreams..
Thank you Gabriel Abalo and thank you once again Paulo Coelho..
LOVE,
Thelma.
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Hi Gabriela,
As I was reading your story, I started thinking…’Thomas the Graveyard Keeper should have read The Pilgrimage’. Nice ending on your story. That ‘Dammed book’ gives it good humor.
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Gabriela Abalo Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Hola Gaby! Que lindo cuendto! Te felicito! Que buena capacidad de concretar una idea !
un abrazo
Nubia
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Great story Gaby! I wonder how many of him there are out there. I hope they get the chance to read your story or wake up somehow.
Love,
Sherry
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Gabriela, you are great. I really loved your story.Few days ago I talked about my neighbor,who went to be guardian in a graveyard…Is a coincidence? Anyways, really good story, I recognized in his thoughts moments in my life.We often let others convince that we less than we are.Big mistake. The insertion of Paulos hero and book is good too.
Thank you so much.
Take care
Love
Alexandra
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I like it that Tomas is a Graveyard Keeper.
He is burrying all his life the death of others, instead of his own
to make his dreams come true …until the day that he realises his sleepwalking.
Then he starts speaking with shoulds…so shall he be Santiago and follow his dreams?
A story with an open end…
Thank you Gabriela
Wit love
Hildegarde
xxx
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wow,this is great,Well done!
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