The year was 1960. The annual retreat at Paika church was in full swing. The retreat
or 'dhyanam' was held in the church due to the lack of a parish hall.There were no chairs in
the church. The people were sitting on the floor, listening to the rousing oratory of
Father Justin Aanathookil OFM Cap. The prominent families in our parish are named after
animals, like Narithookkil, Pamputhookkil, Kaduvathookkil, Pothummoottil etc, for reasons
unknown. Anyway, Fr.Justin was a reputed dhyanaguru.Dhyanam is like a major car
service,removing the karioyil, which is sin,and replacing many parts and emerging with
boosted spiritual power.
As the dhyanam was in progress, there was a very loud "thud" sound heard from the
right side of the church.All the people craned their heads to see what was happening.
The priest stopped his speech and appealed to the congragation to remain calm.There
was a man on the floor, writhing in acute pain, touching his left shoulder. Some people
thought that it was a bout of epilepsy. The man in pain was helped by others to go
outside .
There was a teenager being questioned by some prominent church leaders.Before the
incident, the teenager had been sitting behind the affected man. The teenager was Appachen,
from a noble family. He was about 6 feet tall, very handsome and well built
He was a student at Pala College. He was a popular volleyball star in the whole district
and beyond.He had recently represented Kerala University in Interuniversity tournament and had
won runners-up position. Appachen's smashes were like lightning.Academically, he
didn't fare well.He knew only volleyball.
The incident in the church slowly unfolded.Appachen had hit Kunjeppu who was sitting
in front of him. The victim was about 50 years old.There was no enemity between
Appachen and Kunjeppu. Then why did the boy hit him so hard that his shoulder was
almost in tatters?
Hearing the commotion, the vicar, Fr Xavier Pulithookkil had rushed to the scene
and spearheaded the investigations.He asked Appachen;
" Why did you hit Kunjeppu without any provocation, and also in a holy place
while the Dhyanam was in progress? "
After some hesitation, Appachen said," Father, I'm very sorry.I'm very sorry,Kunjeppu.
I didn't mean to hurt you. During the dhyanam ,I fell asleep. I had a dream about my
last final.I was playing against Punjab University. Our opponents mounted a rock-like
block. I rose up into the air, above the net and above the block, and smashed..like lightning
I heard the 'thud' sound. It's only then that I realised I was in the church. But,by then it
was too late...I do apologise to evrybody here.. "
The listeners looked at each other.Fr.Pulithookil said, " I shall discuss with your
father about giving necessary Ayurveda massage to Kunjeppu."
The dhyanam resumed.
or 'dhyanam' was held in the church due to the lack of a parish hall.There were no chairs in
the church. The people were sitting on the floor, listening to the rousing oratory of
Father Justin Aanathookil OFM Cap. The prominent families in our parish are named after
animals, like Narithookkil, Pamputhookkil, Kaduvathookkil, Pothummoottil etc, for reasons
unknown. Anyway, Fr.Justin was a reputed dhyanaguru.Dhyanam is like a major car
service,removing the karioyil, which is sin,and replacing many parts and emerging with
boosted spiritual power.
As the dhyanam was in progress, there was a very loud "thud" sound heard from the
right side of the church.All the people craned their heads to see what was happening.
The priest stopped his speech and appealed to the congragation to remain calm.There
was a man on the floor, writhing in acute pain, touching his left shoulder. Some people
thought that it was a bout of epilepsy. The man in pain was helped by others to go
outside .
There was a teenager being questioned by some prominent church leaders.Before the
incident, the teenager had been sitting behind the affected man. The teenager was Appachen,
from a noble family. He was about 6 feet tall, very handsome and well built
He was a student at Pala College. He was a popular volleyball star in the whole district
and beyond.He had recently represented Kerala University in Interuniversity tournament and had
won runners-up position. Appachen's smashes were like lightning.Academically, he
didn't fare well.He knew only volleyball.
The incident in the church slowly unfolded.Appachen had hit Kunjeppu who was sitting
in front of him. The victim was about 50 years old.There was no enemity between
Appachen and Kunjeppu. Then why did the boy hit him so hard that his shoulder was
almost in tatters?
Hearing the commotion, the vicar, Fr Xavier Pulithookkil had rushed to the scene
and spearheaded the investigations.He asked Appachen;
" Why did you hit Kunjeppu without any provocation, and also in a holy place
while the Dhyanam was in progress? "
After some hesitation, Appachen said," Father, I'm very sorry.I'm very sorry,Kunjeppu.
I didn't mean to hurt you. During the dhyanam ,I fell asleep. I had a dream about my
last final.I was playing against Punjab University. Our opponents mounted a rock-like
block. I rose up into the air, above the net and above the block, and smashed..like lightning
I heard the 'thud' sound. It's only then that I realised I was in the church. But,by then it
was too late...I do apologise to evrybody here.. "
The listeners looked at each other.Fr.Pulithookil said, " I shall discuss with your
father about giving necessary Ayurveda massage to Kunjeppu."
The dhyanam resumed.
this story is based on a real incident
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