The Devil and the Nuns

The Devil and the Nuns

A Story by Woody
"

Mother Superior warns the young nuns not to succumb to temptation

"

Mother Superior is standing at the pulpit with her back ramrod straight. She sweeps a glance over the gathering of young nuns. Her wrinkled face looks much like an old parchment but her piercing blue eyes have lost nothing of their intensity. They seem to look right inside the souls of the young girls.


All faces are upturned, looking with rapt attention and eyes unblinking. She’s not only their superior. She’s their role model. Many of them are projecting themselves, years from now, picturing themselves in that very lofty place, commanding attention. In the third row, Ana is drinking in every word she hears with bated breath. Like many others, she is clearly in awe.


“...It is not unheard of,” Mother Superior goes on, her voice booming in the huge church and bouncing off the walls, “that a young nun strays off the right path, attracted by the glamour of the wonderful outside world.”


She pauses for effect then “time and time again, I have observed a wayward novice be lured by Satan. She would forsake the good life of rectitude for the glittering lights of the beathtaking city.”


Her voice rises an octave “make no mistake about it, girls, the Prince of darkness is way too smart. He will use every trick in the book to lure you into his web. I have dedicated my life to fighting him. I have won many battles but, alas, lost on more occasions than I care to think about. Oh yes, Satan and I are old acquaintances. We’ve known each other for long years and he knows I’m a tough nut to crack.”


Mother Superior adjusts her bodice and, raising a bony finger, shouts ominously:


“THE DEVIL…”


Lightning flashes suddenly, illuminating the stained glass windows followed by a deafening clap of thunder. The nuns cringe and look fearfully at the windows, unconsciously crossing themselves.


“..is out there,” continues Mother Superior, unperturbed “rubbing his hands with glee. Be strong and pray, children. And, while you’re out there spreading God’s word and helping the needy, ask yourselves: 


is an hour of pleasure worth an eternity of damnation?”


A timid hand is raised hesitantly in the third row. The matron glares then, recognizing Ana, her features soften.


“What is it, Child?”


In a tremulous voice, Ana asks:


“How do you make it last an hour?”  

© 2016 Woody


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Featured Review

Hilarious!!!! This is one of your smoothest & most well-crafted twists! There's no question about what's going on, but even more, the innocent question brings many unwritten images & memories to mind! I just love your crisp portrayal of Mother Superior here, it's like your writing just got an injection of starch (the kind that makes things stiff, used for laundry in the olden days). Very fun & provoking a knowing smile.

Posted 8 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

8 Years Ago

aah you made my day, B in this dreary afternoon. bring memories to mind? haha now you've got my brai.. read more



Reviews

Oh my god ! (Pardon the pun) I'm gonna save you a seat at the pub in hell for this ! I should've known better than to take a sip of my coffee while I was reading the ending. Thanks for the extra large laugh Woody.

Posted 8 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

8 Years Ago

haha I'm counting on you to save that seat, then, B. thank you very much for stopping to read and re.. read more
Hahahaha...well done Woody, i was really looking for that sort of punch line, to make my day.
You have amazing humor. Mother Superior must be looking for you after such insolence..
Well done Sir

Posted 8 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

8 Years Ago

thank you very much Usman. I appreciate the kind words and am happy this made you laugh.
Moth.. read more
Woody, I needed a smile and I knew I would find one here. You have a wonderful style of writing and the twist that you give at the end is amazing.
Keep up this wonderful work.

*shabeeh*

Posted 8 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

8 Years Ago

thank you so much for the kind words, Haider my friend. always a pleasure to make you smile.
THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!!, and a good question.

Posted 8 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

8 Years Ago

haha you're spoiling me, James. thanks loads. I need to swing by your page in a bit.
James

8 Years Ago

I just had some downtime this morning and thought I would catch up with my favorites and I knew i wo.. read more
Woody

8 Years Ago

I'm flattered and having trouble keeping my head upright. it seems to have doubled in size :)
Hilarious!!!! This is one of your smoothest & most well-crafted twists! There's no question about what's going on, but even more, the innocent question brings many unwritten images & memories to mind! I just love your crisp portrayal of Mother Superior here, it's like your writing just got an injection of starch (the kind that makes things stiff, used for laundry in the olden days). Very fun & provoking a knowing smile.

Posted 8 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

8 Years Ago

aah you made my day, B in this dreary afternoon. bring memories to mind? haha now you've got my brai.. read more
Laugh out loud! The punch line is so good you could have taken twice as long to get there! It makes it even funnier that a Bible college is being advertised with this piece! The mother superior's dialogue isn't grammatically quite correct, but it doesn't detract any from the story. Good one!

Posted 9 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

9 Years Ago

thanks a lot Roland. I may stretch it out a bit (prolong the agony). I wish you'd tell me what wrank.. read more
Roland Petrov

9 Years Ago

Her language is just fine, but most of her dialogue should begin with a capital letter. For example:.. read more
Woody

9 Years Ago

mm you're probably right. I'm usually particular about these little things. BUT, in this case, it wa.. read more
Hahahaha!!!! Very valid question indeed!

Posted 9 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

9 Years Ago

yep. been bugging me for quite a while :) thanks heaps Dear.
Oh, yyou're a devil! I enjoyed this story also. It has the feel of a long prelude to a punchline. If you choose to edit, I would suggest replacing some of hackneyed phrases such as "ramrod straight" and "nut to crack"' etc with more original language. All in all, a fun piece. Taylor

Posted 9 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

9 Years Ago

thanks a bunch Taylor :) for reading and for your suggestion. I'll certainly think about it.
.. read more
I think I like this Anna gal. Another gem on your crown my man.

Posted 9 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

9 Years Ago

thank you my friend :)) yeah Anna's a nice girl. I know her very well. she always asks the right que.. read more
love love this one so nice to smile on a snowy snowy Sunday morning.. Looks like you are a professional writer with a flair for comedy too. thanks for your sharing

Posted 9 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Woody

9 Years Ago

haha professional? hardly. I enjoy playing the fool and trying to bring a smile to my fellow writers.. read more

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1141 Views
31 Reviews
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Added on January 10, 2015
Last Updated on April 28, 2016
Tags: mother superior, nuns, the devil, satan

Author

Woody
Woody

Mateur, Bizerte, Tunisia



About
ok, time for an update I think. my old friends have come to know me pretty well, I trust so this is for the new comers. I'm a Tunisian 60-year-old teacher-cum-translator, book worm who enjoys writing.. more..

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