Click here to read an excerpt of the Tamil novel, "Antha Iruvarin Naatkurippugal."

THE PEARL BOX AND THE SEAHORSE - Ann Ariel Wilson

© 2007 Ann A. Wilson

Chapter-I

AT THE SEASHORE

Rosemary Evans was gazing at the gorgeous waves desperately during her evening walk along the seashore, facing her father's elegant Sea Castle. Being the only daughter of Sir Gerald Evans, one of the wealthiest English men of the time, she was not so happy since her father's marriage with the widow of the Earl of Pearlsbury.

Her mother, Lady Evans, died of a fever whilst Rosemary was ten years old, and her father was her only consolation since then. She has never felt much neglected ever before since her mother's death. Tears rolled down her eyes as she prayed to God for consolation.

Suddenly, she stepped forward to have a better look of what seemed to be quite strange at the shore. There was a tired Seahorse lying beside a beautiful little box. Rosemary took the box in her hand, and to her astonishment, the Seahorse was shining bright that she closed her eyes being unable to look at it. When she opened her eyes, there stood a beautiful white horse.

She was scared for a moment though she did not see what really happened. "Perhaps," thought Rosemary, "it must have come just now", as she gave a sigh of relief.

She then walked towards the Castle with the box. To her surprise, the horse followed her as if it was hers. She looked around and found no one to claim. Hence, she took it with her, placing her beautiful hand on the soft, hairy neck of the elegant white horse, for she did not have a heart to abandon it.