Tanaz Kerawala

LONG LIVE THE PARSIS ! 'Dying ? Who's dying ?' he asked, outraged. 'I'm not. And I have extensions of myself - two sons and one daughter. So have you. Dying ? What are you talking about ?' But Fali, we are dying', I tried to explain. 'Read this article :'The death rates are higher than birth rates. What can you say to that ?' Fali belongs to the old, 'never-say-die' brigade. There was no way I could convince him about the gravity of the situation. 'The whole world worries about us; most of our customs and rituals are being documented for preservation.' I pressed on. 'What preservation ? Fali growled. 'I am here, jivto jagto ! Are you scared, or what, by what these idiots are saying ? Heh, heh, heh', he chortled. 'Nothing can wipe us out !' Fali put the thing in perfect perspective. 'I don't believe these rubbishy statistics. If the Lord intended to die out, our little boat would have been gulped down by...

Life's Little Instruction Book :-) Have a firm handshake. Look people in the eye. Sing in the shower. Own a great stereo system. If in a fight, hit first and hit hard. Keep secrets. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday. Always accept an outstretched hand. Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference. Whistle. Avoid sarcastic remarks. Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out. Lend only those books you never care to see again. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have. When playing games with children, let them win. Give people a second chance, but not a third. Be romantic. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems. Don't allow the phone to interrupt impo...