Anecdotes of Father Santan Pinto, SOLT

The Grasshopper Trot

In a classroom for the children preparing for first Holy Communion, little Meagan was the brightest. At least she was the most eager. She not only did what was required of her, but she did much more. Her dad, a computer programmer, was a guru when it came to the “Internet”. Because of his work he had to learn how to download files the fastest way possible. “Of what interest would this knowledge be to his daughter?” questioned James Brown Meagan’s dad. He was backed in this opinion because his wife Janie was kind of allergic to anything that involved machines, technology or even typing. James would often go on tours, meetings, business gatherings, seminars and other activities. Meagan would be left all alone at home, as her mother ran the local fitness club and the beautician’s school.

On the net Meagan began by visiting various home pages. The world was open to this inquiring mind. She would often go the Disney Channels to check out what was available in the latest releases and just to hear her characters say a few words that would make her day. How little does it truly take for little children to amuse themselves! Occasionally Meagan would enter a chat room.

It was at one of these occasional meandering that Megan came across a guy who introduced himself as “Grasshopper”. Meagan did not know what to introduce herself. She had recently seen the movie “Jack and the Bean stock”. One of her friends used to call her Miss Mean. She put these two together and introduced herself to GH as “Mean-Bean”. Grasshopper was a scientist around 30 years old and did not have the faintest idea that MB was barely eight years old. Her speed at typing, given her special connection and fast modem, tricked him. Grasshopper was a nuclear physicist and was working on a special project regarding planet Mars. Meagan had some idea of the planet Mars because she had visited the JPL “Jet Propulsion Laboratories” home page. On July 4th Independence day, she watched the little toy land on the planet. There was so much excitement among the scientists because of this landing. For Meagan it was just another page in her life. In her world of imagination she had prepared a special room in Mars where she would return to often. This was her get away from the real world which was often cruel, lonely, and unfriendly. Meagan had peeked from her bedroom one night when her parents were seemingly watching “Total Recall”. The planet Mars was shown over and over again, and the possibility of creating a home on the planet given the adequate resources and planning. All this information now came handy to Meagan as she conversed with GH, that was her way of addressing Mr. Grasshopper. No one during the months of their long on-line chats ever asked the question, “How old are you”? or “What are you doing in terms of work or study”?

Meagan during the next few years grew in age and wisdom. She had by then grown into a young lady, that is what all thought of her, although she was barely 16. During these years she kept talking to GH every single day. During these past eight years Meagan studied every book that had to do with space and kept abreast with all the new findings of the scientists throughout the world. She was an honor’s student all through her school. At sixteen she had appeared for all the exams necessary to enter to become a space scientist. Her only handicap was her age. It was GH who being in-charge of the space programs had a direct contact with the President of his company. Meagan did not this. She arranged to take a tour of the space facilities. It was during this visit that the tour guides gave all the tourists a special quiz. The reward for this trip would be dinner with the President of the space agency, a detailed tour of the space facilities, and an actual space flight simulation training opportunity.

Meagan looked at the questions that were asked and smiled. She did not even have to look at the questions. When the tour guide asked if there were any that knew all the answers, there were only three hands that were raised. Since Meagan was the youngest they decided to let her go last. The two men were good and Meagan thought to herself, “I don’t think I will ever have an opportunity to get my turn?” However the first man could not answer two questions. Now came the turn of the other, and he proved to have much knowledge. Yet when all the questions were asked he failed to answer one. Lastly it was the turn of Meagan she was excited that she got her turn. Of course she did not know the results of the other two men. She sat there relaxed, smiling, and excited. The questioning began and Megan answered them without any hesitation. The guide was shocked at Meagan’s quick answers. Never in his entire career had he found anyone as bright as Meagan. He continued with the questioning and was amazed that Meagan had answered all the questions. She had won the reward. All on the tour cheered Meagan as the results were publicly read and Meagan was officially crowned to the “Space Queen”.

After the tour Meagan was going to get the shock of her life. GH approached the touring group, the guide came forward and introduced GH as the President of the company, Mr. Garry Hart. After all were introduced it was the turn for GH to meet Meagan. GH was shocked to see a young girl approaching. He asked in amazement, “You mean to say that this young girl answered all the twenty questions?” The tour guide gave an emphatic yes. The entire group cheered at this and Meagan blushed. GH shook Meagan’s outstretched hand. GH spoke, “I am Garry Hart. I use the short form GH and my friends call me that. Do you know what GH stands for?” Megan smiled, paused for awhile and said in utter exhilaration, “Grasshopper”. GH stood speechless! He thought to himself, “Besides being intelligent, this girl seems to know many things”. Meagan broke the suspense, “And dear Sir, I am Mean-Bean”. If the first answer shocked GH this second revelation totally freaked him. He wondered what to say or how to respond! After all those years of chatting on the Internet, here before him stood the lady of his dreams. He had never revealed himself to anyone. To Meagan he had shared his deepest secrets, his thoughts, his feelings, his ambitions, and his dreams. Standing before him was a young lady.

Meagan, noticing the predicament of GH, inquired, “Are you disappointed with me?” She continued, “My parents always said that I was kind of grown up for my age.” With the following words she sank her final knockout punch, “And I am barely sixteen!” This final piece of information was something GH was not prepared for. His training as an astronaught, flight engineer, space scientist, and the various other administrative roles he played at this space facility, did not prepare him to deal with this shocking revelation. How could an eight-year old fool him for that long? Questioned MH to himself in sheer frustration.

The tour began and MJ remained silent as Megan stroll around the entire facility. She spoke of what she saw and gave lengthy explanations about what the entire process was. Her clarify at defining the aspects of this space process, the countless programs developed and those in the making, were mind boggling to GH. That evening when the two had dinner they spoke of so many things. Each remembered what the other had said in the past. Gradually the two became friends and began to speak about things that they could not mention on the Internet.

It was Meagan’s special day for on this day the entire board of directors, accompanying a few senators, and top scientists, were also visiting the space facilities in Houston. GH asked Meagan if she wouldn’t mind having dinner with a few of his friends. Meagan liked the idea and agreed willingly. When the visiting team came for dinner they were all amazed at the knowledge, interest, and insights that Meagan had. One of the senators said jokingly, “I don’t suppose that you, young Lady would ever consider an option of ever working for the space agency?” Meagan jumped up and pleading eyes and a warm, trusting tone shouted out, “If only I was given a chance!” Then recollecting herself Meagan firmly yet put on her usual charm said, “This would be the greatest honor besides being the President of the country!” Everyone present there laughed at this but nobody knew the secret between Grasshopper and Mean-Bean.

During the next few months their relationship grew stronger and they spent time meeting each other. It was Garry who invited Meagan to fill in a temporary place at the space agency. In a few days Meagan showed what she was made off. Her knowledge, expertise in the space field, her interest in allied sciences, her world interests, and her capacity to learn, understand, and communicate made her a welcome addition to the space program. Two months being a temporary hand at the agency ended and Meagan was hired as a permanent staff member.

Once when NASA inquired about who would be the best person who would help the agency with a particular problem, it was Meagan who knowing her fathers prowess suggested that they contact him. Meagan was assigned the task and when her dad came for the interview, he was shocked to see his daughter seated on the other side. He was tremendously excited and could not believe his eyes. That evening that had dinner together and talked about the project. Meagan was kind to have done most of the homework for her dad. This helped her dad a great deal.

Meagan never spoke about her deep love and desire to serve the Lord and the poor. She kept her desires to herself. It was when her dad and GH were at her office one day, when Meagan spoke of this desire to them. They all agreed that they would assist her in any direction she would take. Meagan began by gathering the people at the space agency and sharing with them some words of encouragement from the Sacred Scriptures. Occasionally she would say a hail Mary and nobody questioned her about her prayer. One day she brought in a CD of Elvis Presley and played the “Miracle of the Rosary”. Everyone asked Meagan where she got this CD. Meagan showed them the CD it was named “Amazing Grace”.

Soon the group started spending much more time together praying and sharing their faith with each other. It was at one of their prayer gatherings when GH formerly proposed to Meagan. Meagan was thrilled to marry GH whom she had loved for eight years. During the years together both Garry and Meagan started many homes for orphans, rescue homes for young women, shelters, and counseling services for teens.

Years passed by and Garry and Meagan has six children. One of them out of curiosity was going through a large box in the attic. There were so many little things, books, magazines, paper clippings. There in the midst of all the stuff was a small diary - the title was “Grass Hopper Trot”. In it Garry had logged all his encounters with Meagan and his hidden love for her. Nobody knew about this for years. It was on their 25th wedding anniversary that the children came with a play, they even composed a song. They got all the information from the mystery diary - the title of the play and song was “Grasshopper Trot”.

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