Secrets of Fascinating Womanhood

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Volunteer

Mohini Madhavi February 10, 2012 at 6:51pm

Chapter three
Harmony
On Wednesday evening, Angela drove to the Civic Playhouse and parked her car. She looked all around for Ami but there was no sign of her. So she stood on the footpath outside the building and waited. It was dark and there was a cold wind blowing. While she waited, a number of women entered the building. Ten minutes went by. Angela looked at her watch. It was already 7.30. She felt cold, and very nervous. “I think I’ll go home,” she thought to herself. There was housework to do and David had been teasing Tiphony a lot lately. She had reluctantly left them alone together at home. “Is this where the Fascinating Womanhood meeting is being held?” Angela turned, startled. A short, elderly woman in her 70’s, with grey hair and a kindly face had spoken to her. “Yes, I think so,” Angela replied. “I’m just waiting for my friend. We were going to go in together.” “Well, it starts at 7.30, and it’s that now,” the woman said.
“Why don’t you come in with me? I’m Elsie,” and she smiled at Angela. “Yes, I think I will. It’s so cold out here.” They walked through the main door and saw a neat handwritten notice that said FASCINATING WOMANHOOD ROOM ONE and an arrow pointing down the stairway. They walked down the stairs and entered a red carpeted room. It was pleasantly warm, and filled with women of all ages seated in cream coloured, plastic chairs. Some of the women were chatting but most looked a little nervous. At the front of the room, behind an oblong table sat three well groomed women. The woman in the middle looked to be in her 60’s, the one on the left about Angela’s age, 35, and the woman on the right in her 40’s. Behind them on the wall was a white writing board. Angela half hoped to see Ami among the women in the
room, but she didn’t recognise anybody. Elsie, the elderly woman that Angela had come in with sat in one of the few remaining chairs. Angela saw only two empty chairs side by side. They were in the front row. Feeling ill at ease she walked to the front and sat down in one of the chairs. She placed her purse on the other chair to hold it for Ami if she arrived. The warmth and cosiness of the room began to calm Angela’s nervousness a little. She studied the three women seated behind the table in front of her. Somehow they seemed different, more striking than normal. All three were dressed in colourful feminine clothing. The serene looking, older woman in the middle and the younger woman on the left both wore their hair long. Then the third woman, on the right, a short, solidly built, confident looking woman about 45, with shorter hair stood and motioned for quiet. She smiled pleasantly and spoke. “Ladies, my name is Kitty. Thank you for coming along tonight to hear about Fascinating Womanhood. As you are all probably aware, we are about to start a new course, beginning next Wednesday evening. Let me explain a little more what it’s all about.” “Fascinating Womanhood teaches you the art, the secrets, the laws, call them what you may, of winning a man’s deepest, tenderest love. It does this by enabling you to become the kind of woman he can greatly love and respect,
and even adore.” “Your man does not need to know anything about it. In fact it’s far better that he doesn’t. It makes you even more mysterious in his eyes, more fascinating, more delightful. Men are not permitted to attend this course.” She smiled again. “Now why is it, that a man often ceases to love and cherish his wife after he marries her? Why? It’s because she stops doing the things that aroused his love when they were courting.” “So how does she re-awaken her husband’s love and tenderness? Simply by obeying the unchanging feminine laws by which a man’s love and tenderness are aroused and sustained. The ten Fascinating Womanhood secrets are those timeless laws.”
“Yes, they are old fashioned. But they work. Truth is always old fashioned.” Angela was so engrossed in what Kitty was saying, that she did not notice Ami slip into the chair beside her. “Sorry I’m late Angie,” Ami whispered into Angela’s ear, making her jump. “Bill had to work late tonight.” Angela was delighted to see her friend and whispered
back. “Oh I’m so glad you’re here Ami.” Angela fully relaxed now that Ami was beside her. Kitty continued. “Now I am not saying that our husbands are never at fault, or don’t make mistakes. Of course they do. But when we women correct our own mistakes, and live the Fascinating Womanhood laws, we arouse a wonderful loving response from our men. Even harsh and cold men respond. More than you would ever dream possible.” “Yes it’s true, you can experience more happiness than you’ve ever known before. More love, more tenderness, more caring, and you will be more respected as a woman.” “If you live these ten laws fully, I can promise you this. Your life will become richer, more fulfilling, full of surprises. I know. Mine has.” “When we live the ten laws of Fascinating Womanhood, we
awaken masculine instincts in our husbands, and feminine instincts in ourselves.” “Most of us had these natural instincts when we were young girls, but we seem to lose them as we grow older. Or we have them educated out of us by modern ideas on the woman’s role. But as we see all around us, these modern ideas aren’t working. Everywhere we see failed marriages.” “Fascinating Womanhood teaches you ancient truths. Truths on how to live so as to become fascinating and delightful in the eyes of your man. His ideal woman. The kind of woman he dreams about. The kind of woman who arouses his deepest feelings of love. Feelings of tenderness and most important, of respect.”

“You also learn how to understand men. Men are totally different from us. You will learn how to build their confidence, and their self respect. To bring out their full potential.” “You’ve heard the old saying, “Behind every great man there is a great woman.” Well you learn the secret of this. How the two of you can become a powerful team. How you
can bring out the very best in each other.” “You will also then know how to bring out the best in your sons, and other men you come into contact with.” “There are ten lessons in this course, one for every secret. “Secret Number One teaches us how to minimise our husband’s faults and weaknesses. “Secret Number Two shows us how to vastly increase his self-confidence, and at the same time arouse his love and affection for us. This secret is immensely powerful and when applied brings spectacular results. But it doesn’t work unless we have applied Secret Number One first.” “Secret Number Three teaches us how to comfort our man when he’s discouraged. And to do it in such a way as to deepen his love for us. The kind of love that endures forever. “This secret also shows us how to help him to be more successful in his career, and be a better provider. Many women find their husband’s income increases significantly within two years of living this law of Fascinating Womanhood.” “Secret Number Four teaches us how to let go worrying about the finances. To feel secure in our husband’s ability to provide for us. And to make sure he fully accepts his masculine responsibility to do so.” “Secret Number Five teaches us ways to increase our own confidence, and to develop serenity and goodness in our personality. Serenity and goodness are qualities men find highly attractive in their wife. They like to be able to put us on a pedestal, and praise us in front of other men. The more we develop these qualities, the more our men will treat us like queens.” “Secret Number Six helps us to enjoy being a mother
and a homemaker. To feel fulfilled and respected for the important work we do in nurturing our children and creating a haven in our homes. This secret brings peace and harmony into our homes.” “Secret Number Seven encourages us to look after our health, and enhance our appearance. Our hair, our figure, our smile. So that we glow and look attractive to our husband.” “Secret Number Eight reveals natural secrets of feminine dress, charm and mannerisms that are fascinating, enchanting and alluring to men.” “Secret Number Nine shows us how to obtain our womanly needs and wants, and in such a way that our husbands enjoy giving them to us. And love us even more deeply afterwards. You will be surprised how simple this is.” “The final law, Secret Number Ten, teaches us how to handle anger, both our own and our husbands. And in such a way as to increase his love for us.” “Now, let me introduce our Fascinating Womanhood teacher, Harmony.” The slim, serene woman of about 65, who had been sitting between the two woman now stood. She was quite tall and her shoulder-length silver hair was partly gathered up and held with a white bow. She wore an attractive, knee-length yellow dress. Angela was fascinated by her appearance, so unlike the matronly look of most older women. Harmony gave a radiant smile that made her look years younger and began to speak in caring, smiling voice. Angela took an instant liking to her. “Does your husband love you with all his heart? Does he feel a tender desire to protect you, and shelter you from all harm, from all worries, all difficulties?” “Does he adore you, and praise you in front of other men and women? Does he want to satisfy your every need and desire?” “Most women don’t feel that men are capable of such love, but believe me, they are. Almost every man can be tender, romantic and adoring, if these passions are awakened in him by a woman.” “We often awaken these passions in men during courtship, but they die away after marriage. Why is this? It is because, as Kitty just said, we do not continue to arouse them.” “Fascinating Womanhood teaches you how to re-awaken those passions in your man, and fan them into a fire that will burn brightly forever.” “Are we being selfish in wanting this kind of love? No. Showing tender, romantic love for his wife is a source of great joy to a man. He feels more of a man, more masculine, more manly. You will learn in Fascinating Womanhood that feeling masculine delights a man.” “He will also have a stronger desire to succeed in his
career, no matter what kind of work he does. Why? Because he has someone he deeply loves to work for. To die for if
necessary. He feels fulfilled and content as a man.” “Fascinating Womanhood is about making our marriage great. We are aiming for the stars. It is a big prize. And there is a price. That price is humility.” “We need to lay aside our self-righteousness and our feminine pride. We need to realise, that many modern ideas, though they sound good in theory, just don’t work in practice. Communism is one such example.” “In Fascinating Womanhood you learn ancient truths. And because they are true, they work when you apply them.” Elsie, the elderly woman who had come in with Angela
hesitantly raised her hand and asked a question. “I already have a good marriage. Will this course help me?” “Yes it will. It CERTAINLY will. Many women believe they already have a happy marriage. But after taking this course and living these ten secrets, there comes into their relationship a depth of joy and romantic love they never believed possible. I was one of those women.” “Other women, who before learning the secrets of Fascinating Womanhood, felt neglected and unloved by their husbands, are thrilled to see their relationship burst into full blossom. They see their cold, unresponsive husbands mellow, and become warm and loving.” “Even women who have been divorced and lonely for years, have reconciled with their husbands and remarried them again. They now enjoy a tender love and companionship they never knew before. I have personally taught women who have experienced this. Women who sat in the very chairs you are sitting in” Angela could feel a tingle of excitement building inside her. Maybe it wasn’t too late after all. But then a mental picture of Ted’s cold eyes and unsmiling face dispelled her excitement. “We women can build or destroy a man. Really we can. Put sand in a machine and it will wreck it. Put oil in it and it will run smoothly. Fascinating Womanhood gives us oil.” “If our husband doesn’t love us, we feel empty inside. That’s just the way we women are. He may buy us a harmony beautiful house. He may give us plenty of money. But if he doesn’t love us, there is nothing to make life worthwhile.” “Years of experience have proven to me beyond all doubt that the laws of Fascinating Womanhood work. They are truth. Come and discover them. Put them into practice. Then slowly but surely you will see a miracle take place in your marriage.” “But you MUST BE HUMBLE. You must set aside worldly ideas. You must set aside your feminine pride, and reawaken your natural femininity.” “These are natural laws you will learn, God’s laws if you like. That’s why they work. They are very different from what the world teaches. So you must be humble, and teachable. You must be willing to change old wrong ways of thinking and doing things.” “Change yourself and you can have a great marriage. I stand by that statement with my life. We women hold the key. We women have tremendous power to influence men for good.” “It’s not always easy, but I testify to you IT WORKS.” As Harmony spoke these words, Angela’s hopes again began to rise. The peaceful feeling that had come over her when she prayed in Tiphony’s bedroom last week was returning. “Now, sitting here on my right is Misty. She has been through a course of Fascinating Womanhood and is living the secrets. Misty has agreed to briefly share her experience with us.”
“After Misty has spoken, Kitty and I will answer any questions you have, and take enrolments for our next course.”
Misty (True Experience) “I feel a woman either wants to make a marriage work or she doesn’t. After ten years I still want mine to work, so I have tried hard to live Fascinating Womanhood.” “I know and believe that Fascinating Womanhood works. My husband hasn’t spoken a cross word to me for months. He comes home earlier than he has in
years.” “In the last six months, his earnings have increased each month. He can’t seem to do enough for me. I could
go on and on.” “I have never been happier, or had a happier family.” “Well, what do you think Angie?” whispered Ami, gazing intently at Angela. “Sounds too good to be true. But I’m excited,” said Angela. “It is true Angie, and it does work,” said Ami. “Like the teacher said, it’s not always easy. Sometimes you’ve really got to bite your tongue, and sometimes you blow it. But you get there. I know you can do it Angie.” “Oh Ami, you’re a real friend, really you are,” said Angela hugging her. “I’m so glad you’ve come back here to live. I am going to enroll. And you don’t have to come along with me every week. I’ll be OK. Honest.” Ami’s eyes moistened and she squeezed Angela’s hand.

page 26.
Volunteer

Mohini Madhavi December 30, 2011 at 11:11am

Chapter two
Ami

ANGELA’s mother picked her up for church the next morning as arranged. As soon as Angela and her mother walked into church, Angela saw Ami, sitting alongside her husband Bill. Angela was surprised to see her. They had been friends
since childhood, and even got married around the same time, but nine years ago Ami and her husband Bill had
moved to a distant city. Ami looked so pretty and slim that Angela felt like a frump in comparison. They were both the same age. Angela was relieved that Ami had not seen her. So she avoided any eye contact with Ami and sat with her mother during the service.
At first Angela was self-conscious and felt that people were staring at her. But she enjoyed singing the lively hymns and by the time the service ended she felt relaxed and peaceful.
However, to avoid meeting Ami and having to answer awkward questions, Angela asked her mother for the car
keys and then walked quickly out to the car park with her head down. She then sat and waited in her mother’s car
and soon became lost in her thoughts. She was startled when the car door suddenly opened and there was Ami’s pixie-like face beaming down at her. “Angie! Here you are. How good to see you. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Angela smiled back, deeply embarrassed. She got out of the car and hugged Ami. How slim she felt. “Oh Ami, it’s so
good to see you too. And you look so well. What brings you back home?”
“We’re living back here now. Bill’s been transferred. We moved back last weekend. Oh I’m so happy. I love it here.
How’s Ted? Hey, we’ll have to all get together again.” “Oh he’s fine,” said Angela, forcing a smile. “He’s taken the
children out all day today.” “How nice. Where to?” asked Ami. “I’m ah, ... not sure,” replied Angela, feeling uncomfortable.

“Well look Angie, I’d better not keep Bill and the children waiting any longer. I’ll pop round and visit you this afternoon and we’ll catch up on all the news.” “Well, . . . um, . . . I . . . well, OK then Ami. That would be nice. See you then.”
When her mother dropped her off at home, Angela changed into her black slacks and put on her comfortable dark green pullover. The house was empty and quiet. Ted had obviously picked up the children OK.
While she stood in the kitchen preparing her lunch, Angela decided to tell Ami the truth about her separating from Ted. She would soon find out anyway. Later that afternoon, Angela was sitting anxiously on the couch, smoking a cigarette and trying to read a magazine, when she heard Ami’s car come up the driveway.
Her heart beat faster and her hands felt clammy. She stubbed out the cigarette.
“Come in Ami,” she called, hearing her footsteps out on the patio.
Ami walked through the open door smiling. Angela thought she looked a picture of health and happiness. Her shiny black hair was flowing around her shoulders and she wore a pink dress.
Angela remained sitting on the couch, nervously rolling up the magazine. “Well here goes,” she thought. “Ami, Ted and I have separated.” She said it quickly, avoiding Ami’s gaze.
Ami appeared stunned for a moment. Then she sat at Angela’s side and put her arm around her. “Oh Angie, no!”
Angela tried to hold back her tears, but could not. Her shoulders began to heave and she burst out in loud sobs.
Ami held her tight and let her sob. She then took a tissue from her purse and gave it to Angela.
“You sit right there Angie. Let me make you a nice hot chocolate drink. Then you can tell me all about it. You
seemed such a happy couple when you first got married.” “I’ll come and help too,” said Angela sniffing and wiping
her tears as she stood up. They both went into the kitchen, and Angela turned on the stove to heat some milk then said to Ami, “Ted has his own business now. He still fixes cars. Just him and an apprentice. He seems to have lots of work, but he works long hours. I used to do the books for him. You know how useless he is at maths. He has to do it all himself now. He’s bound to muck it up.”
“How long has he been gone now Angie?” “Over two months now. It was such a relief at first. No more tension. But now . . . I don’t know. I seem more tense than ever. He’s changed since you knew him Ami.”
“He won’t do anything around the house. He hardly ever speaks to me. And when he does it’s only to complain about

something.”
“Honestly, he criticises me all the time. I had my hair cut and permed and he said I looked awful. And it was really
nice. All my friends said so.” “He just doesn’t respect me any more Ami. He never discusses anything with me, just glares at me. He still does. He even beat me up.”
“Oh Angie. I can’t believe that. Tall, gentle Ted, beat you up? That man’s as gentle as a lamb.”
“Well he slapped me,” said Angela. “Did he? What led up to him doing that?”
“Nothing. I just told him that he wouldn’t have a business if it wasn’t for me doing his books. Which is true.”
“Oh yes, and what else? I know what your tongue and temper can be like Angie.”
“Well, I did tear up some of his invoice books and throw them on the floor. The way he was treating me I wasn’t going to do anything more for him?” Ami sighed, “That sounds like you Angie. But he shouldn’t have hit you. Where do you keep your cups?” “Use those two mugs over there Ami.”
“And he didn’t want me to go back teaching. I can’t imagine why. All my friends are working. I told him he wasn’t bringing in enough money. He had to borrow a lot to start his business. And on top of that he goes out and buys a new van. Anyway, I did go back to work. I was tired of being stuck at home all day.”
They took their hot chocolate drinks into the living room and sat back on the couch. Angela lit another cigarette.
“I didn’t think you would start smoking again Angie. Remember how we both gave up together after that horrible
cancer film at school?” “I think it helps me relax Ami. You would probably start smoking again too if you were going through the hell I’m going through.”
“I don’t think so”, said Ami. “It’s not very feminine.” “Well anyway Ami, you’ve heard enough about my problems. How’s everything with you and Bill?” “Oh Angie, Bill and I have never been happier. He just spoils me rotten lately. I love him so much. We’ve got four lovely children now. One boy and three girls. You remember Becky, the eldest, who was born here, she’s twelve now.” “Yes. Her and David are the same age,” said Angela.
“That’s right, it was so neat when we were both pregnant together,” said Ami smiling.
“Yes, it was,” said Angela. “Actually Angie, to be honest with you, last year Bill and I had a few problems too. He got laid off work, and I didn’t handle it very well at the time. That’s when I took the Fascinating Womanhood course.”
“What do you mean, Fascinating Womanhood course?” said Angela.

“Oh, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done Angie,” said Ami, smiling widely. “I thought our marriage was pretty good, but
now it’s wonderful. Honest. I’ve never been so happy in my whole life. Bill seems happy too. And he enjoys his new job.” Angela felt a peaceful feeling come over her as Ami talked. Strangely she also seemed to sense the presence of
her father in the room. She stubbed out her half smoked cigarette.
“It’s a course on how to bring out the best in our husbands. You learn ten secrets about men. Oh Angie, I think you need to go through it. I really do. From what you’ve told me, I think you’ve made some big mistakes with poor Ted.”
Angela’s peaceful feeling suddenly vanished and she felt her temper rise. “Poor Ted? Me made mistakes?” she said.
“It’s him, not me. I’ve done nothing wrong. He won’t talk to me! He won’t take me out. I tried to make him go to a
marriage counsellor. But would he? Oh no, not him!” “I’ve done my best to change him for his own good, but all
he thinks about is his stupid business. Puts it before me, and before the children. And he buys a new van. He can’t
afford it. The business isn’t doing that well. He’s just acting the big shot. And he’s never home. Work! Work! Work!
That’s all he thinks about. I’ve got feelings too. And if he ever smiled at me it would crack his face.”
“Oh Angie, come on now. Ted used to smile at you all the time when you were courting.”
“Well he doesn’t any more. I tell you Ami, he’s changed. He’s always grumpy, even with the children, except when
he’s been on the booze. Anyway its over! I don’t want him any more. I told him that. I don’t love him. I’m going to find somebody who really cares about us.”
“Angie, you won’t find anyone better than Ted. Who else will love your children like he does? He’s their real father.
You can’t change that. Do you really think your children will accept another father? And what if you do find another
man, and he has children too? You’d be their step-mother you know. Could you love them like your own? Would they
love you back?” Angela felt depressed at Ami’s words. “Maybe you’re right Ami. I don’t know. Who would want me anyway? Look how fat I am.”
“You hold the key to all this Angie. We women hold the key to happiness in our marriage. You can bring back the old
Ted. The one who loved you. The Ted who married you.” “It’s too late Ami. It won’t work. Ted won’t change. I’ve
tried and tried and tried.” Ami smiled. “It’s not too late at all Angie. Look, I’ll find out if they hold a Fascinating Womanhood class here. If they do, will you take the course?”
“I don’t think so Ami. I’m so busy since Ted left.” “I’ll come with you if you like.”

“Well, . . . I might. . . . If you came too Ami.” Ami’s eyes sparkled. “Good on you Angie. You’ll be so glad you did. Oh I do hope they hold them here.” About an hour later, after chatting about old times, Ami said goodbye to Angela and left. She had just backed her car out onto the road when Ted drove up to the kerb in his van. David and Tiphony climbed out and ran excitedly inside to their mother Angela.
“Hi Ted” called out Ami, waving and smiling through her open window. Ted looked puzzled at first. Then he smiled
broadly as he recognised her. He immediately got out of his van and walked over to her, still smiling broadly.
“Ami. Good to see you.” “Nice to see you too Ted. It’s been a long time. Sorry to hear about you and Angie.”
“Yeah,” said Ted, suddenly looking serious and lowering his head.
“How’s Bill?” he asked. “Fine, just fine. He’s been transferred back here. We moved last weekend.”
“Hey, that’s good news,” said Ted, smiling again. “You’re looking really well, Ami.”
“Thank you Ted,” smiled Ami. “Well I must be off.” “Bye Ami. Say hello to Bill for me.”
Two weeks later, on Monday evening, Angela was serving the evening meal when the phone rang. She answered it
curtly, annoyed at the interruption. “Hi Angie, it’s me Ami. Hey guess what? The Fascinating Womanhood course is taught here. They hold it in a downstairs room in the Civic Playhouse. And we’ve timed it just right. A new course starts soon. They’re going to hold an introduction night this Wednesday at 7.30. Will you come with me? Please Angie. You did promise.” Angela couldn’t help smiling at Ami’s enthusiasm. “OK Ami. I’ve been thinking about it. Yes, I’ll come with you. And if it’s half as good as you say, I’ll take the course.”
“Oh great! Remember it starts at 7.30. I’ll meet you outside about ten minutes before, or do you want me to
come and pick you up?” “No, I’ll be there Ami.”
“All right. See you then. Bye Angie.”
Volunteer

Mohini Madhavi December 27, 2011 at 6:23pm

Despair overwhelmed Angela. She went into Tiphony’s empty bedroom and sat on the bed and wept bitterly. After a while she began to felt a little better. Tiphony’s bedside digital clock glowed red in the dark, 12.25 am. Angela began to feel cold. She returned to her own bedroom and put on her dressing gown. Then she collected her cigarettes and ashtray from the living room, and returned to Tiphony’s bedroom and switched on the light. She sat on the bed again and lit a cigarette and tried to calm her nerves.
Ted disliked her smoking. She had only begun again last year. It seemed to calm her temporarily and make life more manageable. She had been surprised to be told a few days ago that Ted had been seen smoking since he left.
“Hypocrite”, she muttered. Angela thought back to the first week after Ted had left. Compared to the stressful months leading up to the separation, the feeling of relief was wonderful. Even David and Tiphony seemed more relaxed.
But then the pressure and stress had started building up again. Angela had returned to full time school teaching. Ted
had left her the house and car, and paid child maintenance, but angrily refused to support her any further.
It seemed that she never had time for herself any more. Teaching all day at school. Working every night doing
housework and lesson preparation. Working most weekends doing the lawns and garden. It wasn’t how she had
imagined it would be. Other things also began going wrong. She damaged the car, and it was off the road for two weeks. Then the lawn mower which had always been hard to start, would not start at all. The washing machine was
making a funny noise. The tap in the bathroom leaked. Bills kept arriving, power, rates, water, insurance. Then there was her mother’s attitude. Ted and her mum had always got along well. He mother would say things like, “What are you doing wrong Angela? Ted’s a good man.” How did she know what it’s like living with someone who hardly ever talks to you. Just glares at you. Just ignores you most of the time.
She stubbed out her cigarette resentfully. Dad would understand.
“Can you see me now Dad?” she whispered aloud. “I wonder what it’s like where you are now. Oh, if only I could
be with you. But my children need me.” Angela felt her warm tears well up again. They flooded her eyes and trickled down her face. She remembered how her father would read her a Bedtime story each night when she was a child. And how afterwards he would kneel with her beside her bed, his strong arm around her shoulders and help her say her
prayers.
“Always remember to say your prayers Sweetheart,” he would say. “Your Heavenly Father loves you, even more than I do”. “And I haven’t”, thought Angela sadly as she sat alone with her tears trickling down her cheeks. “I’m sorry Dad.” she whispered, “I’ll start to pray again, every night.” Then Angela got on her knees beside Tiphony’s bed, and bowed her head and prayed. She whispered the words aloud, as her father had taught her.
“Dear God, my Heavenly Father, I am so unhappy. If you really love me as my Dad has said, please help me. Please
find me a man who will love me and care for me. Somebody who will hold me and talk with me, and not be angry with
me all the time. Please help me.” While saying these words, Angela’s tears began to flow more freely and dripped down onto her hands. But she began to feel very different inside. A warm and peaceful glow was enveloping her. Her sadness and tenseness were fading.
For the first time in months, Angela began to feel serene. She ended her prayer, but continued to kneel against the
bed. The feeling inside her was wonderful and comforting. She remembered feeling like this as a little girl when her
Dad knelt alongside of her as she said her bedtime prayers. Deep down, Angela felt that everything was somehow
going to turn out all right. She resolved to pray every day from now on.
Angela’s peaceful feeling gradually turned to drowsiness. She got up off her knees and went back to her own
bedroom, and gently slipped into bed alongside her sleeping daughter.
In a few minutes she was sound asleep. Life seemed a little better for a few days. It was early spring, Angela’s favourite time of the year. The Jasmine growing on the fence outside her back door was in full blossom. The sweet fragrance lifted her spirits as she left to teach school each morning. However, despite her busyness, and the never-ending demands of raising children as a single parent, there was an emptiness pervading Angela’s life.
Her friends seldom phoned or called around any more. Angela would sometimes phone an old friend, but it wasn’t
seem the same as before. She could detect a coolness in their response that hadn’t been there prior to Ted leaving.
Angela also forgot her resolve to pray every day. Friday evening, a man knocked on her door. Through the glass Angela recognised him as Rick, the husband of Marge, a nearby neighbour. She opened the door apprehensively. “Angela, I seem to be having trouble with my TV reception. Could I come in and check your picture?”
“Oh Hi Rick,” said Angela. She felt strangely uneasy. There

was something odd about Rick’s manner. “Well, yes, I suppose you can have a quick look.” Rick walked into the lounge and glanced at the set. “Oh, yes, there is something definitely wrong with mine. Marge has gone away for a few days. I thought I would try and fix it while she’s gone. I suppose it’s a bit lonely now that Ted’s gone?”
“I’m managing” said Angela coolly, still standing by the door. She could smell the alcohol.
“Well, if you want any help, just ask,” said Rick. He looked her up and down and gave a sly grin, then left.
Angela felt relieved when he had gone, but at the same time angry and cheapened. “Who does he think I am? I’ve a
good mind to tell Marge when she gets back.” The burden of being a solo parent again became almost unbearable during the following week. David was becoming increasingly hard to control and disobedient at home. Tiphony came down sick with the flu and needed to stay home from school for two days. Angela had to stay home and look after her. Angela felt guilty when she phoned to inform the school where she taught that she was unable to come in to teach
that day. The principle had answered the phone and she sensed his annoyance. When he had hired Angela he had
continually stressed the need for her to be reliable. Saturday evening the phone rang. Tiphony ran to answer
it. “It’s Nanna, Mum,” she called out. Angela took the phone from Tiphony. “Hello Mum. How are you?”
“I’m more concerned about you Angela. Have you heard from Ted lately?”
“No Mum, and I don’t want to. It’s all over. Can’t you see that? I wish you wouldn’t keep on about it. He doesn’t care
about me, and I don’t love him any more. It’s finished.” “Ted is still the father of your children, Angela.” “Yes Mum. I know. David went to see him yesterday. He’s taking him and Tiphony out somewhere all day tomorrow. So they are still seeing him. He’s picking them up at 9.30 in the morning.”
“Those children need a full-time father, Angela.” “Look Mum, I’ll find them a good father. Just give me some time. I prayed last week Mum, and I got a feeling that everything is going to turn out all right. It was such a lovely feeling. Oh but I miss Dad so much.” “Yes, so do I dear,” said her mother. “I’m so glad you prayed Angela. Why don’t you come to church with me tomorrow morning? I’ll drive over and pick you up about quarter past nine. Ted will be having the children.” “No, I don’t want to Mum. People will only ask me, ‘How’s ‘He’s fine.’ Come on. Come for your father’s sake. You know it would make him happy.”
“Oh Mum, . . . well, . . . well OK then. At least I won’t have to face Ted when he picks up the children.”
“Good girl Angela. See you tomorrow”.

(p. 13. to be continued)
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Mohini Madhavi December 27, 2011 at 11:32am

CHAPTER ONE
Angela

ANGELA picked up her remote and clicked off her TV. She rubbed her tired eyes and ran her fingers through her short brown hair. Glancing up at the lounge clock she saw that it was six minutes before midnight.
Angela sighed. She hadn’t intended staying up so late. “Well at least I feel sleepy” she thought. Sleep had not come easy this past week. She turned off her electric heater, then leaned over and picked up the empty chocolate drink mug from the carpet. Heaving her heavy body from the couch she walked to the kitchen.
Her anger flared briefly when she saw the mess left by her two children. However she was too drowsy to clear it up
now. How many times had she complained before? She switched off the lounge lights then groped in the dark for the door to the hall, leading down to the bedrooms. Opening it, she felt for the switch and turned on the hallway
light. As she passed her son’s bedroom, she heard what sounded like a sob. She stopped and listened. Yes it was
sobbing. Her 12 year son David was sobbing. Angela felt a sinking feeling inside and tensed up. Her drowsiness vanished. David’s muffled, quavering voice confirmed her worst fear. “I want Dad to come home.” Then more sobs.
“Oh no!” thought Angela. “Please God, not this.”

She hurried in and crouched at her son’s bedside. In the dim light she could see his straw-coloured hair on the
pillow. His body was sobbing convulsively beneath the blankets. The side of his face wet with tears.
Anxiously she slipped her arms under the blankets and cradled his lanky body.
“David, it’s all right. Mum will always look after you darling”.
“I want Dad. Why can’t Dad come home?” David seemed to be only half awake.

“Mum loves you David”, said Angela, putting her face against his, her own tears mingling with her sons tears.
“Oh God, what can I do?” she thought. She felt her sanity slipping. She had depended so much on David’s strength since Ted left. He had been a tall, confident boy for his age, and now this. Yet signs had been appearing, especially during this past month. David no longer brought friends home from school. He didn’t appear to have friends any more. He just lay around watching TV most of the time, even weekends. His teacher had rung Angela last week, concerned about what she termed, “David’s lack of co-operation in class.”
Angela cradled her son gently for several more minutes, until he appeared to be asleep. Then she covered his
shoulders with the blankets. For a little longer she softly stroked his prickly hair. Then she kissed him and went to
her own bedroom. She left the bedroom light off, so as not to awaken Tiphony, her nine year old daughter. Tiphony slept with her in the double bed.
After Ted had left, Tiphony had become frightened sleeping alone in her own bedroom. Now she slept every night with her mother. Angela was secretly grateful for the comfort. Feeling shocked and strangely lonely after her experience
with her son, Angela mechanically undressed in the dark and slipped on her nightie. “I’ll never get to sleep tonight,” she thought. “If only somebody cared. If only Dad was still alive. He always cared.”
Angela felt a little better thinking about her father and his cheerful, reassuring ways. She would take her problems to
him as a girl and his strong arms would hold her tight as she poured out her heart. Then he would smooth her long hair and say, “It’s all right Sweetheart. Everything will turn out all right. You’ll see”.
And it always did. Just confiding in Dad seemed to make it better. “Why couldn’t Ted be more like her father?”
She recalled again how cold and remote Ted had become these last few years. How he hardly ever spoke to her, and
when he did it was mostly to criticize. She saw no love in his eyes, only anger. She remembered again with dismay, his ugly contorted look the night he hit her. She would never forget that night.

(p.9. to be continued)
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Mohini Madhavi December 27, 2011 at 11:26am

The Promise of
Fascinating Womanhood
When you sincerely apply and consistently live all the ten secrets revealed in this book, you will awaken deep
feelings of warm and tender love in your husband. He will respect you and fiercely protect you. He
will even adore you, and treat you as a queen.

The Warning of
Fascinating Womanhood
When you begin to live Fascinating Womanhood, you walk a path of no return. Your man will
never again be satisfied with the old you.

Use restraint

Apply Fascinating Womanhood with restraint at first, and with purity and sincerity, especially Secret Number Two.
Let your femininity unfold and blossom naturally, just as a fruit tree blossoms in the springtime. If your husband should ever suspect that you are insincere, or just acting a role, he will not be able to respond fully to you. Your relationship will not bear the wonderful fruit possible with Fascinating Womanhood. Fascinating Womanhood is an immensely powerful force for good in your marriage. However, it also gives you the knowledge to manipulate men. Please strongly resist any temptation to abuse it in this way.

Forgive yourself of past mistakes

You will almost certainly come to realize that you have made some mistakes in your marriage. But there is nothing
to be gained in continuing to blame yourself. Mistakes are learning experiences and stepping stones to future success.
Real joy in life can only be experienced by first passing through sorrow. The poet Kahil Gibran wrote: “When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow, that is giving you joy. The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.”
THE PROPHET

The numerous True Experiences quoted in this book are extracts from hundreds of letters in the files of Helen Andelin, founder of the Fascinating Womanhood course. Only names have been changed. Angela’s story is based upon actual events, but names and details have been changed. Angela and her teacher are both Christians and this account reflects their Christian beliefs. However Fascinating Womanhood works for women of all beliefs and cultures. All
that is required is trust in the wise plan of a loving God, and humility. No particular religious viewpoint is intended to be expressed in this book.

LADIES in ISKCON

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