MYSTERY STORY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TURKEY (GROUP 2 ) SONGÜL KURT and HER STUDENTS

After a tiring and long day, Dunja wanted to have a rest. She wanted to watch sports programmes, which was her father's favourite activity and she also liked watching matches with her father. It was the 2016 European Football Championship.
( Turkey-Holland Match took place in Konya, Turkey in May 2016) 
While she was watching the match on TV, there was something caught her attention at the stadium. There was a billboard and a saying on it. 'COME AGAIN WHOEVER YOU ARE.'


She liked the sentence, she repeated it in her mind and curious about whose saying it is. She entered her room and wanted
to search for it on her mobile phone. After a quick search, she learned that it belonged to MEVLANA who was a famous Turkish philosopher, lived in 13th century. She felt that she wanted to meet with Mevlana. But it was impossible.

Since she knew that she could not meet with him, she felt unhappy and desperate. She picked up her toy which is a model of world
and on which there was a world map. She started to play with it, because whenever she was upset, she took his toy in her hands. 
While she was spinning the toy, she pointed out the Turkey on his toy's world map. Turkey was a beautiful country located in the coast of Mediterranean Sea . She remembered Mevlana and the city of Konya once again. So she tried to find Konya where Mevlana lived.
And suddenly something strange happened. A huge bright light come from her room's door. She couldn't believe in her eyes. she was not only excited and fascinated by the brightness but also a bit scared. she walked to the light towards the door with her toy in her hands. She stepped in towards the door and realized the time and the place 'Changed.' Guess what happened? She found herself in a huge square and in the middle of it there was a stage. Three Dervishes in white, long clothes and with a quilted turban on their heads, were dancing. The dervishes dress in long white robes with full skirts that represent their shrouds. Their voluminous black cloaks symbolise their worldly tombs, their conical felt hats their tombstones. By holding their right arms up, they receive the blessings of heaven, which are communicated to earth by holding their left arms turned down. As they whirl, they form a ‘constellation’ of revolving bodies, which itself slowly rotates. Dunja wondered what was happening and who they were. She decided to ask:
-Excuse me, Who are you? and Where am I? .I don't know where I am.
But there was no reply to her question. The dervishes were fascinated and kept on performing their dances. They were whirling From the left side of the stage , a huge and admirable man was seen. he came closer to Dunja. It was 'MEVLANA.'


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome, dear little guest! Mevlana said.
Dunja was a bit shy and excited. She asked;
-Thank you, sir. Where am I and who are you, sir?
-Here is the place of 'tolerance', little child! And I am the 'server' of this place. I am 'Mevlana!'
-But how? I know that you are a famous Turkish philosopher. But you said that you are a 'server'
-You cannot be a 'Master' of a place where you are not a 'Server.'
Dunja was fascinated. There was a man who was unordinary. She admired his way of talking and welcoming her.
-Are you hungry or thirsty, little guest? asked Mevlana. 
You come from far away places, he added.
-Thank you , sir. I have just eaten something. Somebody served me something delicious, said Dunja. It was the first time for Dunja that she was in a restful place and ate something in such a restful house. She finished her meal and thanked to Mevlana.
-Most probably it was 'Etli Ekmek'. Konya is famous for this cuisine. It is a traditional meal. Then let's walk around , you would like to see nice places in Turkey, said Mevlana.
-You are very generous , sir, Dunja said. 
-Turkish people , we, love guests, child. have a nice appetite! Mevlana said.
They hanged around the dervish content together. Mevlana introduced the 'whirling dervishes' as 'SEMAZEN.' 
-Here is the home of 'LOVE' 'TOLERANCE' 'PEACE' 'HONESTY' and 'GENEROSITY.' Everyone can come here, stay here, and leave here whenever he wants. We always host people coming this dervish content. Mevlana explained.
-You are the person whom I just want to meet, in my dreams, sir. I am very glad to meet you. ı love you and your country very much. I really would like to see other nice places in Turkey. Could you help me, please? said Dunja. 
-Of course, little child. Shall I take you the most beautiful place of our country if you like. said Mevlana.
-I really would love to, sir. Where is it? Which place is it? asked Dunja.
-Istanbul, the most populous and famous city in Turkey. said Mevlana.
-How do I go there? Do you also come with me? asked Dunja.
-Don't worry. You will go there alone but you won't be alone there. Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi will escort you, there, said Mevlana.
-Who is he, sir? Is he a tourist guide? asked Dunja.
-(he laughs ) Yes, child. We can call him as a tourist guide. But there is a slight difference between a guide and Hezarfen.
-What is it, sir? asked Dunja.
-He will introduce the city , İstanbul by flying. Because he has wings. said Mevlana.
-Really! But How? Can Hezarfen fly?
-Yes, he is the first flied man. Are you surprised? Remember that you came to Turkey through your spinning world toy. ( he smiles) said Mevlana.
-You are right sir. Well, How do I go to İstanbul to see Hezarfen? asked Dunja.
-Look at those whirling dervishes. Everybody who has nothing with bad things in his heart can whirle just as they do. And this whirling is a kind of voyage. As soon as you start whirling, the time and the place change. explained Mevlana.
-Really sir? Can I also dance like them? What do you think of it? asked Dunja.
-Just try, little guest. Well, Here is a souvenir for you. This is a whirling dervish eikon for you, just remember us! added Mevlana.
-You are so kind, sir! I would love to come once again! May I? Asked Dunja.
-Come again whoever you are! said Mevlana.


Dunja started whirling just in the middle of the stage spreading her arms wide. She was whirling, whirling... As she whirles, the time and the place changes. She found herself just with Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi in Galata Tower. 
-Welcome, little guest! I am Hezarfen. I am on duty by a famous and great Turkish philosopher to accompany you in İstanbul. I will escort you while exploring the city . said Hezarfen.
-Can you talk with Mevlana, sir? asked Dunja. 
-Sometimes tongues are silent , then the hearts talk, dear little child. said Hezarfen.
-I am so please , sir. I am Dunja. I come to your country to explore and discover. said Dunja.
-You are at the right place, child. İstanbul is such a fascinating city that it makes the people fascinated. said Hezarfen.
-Well, how do we fly? by whirling? asked Dunja.
-Of course, not. Here is İstanbul. We can catch the speed of the city just by flying. Our first destination will be 'Topkapı Palace.' I will show you the place where our state governs. Hold on tight! 
-I am very excited! The feeling of flying is awesome! exclaimed Dunja.
-Look at here, it is 'Ayasofya.' It serves as worshipping place for different religions. And, here is 'Sultanahmet Square.' It attracts many and many tourists from many different countries. And this is the place which I mentioned about you, 'TOPKAPI PALACE'. Here it is... said Hezarfen.
-İstanbul is a historical and tourist attraction city, I think. It is really awesome. The scenery from the air is magnificent. I really love İstanbul! exclaimed Dunja.
-And here is 'Topkapı Palace' , the state affairs are conducted from this center. If you like, shall we go to the place where we start exploring the city? And I will have a gift for you. It will be a souvenir. said Hezarfen.
-Really! I am very curious and excited! 
-Well, we have arrived.. I hope it was an enjoyable and unforgettable trip for you. said Hezarfen. 
-I am very impressed by the beauty of İstanbul, sir. Really impressive and awesome city it is!
-I am glad that you liked our country, our city.. And now, here is your souvenir ! said Hezarfen.
-Oh! What a nice thing !
-This is 'TUGHRA' This is the signature of sultan and emperor. The statesmen in Topkapı Palace put their signature at the bottom of their official papers. ıt is a kind of signature, I mean.
- Oh! It is awesome! I am very grateful for you and Mevlana. I really enjoy being in your country. Many thanks for both of you! 
Now, I need to leave ..
-Of course, dear Dunja. Our hearts and doors will be open, always , open for you and for your country's people. Have 'LOVE' 
'PEACE' and 'TOLERANCE' with you! said Hezarfen.

-Goodbye, said Dunja.

She picks up her toy, and points his country on her world map of her toy, then a huge brightness comes from
the doors of the tower. She walks towards the brightness. While she is walking, there is a smile full of commitment, satisfaction, and pleasure. She steps in , and at that time she leaves 'MEVLANA' and 'HEZARFEN' in history... Dunja finds herself on her bed in her bedroom. She feels not only tired but also pleased. She puts her head on her pillow, and takes her toy, which is a great helper for her trips, in her hand, and falls asleep..

 

Mystery story Written and drawn by Turkey Group 2 Students