Once upon a time, in a faraway world, lived a woman named Mary Maloney. She was the kind wife of Patrick Maloney. She always tried to make him happy after a long day of work because she needed him to take care of her.

Exposition

One day after coming home from work, Patrick told Mary that he didn't want to live with her anymore because he liked someone else. Mary was very confused and sad. She even felt angry. Still, she tried to stay calm.

Conflict Introduced

While Mary was trying not to cry, a big portal opened up in front of her. She thought it wasn't real, and before she could move, it pulled her inside.

Conflict Introduced

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In the next world, Beatty was the boss of a fire department. However, instead of putting fires out, firefighters burned books.

Exposition

Books weren't allowed to be read because they made people think too much. Deep down, Beatty knew burning books was wrong.

Conflict Introduced

While Beatty was thinking, a portal suddenly opened in front of him too. He wanted to run away, but the portal sucked him in.

Conflict Introduced

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Finally, in the last world, there was Jack. He and a group of boys were stuck on an island after their plane had an accident. They had to figure out how to survive and take care of themselves.

Exposition

Jack thought hunting was the most important thing for the boys to survive. He got angry and often argued with the others because he wanted to be the leader.

Conflict Introduced

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After another fight with the others, Jack angrily walks away. He's so upset that he doesn't even notice the portal before it whisks him away.

Conflict Introduced

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In a strange land, Mary, Beatty, and Jack appeared. The portal closes. They didn't know each other. Even though they felt confused and scared, they had to introduce themselves.

Conflict Introduced

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"My name is Mary. What are your names?" she says in a quiet voice. "Beatty," he says in a careful tone. "Jack," he says after a moment.

Rising Action

They were all thinking the same thing: how did we get here, and how do we get back? Why are we here? Nobody had an answer.

Rising Action

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Suddenly, they see smoke drifting above the trees. "Look, there's smoke," they all say at the same time. "Maybe someone will know how to help us," says Mary. They begin to follow it. On the way there, they thought, I need to be careful around these strangers.

Rising Action

After some walking, they find a camp. They see Buddhist monks standing together, quietly in deep focus, meditating. "Hello. Who and what are you two doing?" asks Mary.

Rising Action

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"Hello, we are Buddhist monks. We believe in Buddhism, a way of being calm and kind," says the older monk, "We are following the Eightfold Path." The younger monk, looking a little upset, takes a deep breath and explains calmly, "We were practicing right mindfulness." Mary sees the young monks ability to control his emotions.

Rising Action

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“What is the Eightfold Path and right mindfulness?” asks Mary. “The Eightfold Path is our way of freeing ourselves from pain,” says the older monk. “Right mindfulness is one part of it” (Lion’s).

Rising Action

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“Right mindfulness helps us stay calm when we feel big emotions. We try not to let our feelings decide what we do, and we choose to be kind instead,” says the younger monk (Smith). “I want to try this at home,” says Mary, smiling.

Rising Action

"Enough talking," says Beatty, "Do you know how to get us home, or at least the way out of here?" The older monk replies, "You can go home when you find peace inside yourself." Beatty, feeling grumpy, shakes his head and walks off. Mary waves goodbye and leaves with Jack to follow Beatty.

Rising Action

After some more walking, the three ran into another camp. They find a woman and a young girl sitting together, reading. The woman is gently helping the girl sound out words. Beatty couldn't help but stop and stare.

Rising Action

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Beatty blinks and says, "Hello, what are both of you doing?" The two look up at him and smile. The woman says, "I am teaching her how to read."

Rising Action

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"Is she your daughter?" Beatty asks, scratching his head. "No, she isn't," the woman replies with a smile, "Why would you think that?" "Well, why else would you help her?" he wonders aloud. "Because it is a part of something called karma yoga," she explains. "What is that?" Beatty asks.

Rising Action

“We are Hindus, which means that we believe in Hinduism, a way of living with fairness and kindness,” the woman says (“Hindu”). “Karma yoga is one path in Hinduism. It means helping others by what we do, out of kindness, not because we want something back,” she continues (“The Path”).

Rising Action

The woman's words surprise Beatty. "Thank you for helping me learn what it means to be kind to others," he says, smiling. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I was hoping you might know how to get us home?" "I am sorry, but I don't," the woman says, shaking her head.

Rising Action