INVITATION TO A TOUR

Dear Yasmin,

Could you join me in a taxi tour to Muree, Nathiagali, Ayubia and Abbottabad? It will certainly be a granted tour. It is an irony that while we live in Lahore, yet we miss the sights which people from Landon and New York come to see. We can have a little party and start on the morning of March 1. The whole tour has been mapped out beforehand and we will return to Lahore on March 5. The itinerary, of course, can be changed en route if you have any suggestions to make. If the departure day does not suit you, it can also be changed. Please let me have reply as early as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Reehan.

INVITATION TO VISIT A VILLAGE

Dear Chaudhry,

It will do you good to visit our village in Sialkot after your arduous work in the Zarait Nama Weekly. Here you will be able to see real Village life and also rest your nerves for a while. We shall also visit Murree and Nathiagali for a while. The weather is ideal and open air will do you good. Would you come and join us? I feel I should not have asked this question but given an order: “You must come and join us.” I am sure you would have an enjoyable time.

Yours sincerely,

Shahbaz.

TO A FRIEND IN HOSPITAL

Dear Latif,

I was greatly surprised to/ hear surprised to hear yesterday that you had been in hospital for the last seven days and no news leaked out to me from any source whatsoever. At first I was given to understand that you had a minor throat operation for tonsils, but later I was told that you simply wanted a medical check-up. I don’t know much about hospitals, but if anyone can find them amusing, I am sure you are just that one. You have always seen the funny side of a situation, and this hospitalization is really funny because you went there willingly. Do you think it will be just wasting my time if I pay a visit?

Yours sincerely,

Khalid.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Khalid,

You are right. Life here is very funny and I just came here to escape the tortuous domestic duties. If your children bore you, illness is a safety device. They feel they have been bored—- a tilt for tat. Do come along for a nice chat. What use is your time? Better burn your boats burdened with brass! If you have any doubts, read Stevenson’s An Apology for idlers:

I offer no apologies for being here. And you can visit me without apologies.

Yours sincerely,

Latif.

REPLY TO ABOVE

Dear Mrs. Inayatullah Chaudhary,

I regret I was unable to attend the At-Home function on March 15, as I was at Gujranwala and received you invitation Card only yesterday on return. Thanks for your kind remembrance.

Yours sincerely,

Begum Vali.