My Sweet Lord: Short Story

by Fiza Pathan

Something has to be done. The year is 2020, and Buddhist citizens living in the city of Dil-e-bad, Raktsthaan, have been suffering at the hands of government officials and their military. What began with lynching and rape has become a full-blown witch hunt. Monks have been killed and their monuments destroyed. Four members of an underground get together and decide that extreme action is called for. They are a nonviolent people, but one of them, standing at the junction in the center of Dil-e-bad, is about to fight back with fire.

14 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2020

About the author

IMP: If you are an indie-author & wish to contact me for written or live interviews on my blogs & websites then contact me here - pathan.fiza@gmail.com
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I will then get back to you ASAP.

I also review books already published & in ARC form (pdfs are fine) especially of indie-writers. You can message or text about the same to me via the above given details. Messaging on Goodreads is coming to an end, period. I am also on X, LinkedIn, Fable & StoryGraph, feel free to join me there.

Fiza Pathan is a Roman Catholic born on the 19th of March 1989 and is from Mumbai, India.

Fiza has written and published seventeen award-winning books and short stories, which reflect her interest in furthering the cause of education and in championing social issues. In over seventy literary competitions, she has placed either as winner or finalist, chief among them being: 2020 DBW Awards; 2020 Writer's Digest Self-Published E-Book Awards; 2018 DBW Awards; Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Award; 2018 IAN Book of the Year Awards; 2018 Book Viral Millennium Book Awards; Readers’ Favorite Book Awards; Reader Views Literary Awards; Eric Hoffer Book Award; Foreword Reviews Indie Fab Book Awards; Mom’s Choice Awards; Literary Classics Book Awards; and Dan Poynter’s Global E-Book Awards. She established her own niche publishing company called Fiza Pathan Publishing OPC Private Limited where she publishes Rare Classics for younger readers.

She has been contributing articles, book reviews, parabolic stories, and theological essays to various Catholic Magazines for the past 16 years. She has been associated with ‘The Examiner’ which is a reputed Catholic newsweekly of India for the past 16 years. In recognition of her various literary achievements as a young Catholic writer, she has recently received the first ever Bronze Pen Award from The Examiner at its 175th anniversary celebrations in the year 2024.

She also contributes theological articles and book reviews respectively to the ICM (Indian Catholic Matters) online magazine as well as ‘The Teenager Today’ which is run by the Catholic congregation of St. Pauls. She also contributed articles to ‘The Vision & Venture’ and ‘Word Power’ as a youth, both of which are Catholic monthlies.

Fiza Pathan is currently pursuing her Masters in Theological Studies from Pontifex University Atlanta, Georgia asynchronously. She also pursues additional theological courses at the Institute of Catholic Culture in Virginia through its online platform to improve her knowledge of authentic Catholic theology, philosophy, and literature. She is currently in the process of becoming a Consecrated Virgin for Christ.

She is also pursuing her Post Graduate Certificate In International Teacher Education (PGCITE) at Podar International School, Santacruz. She is being trained to teach grades 1 to 12 in the IGCSE & IB curricula. Her specializations will be in English Language, English Literature, Global Perspectives (GP), History, TOK & CAS.

She taught English Literature and History for a year at an ICSE school called Lilavati Bai Podar High School, Mumbai (2011-2012).

Fiza Pathan has a bachelor’s degree in arts from the University of Mumbai, where she majored in History and Sociology with a first class. She also has a bachelor’s degree in education, again with a first class, her special subjects being English and History.

She lives with her maternal family & her cat Lopez, and writes essays, book reviews, sketches, novels, and short stories in most genres. You may follow her on Twitter @FizaPathan and visit her blog insaneowl.com or her website fizapathansportfolioforpgcite.com

Reviews

[Mason Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading My Sweet Lord by Fiza Pathan, and I have to say—it’s one of the most powerful short stories I’ve read in a long time. It’s the kind of story that doesn't just ask for your attention—it demands your emotional investment. And trust me, it delivers.

Set in the fictional country of Raktsthaan, the story starts off quietly, almost gently, before it sweeps you into something deeply haunting and unforgettable. Fiza Pathan doesn’t rely on flashy prose or gimmicks—her writing is grounded, vivid, and intimate. The city, the people, the tension in the air—all of it feels so real that I had to keep reminding myself I was reading fiction.

What really drew me in was how human the whole thing felt. The characters aren’t just vessels for a message—they’re real, breathing souls. And the themes? They’re heavy—religious persecution, protest, the weight of suffering—but they’re handled with such sincerity and emotional intelligence that you never feel like you're being preached to.

There’s a spiritual depth to the story that I didn’t expect, and one line in particular hit me so hard I had to reread it a few times:
“Lord Buddha is full of love, full of power, and full of wisdom. And full of pain – the one who understands pain, and is willing to accept pain, will see the Lord and make this world a better place. My sweet Lord.”
That line—it just stayed with me. It's so simple, but so profound. It somehow captures the essence of the entire story: that pain, when embraced with love and wisdom, becomes transformative.

Despite its brevity, My Sweet Lord feels like a full experience. It broke my heart in places, made me reflect deeply in others, and left me quietly moved at the end. It doesn’t offer easy answers or false hope, but it does leave you with something far more lasting—perspective, compassion, and a deep emotional echo.

This isn’t a light read. It’s not something you pick up casually and forget. It’s one of those rare pieces that you carry with you. If you appreciate stories that tackle serious issues with courage and grace, this one is an absolute must-read. Just prepare yourself—you won’t come out of it the same.

[Simon Bardwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read...

For the Western reader this takes you on a journey into another culture. One where a Buddhist monk sacrificed his life for a cause.

It is a short book that is packed with detail.

The reason for the title emerges in the second part. I loved the interaction of the monks and that one member of the community has Down Syndrome. A sweet moment in My Sweet Lord

[Steve Goldsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiza Pathan consistently delivers messages of hope... and horror.

My Sweet Lord introduced me to a nation that I had never heard of (Raktsthaan), and reminded me of a practice that I wish had stayed out of my memory (self-immolation).

The most chilling line in this powerful short story?

"As is the custom among the Buddhists when they see a monk immolating himself...".

Imagine a world where this class of horror is commonplace enough that a custom has developed around it... and shiver with me.

The George Harrison song rattled around in my head with each incantation from the burning monk. I will always hear it differently.

"I really want to see you
Really want to be with you
Really want to see you, Lord
But it takes so long, my Lord"

I do not know if that level of sacrifice is good or bad. But I admire the believers who gave themselves to the flames in order to draw attention to injustice. I admire them...and I mourn them.

And I imagine that the author does the same.

[Debbie Wentworth Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thoughtful short story took me by surprise. Fiza Pathan drew me in with her description of the Muslim woman taking her husband's medicine home. A pleasant woman, she smiles at the soaked Buddhist monk. I pondered what it was that made me identify with the unnamed woman so strongly. Pathan's leaving the woman unnamed and having her do such an ordinary thing made her an Everywoman to me. She could have been of any faith--Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Jew, Buddhist or atheist. Any woman.

Then she was shocked and horrified when the Buddhist monk set himself aflame and murmured, "My sweet Lord." The difference in faith was not an issue. She responded as one human being to another.

The second part of the story which occurred the day before made the story with its surprise ending. The elder monk tries to choose one of three young monks to immolate himself to draw attention to the violation of the rights of the Buddhist people among their oppressive overlords. Pathan's placing the previous day's meeting after the shocking immolation explains everything with an unexpected twist.

This was a powerful story of persecution and sacrifice for one's people. It was thought-provoking. The characters were well-delineated for a short story, their actions realistic. I immediately bought a couple more of Pathan's books.

Thank you to Fiza Pathan for suggesting a book review swap. A positive review was not required, and I highly recommend the story.

[Phil Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My Sweet Lord” by Fiza Pathan

Self-immolation is suicidal despair. It takes devotion and courage - taking one’s own life via the slow death of burning. Immolation is many times a political protest, and many times a religious renouncement. It is a self-sacrifice for the sake of devotion.

The story, My Sweet Lord, is a concise, yet powerful demonstration of suicidal despair in response to what seems an unwarranted annihilation, not as a consequence of political beliefs, but rather, a demonstration of faith.

I like how Fiza began her tale, the woman going about her daily routine. She had just left the chemist to pick up her husband's prescription - a normal occurrence in anyone’s day. And then, an unusual sighting, a monk on the nearly empty streets of Dil-ebad. The woman was stunned as the monk set himself on fire, and she describes the people’s reactions of horror, dismay, and panic. And she emphasizes the grim act with a vivid description of the fire consuming the monk's body. And to encapsulate what is a shocking story, what becomes more shocking is the line…”People were running away from him instead of trying to put the fire out.”

Then Fiza pivoted, something out of my playbook. Now that she has the reader’s attention, she turns the calendar back a day to explain that this was not a random event. It was a planned demonstration to enhance awareness of the violation of the rights of Buddhist’s by despotic tyrants.

Another masterful strategy that Fiza deploys is the title of the story. I immediately thought of George Harrison’s song of the same title, “My Sweet Lord”, a song with religious connotations and references in its use of Christian and Hindu terminology, using the words: Krishna and Hallelujah. I think George’s lyric is not about devotion to religion, but to spirituality. And the point of the short story is about repression.

Kudos, Fiza, the piece was well written, using few words, but there were deep thoughts between the lines.

[Claire Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story deeply moved me and left a strong emotional imprint.

The self-immolation scene is extremely brutal and difficult to read, yet that painful imagery reveals the depth of despair and injustice the story seeks to convey. The phrase “My Sweet Lord” echoes like a prayer in suffering — a quiet hope and an attempt to find meaning within pain.

This is a story that shocks, provokes reflection, and lingers long in the heart and mind.

Thank you to the author for the courage to tell such a difficult and important story. I will remember this story for a long time, and I’m grateful I had the chance to read it.

[Michael Thomas]

I have now read a few of Fiza Pathan's short stories. Even though Fiza may look sweet and innocent, she sure can pack a wallop of honesty. In "My Sweet Lord", that honesty is slapped in the form of intolerance. A Buddhist monk sets himself ablaze in the center of a bustling city to protest discrimination (of his faith), within those borders of his country. He only repeats, "My Sweet Lord", as he burns to death (it's a sweet story though, as to how he gathered those words). That image shall forever remain etched in my mind... Now, that's a martyr!!

Fiza herself is a devout Catholic. Yet, she's in the ring battling for people of all faiths. I mean, why can't there be as many paths to God/Gods/Enlightenment/etc, as there are people on this planet? Why does there have to be one size fits all? How can we have such diversity in appearances (how people look) and cultures, yet not have such diversity in faith?

Fiza, I was not expecting such powerful punches. You got me once (with "Caste Metal"), twice (with "My Sweet Lord")... A third time... Well, yes, that sweet demeanor of yours will probably get me again - with another powerful punch... Well done!!

[Simay Erdem · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Sweet Lord" is a haunting, unforgettable short story that grips you from the very first page and refuses to let go. Fiza Pathan’s storytelling is vivid, raw and deeply unsettling in the best way possible. Pathan does not shy away from brutality, she forces the reader to witness the horror, to feel the weight of injustice, and to question the very fabric of our moral and social systems.

Thematically, My Sweet Lord is about oppression, the silencing of minorities, and the desperate acts of those who are pushed to their limits. It is not an easy read. It forces you to confront injustice in a way that feels deeply personal.

Fiza Pathan has an essential voice, and I sincerely hope she never loses it. The world needs more authors willing to expose the darkest corners of humanity with such honesty and courage. My Sweet Lord is devastating, necessary, and absolutely unforgettable.

[Geraldine Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Sweet Lord: Short Story by Fiza Pathan is breathtaking and powerful in its brevity—the story manages to accomplish several things. The first is a rise of sweeping emotions, some of them difficult; however, a well-written story should accomplish just that and the author’s talent is showcased here. Another is education and awareness. We learn of religious, political, and societal struggles that persist in our world. The author pulls back the curtain for a glimpse into this complex world, the short story revealing powerful motivations, belief, hope for something better, and the lengths some would go through to accomplish those things. Frightening and beautiful, the gifted author has created something to ponder.

[Ela Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

'My Sweet Lord' is a short story—fast-paced and to the point. The story begins with the incident presented from the perspective of a minority, in this case, the Buddhist citizens of Raktshaan. The 'incident' is described in vivid and brutal details, particularly the actions of the monk. Equally disturbing are the reactions of the bystanders, which left me speechless.
The story then shifts to reveal how this 'act' was planned and why it was deemed necessary. The lines about Lord Buddha and Buddhism are written with deep respect and reverence. Hearing these thoughts, especially through the voice of a boy(monk) with Down syndrome, felt surreal and deeply touching. To me, it suggests that the divine finds its own mediums(pure hearts) through which to share wisdom.

Though the story is short, it is painfully engaging and leaves the reader with much to reflect upon; at least it did for me, particularly on the subject of minorities. This extends beyond religion and skin color to subtler divisions—male versus female ratios, white-collar versus blue-collar work, etc. It hurts to even imagine the level of sacrifice required simply to prove one’s place in a community, despite differences in religion, caste, or identity. Sadly, this reflects the harsh reality of our world.

I suppose this review turned out longer than expected. Regardless, thank you, author Fiza Pathan, for reminding us of these realities and the importance of being human and acting like one.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“My Sweet Lord” is a short story that shows the brutal treatment of the Buddhist citizens in Dil-e-bad. A woman is returning from an errand and is about to offer some money to a Buddhist Priest when the unthinkable happens right in front of her. The descriptions are detailed and very graphic. The woman’s reactions of horror matched that. Ms. Pathan shows what happens when people are unfairly treated, and they’re pushed to do something unbelievable in protest. Then the story goes back to show how this action came about. I won’t say I enjoyed this, but I definitely cared about the story, and it tapped into my emotions.

[Joy Lo-Bamijoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw the date, 23rd. March 2020, of the immolation of the Buddhist monk, it put a smile on my face. I am reading this story on the 9th. of March 2020, which means that this story has not yet taken place. This is very surreal as the author transported us fast forward to a time in the future which we are living right now.

This is a very interesting concept, in the style of SCI-FI novels. I would have preferred to read the second part of this story first or as interwoven into the first part. As it stands, the second part reads like an afterthought.

[Karen Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutality, suicides, murder against Buddhist monks in the country of Raktsthaan. It is not a well-known country bordered by Pakistan and India. The message of the unjust treatment of the monks is well-described and at times was difficult to read. This is not an enjoyable or easy read because of the subject matter, but I learned about a country and the turmoil there.

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short story, a Buddhist monk immolates himself on a busy street. During the minute of his death, Pathan provides a vivid look at the chaos and the trauma of the witnesses. Then, the scene changes, and like a parable, an old monk questions three young monks about their willingness to set themselves on fire and the reasons they use to justify the act. The story comes full circle as the old monk finds clarity. This is an intense story full of tragedy on many levels. Beautiful evocative writing. Highly recommended.

[Loretta Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating

I enjoyed reading this very direct short story. Learning about a country and culture that I was not familiar with made this story intriguing and educational. Although the subject matter of the story was difficult, I find Fiza's writing always captivating. I would recommend this book, My Sweet Lord, and I look forward to reading more of Fiza's work.

[Emmanuel Bhaskar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a country called Raktsthaan, described as located between India and Pakistan, this is a place so forgotten that even Google overlooks it. The story, perhaps the shortest I’ve ever encountered, delivers a profound truth about religious belief—a truth found in every religious scripture but often ignored by its followers. People who believe in religion frequently praise their Gods in times of success and pray to be spared from hardship or for relief when faced with adversity. However, through the words of a little insignificant monk, author Fiza Pathaan reminds us that the same God who grants us joy also gives us pain. While we quickly express gratitude for the good times, we must also learn to accept the difficult ones, for they may serve a purpose beyond our understanding.

Though this message stands out as the central takeaway, the story also beautifully explores the struggles of a marginalized religious group fighting for inclusion in their homeland. Pathaan’s storytelling is so masterful that even lengthy volumes of literature fail to convey such a message with the same clarity. It’s a must-read.

[SHIVKUMAR MANGALAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesterday I bought a copy of your short story "My Sweet Lord" in Kindle through Amazon.in.
The story about an imaginary country "RAKTSTHAAN" and about the plight of Buddhists who are in minority there. You have described graphically about the suicide by a monk who utters always "My Sweet Lord" till he dies due to self immolation.
The language is simple and it conveys the message from the buddhist monks.
Regards. Sivakumar.

[Karl Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilling but fascinating at the same time.

This short story is very stark and graphic. Not for the squeamish. But very intriguing for its insight into Buddhism.

[Vishnu Pingali · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Sweet Lord is the shortest story I read, but it conveys heaviest message. With in the few pages, the author was able to describe the conflict and the story well. Good job Author.