Sister Simon’s Saints

Illustrated by Shauna Mooney Kawasaki

1. Well, since you insist, I’ll just capture her royal majesty with my humble little black bishop.

   No! No! No! No! My queen! Why didn’t I see that? I might as well resign now.

2. Don’t give up. You can still make a comeback.

   Down a queen? Fat chance! You just want the pleasure of checkmating me.

3. Well, yes, that might be fun. But remember what Sister Simon said—it’s never too late to come back, although it may be hard.

   She was talking about life. In chess, what’s done is done, and you just have to live with it.

4. Well, aren’t you glad it’s chess that’s hopeless and not life?

   You have a point there.

5. So, what’s your move?

   Hmmm. My rook is feeling very hungry, and I think it’s going to gobble up your tasty little unprotected pawn. There! Now what are you going to do about that?

6. Checkmate!

   I had to ask.