My father recounted a true story that took place many years ago. At the time, he was expecting a visit from a friend who would be accompanied by an unfamiliar guest. I was away at boarding school during this event.
As a civil engineer with a strong inclination towards scientific and logical reasoning, my father does not subscribe to beliefs in God, religion, or the paranormal.
Upon their arrival, the guests engaged in a lively discussion about politics and current events. The atmosphere was pleasant and enjoyable until the conversation unexpectedly shifted to the paranormal. My father, a staunch skeptic, dismissed any notion of the paranormal as fictitious. The stranger attempted to convince him that there are phenomena in the world that defy scientific explanation, but my father remained unconvinced.
In an attempt to demonstrate his point, the stranger picked up an ashtray containing a tissue and instructed my father to observe closely. Holding the ashtray near his face, he focused intently on it. Within a minute, the tissue spontaneously ignited, producing a small fire in the ashtray. This demonstration left my father stunned and speechless.
As the evening came to an end, my father escorted the guests to the door. Before they departed, he firmly whispered to his friend never to bring the stranger back to our home again!
