For my weekly writing spot on this site, see the One-Minute Mystic, with a new meditation posted every Monday. Also see The Village, the story of Misty Longings, England's most beautiful village, posted episode by episode earlier this year.       "My parents used to run a paper shop – until it blew away." But it isn't all high comedy for newsagents, as this month's edition of Asian Trader reveals. First, with Easter the earliest it's been since 1913, there is important business to be done. Valentine's Day? Mothers Day? Easter Day? Well, don't just stand there – stock up with Ferrero Rocher, the No. 1 Gifting boxed chocolate. Easter is second only to Christmas for confectionary, with 64 per cent of independent retailers' sales coming from "impulse lines" like filled or mini eggs. "These were in the warehouses before Christmas, and should have been on your shelves on Boxing Day," says Graham Walker from Nestle. "Remember the early Easter – it's a race against time." Meanwhile, the remarkable "Mosquito" device is causing controversy. It's a gadget which sends out a high-pitched sound – unbearable to people under the age of twenty, yet inaudible to older people. (Like many sermons?) The "Mosquito" has already proved effective in places notorious for anti-social behaviour – a boon to Councils and Traders alike. Children's campaigners, however, say it breaches human rights – the right of children to "assemble and socialise" under Article 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. As MPs consider it, the editorial line of the Asian Trader is clear: "Once again, the rights of the perpetrators of crime seem to take precedence over the rights of the victim." It's one thing getting rid of unwanted youth from outside your store. But how do you shift a Chancellor? Yes, there's much consternation amongst shopkeepers over the proposed move to cut the basic rate of Capital Gains Tax. Ultimately, many of them plan to sell their businesses, in order to pay for their retirement. These new proposals would kill such hopes at a stroke. Current discussions with the Chancellor, however, give some reason for optimism. Good news also for small traders in Sheringham. After a ten year local campaign, an application from Tescos for a large store in the town, has been unanimously turned down by the North Norfolk District Council. So sometimes, the small people win; and at other times, they lose – particularly when their opponent has a gun. Last month, Anthony Gurney was given a nine year minimum sentence at the Old Bailey. He had threatened Mr Zarate, a shop keeper in Hove, Sussex, with a sawn off shot gun. When Mr Zarate tried to push the gun away, the raider fired, blasting away part of the shopkeeper's hand, and leaving him nearly blind. The attacker ran off with £165. Mr Zarate has been told by surgeons that he should expect to lose all sight soon. They are, however, trying to rebuild his shattered hand with bone from his hip, and nerves from his right thigh. So for the moment at least, this Asian trader is back behind the counter of his seaside store – but with more of Lent in his heart, than Easter. More writings © Simon Parke