Yes, it was Christmas time once again, and as usual that same old heart-warming holiday magic was in full swing. Teddy felt it too.....for his body was all aglow with anticipation, as he, his parents, and his younger sister prepared to go out Christmas caroling. This was Teddy's favorite holiday activity. Next to opening gifts of course.
On Christmas Eve, Teddy and his family went from door to door through the neighborhood, singing songs and spreading holiday cheer, leaving a trail of joyful, smiling faces behind them. As the night wore on, they had gone up and down many streets and visited many homes, eventually bringing them to their last stop for the night. As they approached the house before them, Teddy felt that it was perhaps occupied by a family less fortunate than the others they had visited. For the outside of the house looked to be rather run-down, nor were there any cheerful decorations adorning the place as there were on the other homes.
As they stepped up to the front door, Teddy's father knocked....and they waited. Then finally, a cute though poorly clad little girl opened the door. Right then Teddy's father raised his arm, gave the signal, and the family began singing that old-time holiday classic "What child is this?" The carole so loved for its beautiful simplicity. As his family continued singing, Teddy glanced around, and saw none of the modern comforts of life in this home that there were in his own. There was no VCR, no washer and dryer, there was no microwave oven in the kitchen, and no console stereo to enjoy during the holidays. There were just the bare essentials for living. As he looked around some more, he noticed that there were two other children present, besides the little girl who first greeted them. A small boy sat in a corner by himself, playing with a little red firetruck, seemingly unaware of everything going on around him. The other child, an infant....stood upright in his crib and began crying uncontrollably. At this point the mother, who had been setting the table for dinner, rushed over and after picking the baby up, began rocking him in her arms.....whispering to him ever so softly. Once he had quieted down, she laid him in the crib once more.
Off in another corner of the room, sat a small Christmas tree. It was plain and simple in its appearance. There were no pretty lights blinking off and on, nor were there any garlands hanging down in graceful patterns, and no candy canes for the children to enjoy later. Just a few Christmas balls and some old ornaments, carefully perserved over the years, weighed down the branches...along with a few scattered strands of tinsel. On top of the tree sat a bright glowing angel, who seemed to be watching over the family, as they were about to sit down and eat. Underneath the tree were just three small gifts. It was obvious to Teddy that was no gift for the mother.
As he took the whole scene in, Teddy couldn't help feeling sad for this humble family. Despite this he continued singing, though he kept losing his place in the middle of each song. As Teddy looked over, he saw his father frown at his inability to keep up. Then, just as they were finishing their last song "Silent Night", he glanced inside once more, and saw that the mother was now dishing out the food and calling her kids to gather at the table. Occasionally she would look up and smile at Teddy and his family, who by now had finished singing and were waving goodbye to the family inside and wishing them a Merry Christmas. As they turned to leave for home, Teddy still lingered behind and stared into the doorway. Then, he heard his father calling.
"C'mon Teddy, let's get going!"
As he backed away slowly from the doorstep, the little girl closed the door till it was open just a crack. As she stared through the opening, her eyes sad and distant....he struggled for something to say. Finally the little girl spoke up.
"Merry Christmas" she said, then she shut the door.
Teddy stood there for a moment. "Merry Christmas" he whispered to himself. Then he ran and caught up to his family.
The following day was Christmas. After all the holiday fun was over, Teddy sat by his bedroom window later that night, watching the snow fall gently.
Then, he said to himself, "What good was the Christmas spirit, if it didn't include everyone both rich and poor, just as the first Christmas had done which took place so long ago in Bethlehem?"
Both Kings and shepherds were there by the manger to honor the young child, whose birth would bring hope to men's hearts. In his mind, he tried to imagine what it would be like, if he were in the place of one of the young children he and his family had visited the night before. As he did, he felt sorry that he and his family had so much, while others had so very little. As scenes from last night, took place over and over again in his head, he decided what he would do. He took an old laundry bag that was lying in the bottom of his mother's closet, then he searched the whole house and collected all the toys that he and his sister were too old to play with. He then placed them carefully within the bag and tied it up. Then he took the money that he had earned from shoveling the snow off people's driveways, and putting the bag in a little red wagon, he headed over to the local supermarket.
When he arrived there, he left the bag up front, and with the manager's permission, he went around making up his own little basket of holiday goodies. He put into the basket all kinds of meats and cheeses, a whole mess of fruits and nuts, and of course what holiday basket would be complete without lots and lots of candy?......so he put that in there too. Then he took it up front to pay for it, but was short exactly one dollar. The manager, who happened to be standing right there when he was rung up, generously offered to make up the difference out of his own pocket. Teddy thanked him, and promised he would return later to pay him back. But the manager politely declined his offer.
"I'm sure there's someone out there who needs that dollar more than I do" he said.
"Thank you sir" Teddy said, "May you have a wonderful Christmas."
The manager answered back and said: "The same to you young man, and be careful out there tonight."
Teddy assured him he would, as he rolled his little wagon out the door, with the bag of toys and the gift basket inside.
After some walking, he finally arrived at the house that he and his family had visited the night before. Then he rolled the wagon up near the door, and just as quiet as a churchmouse, he lifted the bag out, set it on the front step, and did likewise with the gift basket. He then knocked on the door, and quick as he could, he ran dragging his wagon and hid behind a nearby tree. As he looked out, this is what he saw: The mother opened the door a little, but saw no one there. She then opened it all the way, and saw a fruit basket sitting alongside a green bag, tied with a red bow. She stood there, shocked for a moment.....not knowing what to do. She looked around to see who might have left these two delightful suprises behind so that she might thank them. It was then that she almost caught sight of Teddy's head peering from around the tree, but he pulled it back just in time.
As he peeked out once more, he noticed the mother was now calling the two oldest children to come outside. They both stepped out at once, and immediately began fumbling with the bag, talking excitedly about what might be inside. Then as Teddy looked on, he started chuckling to himself as the two young ones began laughing, screaming, and jumping up and down, as they pulled all sorts of toys out of the bag. He then saw the mother, who had been standing by, wiping away tears of gladness, pick the basket up and examine it more closely, after which she turned and took it into the house. And once the children had put the toys back, she came out and brought the bag in also. After a few minutes, she returned, hugged her kids...and gazing up, she smiled gratefully towards the starry heavens. Then all three of them went back inside and closed the door.
For Teddy, seeing what just took place, added something special to this Christmas which he would remember for years to come. That night as he walked back home with his little red wagon, the stars shined brighter, the air smelled sweeter....and as he made his way through the snow, for once in his life he didn't mind the cold.
Because he felt warm inside.
The End
June 1st, 7:20 am. As 14 year old Johnny walked onto the school grounds, he noticed his friends, standing by the steps.
"Hmmm, they must be waiting for my answer," Johnny said to himself.
As he made his way towards them, his best friend, Corey, ran over to meet him, throwing his arm over Johnny's shoulders.
"So what's the deal John-John? Are you going to dump school, and head to the arcade with us?" Corey asked expectantly.
"I been thinking about it Core, but I'm still not sure yet," Johnny replied.
"Awwww, c'mon man, it'll be fun. Just think, a whole day of hanging out at the arcade, playing "Rip Em Up, Battle Shredder, and Techno Bots, which by the way, I still owe you a a butt kicking on, since that severe thrashing you gave me last week," Corey said to Johnny, as they walked up to where Johnny's other friends were waiting for him.
At that moment, another of Johnny's best buds, Vince, came up, and stood right in front of Johnny, not allowing him to go any further.
Vince said to Johnny. "So what's up Johnny-Boy? Are you with us or not?"
Johnny looked over at his other pal, Tanner, who was standing close by.
"I don't know Vince. I want to, but if my parents find out, then I'm history."
Vince just smiled, then he reached up with his hand, and ruffled Johnny's hair playfully.
"Awww, c'mon man. Don't be a wuss. They'll never find out, I promise you that."
"Just do it Johnny; you'll have a great time," Tanner said.
Johnny didn't know what to say.
He looked over at Corey, who just rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"How about this?" Johnny began. "You guys head over to the arcade first, then if I decide to join you, I'll meet you there."
Vince smiled, and looked over at Tanner, who nodded his head in agreement.
Then Vince said, "Okay Johnny-Boy, you got yourself a deal. But don't let us down man. To be cool, you have to skip school. Got it?"
Johnny nodded his head.
"Alright then," Vince began. "You remember our little plan, right? We show up for homeroom class, get marked down as being present, then we ditch the rest of our classes and meet at the arcade around nine o' clock"
Johnny's eyes darted around nervously.
"Oh sure, I remember," Johnny said.
"Okay then fellas, let's go," Vince said.
Then they all walked up the school steps, and went inside.
At 7:30 am, Johnny sat inside his homeroom class, thinking, If I hang out with the guys, they'll think I'm cool, but if I skip the rest of my classes, and Mom and Dad find out, they'll ground me for sure.
The teacher began reading out roll call.
He called out Johnny's name, but Johnny wasn't paying attention.
"Johnny West!" the teacher called out again..
"Oh, present!" Johnny answered.
Then the teacher moved on, and began going over school announcements.
When the bell rang, Johnny left the classroom, walked over to his locker, opened it up and dumped his books inside.
He looked at his watch.
"It's 8:15. Can I really do this and get away with it?" Johnny said to himself.
He strolled over to a window in the hallway, that faced the front of the school. As he looked out, he saw his friend Corey walking across the school grounds.
"Awww man!" Johnny exclaimed. "There goes Corey. I'd better hurry if I'm going to catch up with him." Then he dashed over, rushed down the steps, and flew out the front doors. Running at top speed, to catch up with Corey.
When he got close enough, he yelled out, "Hey Corey! Wait up!"
Corey turned around, suprised.
"Hey Johnno, didn't think you were going to make it, man."
Johnny shrugged a little.
"Let's go meet the other guys," he told Corey.
While they were still a short distance from the arcade, Corey stopped, and began searching through his pockets. After a minute or two, Corey managed to scrape up four quarters.
"One dollar? Awww man!" Corey said in dismay. "Johnny listen, I have to head home real fast, and see if I can dig up some more cash. I'll catch up with you guys later."
"Okay Core," Johnny said.
Corey turned around and ran back towards his house.
As Johnny walked up the street further, he slowed his pace, giving himself a few more minutes to reconsider going back to school, before he got in too deep.
Then, just before he reached "The World Of Fun" gameroom, he saw one of his dad's business associates, walking out of the dry cleaners, next to the arcade.
Mr. Waverly saw Johnny, gave him a surprised grin, then walked over and shook his hand.
"Why, hello there Johnny. How are you doing this fine day?" he asked.
Johnny smiled briefly and said, "I'm doing great, Mr.Waverly."
Then the gentlemen spoke to Johnny in a more serious tone.
"Excuse me for asking this, but shouldn't you be in school today?"
Johnny began to panic, as he tried to think of something convincing to say.
Then, suddenly his face brightened, as he replied, "No sir. You see, they're having a Parent-Teacher's conference today, so they gave all the students the day off."
Mr. Waverly lifted his hand up to Johnny, as if to put a halt to any further discussion.
"Enough said, son. I understand completely," Mr. Waverly told him.
Then Mr. Waverly shook Johnny's hand again, and walked away quickly.
Johnny looked at his watch. "It's 8:45. There's still time to get back to school before the other guys get here," he said to himself.
Right then, Corey walked around the corner.
"Okay Johnny, I got some more cash. Let's go inside and start practicing, before those two game hounds, Vince and Tanner get here."
Johnny looked down once or twice, as he stood there with his hands in his pockets, then he looked at Corey.
"Listen Core," Johnny began. "I been thinking, maybe I should just head on back..."
Before Johnny could finish what he was saying, Vince and Tanner came strolling up.
"Glad to see you didn't chicken out after all Johnny-Boy," Vince said.
"Yeah Johnny, Vince and I thought for sure you'd be a no-show," Tanner said, as he clapped his hand on Johnny's shoulder.
Johnny shook his head, and smiled, trying to put on a cool front for his friends.
"No way Tanner," Johnny said. "I'm ready to take you dudes down, so let's do it."
Vince and Tanner both laughed, as Vince reached over and punched Johnny lightly on the arm, saying, "Awww man, it's on now John-Boy. C'mon fellas, let's go inside."
Then they all walked into the arcade, and Johnny knew he was in trouble.
Around two o' clock, after their fun was over, the guys all left the arcade and parted ways.
As Johnny walked home, he tried to think up something to tell his mom and dad, to explain why he wasn't in school, assuming as he did that Mr.Waverly told his father he had seen him.
"Hi Mom, hi Dad," Johnny said, as he opened the front door.
His parents said nothing.
"Look, I don't know what you guys have been told, but..."
Before Johnny could finish explaining, his dad stood up from the table, and said, "Son, your mom and I have been worried sick about you. When we heard you weren't in school all day, we didn't know what to think. Then I got a call from someone who saw you earlier today. Outside the arcade, of all places."
Johnny stood there, speechless.
"What exactly were you thinking, Son? Leaving school that way!" his father yelled.
"Dad, I was going to head back to school, honest, but then Corey and the other guys..."
"I don't want to hear any excuses," His dad said, regaining his composure somewhat.
Johnny looked at his dad, then at his mother as she sat at the table, appearing very disappointed.
"Does this mean I'm grounded then?" Johnny ventured to ask.
"No Son, it doesn't. What it does mean though, is that you'll have to attend summer school now."
Johnny's face went blank.
"Why do I have to attend summer school Dad?"
"Because, by skipping your classes today, you also missed two very important tests in English and History. And since you were barely passing those courses in the first place, by missing them deliberately, you've recieved a failing grade for each. Which means...."
"Which means I'll have to go to summer school and take them all over again," Johnny said, completing his dad's sentence.
"That's right Son. I hope you've learned a lesson from all this," his Dad answered.
Johnny hung his head down in shame.
"Yes, Dad, I have. I learned that responsibility should always come before fun."
"Is that all you've learned Johnny?" his mother asked softly.
"No Mom. I also learned that I shouldn't let my friends talk me into doing things, which I know are wrong."
Johnny's mother rose up from the table, then went over and gave her boy a hug.
"Well, Son," his dad began. "If you remember those two little lessons from now on, maybe we can avoid any future bumps in the road like this. Is it a deal?
Johnny reached over and shook his father's hand.
"Sure Dad. It's a deal."
A little beagle puppy lay in his cage, watching with keen interest, the movements of the people around him.
The store employees, roaming about, tending to the other animals. A few parents, with their children, moving from cage to cage, trying to decide which pet they wanted to take home.
None of the kids he saw, seemed to be the one he was looking for.
He had given up hope of ever finding the right child. Then, the door opened, and a mother walked into the pet store, with her young daughter, Amanda.
The puppy stood up and let out a yelp of excitement, which caught the little girl's attention.
She began tugging her mommy towards the cage, where the little beagle was waiting.
As they stopped in front of his cage, the brown and white pup knew from the look in this little girl's eyes, that she was the one he had been waiting for.
He began to scamper around, barking. Then, he stood on his hind legs, placing his paws against the front of the cage, yelping and growling. He knew he had to perform his best puppy tricks, if he was ever going to convince the young girl, and her mommy to take him home.
Amanda grabbed her mother's hand, and said, "Mommy, can I have this one? He looks so cute and frisky."
The little doggy grew excited when he saw this, and he started to spin around in circles, chasing his tail. Then, he dropped to the floor, rolled around a little bit, sprang up, and began pushing a ball around. He was doing everything he could think of, to put on a good show for the girl and her mother.
As the puppy watched the little girl, try to talk her mommy into picking him, he noticed the mother was shaking her head no.
Their voices grew louder, as Amanda began to stomp her feet down and yell, "But, I don't want to look at any other pets, Mommy!"
He started barking again, as he saw the mother explaining something to her daughter, while the little girl covered her ears.
Amanda pointed to the cage and hollared, "But I will take care of him, I promise! I will feed him, and wash him, and clean up after him all by myself. You won't have to do anything!"
Then the playful pup, saw the mother take her daughter's hand, and lead her towards the other pet cages, as the little girl kept gazing back at him.
He laid back down and began to whimper softly.
As he watched the front door again, he saw a father and his little son enter the pet store.
Once they were inside, the young boy spotted the little beagle, and ran right over, placing his small hands against the thin wire meshing which held the cage together.
"Oh Daddy, let's get this one! He looks so cute. I bet he'll be lots of fun to play with."
As the puppy looked on, unimpressed by this new child, he saw the father nodding his head yes. After which, the boy gave his dad a big hug.
The father, then called one of the store employees over, to open the cage for him.
At that moment though, the young girl, who was looking at him earlier, came rushing right over, stood in front of the puppy, and said, "Sorry, but my mommy and I are already buying this one."
The little boy gazed up sadly at his father, who suggested that they keep looking.
Just then, a store employee came from the back, bringing out some other baby beagles.
"Oh Daddy, look! Some more puppies like this one!" The little boy said.
The floppy-eared doggy jumped in the air, as he watched the father and son move towards the other beagle puppies. He then saw the girl's mother come over, and after talking to her daughter, he watched the little girl clap her hands together, and hug her mommy tightly.
Together, the two of them went over, and paid the man at the check-out counter.
He walked over, and after gently removing the happy puppy from his cage, placed him in the little girl's arms.
"Thank you for my new puppy, Mommy! I love him so much! I think I'll call him...Snoogly!" Amanda exclaimed.
Snoogly then licked the little girl's face over and over, barking for joy, as he left the pet store with his new best friend for life.
The first day of school is over and ten year old, Tonya, is outside playing catch with Debby, one of her classmates.
Her new next door neighbor, Alisha, a handicapped girl, is wheeled outside by her dad to sit in the yard and watch the kids play. "Alright Alisha. Have fun and just hollar if you need anything," her dad tells her.
"Okay Daddy," Alisha replies.
Tonya and Debby, stop playing long enough to look over and wave to Alisha.
The little girl waves back, then Tonya and Debby continue playing again.
As Debby tosses the ball to Tonya, the ball flies over her head and lands in Alisha's yard.
Tonya walks over to the fence, and says to Alisha, "Excuse me. Would you please get our ball and throw it back over?"
Alisha says, "I can't get it, but meet me at the fence, and I'll let you in."
Tonya, walks over to the fence and waits a little while, as Alisha slowly wheels herself over and unhooks the gate, allowing Tonya to enter.
She walks over and picks up the ball
With the ball, tucked under her arm, Tonya walks away without saying thanks, or even looking at little Alisha.
"My name is Alisha. What's yours?" Alisha asks.
Tonya, stops and turns around. "My name is Tonya. Excuse me," Tonya says to her.
Then she walks back over to the gate.
"I love to play ball," Alisha tells Tonya, just before she opens the gate to let herself out.
Tonya ignores her and goes back over to her own yard.
"Here, catch!" Tonya says to Debby, then throws the ball to her.
Debby catches the ball and says, "Hey, why don't we invite that girl over to play with us?"
Tonya shakes her head. "No, I don't want to. Let's just you and I play."
"Aww, c'mon. It'll be more fun with three people playing," Debby tells her.
After thinking about it for a few moments, Tonya nods her head yes.
Debby walks over to the fence, then says to Alisha, "Hi, I'm Debby. Would you like to come over and play catch with us?"
Alisha's face, brightens right up.
"Oh yes, I would love to, and My name is Alisha. My parents and I just moved in last week."
Debby stands there, tossing the ball into the air and catching it.
"Okay Alisha," Debby says. "Well, c'mon over and let's have some fun."
Alisha lets her dad know where she is going.
She then makes her way next door, where she plays catch with Tonya and Debby, till it's time to go inside.
The next day in history class, Alisha is sitting next to Tonya.
As Alisha does her classwork, she breaks the point of her pencil.
She leans over and whispers to Tonya, "Uhh, I broke the tip of my pencil, would you please sharpen it for me?"
Tonya pretends she doesn't hear and keeps working on her class assignment.
Thinking Tonya didn't hear her, Alisha leans over and says a little louder, "Excuse me, I really hate to bother you, but I broke my pencil point, and I was wondering if you would sharpen it for me?"
Tonya grows tired of hearing Alisha ask, so she finally takes the pencil from Alisha, gets up and sharpens it for her.
She comes back over and drops the pencil on Alisha's desk.
"There's your pencil. It's sharpened now," Tonya says.
She sits back down again.
Alisha thanks her over and over, till at last, Tonya gets upset and moves to another desk.
As the bell rings, Tonya gets up to leave, but she forgets to grab her book bag, which is sitting on the floor, next to the desk she was sitting in before she moved.
Alisha sees this and she grabs the book bag, places it in her lap and rolls herself along in her wheelchair, till she catches up with Tonya.
"Here Tonya," Alisha says. "You left this on the floor."
Tonya takes the book bag from Alisha and smiles briefly.
"You didn't have to get it, I knew I left it there. I was just about to come back over and get it myself," Tonya tells her.
Alisha is deeply hurt and before Tonya leaves the class with her friends, she turns around to see Alisha sitting there with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Tonya is sorry that she made Alisha cry. She didn't mean to do that. She tries to think of something to say, but decides she hasn't got the time and walks out the door.
Alisha pulls herself together and follows soon after.
The history teacher, Mr. Galago, sees all this and feels very badly that Tonya treats Alisha so mean.
As history class ends the next day, Mr. Galago catches Tonya, as she is walking out the door.
"Tonya, can you stay for a few minutes? I would like to speak to you about something."
Tonya nods her head yes, then walks over, sets her book bag on the floor, and sits back down again.
"What's wrong, Mr.Galago? Am I in trouble?"
Mr.Galago shakes his head and smiles. "No, nothing like that?" he answers.
Tonya breathes a sigh of relief.
"However, I would like to offer you some advice, if I may."
Tonya looks at her teacher, puzzled.
"Advice about what Mr. Galago?"
The teacher pulls up a chair and sits down directly in front of her.
"Tonya, sometimes, people are born into this world with special problems. They have certain needs that we must be sensitive to. We should try, as best we can, not to hurt these people. They are already in a very fragile emotional state, because they know they're different, and cannot enjoy many of the same pleasures and privileges that the rest of us do."
Tonya sits there, looking at Mr. Galago, then she looks down and begins to speak.
"You're talking about Alisha, aren't you?"
Mr. Galago nods his head. "Yes, Tonya, I am. I noticed that you and her don't seem to get along very well. Why is that?"
"I don't know," Tonya replies, looking somewhat frustrated. "I didn't mean make her cry yesterday, but she's always bothering me."
"I'm sure she doesn't mean to bother you Tonya, but people like Alisha, really have a hard time doing some things and they just need our help once in a while. I also think it's because she needs a friend."
Tonya sits there, looking down at her desk, without saying a word.
Then suddenly, she gazes up at the wall clock and says, "Oh my, it's almost time for my next class. I have to go Mr.Galago."
She reaches down, picks up her book bag and very hurriedly, begins to leave.
"Wait a minute Tonya," the teacher says. "I know you have to go now, but will you please think about what I've said?"
Tonya stands there, fidgeting, then says, "Yes, I will Mr. Galago. I promise, but I really have to go now or I'm going to be late." She then turns quickly, and leaves to go to her next class.
The next day at recess, Tonya is pushing Debby back and forth in the swing, on the playground.
"C'mon Tonya, push me harder. I want to go really, really high!" Debby says.
All this time, Alisha is sitting in her wheelchair, reading a book. She sets the book down and watches the other kids play, wishing she could join them.
Then suddenly, a couple of small boys come over, and one of them takes Alisha's book away from her.
"Hey, that's my book! Give it back to me or I'll tell!" Alisha hollars.
Another one of the boys says, "Hey, watch this!"
He tries to push Alisha around in her wheelchair. He doesn't get far though, because Alisha has her wheel brake in place. He tries to release the brake, but he can't because Alisha has her hand on it.
"Leave me alone! Somebody help me!" Alisha cries.
"Tonya, look at those boys, making poor Alisha cry. That's mean," Debby says.
Tonya stops pushing Debby in the swing and watches as the little boys pick on Alisha.
As she sees what's going on, she begins to feel guilty about how badly she's been treating Alisha, when all the little girl wanted, was to be her friend. She decides she can't just stand there and watch, as the little boys harass Alisha, who is unable to defend herself.
"Stay here Debby. I'll take care of this," Tonya says.
Being slightly bigger then the boys, Tonya runs over, and tears the book away from the boy who took it, then she pushes the other boy away from Alisha's wheelchair.
"Now get out of here and don't bother her again," Tonya tells them.
The boys walk off, as Tonya stands there and watches them leave.
Alisha is so happy that Tonya defended her, and so surprised, that she doesn't know what to say.
Alisha wipes a few tears away, then finally she says, "Thank you so much Tonya, for doing that."
Tonya smiles as she hands the book back. "You're welcome," she says.
Alisha, is still somewhat confused by Tonya's behavior now, as compared to how she treated her before.
Not wanting to bother Tonya any further, Alisha releases the brake on her wheelchair and says, "Well, I don't want to cause you any more trouble, Tonya, so I guess I'll go inside. Thank you again for helping me."
Tonya stands in front of Alisha, not allowing her to go any further.
"Wait a minute, Alisha. I just want to apologize for being so mean to you, when we first met. I guess I didn't understand about being handicapped and all. Tell you what, how would you like to play ball with me and Debby after school today?"
Alisha, smiles happily and claps her hands together. "Yay! I would love to Tonya. Thank you!" Alisha tells her.
Tonya reaches out, and shakes Alisha's hand.
"That's alright," she says.
Tonya goes around behind Alisha and starts to push her back to the school.
Debby comes walking over, to join them.
""Is everything okay?" Debby asks Tonya.
"Of course it is. Alisha is coming over later, to play catch with us," Tonya replies.
"Oh goody. We'll have lots of fun, Alisha," Debby says, laying a hand on Alisha's shoulder.
Together, the three of them head back towards the school.
The next day at school, Alisha is sitting by herself at lunchtime. Tonya sees this and invites a few of her friends to move over to Alisha's table.
"Hi Alisha," Tonya says. "Do you mind if we sit with you?"
Alisha perks right up, and smiles happily.
"No, I don't mind Tonya. I would like that," Alisha answers.
During history, Tonya places her desk right next to Alisha's and they double up like this to work on class assignments.
After school lets out on Friday, Alisha proceeds to tell her parents how nice, Tonya and Debby have been to her. The parents are very pleased to hear this and invite Tonya and her friend Debby, to Alisha's tenth birthday party the next day and they both agree to come.
Tonya and Debby, find out from Alisha's mother that Alisha likes Unicorns, so the next day they both show up for Alisha's birthday party with gifts for her.
Tonya buys her a book that is all about unicorns and Debby gets a her little crystal figurine of a unicorn.
The three of them really bond at the party and from then on, they become true friends.
The rose fell to the floor.
He stood there, staring at it for a few moments. He opened the page upon which he had written her poem and read to himself again, but got no further than the first few lines.
"Though we're apart, and my life is a desert, love can still bloom in the driest of places. Like a rose that waters itself with the tears of missing you."
He stopped short, unable to finish.
He then stooped down and picked up the rose, putting it to his nose once more. As he inhaled deeply, he began to recall the day they first met.
It was at the little cafe, where he often went to work on his journal. He was sitting alone, she with friends.
She asked if she could borrow a chair for a newly arrived aquaintance. He said yes, if she would sit at his table. She declined, politely, but he let her have the chair just the same.
Then, right before he left, he ran with the moment and wrote down a few lines about her, dropping the paper in front of her as he passed. She opened it there, and read quietly to herself.
"I am intrigued by the perfume you are wearing. I remember smelling that same fragrance, the first day I came to Paris. It was at the Lourve. I was admiring that Painting, "The Birth of Venus." You were still lingering in the air after you left. I had just missed you. I have not been able to forget you since. You came down from the painting, and into my life. I long to inhale you more deeply. Here is my number, can we meet?"
She called, and they met. At the same cafe, same table.
That was more than three months ago, and a lot had changed since then. He mistook a friend for her lover. Angry words were exchanged, which she could not forgive.
Now she was gone.
Had returned to London, her neighbor told him, barely an hour ago. He had just missed her again it seems. Yet her perfume was still hanging heavy in the air, as always.
He wiped away a few tears, then placed the rose and the poem back in his pocket. Walked out the front door, and back down the street, to the little cafe where they had first met.
Where he knew her fragrance would still be waiting, to haunt him forever.
As Joseph stepped outside he noticed what a lovely day it was.
"Hmmm, perfect day to go exploring," he stated.
He went back inside, got his binoculars and machete, then coming back out, he gazed ahead to the great forest which lay before him and set off into the woods.
After walking for some distance, he entered the woods and right away began to notice all the different variety of woodland creatures which played around him.
Birds were everywhere, singing happily. Here and there a squirrel would scurry in front of him and dart quickly up a tree. Every once in a while he would spot a deer far off in the distance, grazing on the tender, green grass. Whenever he saw one, he would put the binoculars up to his eyes, and stand perfectly still, gazing in wonder at the lovely animal which he thought to be the most graceful and delicate creature that God ever made.
Tall, majestic trees towered about him, waving their mighty limbs back and forth. The leaves fluttered in the passing wind, displaying their rich colors of pale gold, flaming orange, and blood red, all shot through with streaks of emerald green.
Sometimes he would spot a really old tree, upon which the moss climbed high on all sides. Then he would look closer and see an intricate network of small insects which made their home in its bark.
As Joseph picked his way deeper into the greenwood and saw even more of nature's wonders, he was overcome with awe at the glory of God's creative hand.
After roaming through the woods for about an hour, Joseph began to get tangled up in the dense undergrowth which barred his way. Then, taking his machete, he began to hack away at the thick brush till he finally cleared a path for himself.
Continuing on, he came to a small shallow stream.
There he knelt down, and cupping his hands together, he scooped out some water and began to drink. The water tasted cold and refreshing after walking so long without anything to quench his mounting thirst.
Then he stood up, and followed the stream for a while, till it suddenly turned the bend and disappeared into an inpenetrable haze of thick brushwood. At that point, he decided to go back into the deep grove once more.
As he started to walk through the woodsy lot, he came into a clearing, in the middle of which was a thick oak tree. It appeared to be very old, maybe even ancient. He stood there for some time gazing at it. As he did, his mind began to wonder what kind of people might've rested beneath it's great spreading boughs.
What were their hopes and dreams? How did they live? Is it possible that they left some small evidence behind of their presence here? He began to look around the area and soon found an old dagger with an elaborately decorated handle.
"Hmmm, I wonder who this might've belonged to?" he mused to himself. As he wiped the dirt from it and examined it more closely, he noticed that the hilt was carved with the faces of gods and monsters.
"I think I'll keep this, it may come in handy." he said. "Before I leave though, I'll let other people know that I was here."
Then he proceeded to carve his name in the bark of the ancient tree. Once he had done that, he placed the knife in his belt loop and continued on.
As Joseph looked up, he saw that the sun was beginning its long slow decent into the west, and the shadows in the forest were beginning to lengthen.
"I better turn around and head back before it gets too late," Joseph said aloud. But instead of going home, he kept on walking deeper and deeper into the forest.
As he proceeded on, he came to a fallen tree trunk which blocked his way. He pushed it with his foot, and it rolled over, laying bare a squirming colony of strange bugs. He jumped back a little, startled by the disturbing sight.
As he began to back away, he tripped over a rotten tree branch and fell backwards. He sat there for a minute, trying to get the frightening image out of his mind. As he stood up again, and peered nervously ahead, he heard something snort in the dense timber.
He listened closely, and it sounded as though some sort of beast was roaming nearby.
He stood there with his machete in his hand, ready for whatever might come.
Suddenly, he heard a loud squeal in the surrounding thicket. Then a great fear came upon him, as he began searching for the path he had taken to get there, but it was gone.
Nothing around now but dense weeds and thick undergrowth.
Likewise, everywhere he turned there was no path at all, just great clumps of woodsy scrub, saplings, and thorn bushes mixed in together, too thick for his machete to hack through. Joseph began to grow desperate now. He knew there was no way he could find the path again, and he was afraid of what creatures might venture out once the sun had set.
As Joseph stood there, on the verge of tears, he remembered what the Bible had said about calling upon the name of the Lord whenever he was in trouble. Then, bowing his head and closing his eyes he began to pray.
"Oh please Lord, help me find my way out this forest before it gets too dark."
Then he began to search again, still looking for the path that had brought him there, but it was the same as before. There was no way out. At last he began to cry, feeling as though all hope were gone. It was then that he took the knife, machete and binoculars, set them on the ground, and kneeling down he clasped his hands together, bowed his head and began to pray.
"Oh dearest Heavenly Father, mighty and merciful. Please help me find my way out of here before it's too late. In Jesus' name Amen."
Then, as he looked up, he saw a tiny bird appear. The little creature flew around in a circle, then it disappeared into the trees again. Joseph began to follow in the direction which it had gone.
After walking a little, he peered through the tree branches, and there he saw plain as day, a road with cars whizzing by. Suddenly, he was overcome with joy that the Lord had answered his prayer. Though it wasn't the path he had taken to get there, he was now out of the woods and knew how to get to his house once more.
The whole way back he was crying and thanking God. The rest of his life, he never forgot that one day long ago, when God had shown him the way home again.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5 & 6