Bower
Canisbay
Dunnet
Halkirk
Keiss
Watten
Bower
Canisbay
Dunnet
Halkirk
Keiss
Watten
Summer stories (most recent first)
The Horse's prayer (last part)
And finally, my master,
when my useful strength is gone,
do not turn me out to starve or freeze,
or sell me to a cruel owner
to be slowly tortured and starved to death;
But do thee my master take my life
in the kindest way,
And God will reward you here and hereafter.
You may not think me irreverent
if I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a stable
Amen.
The Horse's prayer continues in ways that reflect our own desire to be of service to our Master, Jesus Christ:
'If you insist on me wearing blinkers
To keep me from looking around, at least,
See to it that they do not press
Against my eyes.
Don't make my load too heavy,
And, don't leave me tied up in the rain.
Have me well shod,
Examine my teeth when I do not eat;
I may have an ulcerated tooth
And that you know is painful enough.
do not tie my head in an unnatural position,
Or take away my best defence against flies
By cutting off my tail.
Do not force an ice cold bit into my mouth,
But warm it first
In some warm water, or in your hands.
I will always try to do cheerfully
The work you require of me.
And day and night
I will stand for hours waiting for you.
August
The Horse's Prayer
Some tea towels are far too good to dry the dishes, like this one, which contains the Horse's Prayer. Here is the start of it:
Feed me, water and care for me
And when the day's work is done,
Provide me with a clean shelter,
A clean dry bed
And a stall wide enought for me
To lie down in comfort;
Be always gentle to me, and talk to me;
Your voice often means more
To me than the reins.
Pat me sometimes that I may serve you
The more glady, and learn
To love thee. Do not jerk the reins,
And do not whip me when going up hill.
Never strike, beat, or kick me
When I do not understand what you mean,
But give me a chance to understand you.
Watch me, and if I fail to do your bidding,
See if something is wrong
With my harness, or my feet.
(to be continued next week)
July
One of our Bed Bug stories from this week's holiday club:
House on the Rock
Jesus had a tale to tell, Al the people listened well,
Listen closely everyone, for my tale has just begun.
Builder One and builder Two, Wanted to build something new,
Both the builders looked around, For the perfect piece of ground.
Builder One found just the space, Here upon this rocky place,
Soon the building was complete, On her rock so strong and neat.
Builder Two found his spot too, ‘This here sandy land will do.’
Soon his house was also built, On sandy land, with shaky stilts.
Now you see them in the sun, Builder Two and builder One,
Things were fine for quite a while, Side by side they lived in style.
But one streamy stormy day, Builder Two was washed away,
On the rock so strong and high, Builder One was safe and dry.
Jesus said, ’My tale is through, Now I have a quiz for you,
When their building jobs were done, Who was wiser, Two or One?
When you hear the words I say, And you listen, and obey,
Then your lives are safe and strong, Built on me where they belong.
But if you choose not to hear, All my words of love and cheer,
Then your life is not build on me, Like it really ought to be.
Its Holiday Club time again, and this year we are using some of the 'Beg Bug Bible Gang' stories. The stories are told in ryme which makes them memorable, and also useful for quizzes. The songs are set to traditional folk tunes and are easy to instantly sing. Here is an example of story and song:
The Sorry Son
There was a farmer on a farm as fine a farm could be,
That farmer had two fine young sons who farmed the farm like he,
The first son loved his father’s farm, son two could not agree,
I want to flee from Father’s farm, and live a life that’s free.
The farmer’s son said to his Dad, ‘I’m leaving Father dear,
So give me half of all you have, and I’ll move far from here.
The father gave his son his funds, the son was free to fly,
He fled off to a far-off place, and bid the farm goodbye.
Fare from the farm, the father’s son had funds and fun galore,
But soon the funds and fun were done, he hadn’t any more,
We find him on a far-off farm, he feeds fat pigs all day,
‘I’m famished ’, said the farmer’s son, ‘I fear I’ll fade away.
But if I go to father’s farm, I’m sure that I’ll be fed,
I’d rather slave in father’s fields that feed these pigs‘, he said.
He found his way back to the fields where formerly he farmed,
His father warmed to see his son and folds him in his arms.
‘I am so glad you found you way’, the Father said with glee,
You’ll always have a farming home here on the farm with me.’
The farmer father had a feast, so folks from all around,
Can see the son who once was lost, but now is finally found.
The sorry Son song
A farmer’s son left home one summer,
Thought his life would be much funner,
Move away, move away, from his Dad.
He lost his home and lost his money,
Lives with pigs and sure smells funny,
Move away, move away, from his Dad.
‘I wish I had not come here today, today,
I lost my shirt, I live in dirt,
It really is not fun here.
No way, no way,
I never should have come here.’
The farmer’s son came back all shruggin’
Dad came out and started huggin’
‘Hip horray, hip horray, hip horray‘, said his Dad.
I’m happy that you’ve come here today, today,
I missed you so, the world should know,
I love to have my son here.
Horray, Horray,
I’m glad that you’ve come here today.
June
We thought of a boy who spent a few days on a poor farm away from his rich suburban home. On returning home, he reflected on his time spent in that different environment. 'They have the firnedship of neighbours to protect them instead of our electric fence. Instead of watching TV, they look at the stars by night and the hills by day. Rather than go to the supermarket for grocieries, they grow their own food. They cook over an open wood fire instead of putting things in a microwave oven'.
He concluded: 'It was a great esperience. It showed me how poor we are here in the town.'
We looked at 'Hubble's Best' this week at school- the top ten of the space telescope's pictures from galaxies far away. But we also saw some beatiful pictures that Hubble has taken of our own planet Earth, and that make us think that some of the most beautiful sights are not the far away ones, but the ones near at hand. We don't have to travel to a distant land to see beatiful things - they are on our own doorstep in Caithness.
May
An Ascension view of Caithness
Everyone likes a quiz, and we're having a quiz today in church- See how can spot most of the birds eye views of Caithness landmarks. We've got castles, lochs, cliffs, beaches, towns, villages, and farms.
And we will remember that when Jesus went back into heaven, and disappeared from the disciples, they had not disappeared from Him. In heaven Jesus can see us all even better than he could while he lived on earth. And the great thing is that he can see all of us all of the time.
The crowded Room
Mr Yitzack complained to his Rabbi that his small house was too crowded for his family. So the Rabbi advised that he should bring a hen, then a goat, then a cow into the house. When things were desperate and unbearable, then he advised taking the livestock out again. Only then did Mr Yitzack realise what a lot of space they had all the time, and he never complained again.
April
You can play with your food!
Perhaps we remember b eing told. 'don't play with your food!' when we were just pushing it around the plate and not eating it. But food is fun, and should look good, and we can all be artists as we prepare, serve and share food. As adults, we will have 'Dinner Parties'. When we give as rpesent of food, we like it to be attractively wrapped up. We can cut food into nice shapes to make it look appetising. Colour is a part of taste. Some foods are especially good to cut into shapes: apples, potatoes, melons, bread.
When we say thank you for a meal, lets remember the shape as well as the taste.
Imperfect Buttons
When King Christian IV of Denmark was a young boy in 1615, his f ather took him a tour of Danish shops and factories to make sure everything was being made perfectly- as this was the standard he wanted to set for his country. On the t our, the button maker gave the young price a gift of a jar of buttons. Young Christian loved this jar, and the feeling of buttons running through his fingers. He would have many ways of playing with the buttons. Until one day he found a flaw in one of them. Whend he examined them more closely, there were lots of little flaws, and he rejected most of them. He could no longer run his fingers through a whole jar of buttons which was his favourite game, so the buttons were forgotten.
I think that people are like buttons. We have flaws, which others will notice of they look for them. And then we won't be such good company for others who are looking for perfection, and we will be rejected. The whole world will end up lonely as faults are found on each other.
Better to accept that buttons can still be great fun despite their imperfections, and accept each other on that basis.
God's Skies - Dust is beautiful
The Icelandic dust may not look beautiful when it erupts out of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano, or when it melts the pristine white glacier, or billows into the skies, or disrupts the air traffic of northern Europe, or lands on Shetlanders' clothes on their washing lines.
But look at the lovely sunsets, and think of how even higher level dust creates the awesome northern lights. God can do great things with dust!
'Canstruction'
There is an interesting exhibition of how to use your old cans before putting them out to the recycle. It is on show at the 13th annual conference of Architects and engineers in New York. PArt of the challenge is how to use waste material for artistic purposes.
The sculptures, models, 3-D pictures and creations all show that nothing needs to be wasted. If people can do that with old tin cans, just imagine what God can go with our worn out bodies. They don't just return to the dust of the earth. God re-creates us from the dust into resurrection bodies.
And that isnt just a temporary measure till we go to some end of life recycle. It's for ever -a glorious body that will never wear out!
Imagine this conversation between two Roman citizens in the days just after that first Easter:
Procula. Centurion, were you at the killing of that teacher today?
Longinus. Yes, lady.
Procula. Tell me about his death.
Longinus. It is hardly fit hearing for you, my lady....
Procula. Do not tell it all, then, but tell me what he said.
Longinus. The people were mocking him at first, and he prayed God to forgive them. He said: 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. . .
Procula. Was he suffering much?
Longinus. No, lady. He wasn't a strong man. The scourging must have nearly killed him. I thought he was dead by noon, and then suddenly he began to sing in a loud voice that he was giving back his spirit to God. I looked to see God come to take him. He died sing ing. Truly, lady, that man was the Son of God, if one may say that....
Procula. What do you think the man believed, centurion?
Longinus. He believed he was God, they say.
Procula. What do you think of that claim?
Longinus. If a man believes anything up to the point of dying on the cross for it, he will find others to believe it.
Procula. Do you believe it?
Longinus. He saw a fine young fellow, my lady; not past middle age. And he was all alone and defied all the Jews and all the Romans, and, when we had done with him, he was a poor broken down thing, dead on the cross.
Procula. Do you think he is dead?
Longinus. No, lady, I don't.
Procula. Then where is he?
Longinus. Let loose in the world, lady, where neither Roman nor Jew can stop his truth.
March
Welcoming royalty
If Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla were to come to our school on their next visit to Caithness , how would we welcome them?
We would stand, applaud, cheer, wave flags, bow, curtesy, smile, offer gifts, sing, look our best and cherish the moment with happy memories.
That's how sdpeople welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday when he came to Jerusalem. But, unlike our plan, they soon forgot their royal welcome, and in a few days had turned against their king , rejected him and cruficed him. I hope our loyalty to our future king will always be better than that. We have a chance in our worship and friendship to Jesus, to make up for that forgetful crowd. We have a chance to spend a lifetime serving Jesus as our king.
Sharing the perfume
Many people get a present of perfume, or after shave for Christmas, and plan to make it last for a whole year - till they get another one. They way they do that is by just using a little drop each day. Just one drop is enough to make you feel fresh and special the whole day long.
So just imagine using up the whole lot all at once, spilling it over clothes, hair, hands. Imagine after shave being used up on a beard! Everyone would know all about it because the fragrance would be smelt all over the house or the room.
That's what a lady once did for Jesus - she took a whole year's worth of perfume and poured it all over him. But he was pleased, because it was a sign to the whole world that he was about to die, and this was a way of saying that his death would be something worthwhile. That's what Jesus wanted his friends to know. If he was dying for them, it would be worthwhile, because theyh were worth it.
Happy Families
As Mother's Day approached, we thought about 'Happy Families' this week at school assemblies. I had an old pack of th card game, with traditional country crafts like Mr Plank the carpenter, Mrs Reed the thatcher's wife, Master Barley the farmer's son, Miss Crust, the baker's daughter. etc. Even the youngest children could still guess which family their card belonged to by looking at the picture on them.
Over the years, some of the cards have gone missing, (usually at school assemblies), and so some of the families are incomplete, just like many of our own families. But we stood in a circle to give an idea that even incomplete families could be part of a larger and more complete whole company, such as a school, a church, or a village community. Even a single person (Miss Crust was the only surviving member of her family) could feel a sense of belonging. On Mother's Day, we can all feel part of the happy family of God's people.
The World Day of Prayer (7th March) material from Cameroon had a lovely example of three uniting into one. Those of us who collected stamps as youngsters used to get confused with Cameroon - it seemed to have a German, French and British part, and were they countries, colonies, dependencies, or protectorates?
One of the images was of the national monument which showed that it had been three countries, then two, then one area (the British part) had to choose between jhoing with the French part, or being aprt orf neighbouring Nigeria.
Because people had the right to choose, communities aligned themselves with countires sharing their own language, culture, and religion, and so avoided the civil strife that often comes when artificial boundaries are imposed on incompatable people.
The result is a happy united country that helped us this year to praise God with all that is within us.
Winter stories
February
The Musicians of Bermen
Donkey, dog, cat and cockeral, all coming to the end of their useful occupations, and facing the tanner's yard, a last vet's visit, or even the soup pot, decide to make a new life for themselves- as musicians- using their voices. coming to Bremen, they surprised a group of robbers, enjoying their spoit. by singing at the open window, our four musicians scared the robbers into running away, eaving their spoil and their loot behind them for the musicians to live on happily ever after.
It's coming up to the time when our local children ahve to enter themselves for the Caithness Music Festival, and this story was told to encourage them to believe they have a voice worth using.
The Panda is a great symbol of relaxation-
It can 'hang out' in a tree without holding on with hands or legs. It can rest its brain as well as its eyes in a poise of care-free resting. It can seem to be enjoying every similar looking piece of bamboo it easts. It can find another panda to lean against. It seems to get a higher perspective on life as well as feeling secure by climbing into the fork of a tree branch. It can contemplate its image while soaking in a pond. It never seems to be angry or perturbed or in a hurry.
so when we come to church- it's Panda Time! Time to relax in God's presence and be renewed inwardly.
Last week it was 'Pick up sticks', this week, the challenge was 'Lay down sticks'
The challenge was to get a group of folk to lower a garden cane gently to the floor, while at the same time, keeping their two index fingers suporting the stick from underneath at all times. Each group had the same problem - the garden cane would not go down - it kept rising higher instead of lowering.
sop again we though of what a difficult task it is to try and rescue earthquake survivors. It needs good team work, and a lot of patience. The team needs leader, and every hand sharing the load with gentleness.
And now the next phase of the rescue operation is happening - emergency supplies are being distributed, and shelters are being put up for the homeless. Our hands work at this end of the world to raise money to that other hands can share out the food and medicine.
January
Have you ever played the game 'pick up sticks'?
The sticks are thrown down in a random heap. The challenge is to remove a single stick without disturbing the other ones. It needs a steady hand and lots of patience.
I was reminded of that game when I watched the rescue teams removing the rubble of broken houses in order to try and rescue the survivors of the earthquake at Haiti.
We thank God that there were lots of steady hands at work, inspired by the God of the Psalmist, 'He will not let your foot be moved.' (Psalm 121)
I was reminded of these riddles when I saw that the prisons in Haiti had fallen down in the earthquake and the prisoners had all escaped:
'Two men in prison, so I've heard,
Yet both were free as any bird'
that refers to the New Testament story of Paul and Silas, imprisoned for their faith in the town of Philippi, yet they wer singing praises to God in their prison cell as if they were completely free. No-one can chain up the human spirit that finds true freedom in worshipping God.
'Two men in prison chains I spy,
All three got out, yet did not fly.'
Paul and Silas met their Philippian jailor, who was amazed that the two prisoners were not running away, but staying in the jail, even though the earthquake had knocked down the walls and the locked doors.
Other Christians have found that they still felt free even though they were in prison - free to worship and serve God. John Bunyan was like that when he wrote Piolgrim's Progress from his prison cell in Bedford in the seventeenth century. Terry Waite was like that in his prison cell in Beruit in the late 20th century. We who are free and able should worship God all the more willingly and gladly than those who are in prison.
Snowflake or Earthquake?
Which would you prefer? There is always someone at a local school trying to make it difficult for me to tell a story, and his answer was 'Earthquake- for then the school would fall down!' But on reflection, he though his house would also be in danger of falling down, so along with everyone else, he voted for snowflakes. There was a point of similarity however when we thought of the dangers of playing on the frozen surface of our local Loch Watten. It might also prove to be as dangerous as an earthquake if the ice should break.
There was once a little polar bear called Pom Pom who was alarmed to see four fierce wolves chasing his father bear- Arcticus. But the wise walrus said, 'Don't worry, Look Arcticus is leading the bears out onto thin ice. And look, he is now jumping up and down on the ice to break it and the wolves have fallen into the icy water where he will be quite safe.We remember the people of Haiti, who did not get the choice of where to play when the earthquake struck them. Before we dream of living in the Caribbean when it is cold weather here, let us thank God that we live in a stable country, troubled only by a few snowflakes.
Walking in a Winter wonderland
The best 'winter wonderland' scenes this week were when every branch and twig was covered with snow and frost for the whole day. There was no heat in the sun, so no melting showers of sleet or rain, so the trees, bushes and hedges kept their mantle of glisten for the whole day. Who would need tinsle on a day like that?
What an amazing thought that each snow flake is a different pattern, and each snow covered twig is a different shape, and each branch weaves its own course from the trunk of the tree , and forms its own weft and woof in the mantle of a tree's covering.
It seems that snow is a way of God showing off his handiwork in all its intricacy and splendour. And on that winter wonderland day, it was a privilege to stand and stare awhile
The origin of tinsle
There are many legends surrounding the escape to Egypt that Joseph, Mary and their child Jesus made to get away from King Herod's jealous rage. I like the legend of the spider which spun a web at the mouth of a cave where the holy family were hiding when Herod's solider's came riding by. Frost had fallen, making the web glisten with silver. The soldiers noticed it and concluded that no-one could be inside the cave, or the web would have been broken. so the family were saved by a spider, and the spider's web is remembered each time we hang tinsel on our Christmas trees or round our doorways. Even the smallest creatures have a place in God's great scheme of things, and the smallest and least of us can play our part too.
December
Comgall's prayer and a mouse's plan.
Brother Comgall in Ireland looked at his last crumb... , and then gave it to his pet mouse. It was a feast for a mouse, but would only have been a crumb for himself.
'It's a pity I can't do the same for all the hungry folk in Ireland this Christmas', said Comgall. 'Who will feed them?'
His pet mouse had the benefit of big ears, and with them, he could hear every squeak in the land. He heard that the Prince of Ulster had plenty of food. so comgall and his mouse set off to ask the Prince of Ulster to share his food with the hungry.
But the Prince refused, saying he wanted to keep all the food for himself.He told Comgall, 'Pray to your God for food for the hungry'.
So Comgall prayed, and Comgall's pet mouse planned. It got all his mousy friends together and they overran the Prince's dinner table, and completely ruined the Prince's appetite. As a res ult, the Prince ordered his feast top be thrown away.
Guess who was waiting at the kitchen door with a great big hamper for the throw -away dinner, to turn it into a take-away?
Yes, it was Comgall.
So Comgall's prayers were answered, and the hungry people got fed after all, and they were grateful that God, Comgall and the mice had all made it possible
The Nativity
Our story begins in old Nazareth
where a young maiden, Mary, was to marry Joseph,
But one day the angel Gabriel appeared,
saying to Mary, 'There is nothing to be feared.
You have been chosen to bear God's Son,
His name will be Jesus, He will save everyone'
2
Mary was worried. What would Joseph say
if she was with child on their wedding day?
But Gabriel gave Joseph the wondrous news,
that she bore God's Son, The King of the Jews.
So Mary and Joseph were happily married,
and awaited the child that sweet Mary carried.
3
Then, one day, a messenger came to declare
they should go to their birthplace to pay taxes there,
Mary rode her donkey while Joseph led them
on the long winding road towards Bethlehem.
They journeyed on, all day until night,
when, finally, Bethlehem came into sight.
4
As they entered the town, it soon became clear
that they needed to rest, for the baby was near.
But wherever they went, they were told the same thing;
'Sorry, we're full. There's no room at the inn.'
'I have a small stable', one innkeeper said,
'It's warm and it's dry, with clean straw for a bed.'
5
So that very night, before break of dawn,
the animals watched as Jesus was born.
They all rejoiced as they saw, where he lay,
God's only Son, in a manger of hay.
They did not know that the baby so small
would one day grow up to save us all.
6
High over the hills, on that joyous night,
some shepherds were roused by a dazzling light,
'Do not be afraid', an angel said,
'I've come with good tidings God wants you to spread.
Born on this night is a baby boy
who'll bring peace on earth, goodwill, and joy.'
7
When darkness returned and the shepherds were able,
they left their sheep flocks and went to the stable.
They knelt before Jesus and began to sing,
'Praise be to God for our Saviour, the King.'
Then they told Mary all they had heard,
before they departed to spread the good word.
8
In a land to the east, over hills afar,
three wise men saw a bright new star.
The wise men knew that the star foretold
the birth of a king, for it was written of old.
And so they journeyed, night after night,
following the star that shone so bright.
9
At last they arrived in Jerusalem town
where King Herod sat on the throne, in his crown.
They asked him, 'Have you seen the new Jewish King?
We've followed the star in search of him.'
Herod was angry, for he was no fool;
he knew that a new king would threaten his rule.
10
He said, 'When you find the King of the Jews,
return by may palace to pass on the news.'
So, bearing rich gifts, they went on to find
the little Lord Jesus, so gently and kind.
Kneeling before him, they started to sing,
'With these precious gifts, we praise the new King.'
11
But that silent night, as the wise men dreamed,
God told them that Herod was not what he seemed,
'King Herod is filled with jealousy,
and he means to have Jesus killed heartlessly
So listen well to this warning I saw,
and journey home by another way.'
12
Then an angel appeared to Joseph one night,
to tell him his family should also take flight.
'Hark, sang the angel, pack up and flee
to the land of Egypt till God calls for thee.'
So Jesus was saved to teach of God's glory,
and that is the end of the first Christmas story.
A King wanted to choose a new chief counsellor. He gave his three advisors this test: Guess who the king was playing in the Christmas nativity play. All the characters in the play wore a mask, so no one could see the king's own face.
The firest advisor wanted the job of being the new chief counsellor, so he guessed that the king was wearing the mask of one of the Three Wise Men, because the king was accustomed to riches.
But he was wrong. The king was not one of the wise men
The next advisor thought that the king was playing the part of Joseph, because Joseph was such a strong man, defending Mary against all the dangers of the journey, and bringing her and the baby Jesus safely to Egypt
But he was also wrong. The King wasn't Joseph.
The third counsellor thought the King would be the angel Gabriel, who was the chief angel, and a messanger from God. That was an important role for the King to play
But he also was wrong, The king was not the angel Gabriel
Who was the King in the play?
He was wearing the donkey's mask! Because he wanted a humble part. And if it hadn't been for the donkey, Mary and Joseph could never had got to Bethlehem.
We#ve got real sized donkeys for our Christmas plays this year, and all the local children at the school said they wanted to ride it - even those who are going to be shepherds. And in our play, even the wise men arrive at Bethlehem riding on a donkey!
November
Baboushka
The legend of Befana in Italy is the same as that of Baboushka in Russia. It is beautifully told in this song, which is a conversation between Baboushka and the Three Wise Men:
1 Come in, my royal masters, I’m glad to have you stay
I welcome you, and ask you a question, if I may?
Why have you come this distance, from where your kingdoms are?
Oh, tell, me noble sirs, why are you journeying so far?
'Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, we’re following a star
'Baboushka, oh, Baboushka,, we’re following a star.
2 'The star's a mighty marvel, a truly glorious sight.
But, lords, you must stay longer ‑Oh, won't you stay the night?
Do tell me why you hurry, and here's another thing:
I marvel at the meaning of the precious gifts you bring.'
'Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, they're for a new‑born king.
Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, they're for a new‑born king.'
3 'Some king, to have such treasure, a star to show his birth,
And you to do him honour, the greatest ones of earth
And yet he is a baby,a tiny man is he?
0 royal ones, 1 wonder, then, if he will welcome me?'
'Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, oh, why not come and see?
Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, oh, why not come and see?'
4 '1 will, my royal masters, but not just now, 1 fear.
I'll follow on tomorroww when 1 have finished here.
My home 1 must make tidy, and sweep and polish, too,
And then some gifts 1 must prepare ‑ 1 have so much to do!'
'Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, we dare not wait for you.
Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, we dare not wait for you.'
5 At last 1 make the journey, no star to lead me on.
Good people, can you tell me, the way the kings have gone?
Some shepherds tell of angels, but now there is no sound.
The stable, it is empty, and the baby Egypt‑bound.
'Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, we know where he is found.
Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, we know where he is found.'
6 Through all the years, I seek him 1 feel him very near
0 people, do you know him? Oh, tell me: Is he here?
In all the world 1 travel, but late 1 made my start.
Oh, tell me if you find him, for I've searched in every part.
'Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, we find him in our heart.
Baboushka, oh, Baboushka, we find him in our heart.'
Befana- one of Santa's helpers
Even the youngest children seem to understand that Santa needs helpers. At this time of year, the Real Man is so busy at the North Pole Toy Factory and packaging centre, as the orders, request and dreams start to come in thick and fast. The Man needs helpers, and in different countries, they come in different guises - not always Santa look-a-likes.
For example, in Italy, Santa has got Befana. She's been aournd since the first Christmas, when the three Wise Men came to her door looking for somewhere to rest up during the day, so that they could travel at night, following the star to Bethlehem. Befana was very houseproud, and always seemed to have a broom in her hand.
The Wise Men invited her to come with them ion their journey, but she declined, sdaying that she had too much sweeping to do. Later she regretted that decision, and set out to follow them, with an apron full of toys for the infant king. But she arrived too late to see Jesus, or the Wise Men. They had all obeyed the angel's warning and had left Bethlehem.
so Befana gave away her toys to any child she met, in case that one was the infant king. And she has been doing the same ever since. Her presence is recognised by a cleanly swept doorstep and a toy for the child of the house.
Just as Befana's help is important to Santa, so I also think that Befana values all the help she can get. Every time a house looks neat and tidy at Christmas, the youngest children think Bafana has been. So Befana's helpers are given an important job to do.
Autumn stories
Poppies- signs of hope
Poppies only grow on ground that has experiences upheaval and trauma. the seeds lie dormant under the ground until there is some earth-shattering event: like the shell explosions of the First World War in Flanders' Fields, or like modern day motorway construction. And so the pretty poppy flower only comes where there have been ugly scars on the landscape, and in human experiences.
Landscapes can recover. And Remembrance helps people recover as well, for it assures folk that they are not alone. Poppies like to grow in clumps. Today, they will also be seen in rows in war cemeteries. Remembrance should see us gather in companies of faithful people who show support to one another.
October
Handa's Surprise
Handa loaded her basket with a selection of fruits, and set out for her neighbouring village in East Kenya to visit her friend Aseyu. As she imaged her friend choosing each fruit in turn, that fruit disappeared from her basket- eaten by the various animals on the way- zebra, parrot, monkey, ostrich, elephant, giraffe, and antelope. She did not notice her basket on her head was empty. But as she neared Aseyu's village, a goat charged into a fruit tree, and a load of tangerines tumbled into Hana's basket.
What is your favourite fruit, Aseyu?, asked Handa.
;'Tangerines! My favourite.
Now that is a surprise, thought Handa.
Jesus said, 'God only wants good things for his children'.
God gives us what we long for, and often, yes, it is a surprise.
Mr Peabody's Apples
This is one of five children's stories by Madonna. Mr Peabody coashes the local boys in happville to play baseball. On his way back home each Saturday, he stops at the greengrocer's shop and picks an apple from the display, but the boys never see him paying for it. sos they started a rumour, 'Mr Peabody steals apples!'
the next week only one boy turns up for baseball lessons and explains how the rumour has spread. so Mr Peabody takes Tommy to the greengrocer's shop and show how he pays once a week for an apple a day. He then gives a task to Billy, who had started the rumour: 'Billy, let all the feathers out of a pillowcase on a windy day, then go round the town and pick them all up again. It will be as hard to pick them all up again as it is to take back a rumour once it is let out .
The moral of the story is to watch what we say. An untruth told is like a pillowcase of feathers in the wind.
'Evil Beezil's Wicked Trick'
This is a retelling of the parable of the wheat and the weeds (found in Matthew chapter 13) The evil plot was to plant weeds in the wheat field, and so make it difficult for the good crops to grow, and tempt the farmer to pull out the wrong plants in his effort to root out evil. But the patient farmer just let the weeds grow among the wheat, for he knew that they owuld be separated out after harvest, and then the weeds could be thrown away and the good crops would not be spoilt.
so we are to trust that God is always in control. He is bigger than all problems.
September
'Brave Bitsy and the Bear'
This is another lovely little and large story, but both the little rabbit and the large bear are heroes. The bear finds the lost rabbit in the wood and gives it a ride home on its back. But in the process of going out of its way, it falls asleep out in the cold before it can get to its hibernation cave. Bitsy , with help from other woodland friends, builds a shelter round the Bear to keep it warm till spring arrives.
Throughout the story there is the power of song: - comforting, cheerful, arousing, lullaby, spirit-lifting. And of course the pwoer of friendship and loyalty, and going the extra mile(s).
Give that Back, Jack!
Jack was always takding things- other children's toys, cakes, drinks, books. On a visit to the local zoo, he made off with a gorilla's banana, a penguin's fish, and a lion's football. All his friends got used to shouting, 'Give that back, Jack!'
Then he thought he would steal the cobra in its reptile tank. But when the rest of his school friends tried to find him, all they could see of him was a bulge inside the cobra's neck. so then they shouted ' Give Jack back, Mac!'. But by then it was too late. All that was left of Jack was his shoe.
Stealing always gets us into trouble. We need to learn to respect other people's property before he lose our own, or ever on our own self-respect, or our own honour.
A group of would be apprentices were given a task by a boss: each was given a seed and asked to bring back whatever they had grown from it. some brought back seedling trees, or fruit bushes, or lovely pot plants. But one apprentice brought back an empty pot, and admitted he had failed to grow anything. Everyone was surprised when the Boss gave him the job- despite having nothing in his plant pot. The reason was that the Boss had cooked all the seeds in his oven, making them dead seeds that would never have germinated into any plant. Only one would-be apprentice was honest enough to admit failaure, all the rest had cheated by substituting another seed for the dead one. The boss wanted an honest apprentice- one he would trust, and only one passed that test.
We sang the song' I've got peace like a river in my soul'; and made up some extra verses: 'I've got truth like a flower in my soul'; I've for the tree of honesty in my soul'; 'I've got trust like a garden in my soul'.
A dog was born in Japan with only its two back legs, and it was called faith by the owner who rescued it from being put down. Faith learned to walk upright on its back legs, and soon had a mission in life - to be taken to schools, nursery schools, animal hospitals, nursing homes - to show people that you don't need to have a perfect body to have a perfect soul, and that no-one needs to give in to disability.
A mouse got into the leopard's enclosure and was nibbling away at the leopard's lunch. The big cat didn't know what to do- it sniffed, growled, backed away and looked fierce. But the mouse was undeterred and ca rried on eating. Eventually the leopard retreated and waited till the mouse was done eating.
We were reminded of David and Goliath. Little cratures (and people) don't need to be scared of bigger ones, and should not give in to bullying.
Summer stories
(as told in our holiday club this year)
August 2009
Proverbs 3: 5
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding’
Look round a school classroom and ask- what can I lean on if I am tired standing?
so I tried leaning on a music stand, and it fell down. Then I tried a trolley, but it rolled away. Then I leaned on a lamp but it toppled over. The children in the classroom soon realised the problem and tried to sort it. The trolley was placed against the wall, so I could lean in it and it brought the strength of the wall to help me. The music stand was tied on to the piano and it was the weight of the piano that kept me up.
So we needed something strong, or heavy or immovable to lean on.
then we sang the song 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.' The actions for the song are to find a dependable friend, and lean back to back against each other.
When we need to rely on someone, find such a friend, or find that Jesus is that kind of friend to us.
John 6:35 Jesus said, 'I am the bread of life'
That was the secret. Jesus brought God into the situation and so divine and miraculous power made a little go a long way.
God will make us grateful with a little, and make us feel rich with what we have.
The bible talks about heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 and the fight against evil in Ephesians 6. There are also many young people and children in the bible who trusted God and made a real difference – They are Junior Heroes. Most Superheroes have a special gadget or piece of armour to help them. We have the armour of God.
When the Israelite soldiers didn’t know how to tackle Goliath, David gave a simple but true answer ‘Trust in the Lord’
Bible Story - 1 Samuel 17:12 – 50
Memory verse
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
Craft
Boys - Decorate a shield – and stick on memory verse
Girls –Decorate a mask and stick a memory verse in a notebook
Spring tales
(told at Halkirk, Bower, Canisbay and Watten School Assemblies)
June 2009
Some photographs from the Perth Airshow on the 6th June helped us to think of ourselves as 'High Flyers' Whenever we keep learning, and exercise our minds as well as our muscles, and keep trying new things and rising to new challenges, then we are high flyers. The picuters had some older planes as well as modern ones, and that reminds us that all through life, we can still be learning new things, and 'flying higher'. Faith in God, and following Jesus gives us the inspiration to be more than we are at the moment. With God as our inspiration and strength, we will always be able to do more than we thought possible.
'I gotta home in gloryland that outshines the sun... way beyond the blue.'
Swallows believe in a home that is over the horizon, and will fly six thousand miles to return to the place where they were born, and find the exact barn or shed garage in Watten, or Canisbay, or Halkirk or Bower where their old nest was, and use it again. The wonder of migration brings birds home and gives them a sense of belonging.
Our home as Christians 'way beyond the blue', is heaven - and our sense of belonging is to know we will be with God forever, along with those who have lived by faith before us. Like the swallows, we have an instinct that tells us that this is true.
A sailing dinghy was having a dproblem -
It wanted to sail across Loch Watten,m but the wind was directly against it. The wind was blowing straight from the direction the sail boat wanted to go. It was tempted to give up. But the rudder gave it some advice. ''Point your sail over to the side. I'll steer across the angle of the wind. And together we can zig-zag from side to side, making some progress each time till we reach the end of the loch. It will take some time, but we will make it. Nothing is ever impossible!
There are some thinkgs in live like that - they seem too difficult. they cannot be done straight away or by the easiest way. We might need to zig-zag our way to reach our goal and do that task we thought was impossible. But it can be done.
May 2009
Three kites were having a conversation with their kite-flyer:
One wanted to go higher and higher, and asked to be released from its kite strings. The handler warned that it needed these strings always to be attached in order to keep flying, but the kite insisted it knew better. Once released from its strings, it did not go higher, but fell to the ground.
A secnd kite wanted to swoop down lower and lower, to pick up things from people's belongings on the beach and on the grass, from their pockets and bags. Its controller wanred that it need to get back up into the air before it got too close to the gournd, but as it swooped down, it let go the strings to get lower, but crashed into the ground.
The third kite was happy to be attached by the strings, and felt safe always to be guided away from danger, from trees, or birds, or lack of wind or too much wind. As long as it was a ttached by its trings to its own,er, it flew happily and was a lovely sight to see.
And we're like kites. We need God's controlling influence to guide us and keep us safe from all dangers. We ae only trly fee when we are in God's care and under his control.
There was a clump of bluebells growing in the Watten Manse garden and discussing what they wanted to be: one heard the door bell and wished it could be a herald of visitors and bring a sense of excitement to a household. Another heard the wind chimes outside the porch, and wanted to be a reminder of all the good that the wind does, and how the wind was compared by Jesus to the Holy Spirit. Antoerh bluebell wanted to be like an old ships bell in the porch which at one time would have rang out the hours and given a whole c rew a sense of routine. Another bluebell wanted to be like the alarm bell warning of a fire or or a burglar and keeping the houehold safe. The last bluebell was just content to be itself, a sign of God's creative power and perfection and a joy to all those who walked up the gar den path. We can all have great dreams of what we want to be or become, But God has a wonderful plan for each of our lives, and sometimes just to be happy in ourselves is the first important step to being where God plans
April 2009
Following on last week's lesson from bulbs, we had tree blossom at our school assemblies this week. With branches of blossom we retold and re-enacted the story of The Sellfish Giant by Oscar Wilde. The giant's garden stayed wintry every spring because he had excluded children from playing in it. Only when a small boy crept through a hole in the boundary wall did spring come at last. Everything time a child played in a tree, blossom came to its branches. The first child in the garden was eventually revealed as having nail prints in his hands and feet, which he explained as 'the wounds of love'. The child promised the giant, you made me welcome in your garden, when you die, you will be in my garden in paradise. When eventually the giant died, his body was covered in blossom as a sign of the paradise he had entered.
We've been giving out snowdrop bulbs from the Halkirk Manse garden to all the children in Halkirk Watten and Bower schools. There are millions there, so there are enough to spare. They are a good illustration of how good things multiply. The bulbs will grow in many gardens, and be a reminder of how the good seed of education in school and in church will produce a harvest of knowledge and of service.
Easter has been later this year, This story and illustration is also fresh in the minds of our local churches at Halkirk Watten and Bower because it was so graphic. On Palm Sunday I found a big piece of tangled rope, 500 yards long, on Canisbay shoreline. Despite suggestions that I should have offered it to HM Inspector of Wrecks at Wick Harbour Office, I spent a fulfilling three hours in the shore untangling it and hauling it up to the road to take it back to the Watten Manse garden and church grounds where it was hung round the trees to clean and dry.
Then the rope told a parable story on Easter Day of how the body of Jesus was loosened from his burial and grave shroud, and how he was set free from deaths bonds to be the risen Lord who is still active in his church and by his Holy Spirit today.
All along the rope, where originally lobster pots would have hung, there were 'Easter surprise bags' with Easter promises from the Bible, and Easter Eggs from the local village shop. Young folk in the congregation brought these treasures in from our church garden, just as Jesus' disciples brought the good news from the garden where they had met with Jesus, that he was alive again.
March 2009
We remembered the 40th anniversary of the Longhope Lifeboat disaster of 17th March 1969. We remembered the brave men in the lifeboat 'TGB', who lost their lives in a courageous attempt to save the crew of the ship 'Irene' that was in distress.
We also thought of the good that can eventually come out of tragedies: after that loss of an overturned lifeboat, new designs were brought in for self-righting lifeboats. Although the TGB was overwhelmed by the mountaneous seas, the coastguard team eventually saved the crew of the 'Irene' which had landed on a rocky shore. And at Longhope, a new crew of young men, many related to the lost crew, took over as a new crew for the lifeboat to keep that great tradition alive.Our rememberance service at Dunnet Church, where the baptismal font is a memorial to one of the lost crew, Jimmie Swanson, raised over £900 for the RNLI.
Winter tales
(told at Halkirk, Bower, Canisbay and Watten School Assemblies)
In the northern tundra of Canada, a musk-ox once a procession of lemmings following each other over a cliff and falling into icy water to their deaths belowl He tried to stop one, but the lemming dismissed the musk-ox's advice by saying, 'what do you know about the foot of the cliff? Musk-oxen have poor sight'
Again the musk-ox tried to deter another lemming, but he was told, 'What do you know what lies beyond the cliff? Musk-oxen can't swim anyway.'
Again the musk-ox tried to stop a lemming jumping over the cliff, but was told, 'What do you know about what is best? Everyone knows that the musk-ox have never left the tundra.
At last the musk-ox made a lemming stop by saying, 'look at all this grass over here. You don't need to travel a distance to find food.
And because one lemming stopped to think, others followed - as lemmings do.
And what and who will we follow? And why should we do things just because others are doing them? Let's do our own thinking and choosing, and set a better example for others to follow.
February 2009
The story of Kam-Yuk- a huskie dog in an Eskimo village
Kam Yuk looked forward to the time when he would grow up to be part of the team that pulled a sledge. He looked forward to the time when he could join in singing the Huskie sledge-dog song:
We are brothers of the sled;
by the powwerful and of the man we are led.
Now snow too deep, no parth too long,
No weight too heavy to silence our songl
Shoulder to shoulder and heel to toe,
Hunger and fear we never shall know.
Dogs of one heart may it always be said;
For we are the Brothers, the Brothers of the Sled!'
But one day, he heard another voice- that of Varya - a wild wolf, who came to the perimeter fence of the Eskimo camp and tempted Kam-Yuk to jump over the fence and join the wild wolves pack, running free without harnesses and whips and sledges to pull.
Yarka sang a differenct song:
Dogs to leather harneses and whips werenor born;
But to the freedom of forest, mountain and wind.
In the wild a dog finds true meat: Elk and deer;
Not the tasteless food of man.
Why serve pain and sorrow
When freedom and life are so near?
Dogs of man are not brothers,
But enemies of each other and of wind, mountain and forest.
Dogs to leather harness and whips were not born.
Kam-Yuk thought this would be perfect freedom. But once he had jumped the fence and joined the wolf-pack, he found life was not so easy. There was no food for the last in the queue, and no delays allowed for the slowest in the pack, and no help give for any huskie or wolf that was injured. Soon Kam-Yuk was starving and injured and left to die in the snow.
But his howl for help was heard by the Brothers of the Sled and they came with a sled to bring him back to the Eskimo camp where his injuries were treated and he was brought back to health and strength. Never again was he tempted to leave the Eskimo village. In the service of the team he found perfect freedom.
Kippy Koala and the Bushfire
There was a change of climate in this week's story- to show sympathy for folk in Australia affected by the terrible bush fires.
Kippy Koala had poor sight, and couldn't run, but he could smell well, and he could climb. so when he smelt smoke in the forest, he climed higher in the trees and realised that there was a bush fire. He climbed down and alerted his friends. The kangaroo offered to carry the slower animals on his back as he hopped along. But even with his speed, they were soon surrounded by the flames. Then the wombat's skill at digging came to their rescue, as they all got into his underground borrow whjile the flames passed overhead.
All the animals were good at something different, and they needed each other's skills to save them from disaster.
There were great stories from Australia of people helping each other during the fires.
I am reminded of the line in a hymn, 'And the help each gave the other, was the help that came from Thee';
Who would you rub noses with?
The wolf found Pom Pom, a polar bear cub, out walking one day and said, Hey, how would you like to rub noses with me. Its what friends do - look at the Eskimos, they rub noses instead of shaking hands or kissing.
But Pom Pom saw that the wolk's teeth were very near to its nose and did not think it was a good idea. But, not wishing to cut off the wolf from all friendship, offered an alternative.
'You could rub noses with my friend Pdffle, the puffin. He's a friendly little bird, and he wtches over me wherever I go.'
But the wolf was not so keen to rub noses with a puffin. That beak looked very sharp, and it could fly out of the way if the wolf tried to grab it in its teeth.
So Pom said, 'you could rub noses with Woofle the walrus. He's a friendly animal.
But the wolf was frightened of the walrus tusks that were very sharp, and didn't like the walrus moustache, which looked very tickly.
So Pom Pom said, you can rub noses with my dad, Arcticus. He's a big cuddly polar bear, like me only bigger.
The wolf knew that Arcticus had sharp claws, but he thought that if there were six wolves together, they could always surround him and bite his ears.
so six wolves came to rub noses with Arcticus. The father polar bear knew the danger, so moved onto a pice of thin ice before jumping up and down on it to break it, and sending the wolf pack pluningin into the icy water.
That sorted them out, and they never offered to rub noses with anyone smaller than themselvesagain.
January 2009
Robin Redbreast's mission to sing to the King
(A story told by Robert Burns to his nephews. Maybe its a story about himself, as he used the nickname 'Robin', and he liked to sing to folk to cheer them up.)
The King sent for Robin to cheer him up one winter's day when it was cold and damp and dark. So Robin set off, chirping as he went.
Pussy Badrauns tried to persuade Robin to stop and admire the white mark round his neck, but Robin had seen how the Pussy had used this trick to catch mice and would not stop. Anyway he had an imaportant mission to carry out.
The a greedy Gled (the Buzzard) tried to delay Robin. 'come and see a pretty feather at the tip of my wing'. But Robin had seen how the Gled could hypnitise little rabbits by waving that feather before their eyes, and was determined not to be daught the same way.
Then a sly Tod (the fox) tried to tempt Robin away from his journey by promising that Robin could be nice and warm wrapped up in the Tod's bushy tail with a white spot t the etip of it. But Robin had seen the Tod catching linnets (finches) that way and carried on towards the king's palace.
A callant (young boy) called the Robin over and offered breadcrumbs in his outstretched hand. But the Robin had seen the callant catching speugs (sparrows) that way, and hopped past quickly.
At last he arrived at the king'#s palace, and sang cheerfully, and the king was delighted. 'Stay here', he said to Robin. You will be safe in my garden. You can find a mate, build a nest, be safe from all dangers and sing to me every day.
I like that story. It described Robert Burns mission in life, and reminds me that when we follow our Master's bidding, then we too will avoid dangers, and having a w orthwhile purpose to our lives.
Runaway Reindeer
At the start of the migration season in the north of Canada, one of the reindeer herd was missing- last seen heading north instead of south. It was Reb the rebel, doing his own thing again, and being secretly frightened of the unknown territory that lay to the south. Victor, the leader of the herd sent Piffle the puffin to find him.
Piffle tracked Reb down in a clearing in the wood, being trailed by a hungry wolf who would soon send for other members of the wolf pack to hunt down Reb. Piffle came back with the news and Victor set off to find Reb. Just in time! The wolves were circling for an attack. Victor stood in the way and was injured for his trouble, but at last he guided Reb to to safety of the Reindeer herd, and to their journey south to find pasture for the winter.
Its story about finding safety together, but being in danger on one's own. It's also a parable about how our Lord Jesus Christ stood in for us when he died at calvary. Its a picture of God's grace. Grace is God's love in action towards people who deserve the opposite of Christ's sacrifice.
The Snow Child
(a story of the dangers of mistreating other people, and one to make us grateful for the good homes and families that we belong to.)
An old man and old woman did not have any children of their own, and envied other families with children for companionship and help. One winter's day, they made a snow girl in their garden, and clothed it with girl's clothes. Imagine their joy when their snow girl came to life. She enjoyed playing in the garden each day with the old couple, but always delined to come into the house at the end of the day. She preferred to sleep outside where it was comfortably cold for her.
After a few days, the old woman said, 'Snow Child, you must come into the house and wash the dished after our supper'
The snow child did not want to get her hands in the hot soapy water, but managed to wash the dishes as quickly as possibly, then get outside to cool off again.
After a few more days, the old man said, 'Snow Child, you must clean out the fire each morning, and light a new fire.'
The Snow Child did not want to do that job either, as her head would get too hot as she bent over the fire. But she did it as quickly as possible, then went outside quickly to cool off.
After a few more days, the old man and the old woman said, 'Snow Child, you must make our breakfast each morning and have it ready for us getting up in the morning. We want hot porridge waiting for us on the kitchen table every day.'
The Snow Child did not want to do that job either, as she would have to stand in front of the hot stove to make the porridge. But she did her best and then rushed out to the garden to cool off.
But one day, when the old man and the old woman got up, they found a mess on the kitchen floor. There was a puddle of water and a carrot lying in the middle of it.
They shouted for the Snow Child to come and clear up the mess, but there was no answer.
Their Snow Child had melted, and left only her carrot nose as a sign that she had tried her best to do the impossible tasks the old couple had set for her.
Christmas 2008
Chi-Wee
Inside the Indian trading store, Chi- Wee saw her mother stroke a beautiful, soft wool shawl. It was dark blue on one side and glowing red on the other, with a fringe of the same two colours. Chi- Wee saw the look of longing in her mother's eyes.
'My Mother, you will buy this beautiful shawl?' she asked.
'No, my little one. This day the pottery 1 have made must be traded for food only.'
'But you need a warm shawl,' cried Chi- Wee. 'The wind is cold! You need this shawl!'
'We will not speak of it more, my daughter,' said her mother.
Ch-i Wee stood looking at the bright coloured shawl. In her heart a fierce little voice said, 'My mother shall have that shawl. The "Good Spirit made that shawl to be for my mother.'
The shawl cost six dollars, and there were few ways for a little Indian girl of that time to earn so much money. Yet over and over again, Chi Wee imagined putting that wonderful shawl around the shoulders of her mother.
When next they went to the trading post, Chi -Wee, with trembling fingers, thrust a pink shell necklace into the hands of the man who ran the store. It was her most precious possession!
'I know this is not enough, but could you ... Oh, could you please keep this shawl for me?' Chi Wee pleaded. 'It's for my mother. 1 will pay more on it the next time.'
The expression in the eyes of the trader softened, and a faraway look appeared in his eyes as he said tenderly, 'If she had lived, my daughter would be about your age. Yes, I will keep this shawl for you, little girl of the mesa, until you bring the rest of the money.'
The following month was a very busy one for Chi -Wee. She could hardly wait for the next trading day to come, and her eyes shone with pride when she handed the trader a great jar of wild honey. Chi Wee did not tell him of the many days of hard labour she had had in gathering it, or of the painful lumps on her arms that told of the angry stinging of the bees. There was a look she could not understand in the eyes of the trader. 'I hope you won't mind, the bright coloured shawl is gone. But have other beautiful shawls, little girl,' he said.
Chi- Wee could not speak; words would not come. Her eyes filled with tears as she ran from the store. She Slumped sadly in the wagon while her mother finished her purchases. All the way home in the bumpety old wagon there was a storm of anger and grief in Chi -Wee's heart. 'It cannot be true,' she thought. 'People cannot be so thoughtless and cruel.'
When they arrived home, Chi- Wee's mother called her to help unload the parcels.
'And here's one, Chi -Wee, that the trader said you had bought. With what could you buy it, my daughter?'
Chi -Wee did not wait to answer. She tore open the paper of the parcel. It was the shawl that wonderful shawl for her mother! Tied to one corner was a note that said, 'It is the love
for your mother that has bought this shawl, little girl of the mesa; and it is my love for another little girl like you that gives back your precious treasure.'
Chi Wee looked, and there, pinned to the shawl, was her pink shell necklace.
Tears of happiness and gratitude glistened in Chi- Wee's eyes as she wrapped the beautiful bright coloured shawl around her mother's shoulders.
Chi- Wee had learned a great secret: when we love and truly want to give, the 'Good Spirit' opens the way to our heart's desire.
Church of Scotland Website
