Stories from Heaven's Library - Vol. 10

For Young and Old

Featuring:
         Jamie, Amy, and Little Brown
         The Old Gentleman
         Narai
         Mr. Weaver's Night-Light

JAMIE, AMY, AND LITTLE BROWN
         Jamie and Amy are two young children who live in Heaven. When they're not attending their Heavenly school, you can often find them in one of the many beautiful Heavenly parks or on one of those exciting adventure rides at the Heavenly Fair. They also love to help out on Earth whenever the need arises--that's always a special treat for them! They are buddies, and the best of friends.
         Today they decided to visit the park near one of the Pearly Gates, as they had heard that a lioness had given birth to a litter of cubs. It was there that Esther found them, as they were tenderly stroking the cute little cubs.
*
         "Hi, Jamie and Amy! Do you remember me?"
         "Oh yes, of course! You're Danny's guardian angel, right?" Jamie replied. "Is he all right? It looks like something's up."
         "Yes, he's fine, but he is a little sad. You see, last week for his birthday he got the cutest little puppy you ever saw. He named it Little Brown. They have been going everywhere together, and he loves his puppy dearly.
         "Then, just this afternoon, Danny took Little Brown for his daily walk to the park. They were playing happily together when he saw some boys up the road roller-blading. You know how much Danny likes to roller-blade. Little Brown has a problem with wandering off, and while Danny was so absorbed in watching the boys roller-blade, Little Brown took off without him noticing and wandered so far off in the other direction that even I don't know where he is right now. When Danny finally realized that Little Brown wasn't with him, he looked all around the park, but couldn't find him. He started crying, but I reminded him that if he would pray, then Jesus would help him find Little Brown again, so he did pray."
         Jamie jumped up excitedly. "So you want us to help find Little Brown and bring him home for Danny?"
         "Yes, that's the assignment! I've already talked with your teachers, and they said it was okay for you to help--that is, if you want to," Esther said.
         "Sure! We would love to help!" they both chorused, smiling in eager anticipation.
         After Esther had filled them in on the details and prayed with them, the three of them closed their eyes, thought of Danny's house, and ping! they were there!
         Danny was getting ready for bed, his face still tear-stained. "I should never have left Little Brown alone," he mumbled.
         "Well Amy, we'd better get started," Jamie said. Esther stayed with Danny, while Jamie and Amy headed off to the park. When they got to the park, it had just started to rain. Amy looked over at Jamie as they slowly hovered over the streets and lanes that led away from the park.
         "We must hurry," Amy said, "or little Brown could catch a cold!"
         Street after street, lane after lane, bend after bend--they searched diligently, looking behind every rock and in every crevice*. Then suddenly they saw Little Brown, all curled up under the shade of an overhanging bush.
         "Hi there, Little Brown!" they said as they quietly approached him. "Are you all right?"
         "Yes, I guess so." Little Brown whimpered. "I'm just so scared. I have never been out all on my own before."
         "It's okay. Don't worry. We have been sent to help you get back home," Amy said as she lovingly patted his head. They could see that Little Brown was scared and tired.
         "I wonder if it would be better to wait till morning. Little Brown is falling asleep now," Amy whispered to Jamie.
         Jamie agreed.
*
         Morning began with a start as an old garbage truck rattled up the narrow lane. A man emerged, and he emptied the trash bins that were placed outside each front gate.
         "C'mon, Little Brown! We have a ways to go to get you home. Shall we get started?" Amy said cheerfully. She and Jamie had spent the night watching over Little Brown to make sure he would be okay.
         "Yes," Little Brown said wearily. "But can we not go down that street? 'Cause last night as I was coming this way, a big dog barked at me and told me that it was his territory and for me to go away--that's why I was so scared last night."
         "Sure," said Jamie. "I think this other road over here leads back to the park also. Shall we try it? Let's go."
         So off they went. One hour, then two hours passed as they continued on their way.
         "I didn't realize I had gone so far," Little Brown said. "I guess I was just running because I was so scared."
         "That's okay," Amy said. "I would have been scared too, if I were you."
         "Just a few more blocks and we'll be there," said Jamie.
         But suddenly they heard a voice. "Mommy, mommy! Look! A cute little puppy. Oh, he looks so sad. Maybe he needs someone to look after him. Can I have him, Mommy? Oh please, Mommy. Please?"
         Jamie and Amy's hearts sank as Little Brown was whisked off his feet and carried tenderly into a nearby house. Inside they could hear the little girl continuing to beg her mommy. "Mommy, please can I keep him? Pleeeeease?"
         "I don't think so, Honey," the mother answered. "You see, he's wearing a collar. That means he belongs to someone. Look, his name is Little Brown."
         Hope returned as a thought raced through Jamie's mind. He turned excitedly to Amy. "If they will only turn the collar over, they would find Danny's address, and then they could call Danny's mom and Little Brown would be home."
         The little girl sighed again, "Oh, Mom."
         The mother, realizing her daughter's obvious disappointment, reasoned with her. "Well, think of it this way: if you had a cute little puppy and someone else found it, wouldn't you want them to return it to you?"
         The little girl thought about it, and realized how sad she would be if she would have lost such a cute little puppy. "Do you think they would mind if I had him for just a little while? Maybe an hour or so? Then I could feed him lunch, as I'm sure he's very hungry. Please, Mama?"
         "Well, I guess that would be okay. But make sure you let him go afterwards, honey. He looks eager to get home."
         And so the little girl fed him, played with him, and combed his soft hair. Before she knew it, a full hour had gone by. Finally, she took him to the doorstep and let him go with a farewell pat.
         Jamie and Amy were eager to get started again, and the three continued their journey at a slightly faster pace. Soon they reached the park.
         "If we go through the park and out the back entrance it will be much faster than walking all the way around it," Jamie suggested.
         "Good idea," Amy said. They turned and started to walk through the park.
         As they neared the back gate, to their dismay they found it had been locked, and there was no way for Little Brown to get through. "It looks like we'll have to go back," Amy sighed.
         "Well, maybe not!" Jamie said. "Look! Do you think Little Brown could crawl through that hole under the wire fence?"
         "It's kind of small, but it's worth a try," Amy replied.
         So Little Brown walked over to the fence. Laying down on his tummy, he started to wiggle through. But after he had gotten his head through the hole, his collar got caught on the fence. Little Brown pulled and pulled but could go no further.
         "You'll have to go back, Little Brown," Amy said softly. But as much as he wiggled and pushed, he couldn't get out either way.
         "What should we do?" Amy asked.
         "I don't know," said Jamie. "Try again, Little Brown, try again. Jesus, please help Little Brown get free."
         Little Brown pulled back again with all his might, while Jamie and Amy gave him a push. Suddenly the collar slipped off his head. Little Brown pulled himself free from the fence, rolled over backwards, and landed on his bottom on the grass.
         "He's free, he's free! Oh thank You, Jesus!" shouted Amy. Having no collar to stop him now, he slipped through the fence easily. Jamie quickly untangled Little Brown's collar from the fence and slipped it into his pocket, where it disappeared from human view. Soon the three were off again.
         "Do you see where you are now, Little Brown?" asked Jamie.
         "Oh yes," he replied. "This is the street that Danny and I walk down every day to go to the park." Realizing that his home was just around the corner, Little Brown began running with joy.
         He had scarcely rounded the corner when suddenly a net came down around him, stopping him dead in his tracks.
         "I've got one!" shouted a voice. When Little Brown looked up, he saw a tall man waving to another man in a truck across the street, which slowly pulled up to where they were standing.
         The man got out and pulled a small wire cage from the back of the truck. He lifted Little Brown from under the net and put him in the cage, and then in the back of the truck. The door closed, and Little Brown found himself in the dark. "Cute little fellow, isn't he?" one of the men said to the other.
         "Yeah, must be a runaway."
         Jamie and Amy stood speechless. Their mission had been nearly complete. But now they watched in disbelief as Little Brown was being driven off in front of their very eyes.
         "Quick!" Jamie said. "Let's follow that truck. We don't want to have to go looking for him a second time!" Floating up into the air, they managed to dart into the back of the truck just as it passed Danny's house. As the truck continued on its way to the Dog Pound, Jamie and Amy sat quietly in the back, discouraged, and not knowing what to do.
         Soon the truck stopped. Little Brown was lifted out of his wire cage and placed in a kennel with some other stray pups. Jamie and Amy sat there wondering what to do next as they patted, stroked and comforted the other little pups. "Dear Jesus, please show us what to do. It's going to take a miracle to get Little Brown out of this place," Amy prayed.
         Little Brown sniffed at the bars. "Why can't you talk to the men and ask them to let me out of here?" he whimpered.
         "I would love to," Jamie said, "but you see, we're angels. You're the only one who can see us here."
         Suddenly Jamie jumped up excitedly. Putting his hand in his pocket, he pulled out Little Brown's collar. "Look, Amy!" he cried. "I totally forgot about his collar. If we put it back on him, the men will find his address and call Danny's home. Thank You Jesus! This is the miracle we've been praying for. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner."
         "I think I know why, Jamie," Amy said, as she walked over to help him tie the collar back on. "I think the Lord wanted us to help comfort the other little pups in the cage."
         They had no sooner gotten Little Brown's collar back on him when the men came back to feed the stray puppies. One of the men leaned over to set the dog food in the kennel. Kneeling down, he couldn't help but notice that the little brown dog that they had picked up only a couple of hours earlier was wearing a collar.
         "That's funny!" he told the man standing behind him. "I was sure this dog didn't have a collar." Picking him up and turning the tag over, he read the address. "Oh boy, it's on the same street we found him on. We need to get this little fellow back to his home right away!"
         With that, the two men got back in the truck with Little Brown--and Jamie and Amy too, of course--and they were all soon outside Danny's house.
         Danny was just sitting down for dinner when the doorbell rang. Excitedly, he jumped up from his chair--as he had with the milkman, the mailman, the next door neighbor, and every other person who had come to their door that day--in hope that someone had found his dear Little Brown.
         Words could not tell how happy Danny was after being reunited with this little friend that he held so dear to his heart. As he hugged Little Brown, running his fingers through his soft fluffy hair again and again, he thanked the two men as they left.
         Amy and Jamie stood in front of Danny and Little Brown, smiling. Esther, who had spent the day trying to comfort Danny and give him faith that his dog would be found, floated over to them and said, "Oh, thanks a million, guys! You definitely made his day--and mine too!"
         "Sorry it took so long. I guess we're not so experienced at working down here on Earth," Jamie said.
         "Don't worry," Esther reassured him. "I'm constantly learning new things all the time. Just think of how the Lord has used this little adventure. I know Danny learned a very needed lesson in being more responsible, and Little Brown learned a good lesson about not wandering off. So all in all, I think it's a wonderful victory. Praise the Lord!"
         "Well, we'd better get going now," Amy said, as Jamie and her joined hands.
         "Bye-bye! Please call us again whenever you need help. We love you."
         "I love you too," Esther said, as she waved goodbye.
         Then Jamie and Amy zoomed away at the speed of thought, back to the Heavenly City.

THE OLD GENTLEMAN
         Once upon a time in a beautiful garden there was a tree, the most perfect tree you have ever seen! His branches, reaching up to the sky, were covered with beautiful shiny leaves. He stood straight, like a prince, in the middle of this lovely garden. Everything was perfect: the garden was well tended. The grass was nicely cut, every little dead leaf had been picked up and removed. No one was allowed to disturb the peace of this beautiful place.
         On the other side of the wall bordering this beautiful garden stood a poor little tree. He didn't have a glorious countenance. His branches were growing in all directions; no one ever took the time to trim his branches or help him. He was made fun of and despised by everyone that passed by. Some people even talked about cutting him down. Nevertheless, he was still growing, and every season would sprout delicate new leaves, so no one had the heart to cut him down. "He might be useful one day," they said.
         The princely tree, looking over the wall from his lofty position, boasted, "Look at me, I'm standing so tall and strong. Look at my nice trunk, no imperfection, and all my branches are growing so tall, not like yours. Look at you, so despicable! Some of your branches are drooping down. But look at me! Everyone can see me in my beautiful garden."
         The poor little tree didn't have anything to say. He couldn't even answer. He was not so beautiful, and it was true, some of his branches were falling off. No one admired him, and it seemed no one would need him. But every springtime new leaves would grow, more branches would come, which meant there was still life, there was still hope. Maybe one day he would be found useful for something. Maybe one day someone would need him, someday
         And so the days passed--season by season the years went by. The princely tree in the garden grew more majestic, taller and stronger. He was now so tall, so perfect. A special gardener was assigned to watch over him, like a servant to care for him, to adore him. In fact, this old gardener was the only person allowed to touch him, this prince of the garden.
         But the poor tree on the other side of the wall did not get much attention. People passed him by, but nobody cared for him. All eyes were toward the prince, the majesty of the beautiful garden.
         The small tree loved to look at the children playing and running on the pathway beneath him. Sometimes the kids were a little rough with him; some even carved their name on his trunk. It hurt him a little, but he loved the children so much that it didn't bother him greatly. Sometimes people would pass by and sit under the shade of his branches, but no one seemed to notice him or thank him. All praises were for the prince.
         But the people's praise and adoration seemed to harden the heart of the prince. Every day he became more proud, and continued to make fun of the poor tree on the other side of the wall. "Ha! You miserable creature! Look at me. Look how majestic and perfect I am! You're not even worthy to be called a tree. They should cut you down."
         The small tree became sadder than ever, wondering if maybe the prince was right. Maybe it was true. He might as well just be cut down and burned and let his ashes be carried away by the soon coming autumn winds.
         But he wasn't cut down, and autumn came, with its dreadful wind, rain and cold. Life had never seemed so miserable during this season before, or maybe he just hadn't noticed. But this seemed to be more than he could endure. Leaves were flying all around him, and the wind was breaking his branches. And then the most severe winter came! He thought every day was sure to be his last, and that he would surely die! He felt broken, despised, rejected.
         But it was not so with the prince. The old gardener came every day to care for him, to take away any dead branches and leaves. The master of the property even came by one day to see him; he was so worried about his beloved tree.
         But no one came to see the little tree. No one passed by the road anymore, it was too cold. And when the snow came, he all but disappeared under the white blanket. Nobody noticed him anymore.
*
         When spring finally returned, the most amazing, wonderful thing happened. As the snow melted all throughout the garden, tiny sprouts of grass came out of the ground, and the most adorable leaves started growing back on all of the small tree's limbs. He felt so happy. It was marvelous! Life was back again! The little butterflies came back, flying all around him. The sky was blue again. The sun was shining. It was so warm, so beautiful. Everything was gorgeous!
         Then one morning, another miracle happened. A timid, small flower appeared at the end of one of the small tree's branches--then two, then three, and soon he was covered with the most exquisite garment of little white flowers. He was so happy, so beautiful! He forgot all about the hardship of autumn and the rigorous winter that he had just come through. Now he knew that no matter how difficult the autumn winds and winter snow would be, he would never lose hope--the sun would always come back, shining in all its glory!
         Suddenly he remembered the prince, and he looked up to see what had become of him. He looked beautiful, with his strong branches reaching high into the sky, covered with small, delicate flowers. But something was missing. There was a still sadness in the air around the great prince tree.
         But our dear beloved tree didn't have much time to think about it, as soon every flower gave way to something beautiful and marvelous--his first fruit, so tender, so delicious. Each fruit started like a little ball, and kept growing every day. Soon our tree became so busy, sending nourishment to all of this nice fruit. He was so proud and happy! And then the children came, climbing all over him to pick the fruits! What a marvelous sight--mommies and children coming to fill up their baskets with the fruit from his branches. Now he understood why his branches reached so low, nearly falling down to the ground. It was so everyone could use these low branches to climb on him. Maybe he was not as pretty and tall as the prince, but he was so much more useful.
         In fact, he had so much fruit that all the children decided to celebrate and have a party. They called it the "apple party." There was dancing and music! They put all sorts of funny lights around him. It looked like Christmas time. Our dear apple tree had heard of Christmas trees before, their shining lights, presents, and children all around. And here I am, the tree thought. Me, the poor little tree, once forgotten by everyone, but now the hero of the party. I will remember this day all my life.

         Everybody was so happy, there were tables set all around me. And the children, so many beautiful children! It was one great celebration, my first fruits. And they voted me the King of the Apple Trees! Me! Can you imagine? Not long ago, I thought I would never survive another day of that terrible winter. But now I feel I could live forever!
         I was now tall enough myself to see over the wall of the big garden. Everything looked so neat and perfect. The prince was standing in the middle of his big kingdom, amidst the perfectly cut grass. But he was all alone, so lonely, so sad. No one seemed to notice him now. There were no children, and there was no dancing, no music, no lights. There was only solitude!
         How I would like to share my joy, for him to see the children and all the funny lights. But no one was even allowed to come into his perfect garden, except for the old gardener. And so he continued to stand there, year after year, alone in his big garden, forgotten by all.
         One day some people came to build new houses, and they destroyed his garden. Perhaps the master went away, and had sold his garden. The great prince was cut down and carried away.
         I was old too. My trunk became big and thick and I had so many branches. They put benches all around me and I became the center of their little village. They even gave me a name, and wrote it on a shiny plaque that they placed in front of me for everyone to see: "The Old Gentleman." Ha! Who would have thought of this? Me, a poor little tree with my branches growing all over the place, wishing to die because I couldn't stand it any more until that marvelous spring, the most wonderful day of my life!
         Now that I'm old I have time to listen. So many people come to sit under my branches. I hear everything, all of their secrets. So maybe one day I will tell you Shhhh! I love you, my lovely, happy children.
         Your Old Gentleman

NARAI--More than a pet
         "Please stay close to us as we travel! I know that you like to pick those yummy wild fruits on the way, but you need to be careful as there are lots of wild animals in this region, and you wouldn't like to be attacked, would you?" said Mommy kangaroo. She was teaching her little female joey* who, since she had gained confidence in running, liked to go exploring.
         "No, Ma'am!" answered Narai. "But can I still pick wild berries from the bushes as we move along?"
         "Well, I don't think that's such a good idea," answered Mommy. "It's just too dangerous!"
         Narai didn't like it when such rules were made for her. She enjoyed freedom too much, and those yummy berries mmm! They tasted so good. And now was the season to harvest them! She knew that soon the birds, wild animals and other kangaroos would eat them all and there wouldn't be any left for her.
         Even though Narai said yes, her mind wasn't yielded at all. Every time they would pass by a bush covered with wild berries, Narai would be tempted. She would murmur in her heart against the counsel of her mother.
         It was noontime when they stopped to rest awhile before starting on the last stretch of their journey back home.
         "Let's take a little break under the shade of this tree!" said Daddy kangaroo. "There is a little pond close by where we can get a drink. We'll be on our way again soon, so rest now while you can!" After a refreshing drink of cool water, he joined Mama kangaroo under the tree for a short rest.
         Narai's two brothers were still active and didn't like the idea of taking a nap.
         "Mother, do we have to rest? What if we don't feel tired?"
         "Well," answered Mommy, keeping her eyes closed, "take a rest anyway or you might be very tired by the end of the day; we still have a way to go before we get back home."
         "Mommy, I'm still thirsty. Can I go to the pond again?" This time it was Narai who interrupted her mother's rest.
         "That's fine," Mommy replied, somewhat disturbed. "But come back right away, okay?"
         "Yes Ma'am," she said, a little too politely, happy to have been allowed some more freedom. The truth was that she had seen a bush of wild berries a little further than the pond, and she was hoping to make a quick trip there after her drink!
         The berries were so tasty! She felt a little guilty because of her disobedience, but she didn't worry about it because she was enjoying herself so much.
*
         Not too far away, a dingo* was heading towards the same pond at a rapid pace.
         Oblivious* to all danger, Narai was so absorbed in searching around for another bush that she didn't notice the wild dog arriving at the pond. By chance she happened to turn around, and it was then that the dingo spotted her. She took off in a wild dash, the dingo following close behind her, hoping for a nice meal!
         "Mommy, Daddy, help!" cried Narai, bounding away as fast as she could. But she was too far away to be heard, and the dingo was chasing her in the opposite direction from where her family was resting.
         The chase went on for more than a kilometer. Narai, with her strong and agile leaps, kept a safe distance away from her pursuer. But she was tiring and would soon be caught unless a miracle happened. In her distress she cried, "Oh God, forgive me for having been disobedient! Please help me not to be devoured by this wild dog!"
         Peeking over her shoulder, she could see the dingo getting closer and closer. When she looked back ahead of her, she suddenly realized that she was heading towards a cliff. She slowed down in apprehension, but at the same time the dingo was so close! She was trapped: a cliff in front of her, a hungry dingo behind her.
         Narai came to a halt, and turned around. She kept her eyes on the dingo, who was now coming straight for his easy target.
         As soon as he was close enough, he lunged forward and leapt up for Narai's neck. In a desperate attempt to avoid his sharp teeth, she ducked quickly. The dingo missed her neck, and instead went flying over her, down the cliff, plummeting* to the bottom, fifty meters below!
         But the force of the dingo's leap had knocked Narai off her feet, and sent her tumbling over the edge of the cliff as well. Trying hard to catch on to something, she stumbled down from rock to rock! Her fall was suddenly broken by a thorn bush growing out of a crag halfway down the cliff! The sharp thorns were poking into her flesh, and her back was badly scratched from her fall. She also felt a sharp pain in her right forepaw.
         The dingo lay dead at the bottom of the cliff, but there seemed to be very little hope for Narai to get out of this situation alive!
         The hours passed by. The scorching heat and blinding light of the sun gave place to a beautiful sunset and a cool evening. Narai didn't have the strength to move or even call for help. Besides, who would hear her cries anyway? She was in the middle of nowhere!
*
         Narai's parents spent hours looking for her, but they could find no sign or trace of her. There was not much that could be done. The evening was approaching, and with aching hearts, they had to continue their journey without Narai.
*
         The night passed slowly. Exhausted as she was, Narai found it hard to sleep in this very uncomfortable situation--caught in a thorn bush and hurting all over.
         The morning sun stood high in the sky when a strange cry suddenly woke her up.
         "Mommy, Daddy! Come and see! There's a kangaroo in the bush up there!" It was a young boy, pointing up to her.
         Narai opened her eyes and looked around. Close by, the young boy's parents were putting water in the radiator of their four-wheel drive* which had overheated.
         Is this boy good or bad news?! Narai wondered to herself, as the boy repeatedly asked his parents to rescue her. Maybe I should play dead? Oh God, protect me from anything worse!" and with that, she fell back asleep.
*
         Narai suddenly awoke with a start. Right next to her, hanging from a rope, was a man, reaching out his hand towards her! She was so scared!
         "Oh my! You cute little lady, you are in bad shape! Let me pull you out of there."
         He cut away some of the branches around her with a large knife, and held onto Narai as they both slowly edged the rest of the way down the cliff. Her forepaw still hurt her badly.
         "She broke her right forepaw, and seems too weak to go anywhere!" the man said to his wife and son when he reached the bottom, where they were waiting.
         "Oh, honey, let's take her to town and ask the doctor to put on a cast," the mother suggested.
         "Well, I guess we have to. If we don't do something, she may be dead by nightfall."
         So they put Narai in the back of their jeep and took off toward the next town. Narai, overcome with shock, and exhausted from all that had happened, quickly fell asleep again.
         She woke up on the doctor's table to find that one of her forepaws couldn't move. It was all tied up in a large white cast.
         Joey's family took care of her for the next few weeks until her forepaw healed up. Joey and Narai had become best friends. They would play together for long hours when he came back from school. At night she would sleep in his room and sometimes they would even cuddle together.
         He called her "Narai," which meant princess in the native tongue, and put a little collar with her name around her neck so all would know that she was a pet and not a wild animal.
         Once she had gotten better, Joey's parents thought that it'd be better if she slept by herself and not in his room anymore. "Joey, it is not good for you to sleep with an animal in your bed! Maybe we need to make her a little house, like a doghouse, and train her to sleep there," his father told him one day.
         Joey wasn't happy about that. "But Daddy, she is so cute and small."
         Narai didn't like the idea either. The first night that they tried to put her in the little house, she escaped and made her way to Joey's room! She knocked on his window until he woke up and took her in. She slept with him again the next night.
         This went on for a couple of weeks: Narai would knock on Joey's window, he would let her in and they would sleep together until dawn. Then Joey would wake her up and put her back outside his window just before his mom came to wake him up.
         But one day, Joey forgot to get up early to put her out! He had gone to bed late and woken up early for so many days in a row now that he was too tired to wake up early that morning. When his mother came in the room, she found Narai in his bed.
         "Joey, we told you not to sleep with Narai; she has her own little house now and she needs to learn to sleep there. It is not healthy for you to let her in at night. Do you understand?!"
         "Yes Ma'am" Joey answered sadly.
         That night when Narai came knocking at the window of his room, Joey told her to go away, and that he wouldn't open the window for her anymore!
         Narai stayed by Joey's window for a long time, crying, thinking that Joey didn't like her anymore. Then she went down to her little house and slept there. She tried again for a few nights, but even though Joey felt sorry for poor Narai, he kept his promise and was obedient to his parents, and didn't let her in his room. Eventually, although she missed sleeping with Joey, Narai got used to her own little house, and in fact, came to like it quite a bit.
*
         As time went on and Narai felt more comfortable in her new neighborhood, she would follow Joey on his way to school. But one day some naughty boys threw stones at her, and she got hurt. From that day on she stayed a safe distance away from the school and any other kids.
         She would go out to a pond that stood near the edge of town, not too far from the school building, and would wait there for Joey to come home. One day a family of kangaroos came by on the other side of the pond to quench their thirst. There was the mommy, the daddy, a boy and girl. The little boy kangaroo was naughty and when Narai wasn't looking, he threw a stick at her.
         It splashed right in front of her, getting her face all wet. She looked up at him and thought that he was cute. So she took a little rock and threw it towards him! This is a lot of fun! thought Narai.
         Narai and Kongo became friends very quickly, and they played together for a whole hour until Joey came!
*
         Time went by; Joey had grown up and was now a teenager. Narai was a beautiful young female, and found herself looking forward more and more to her times with Kongo each day.
         One day Narai got a thorn stuck in her foot and Kongo helped her take it out. Narai sweetly gave Kongo a kiss on the cheek. Kongo blushed, but, gathering his courage kissed her back, and he could tell that she liked it.
         From then on, every time he would do something sweet for her, she would give him a peck--and he would do the same if she did something kind or thoughtful to him. You can imagine how many sweet things they did for each other each day, so that sometimes they would be kissing for hours on end!
         Now that they were older, they would often go running and jumping in the bush by themselves. Sometimes they would go together on longer excursions, and be gone for several hours at a time.
         One day, as Narai and Kongo were having a race through a canyon, they suddenly heard a strange noise behind them. Kongo slowed down to see where it was coming from. It was a truck, and it was coming directly for them. In the open back of the truck were four men, waving ropes above their heads! But Kongo and Narai were young and full of energy, and easily escaped from them.
         Narai was now spending less and less time at home, and Joey started missing her. That night, when Narai came back, Joey received her warmly and tenderly. He brought her a big basket of fresh leaves. But Joey himself was getting older, and soon he would be going to the big city to enroll in the university. Joey himself now also had a girlfriend!
         When Joey left the farm to attend university he said a tearful goodbye to Narai. Now that Joey was gone, Narai left the farm to stay with Kongo, and together they had two beautiful little baby kangaroos.
*
         One day, as Kongo, Narai, and their little ones were having fun around the lake, they saw a jeep approaching in the distance. They took off like a lightning bolt! The jeep started chasing them around, and the men in the back, with their ropes flying, were trying to catch them. The chase lasted a long time, and one of their little ones started tiring.
         Narai slowed down her pace to join him. She shouted to Kongo to bring their other little one to safety! The jeep was now getting closer, and it looked like the little one was going to be caught. So Narai jumped in the way and caught their ropes with her paws, shouting to the little one to run as fast as he could!
         As the ropes started tangling around Narai, she tried to pull herself free, but she was caught! The men were rejoicing! They would get a good price for a female! They brought Narai to the zoo, where she was locked up in a cage.
         There she sat, shocked and saddened. She cried all day, and refused to eat.
         The kind man who brought her food every day was concerned about her and her health, which seemed to be deteriorating quickly.
         "Come on, little lady," he would tell her, "you need to eat or you'll die--and that won't do you or me any good! Please eat!" He would try to spoon-feed her, and sometimes she would swallow a small bite, but it was never much.
         As the weeks and months went by, Narai continued to get thinner and more listless. The keeper tried to talk to the director of the zoo, explaining that it would be better to release Narai, as she was perishing. But the director refused, saying that he had paid good money for her, and wasn't about to set her free!
*
         It was vacation time. Joey and his girlfriend, Sandra, had decided to return to the farm for a visit. While there, Sandra wanted to go to the zoo for an excursion. Sandra had always liked the zoo as a child, and now it had been so long since she had been there that she wanted to see what it was like. Joey wasn't too into it himself, but he liked to make Sandra happy, so he was easily persuaded.
         Joey and Sandra spent the morning walking around the different cages, feeding the monkeys, looking at the colorful birds, and taking pictures. When lunchtime came around, they decided to go to a little restaurant close to the zoo's entrance.
         They were both busy talking, when Sandra suddenly caught a glimpse of a kangaroo, sitting miserably in the corner of a cage.
         "Oh, that poor kangaroo," she exclaimed, "she looks so sad and helpless, and she's so skinny!"
         She and Joey went closer, and she threw a few peanuts into the cage, but the kangaroo did not respond at all.
         Joey's attention was suddenly attracted to an old leather collar attached around her neck. "No, that can't be!" he exclaimed, nearing the cage to get a closer look. The kangaroo didn't move even when he was right on the other side of the bars.
         Joey reached out his hand and took hold of her collar. "Narai!" he exclaimed with a breaking voice.
         Narai, jolted out of her daze by this familiar voice, realized that it was Joey who was patting her head. She started licking his hand in a show of affection! All of a sudden she seemed to come back to life. She looked so happy to see him.
         "Don't worry!" Joey said, "We're going to get you out of here. I promise!"
         Joey and Sandra went straight to the director's office! He was surprised by the concern that these young people had for his poor kangaroo, and decided to let them take her for a small fee. He was happy to make any kind of money out of her, as it seemed she was now too sickly to recover.
         That day Joey and Sandra drove Narai back to the farm. But Narai remained still and quiet. She ate a little, but it wasn't enough. She didn't seem interested in the leaves that she used to love to eat out of Joey's hand those many years ago. Joey felt a little hurt, and sad that, although Narai seemed to recognize him, she would not eat out of his hand anymore. Even the leaves that he left in front of her, she would only nibble at. Joey could see that she was not happy, and that unless he did something quick, she would just wither away.
         "Quick, call the vet! I'm sure there must be some way to help Narai," he told Sandra, as he continued trying to get her to eat something.
         It wasn't long before the veterinarian arrived. One look at this listless kangaroo told the vet that Narai was in rather serious condition. Now that Narai had grown accustomed to the untamed ways of the wilderness, she would no longer accept anything that people would try to give her.
         "Her only hope of survival," the vet explained, "is to take her back to the bush and to her natural surroundings. Then, if she can get over the shock and trauma caused by her capture, she may have a chance to make it. But you will have to set her free."
         Joey knew that the vet was right. Besides, as much as he loved Narai, there was no way that he could constantly be with her. He would have to return to the city--and his studies. He knew that he would have to let her go once again.
         Joey and the vet picked Narai up, placing her in the back of the pickup truck, and together with Sandra, they drove out to the pond where Narai used to wait for Joey to come back from school. There, Joey knelt down beside her to take off the collar that he had given her so many years ago.
         "Narai, my dear princess, listen to me," Joey began.
         Narai turned her large eyes to look at him, as if she understood every word that he was saying.
         "I love you, Narai. But you have to leave. I cannot take care of you anymore. There is nothing I can do for you," he quietly told her as he finished unbuckling the collar. For a moment he held the collar in his hands, then he folded it, stuck it in his pocket, and stood up again.
         "Now go! You hear, Narai? Go! Find your loved ones, find your family. Yes, Narai, go back to your family!"
         Narai looked at him sadly. She could not understand why her friend was sending her away. Joey knelt down once more, and put his arms around Narai's neck, softly whispering, "Remember, Narai, how you used to love to come into my room and sleep with me, but then you couldn't anymore? And then you got used to living in your own house, and you were happy there too? Well, it's the same now, Narai. You can't be with me anymore. There is nothing I can do for you. You have to go, but if you do, you will live--and you will be happy again."
         With that, he placed a kiss on Narai's neck, and stood up, giving her a little nudge. Narai suddenly stood straight up for the first time.
         It was as if she had come back to life; her eyes were suddenly alert, and she began looking around at the surroundings that were all too familiar to her. She turned to look at Joey one last time, as if to say goodbye. Then she slowly hopped away, disappearing into some bushes at the edge of the pond.
         Joey walked back to the truck, started the engine, and began the drive back to the farm. Although he was sad to have said goodbye to his dear friend, he was happy, too. He knew that Narai was free again, and that she would now be better off. He wiped a tear from his cheek, thinking of how much he loved Narai, and how she would always be with him, in his memories--and in his heart.
         And as for Narai, she regained her strength once again, and began wandering around, looking for Kongo and her beloved young ones--and after many days, she found them. And so she was reunited with her family once again, and they lived the rest of their days together--in love and freedom.

MR. WEAVER'S NIGHT-LIGHT
         There was once a boy named Mikey. Mikey was very active. During the day he was always on the go. He loved to explore and learn new things. He wanted to know how everything worked. There was hardly anything Mikey wasn't curious about--from what made a clock tick, to why the sun didn't shine at night. He was fascinated by all the sights and sounds in the big world around him.
         Mikey was a good boy--he was happy, thoughtful, considerate and kind to others. Mikey enjoyed helping his mom and dad with the chores around the house. He was a smart boy and a happy helper.
         Often at night, when it was time to go to bed, Mikey would plead, "Mommy, do I have to go to sleep now? Oh, please can't I just stay up a little longer?"
         Mikey never talked about it much, but he was afraid of the dark. The night seemed so mysterious to him. But one cold, wintry night, something special happened that would change Mikey's life forever.
         It was snowing outside, and the wind whistled through the trees, making the shutters outside the house rattle. Mikey's mom and dad had gone out to a social gathering that night and dear old Mr. Weaver, the next door neighbor, came over to look after Mikey and his little sister, Fanny.
         Mr. Weaver had no family of his own nearby. His wife had passed on years earlier, and his own children were all grown and had moved away from home. Mr. Weaver enjoyed his frequent visits with the Scotts', and they considered him a part of their own family. Mikey and Fanny would call him their honorary grandpa. Mikey always enjoyed it when Mr. Weaver came by because he told so many interesting stories, and they had lots of fun together.
         On this particular evening, Fanny had long since fallen asleep as Mikey sat at Mr. Weaver's feet intently listening to him tell of his true life adventures. Captivated by these thrilling accounts of Mr. Weaver's experiences, it was no wonder Mikey didn't want to fall asleep when the time came.
         "Okay, Mikey, I think you've had enough for one night," Mr. Weaver kindly chided. "I'd best tuck you in bed before your folks get home, else they won't have me back this way again."
         "No, please, not yet," begged Mikey. "Please, Mr. Weaver. Tell me one more story."
         Mr. Weaver had told Mikey many stories during the past two years, and Mikey always begged for more; but on this particular night, there was a funny tone in Mikey's voice.
         "Mikey, what's the matter?" He asked, as he noticed Mikey trying to hide some tears that were beginning to well up in his eyes.
         "Oh, nothing's the matter, really! But, Mr. Weaver, can you tell me another story? Please?" Mikey begged again.
         "OK, son. I'll tell you what, why don't you climb up here in your bed--that's it! Now let me cover you up, and I'll tell you one last story, but you have to promise to pay real close attention."
         "For sure--you bet!" Mikey answered quickly, anxious to hear what the next story would be about.
         "This story, Mikey, is very special, and it's about one of the most extraordinary things that ever happened to me."
         "Really? What's that, Mr. Weaver?" Mikey asked, wide-eyed with anticipation.
         "It happened when I was a young boy--just about your age. One night when I couldn't go to sleep "
         "You couldn't sleep? Why not?" Mikey curiously interrupted.
         "Well, to be honest, son, I was a tad afraid."
         "You, Mr. Weaver? You were afraid? Of what?"
         "Of the dark, Mikey. Everybody gets afraid of the dark sometimes."
         "They do?" Mikey said, surprised. "Even grown-ups?"
         "Ha, ha! Well, I wasn't a grown-up at the time. That might be a little hard for you to imagine, but I was a young boy then. But yes, Mikey, even grown-ups are sometimes afraid of the dark and other things too. Everybody is afraid sometimes. Anyway, on this night I discovered that I didn't ever have to be afraid of the night again."
         "How did you do that, Mr. Weaver? What made you not be afraid of the dark?"
         Mr. Weaver, sensing that maybe the reason for Mikey's tears had been that he, too, was afraid of the dark, continued on with his story:
         "My mama had tucked me in bed, and sang me one of my favorite songs, which she often did as I dozed off to sleep. I felt so warm and comfy in my bed under the nice soft blankets, and before I knew it I was in dreamland. But, for some strange reason, I woke up--bam!--Just like that! I was wide awake--and it was dark all around me!
         "The night-light in the hallway which Mama always left on for me had gone out, and there I was, wide awake in a dark room--and I started to feel a little afraid."
         "What did you do?" Mikey asked anxiously.
         "I prayed and asked Jesus to help me not to be afraid, and to please let some light come into the room and then the most wonderful thing happened."
         Mikey was all ears.
         "I saw Alex." Mr. Weaver said, smiling broadly.
         "Who is Alex?"
         "Why, Alex is my guardian angel."
         "Your guardian angel? You met him? I mean you saw him? In real life, you could see him? I mean well you know what, what did he look like?" Mikey couldn't imagine what it would be like to actually meet a guardian angel.
         "Well, first I saw a small light coming in from the hallway. It started coming closer, and soon the light filled the whole room. Alex was standing inside the light. He's magnificent, Mikey, very big, tall, and strong. He has a kind face, a big smile, and warm eyes--except when he's mad."
         "Mad? When does he get mad? Does he get mad at you, Mr. Weaver?"
         "Ha! Well, not too much. I only saw him mad at me one time, and that was several years later when I was a young man, and I was just about to do something very dangerous, so Alex stepped in and stopped me. But I'll save that story for another night, okay?"
         "So what happened then, when you met him for the first time?"
         "He was the answer to my prayer. I had asked Jesus to help me not to be afraid, and Alex came and stood right over me. He put his hand on mine and told me that there was nothing to be afraid of. He said that Jesus had assigned him especially to watch over me, and that he would always be with me. He told me that as long as I would pray and ask Jesus for help, that Jesus would send my angel to help, protect and keep me."
         "Wow! Do you still see him now, Mr. Weaver?"
         "Well, Mikey, more important than being able to see Alex all the time is that I know that he's right here with me. I feel his protection and care every day, and I know he's with me every minute."
         "Wow! That sounds pretty awesome."
         "Yes, Mikey, it is. But you know what's even more awesome? You have a guardian angel, too, whose job is to take care of you--just you. Your angel will help you hear Jesus' voice, and Jesus has so many things to tell you. He guards and protects you all the time, too, so you don't ever have to be afraid--even if you wake up in the middle of the night and all around you is dark, and your mom and dad are asleep. Now, doesn't that make you feel better?"
         "Sure does, Mr. Weaver." Mikey said. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine what his angel must look like.
         "I think that's about enough for one night," Mr. Weaver said. He gave a short yawn. "How about we say a prayer for the night?"
         "Oh, Mr. Weaver, I'd like to get to know my guardian angel, too, and be able to hear from Jesus!"
         "All things are possible to him that believes, Mikey. That's all you have to do--just believe and receive. Why don't you ask Jesus and see what He can do?"
         "Thank You so much, Jesus," Mikey prayed, "for this night and this fun time with Mr. Weaver. I'm so happy I can hear his stories, and I especially liked that one about Alex. Thank You for my guardian angel who is taking care of me. Please bless my angel, Jesus, and help him to help me hear more from You. Please give me and Fanny good dreams and keep us all safe. Amen."
         Soon Mikey fell asleep, with the renewed comfort of knowing that his guardian angel was close by.
         That night the most wonderful thing happened: In answer to Mikey's prayer, and knowing that Mikey loved to learn about new things, his guardian angel gave him a big surprise.
         Late that night, Mikey suddenly awoke. It was dark in the room, but he didn't feel afraid. Mikey didn't know if he was dreaming or not, but as he sat up, he noticed a tall angel standing at the foot of his bed. The angel looked kindly at him. He told Mikey that he never had to fear the dark, because he would always be close by. Then, taking Mikey by the hand, he whisked him off on a tour of Heaven, where Mikey was able to see sights and hear sounds he had never known before! Jesus wonderfully answered Mikey's prayer, and not only gave him sweet dreams, but exciting adventures in the unlimited realm of the spirit world!
         From that time on, Mikey was never afraid of the dark again, knowing that his guardian angel was close by to protect him--no matter how dark the night. But Mikey also learned another important lesson that night: that if he ever had a question about anything, all he had to do was ask Jesus, and He would answer--always.

Definitions included throughout booklet:
         * crevice: a narrow crack or opening
         * joey: a baby kangaroo
         * dingo: a wild dog of Australia, having a reddish-brown or yellow coat
         * oblivious: not being aware
         * plummet: to fall sharply
         * four-wheel drive: a strong car, usually a jeep, used for traveling over rough ground

(End of file.)


Copyright (c) 1998 by Aurora Productions