 |
|
Stories are wonderful vehicles for the mysteries of life and faith. Truth is often difficult to explain and stories can be the best form of explanation. Here are some good stories (N.B. read them with care – they might affect you more than you expect!).
"Becoming Real"
In the nursery there were many toys. But the Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the other toys. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams, and most of the hairs of his tail had been pulled out. He was wise, for he had seen a succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, but then break their springs and die. He knew they were only toys and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understood it.
One day, before Nana had tidied up the nursery, Rabbit was lying next to Skin Horse. Rabbit asked, "What is real? Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?" "Real isn't how you are made," replied Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked Rabbit. "Sometimes," said Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up?" asked Rabbit. "Or is it bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said skin horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time your are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you're Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
"I suppose you are Real?" said Rabbit. And then wished he hadn't, because he thought Skin Horse might be sensitive. But Skin Horse only smiled. "The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was many years ago. But once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Beware"
Jesus turned up at a church one day. The people were very excited and they all offered him hospitality. He gently declined saying he'd rather stay in the church. After all the people had left, the priest offered a meal and a bed for the night. Jesus explained that he'd rather rest in his Father's house.
The next Jesus slipped away from the church early in the morning. A little later the people flocked to the church to see him. When they got there not only did they find Jesus gone, but they were shocked by what they found in the church. The church had been vandalised. Everywhere they looked there was graffiti. "Beware" had been written on the altar, the pulpit, the Bible, the doors, the pillars. "Beware. Beware. Beware. Beware." The people were shocked and confused. They first thought was to clean the beware graffiti. But the thought that Jesus himself had written it stopped them.
After some time the graffiti began to have an effect on the people. They began to beware of the Bible, so they were able to learn from it without being bigots. They began to beware of the sacraments, so they were blessed by them without becoming superstitious. They began to beware of religion which leads the unwary to self-righteousness. They became law-abiding, yet loving. They began to beware of prayer, so they were still self-reliant. They even began to beware of their notions of God, so they were able to recognise God outside they narrow confines of their church.
So after a long time the people came to love the Jesus' graffiti. So much so that they put up their own sign on their church tower. It bright lights it says, "Beware".
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Blind scholars and Elephant"
The blind scholars were the first people in their land to encounter an elephant. They were also very competitive and tried to out do each other in knowledge. Each of the three scholars was convinced that they could describe what an elephant was. The first had felt the beast's leg so said that an elephant was thick and strong like the trunk of a tree. The second scholar had felt the beast's trunk so said that an elephant was like a snake, a python. The third scholar had felt the beast's ear so said that an elephant had wings like a bird. Meanwhile, of course, the elephant was much bigger than any of them. But until their dying day each of the scholars claimed that he alone could describe the elephant. If only they had combined their knowledge, the scholars would have had a more accurate description of what an elephant is really like.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Brother Bruno's Prayer"
When Brother Bruno was at prayer one night he was disturbed by the croaking of a bullfrog. All his attempts to disregard the sound were unsuccessful so he shouted form his window, "Quiet!" I'm praying." Now Brother Bruno was a saint so his command was instantly obeyed. Every living creature held its voice to create a silence that would be favorable to prayer. But now another sound intruded on Bruno's worship – an inner voice that said, "May be God is as pleased with the croaking of that frog as with the chanting of your psalms." "What could please the ears of God in the croak of a frog?" was Bruno's scornful reply. But the voice refused to give up. "Why would you think God invented the sound?" Bruno decided to find out why. He leaned out of this window and ordered, "Sing!" The bullfrog's measured croaking filled the air as did the ludicrous accompaniment of all the frogs in the vicinity. And as Bruno attended to the sound, their voices ceased to jar for he discovered that, if he stopped resisting them, they actually enrich the silence of the night. With that discovery Bruno's heart became harmonious with the universe and, for the first time in his life, he understood what it means to pray.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Cutting Down Bamboo"
There was once a garden.
The gardener's favourite plant was the lovely and gracious Bamboo.
Year by year, Bamboo grew lovelier and more gracious.
She loved her gardener
• and she delighted in dancing for him when the breeze blew through her branches.
The gardener in turn loved to watch her graceful dancing.
One day he came to visit Bamboo,
• but this day he looked thoughtful and sad.
"My Bamboo," he said, "today I must ask you to help me in an important work."
Bamboo was very excited.
• "Yes. I will do anything for you."
"My beloved Bamboo, for this work I need to cut you down."
Bamboo quivered with horror.
How would she ever dance again?
But she could tell that the gardener was serious.
So he cut down Bamboo.
Then he said, "Now I need to cut off your leaves and fronds."
Again, Bamboo shivered.
She gave her consent, but felt naked and cold on the bare earth.
But there was worse to come.
The gardener said, "Now Bamboo I must split you in tow and cut out your centre, I must scoop out the heart of you. I cannot use you unless I do this."
So he split Bamboo, and hollowed her out,
• and gently lifted her to a place in the garden where a fresh, sparkling spring flowed.
There he laid her down,
• placing one end in the water and the other end in the dry field beyond the garden.
The water sang to Bamboo as it bubbled along her channel.
It flooded the dry field and the gardener planted a new crop.
At harvest time, Bamboo, saw the abundance life in the new field that she had helped grow.
She had once danced so gracefully,
• but now she danced a deeper, more powerful dance.
She no longer missed her old life.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Five Monks"
An urgent call came to the great Lama of the North from the Lama of the South asking for a wise and holy monk to initiate the novices in the spiritual life.
To everyone's astonishment, the Great Lama sent five monks instead of one.
To those who asked why he said cryptically,
"we'll be lucky if one of them gets to the Lama".
The group had been on the road some days when a messenger came running up to them and said,
"The priest of our village has died. We need someone to take his place."
The village seemed a comfortable sort of place and the priest's salary was a handsome one.
One of the monks was seized with pastoral concern for the people.
"I should not be a Buddhist," he said, "if I did not stay to serve these people."
So he dropped out.
Some days later they happened to stay at the palace of a king who took a fancy to one of the monks.
"Stay with us, said the king, "and you shall marry my daughter. And when I die, you will succeed to the throne."
The monk was attracted to the luster of kingship, so he said,
"What better way to influence the people of this kingdom than to become king? I should not be a Buddhist if I did not seize this opportunity to serve the interests of religion."
So he dropped out too.
The rest of the group went on their way until one night, in a hilly region, they came upon a solitary hut that was occupied by a pretty girl who offered them hospitality and thanked God for having sent the monks to her.
Her parents had been murdered by mountain bandits and the girl was all alone and full of anxiety.
Next morning, when it was time to leave, one of the monks said,
"I shall stay with this girl. I should not be a Buddhist if I did not practice compassion."
The remaining two monks finally came to a Buddhist village and found, to their horror, that all the villagers had abandoned their religion and were under the sway of a Hindu theologian.
One of the monks said, "I owe it to these people and to the Lord Buddha himself to stay on here and win them back to the faith."
The fifth monk eventually reached the Lama of the South and began initiating the novices in the spiritual life.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Gods Image"
When God made people he decided to make them in his image. But God couldn't decide were to put his image: the mark saying "made in heaven"; the God-like bit. God was worried that people might misuse that part so he thought carefully about where to put it. Eventually he asked his angels.
One angel suggested putting it at the top of the highest mountain. But God said, "That's a good idea, but these people will climb every high mountain and eventually find the secret."
Another angel suggested putting it at the bottom of the ocean. But God said, "Another good idea, but they will eventually explore the oceans, invent submarines and might find the secret."
Another angel suggested burying the secret deep in the ground. But God said, "That's a good idea too, but these people will dig and explore the ground. They'll dig for things and eventually find the secret." The angels didn't have any more ideas. So God said, "I know, I'll put the secret, my image, deep inside them. They will never think to look there." And ever since, men and women have been climbing, digging, diving, exploring, searching for something that is already in themselves.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Love One Another"
During the Second World War, a small village in France occupied by German soldiers. The local people felt sorry for the enemy soldiers — young men, far from home and on short rations. So each day the parish priest went from door to door with two large baskets begging food for them. Local produce would emerge, a few eggs, some bread and vegetables.
Then one day the local resistance movement blew up a strategic bridge nearby. The area commander of the occupying forces demanded reprisals and ordered that every man in the village between the ages of 16 and 65 be taken to the village square. There, in front of wives, mothers and girlfriends they were shot.
The distraught and angry villagers turned on the priest: "If you come again asking for food for these murderers, we'll kill you." On the day of the funeral Mass the little church was overflowing, every family had lost someone. The old priest stood up and read from the Gospel of John, actually the passage we had a couple of Sunday's ago, and is relevant today
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples."
Later that day the priest stood in the village square, tears in his eyes, watching the local people filling the baskets he'd placed at his feet with food for the enemy soldiers.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Love Your Enemies"
A Buddhist master was trying to work out how to get rid of his enemies. You know, the people who were making his life difficult, the people he found it difficult to get on with. How could he get rid of his enemies? The Buddhist master realised that to get rid of his enemies he had to get rid of the anger and hatred in himself. If he learned to love his enemies, they would no longer be his enemies and he wouldn't have any enemies left!
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Making a Saint
Johnny was out shopping with his mother one morning in the high street. Feeling a bit bored, he happened to look up at the windows of the nearby cathedral. He wasn't very impressed. From the outside, they looked drab and dull and a bit grimy. He said as much to his mother when she came out of the supermarket.
'Just let's go inside,' she said to him. So they went into the cathedral, and his mother took him to where the big stained-glass windows were.
At first, Johnny was entranced by the magical coloured patterns on the stone floor of the ancient church. They seemed to dance in front of him, as the morning light streamed through the mighty windows.
'Look at that,' he pointed to the dancing image on the stone floor. 'What is it, Mum?'
'Well,' his mother replied, 'actually, that's a saint. See the window up there, which looked so dull from the outside? There's a saint up there in the sainted glass, and the light is shining through her and making her picture dance for us here on the stone floor.'
Johnny stored up this information in his heart, and the two of them went home for dinner.
A few days later, Johnny's class was having a religious instruction lesson. The teacher was talking about saints. 'What do you think makes a saint?' he asked the class.
Johnny's hand shot up. "A saint is someone the sun shines through,' he explained, ' and when that happens, the stones come to life.'
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Moaning Jethro"
There was once a man called Jethro. He was well known in his town because he was always moaning. Moan, moan, moan. Every day he had something to moan about. But he most often moaned that his house was not big enough for his family. "There's not enough room in here," he used to say. His friends didn't know what he was complaining about. "He's got a good wife," said one. "And lovely, healthy children," said another. "And a good job,' said another. "And a big house," said another. But Jethro was always moaning. Eventually his friends gave up on him and his long face. Which gave him something else to complain about.
One day Jethro was sitting in the park. It was a beautiful day: the sun was shining; there wasn't a cloud in the sky; the flower was in full bloom and many colours. But Jethro say there with an extremely long face, worried that his house was too small.
The Rabbi of the town happened to be walking through he par enjoying the wonderful day. He saw Jethro on the park bench and thought to himself, "Poor old Jethro. He never smiles. No one wants to go near him. He's so lonely." So he went over and saw down beside Jethro. "Good morning," he said. "Good morning," replied Jethro grumpily. "What's the matter?" asked the Rabbi. "My house is too small for all my children." "Well," said the Rabbi who was very clever, "I have and idea. Bring your cockerel to live in the house with you." "I don't know how that will help," said Jethro, "but I'll give it a try."
The next day Jethro was complaining to the Rabbi again. "All the cockerel did was wake us up early," he said. "My house is still too small." "Well," replied the Rabbi, "bring your chickens in too." Jethro reluctantly agreed.
The next day he was complaining even more. "The hens make even more noise," he said. "My house is still too small." "Well," said the Rabbi, "bring your sheep in to." Jethro didn't have enough energy to argue so he did as the Rabbi suggested.
The following day, Jethro was complaining again. "Why did you tell me to bring my animals into my house. They noise is unbearable." The Rabbi smiled. "Today," he said, "put all the animals outside again." When Jethro did that the house was suddenly very quiet. And there was lots of space. He rushed to tell the Rabbi. "There's plenty of space in my house now," he said with smallest smile on his face.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Mother Love"
Jonathan and Jasmine were brother and sister. They loved their mother very much and she loved them even more. They were very good children and helped their mother with many jobs around their home. This pleased their mother as there were many things that had to be done. One day Jonathan and Jasmine had an idea. They waited until their mother went out for the evening and they said to each other, "we help mother with many jobs. It is time she paid us for our work". They began writing a list. "Dear Mother," it said, "you owe us money for these jobs: cooking the rice, $10; cleaning the shoes $10; washing the floor $10; walking the dog $15; taking out the rubbish $10. Total $55." They left the list on the kitchen table and went to bed.
When their mother returned later that evening she found her children's list and read it. She smiled and wrote a few words of her own. "My dear children. Here is what you owe me. For feeding you since you were born $0. For clothing you $0. For hugging you when you were sad $0. For teaching you how to read and write $0. For loving you more than you can imagine $0. Total $0
"Thank you for your help with all the jobs we have to do. Here is the $55 you think I owe you.' And the mother put the money on the kitchen table and went to bed.
The next morning Jonathan and Jasmine woke early wanting to see what their mother had done with their letter. They went to the kitchen and saw the money. But when they read what their mother had written their faces changed. They were suddenly sorry for writing their list. They left the money on the table, made some breakfast for their mother and took it to her in bed.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Natural Treasure"
There was once a farmer called Ah Wan. He grew the finest fruit in the whole country: lichees, blackcurrants and plums. He had three fields of fruit bushes and he worked hard on them every day. By the middle of summer the bushes were heavy with large, juicy fruit.
But sadly, Ah Wan was not as good at raising children as he was at raising fruit. His two sons were known as the laziest young men in the country. They spent all day eating, drinking and chatting with their friends. They never lifted a finger to help their father. Ah Wan was worried about them. "When I am gone, no one will look after my fruit bushes, and my sons will starve!"
He decided to seek advice from the hermit who lived outside the village. After listening to the story, the hermit stroked his long white beard and said, "I have an idea. I will talk with your sons." So he left his hut and went to the village with Ah Wan.
He said to the sons, "Buried in the fruit fields is great treasure. It is enough to feed and clothe you for the rest of your lives." The sons liked the sound of this so the started digging in the fields, looking in the soil around every fruit bush. However by Lunar New Year they had found nothing, so they complained to the hermit. "I haven't lied to you," replied the hermit with a grin. "You must keep searching. In fact I will make a deal with you. If you don't find any treasure then I will share with you whatever I receive. But if you do find treasure you must share it with the poor people of this village." The sons agreed and started digging again.
Ah Wan watched with great satisfaction as his sons dug the fields. By summer time the bushes were once again heavy with fruit. The hermit said to the sons, "I see you have found your treasure." At first the sons did not understand what he meant. But then they realised. The hermit helped them pick the fruit. Half they sold for themselves and half they gave to the poor. And from then on, the sons continued to work hard in the fields. Each year they gave half to the poor and the rest, as the hermit had promised, was enough to feed and clothe them for the rest of their lives.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Night and day"
An elderly rabbi once asked his students how one could tell when night is past and daylight begins.
One said, it's when you can tell a palm tree from a fig tree. No, said the rabbi. Another said, it's when you can tell a sheep from a goat. No, said the rabbi. Another said, it's when you can tell a rabbit from a dog. No, said the rabbi. The students were puzzled and had no more answers. And the rabbi said: It is daylight when you can look into the face of another human being and recognize that he or she is your brother or sister. Until then, he said, it is night.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Owning Beauty"
A rich man had a collection of fabulous jewels. He kept them locked in a safe. One day the priest called. "I hear you have fabulous jewels in your safe, may I see them?" "It would be my pleasure" the rich man replied. So he opened the safe and took out the jewels and spread them on the table. The priest was awestruck by their beauty. After a while, the rich man out the jewels back in the safe and locked the door. The priest said "Thank you for giving me those jewels." "But I haven't," the rich man replied angrily, "they belong to me". The priest said "Well, I have had as much pleasure as you from looking at them, so there is no difference between us. Except that you have the anxiety and expense of buying them and looking after them." That day the rich man gave away his jewels to all the members of his town; and there was one left for him.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Praying for a Bicycle"
There was a man who, more than anything, wanted a new bicycle. He was not a rich man so he prayed that God would give him the smart new bicycle that was in the local shop. In time the man saved enough money and the big day arrived when he bought the brand-new bicycle that he wanted. As he left the shop with his new bike, he thanked God for it. However he had some more shopping to do and he had to leave his bicycle unattended in the marketplace while he went about his shopping. Now he wasn't used to having a bicycle so while he was doing his other shopping he actually forgot about his new bike. Amazingly, he only remembered the bicycle the following day. He was angry with himself for being so foolish and he rushed to the marketplace, expecting it would have been stolen. The bicycle was exactly where he had left it. Overwhelmed with joy, he rushed to a nearby church to thank God for having kept his bicycle safe. Only to find, when he got out of the church, that the bicycle had gone.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Praying For Rescue"
Once upon a time there was a priest called Michael. He lived in a village which had a beautiful river. One year it rained for many days. The water level rose until the river burst its banks. The village was in danger of being swept away. People abandoned their buildings, got into boats and left the village. Michael, the priest, though stayed in the village. He climbed to the top of his church and prayed for God to save him.
Soon a boy went passed the church in a boat. He called to Michael, "would you like a lift in my boat? There's plenty of room." Michael thanked the boy, but said, "It's o.k. I'll be alright. I have faith in God."
A few hours passed and the waters levels kept rising. But Michael felt safe at the top of his church and he kept praying that God would save him. Then another boat floated passed. The people called to him, "come into our boat. We'll save you." But Michael called back, "there's no need. I'm praying to God. He will save me."
More hours passed and it was starting to get dark. The water was still rising. It had covered the church and only the tower was above the water. Michael had been praying all the time, but now he was worried because he couldn't swim. Just then a helicopter flew overhead. Its searchlight stopped on Michael and a rope was lowered down. "Hang on to the rope," called a voice, "we'll pull you to safety." The helicopter made a great noise, so Michael had to shout. "No, thank you. I have faith in God, and he will save me." So the helicopter flew away.
Well the waters continued to rise. Eventually they covered even the church tower. Michael, the priest, could do nothing. He couldn't swim, so he drowned.
Soon afterwards he found himself in heaven standing before God. "Tell me Lord," he said angrily, "why didn't you save me? I prayed to you for hours and had faith in you." God looked at Michael with a loving smile and said, "I did hear your prayers. That's why I sent the boy and his boat, then another boat and then even a helicopter. But you turned them all away."
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Religion in heaven"
There were three priests living in a small town. One wanted to preserve the old simple Celtic styles of religion: "I abide by the traditions of Patrick and Brigit, the founders of the church," he said. The second wanted to adopt the new sophisticated styles and doctrines of the Roman Church: "I want to be part of the universal church under the pope in Rome – and that is what Patrick and Brigit wanted," he said. The third said: "Let people worship and believe as they think best; if religion is just going to cause divisions, I want none of it."
These three priests remained friends, and often met for dinner; but their meetings always ended in argument. Sometimes they argued about how certain rituals should be performed.
Sometimes they argued about heaven, and who would get there. "I believe that only those who remain loyal to the old Celtic traditions will get to heaven," the first said. "I believe that only those who accept the authority of the pope in Rome will be saved," the second said. "Let each person try to lead a good and honest life," the third said, "and then God will be the judge."
Some years later the three priests died, and arrived at the gate of heaven. Peter took the hand of the first priest. "Welcome, friend," Peter said; "you go and sit over there among the others who preserved the Celtic traditions." Then Peter took the hand of the second priest. "Welcome, friend, you go and sit over there among the others who have obeyed the pope in Rome." Finally Peter took the hand of the third priest. "Welcome friend, you are free to wander wherever you want."
So the third priest wandered freely amongst all the different groups in heaven. And among the other people he saw wandering amongst the different groups were Patrick and Brigit – and Jesus Christ himself.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Religious Conflict"
Once upon a time there were two religious tribes. Their lands bordered each other but for many years they had been enemies. No one could remember what had started the conflict, but generation after generation had learned to be suspicious and fearful of the other tribe.
One day a wandering monk came to one of the tribes. He spent a few days with them, staying in their temple, listening to their stories and learning about their religion. The tribe soon realised he was a holy man. After a few days he decided it was time to move on and he set out in the direction of the other tribe. The people said, "You mustn't go there, they are wicked, ungodly people. They worship the devil and sacrifice people." "I'll go and see," replied the monk.
A few days later the monk returned. "You've come back safely," they cried. The monk smiled and said, "Have you ever visited those people?" "No!" cried the people. "We cannot mix with pagans. They will make us unholy." "That's strange," said the monk, "the people I met welcomed me just as you did. I stayed in their temple too and they told me many things about God. I believe that if you walk over there, the closer you get to their temple the more you will see God." At first the people thought the monk was crazy. But they knew he was a holy man so some of them set out for the other tribe. As they went they met people just like them walking the other way. Soon they realised these people were members of the other tribe. And they understood what the monk meant and their eyes were opened.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Rice Fire"
An old man lived in a village on the coast. He grew rice and his field was above the village on the cliff. One day he was working in his field. He looked down at the village and saw the people going about their daily business.
He then looked out to sea as he so often did to admire the view. He was shocked by what he saw. A huge tidal wave was racing towards the shore. It had been started by an earthquake far out to sea.
The old man didn't know what to do. As he was old there wasn't time to run down to the village and warn the people and then get everyone to safety. But then he had an idea. He looked at his rice and thought if I start a fire perhaps the people will see that. So he did. He burnt the rice he had worked so hard to grow.
Down in the village people notice the huge fire on top of the cliff. They shouted to each other and ran up the cliff to put the fire out. Just as the last person reached the top the tidal wave crashed down on the village below and destroyed every thing.
The people realised what the old man had done and thanked him for saving their lives. They looked after him for the rest of the lives because he had sacrificed his field for them.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Shipwreck"
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened - everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me?" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Stone Soup"
Once upon a time, an old man was walking through the forest. He had been walking all day and as evening fell it was getting dark. The man looked very ordinary, even a bit scruffy. But if you looked closely you could catch the twinkle in his eye. The twinkle of wisdom.
The man was feeling tired and hungry. As he walked along the path in the forest he say a light among the trees. The light was from a window of a cottage, and the man walked towards it. Just as he approached the cottage he bent down a picked up a stone from the forest floor. When he got to the cottage door he knocked on it with the stone.
"Go away," said a grumpy voice inside the cottage. "Can't you see its dark. I'm not going to open my door to strangers at this time of day." The man said, "I only want some hot water to make some stone soup." "What's stone soup?" said the voice inside the cottage. "I'll make you some," said the man. The door was opened by a grumpy old woman. She was mean, so wanted to learn how to make soup from a stone. "You'd better come in," she said.
They went into the kitchen where some water was boiling. The man dropped the stone into the water and stirred the pot. He then bent down to smell the soup. "Delicious!" he said. "But you know it would be even more delicious with a carrot or two." The woman said, "I've got some here." And she dropped a bunch of carrots into the pot. The man bent over the soup again to smell it. "Delicious!" he said. "But you know it would be even more delicious with an onion or two." The woman threw a few onions in. Once again, the man bent over the soup to smell it. "Delicious!" he said. "But you know it would be even more delicious with a potato." The woman produce some potatoes and in they went into the pot. The man bent over the soup yet again to smell it. "Delicious!" he said. "But you know it would be even more delicious with some meat." "I've got some beef here," said the woman. And she dropped it into the pot.
The man stirred the pot and bent over it again to smell it. This time he said, "Well, I think its ready." So he and the woman ate the soup until they were full. "That was delicious," said the woman, "Thank you." Would you like somewhere to rest tonight?"
The next morning the man gave the stone to the woman. This will always give you delicious soup." "Thank you," said the woman, "I'll use it next time a poor traveller knocks on my door."
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"The Dog and the Bear"
One day, a man wandered through a forest. He came across an injured dog. The poor creature had been pursued by huntsmen and had broken its legs in its efforts to escape. Now it lay in the undergrowth, helpless to find food.
As he watched a bear loomed up out of the trees carrying the carcass of an animal it had killed to eat. The bear appeared to ignore the dog, but when it after it had eaten its meal, the bear left the remains of the carcass close to the dog. The dog devoured the meat avidly.
The next day, the man walked through the forest again. And again, the bear left meat for the hungry dog.
The man thought about what he had seen. "If God cares for the wounded dog, how much more will he care for me. I must learn to trust God like the dog does." So the man went into a quiet corner of the forest and prayed, "Loving God, this injured dog has shown me what it means to trust you. So I commit myself to your care and trust you will care for me just as you care for the dog." And with that prayer the man lay down and waited for God to act.
One day passed and nothing happened. The man was hungry. The second day passed and nothing happened. The man was confused. Then the third day passed and still nothing happened. Now the man was angry. "Lord God," he cried, "you love that dog more than you love me. Why don't you care for me when I trust you so much? Why don't you feed me?"
At last his hunger drove him back to his town. There on the streets he saw a starving child. He shouted at God, "Why don't you do something to help this child?" "I have done something," said God, "I created you. But you choose to behave like the dog when you could act like the bear."
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"The Hidden Messiah"
There was once a village that had fallen on very hard times. The villagers had once been very happy, and their community had been famous for its hospitality and friendliness, and the warmth with which it welcomed strangers.
But something had gone wrong in the village. People had started arguing. Rivalries sprang up where there had been friendship and trust. This made the village chief very say. The people stopped caring for the village and it was falling into ruin.
But it happened that one day a stranger came by. He approached the village like someone with a mission, as though he already knew what he would find there. And very soon, he met with the village chief. He recognised the sad expression in his eyes, and the two were soon engaged in a serious conversation. "Please help us," said the chief. "I know the secret to restore your community again." Said the stranger. "The fact is, one of the villagers is the Son of God, the Messiah."
The village chief could not believe his ears, but he believed the stranger. So he told his closest friend, who told another friend and soon the rumour spread through the village like wildfire. "One of us is the Messiah." The people said. "Hidden among us, the Messiah is living."
Now deep down the villagers were godly folk who wanted things to be right in their community. The thought of the Messiah living in their midst changed their behaviour. Could it be the baker? Could it be the postman? Or the old lady who breeds chickens and sells the eggs? Perhaps it was the strange woman who lived at the end of the road. The speculation went on and on.
And the strange thing was that after the strangers visit, things were never the same again. People began to treat each other with reverence. They lived like people with a common purpose. Before long, visitors came to the village once more, just to be part of the respectful, caring, happy and holy atmosphere there. The stranger never came back. He didn't need to.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"The Kind King"
There was once a King who ruled wisely over a happy kingdom. He loved his people and his people adored him for ruling them so well. Once a year the King invited all his subjects to his castle for his birthday party. For the people it was the highlight of the year. The King always threw a great party. The people particularly liked the King's parties because he didn't want any birthday presents.
However, one year things happened a bit differently. The King's birthday was not far off and he invited everyone to the castle as usual. The people were delighted to receive the invitations and excitement spread throughout the kingdom. The people though were upset to read on the invitation that this year the King wanted them to bring him gifts. He wanted gifts that could hold water. Bu he wanted them to be made of gold
Many people decided to give the King thimbles and eggcups – gifts that met the King's request, but that didn't cost too much. So many thimbles and eggcups were ordered from the goldsmiths – they were the only people in the land happy about the King's birthday. In fact some people thought the goldsmiths were up to something. One young woman, however, loved the King very much. She didn't approve of the other people's behaviour and she decided to sell all she owned to make a large bowl out of gold. When it was finished she was very pleased with it and looked forward to giving it to the King.
The day of the party arrived and all the people went to the palace. They put their gifts on a long table in the banqueting hall. The young woman's bowl stood out amongst all the thimbles and eggcups. Then the party began and there was great feasting and drinking.
After the people had sung Happy Birthday to the King he spoke to them. "Thank you for my gifts," he said. "I asked you to bring a container because I have decided to share my treasure with you. Please take the gift you brought with you down into my treasure store below the castle and fill your container with jewels to take home with you."
Imagine the people's surprise! The they were suddenly ashamed of their small gifts; they realised they should have been more generous. The young girl was at first upset that the King would not keep her gift, but then she filled her large bowl with jewels and realised she had enough riches to keep her family for the rest of her life.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"The Magic Paintbrush"
A boy called Ma Liang lived in a village in China. He had to work very hard: chopping wood; washing pots and pans; scrubbing the floor. At the end of each day he was exhausted from all his work. Ma Liang loved to paint but was too poor to buy a paintbrush. Instead he would draw in the sand with a stick.
One day an old man appeared and gave Ma Liang a paintbrush. "You can use this paint brush to paint for poor people," said the strange looking man. Ma Liang was very excited, but the old man disappeared as quickly as he had arrived. Ma Liang used his new brush straight away and painted a butterfly. When he finished, to his great surprise, the butterfly came to life and flew off. Ma Liang realised he had been given a magic paintbrush.
Soon everyone in the village heard about the brush. Ma Liang used it to paint bowls of rice for a hungry family, a flute for the musician, a coat for the old woman. Soon the story of the boy with the magic paintbrush spread throughout the land.
When new of Ma Liang reached the Emperor's palace, the Emperor ordered that Ma Liang be brought to him. Now the Emperor was a greedy man and thought them paintbrush would make him even more wealthy.
Ma Liang arrived at the palace very nervous. The Emperor said to him, "You will paint for me. Paint a tree that grows gold coins." Ma Liang didn't know what to do. "I can't paint such a tree," he said. "I can only paint for poor people." The Emperor was furious. He flew into a rage and threw Ma Liang into prison.
Poor Ma Liang was very lonely in prison. He thought he'd have to spend the rest of his life in is cell. Until one day he remembered his paintbrush. He pulled the brush out of his pocket and had an idea. He painted a key which he used to open the door. He slipped out of the prison and started to run. But as he was running away, the guards saw and chased him. They ran quicker than Ma Liang and were about to catch him. But just before they reached him, Ma Liang painted a big hole and the guards fell into it. Ma Liang was safe and ran back to his village.
Back in his village Ma Liang went on painting things for poor people, with his magic paintbrush.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"The Prayer Bore"
A pious old man prayed five times a day while his business partner never set foot in church.
On his 80th birthday he prayed, "O God! Since I was young, not a day have I allowed to pass without coming to church in the morning and saying my prayers a the five times. Not a single move, not one decision, important or trifling, did I make without first invoking your Name. And now, in my old age, I have doubled my exercises of piety and pray to you ceaselessly, night and day. Yet here I am, poor as a church mouse. But look at my business partner. He drinks and gambles, and, even at his advanced age, consorts with woman of questionable character, yet he's rolling in wealth. I wonder if a single prayer has ever crossed his lips. Now, Lord, I do not ask that he be punished, for that would be unchristian. But please tell me: Why, why, why have you let him prosper and why do you treat me thus?"
"Because," said God in reply, "you are such a monumental bore!"
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"The Richest man in the Valley"
Once upon a time there was a fabulously wealthy lord who had great possessions and lived in a mansion overlooking a beautiful valley; a valley that he owned. But he felt an emptiness in his life. He had no religious belief and he lived alone, possessed by his possessions.
One of his servants was called John. John lived in a small lodge in the valley. He was a man of simple faith and deep belief. His family went to church and God's presence was a reality in his home. Often a night when he welcomed his wealthy employer into his humble home, his lord noticed the family on their knees in prayer.
One morning the lord was standing in one of his ornate rooms looking out over the valley and thinking to himself, "it's all mine." Just then there was a knock at the door and his servant John came in looking very worried. "Sir," he said, "last night I had a dream. God told me that the richest man in the valley would die tonight at midnight. I felt I should tell you. I hope you don't mind."
"John, John," said the lord. "Do not worry. I don't believe in dreams. Go back to your work and forget it." Yes, my lord," said John and left the room. However John's words stuck in the lord's heart. He decided to go to see the doctor. The doctor examined him and declared him fit and well. The lord was relieved, but as a precaution invited the doctor to dinner that night.
That evening the lord and the doctor enjoyed a wonderful meal. John, the servant, served them until just before midnight when he went home. Soon after midnight the doctor left too and the lord went to bed thinking, "Dear old John and his silly dream."
But just then the doorbell rang. The lord went to answer the door and found a grief-stricken girl at the door. It was John's daughter. "Sir," she said, "my mother sent me to tell you that my father, John, died at midnight just after he got home."
The lord froze. Suddenly he realised who the richest man in the valley was.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"The Stale Sandwich"
A man used to go to his office every day in his expensive car. Every day he made important decisions and signed big contracts. Often, the important man would enjoy business lunches with his clients. Whilst they ate their delicious food he would try to distract the attention of his influential guests. He didn't want them to see the unsavoury spectacle of the beggars on the streets.
One evening, after a hard day making money, he packed his briefcase to go home. Supper would be waiting for him at home and he was looking forward to another fine meal. As he was locking his desk for the night, he saw a stale sandwich lying abandoned at the back of the draw. Without much thought the put it in his pocket. Better than leaving it to go mouldy and mess up his desk. On the way to his car he saw a street beggar no the steps, huddled in a blanket. "Here, my friend" he said, "Have a sandwich for supper." And he gave the beggar the stale sandwich. He then jumped into his big car and drove home to the big supper that was waiting for him.
That night, the man had a dream. He was away on a business trip. After the day's meeting, he was taken with his fellow directors to the city's most luxurious restaurant. They had a fabulous meal: pate; salmon; venison; lamb; cheese. The dishes being brought to the table brought gasps of delight from the company. Then the man's own order appeared. The waitress put in front of him one small plate with a stale sandwich on it. "What kind of service is this?" The man demanded. "This is not what I ordered. I thought this was the best restaurant in the city!"
"Oh sir," the waitress said, "you've been misinformed. This isn't a restaurant at all. This is heaven. We are only able to serve you what you have sent on ahead while you were alive. I'm very sorry, sir, but when we looked under your name, the best we could find to serve to you was this little sandwich."
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"The Stonecutter"
This is the story of Nashti, a poor stonecutter who lived in a tiny hut on the edge of his village. One day he was working with his hammer and chisel when he heard a crowd gathering. Nashti joined the crowd to watch the King go by. The King was dressed in magnificent clothes. "I wish I was as rich and powerful as the King," thought Nashti. "No one is more powerful than the King."
It so happened that Nashti thoughts were heard in heaven that day, an immediately the humble Nashti was transformed into a powerful King. He was riding a great horse. People flocked to see him. Nashti felt wonderful. "This is power," he thought.
However when summer came, the new King watched the effects of the heat on his people. Animals became weary and plants withered in the heat of the sun. Nashti looked at the sky and realised that the sun was far more powerful than he was. "I wish I were the sun," he said. Immediately his wish was granted.
How the stonecutter enjoyed being the sun. He was so powerful. He watched the kingdoms below: kings and princes hide from his powerful rays. Even the crops in the field were under his command.
Then one day a small cloud appeared in the sky. Nashti noticed that the cloud shielded the earth from the sun's bright rays. He realised that the cloud was more powerful than he was, so he thought, "I want to be a cloud." Again, his wish was granted.
Well, Nashti felt very important blocking out the sun. He gathered all his strength and become an enormous cloud. He poured rain down on to the earth. Rivers swelled and water flooded into towns and cities. Everything – trees, animals and people – seemed to be awed by his power. Everything except a huge rock that remained untouched. Again Nashti had discovered something more powerful. "There is nothing," he thought, "as powerful as a rock. How I wish I were a huge stone." His wish was granted.
As a stone he remained motionless and powerful, unmoved by either sun or rain. Then one day a man approached him. The man pulled out a hammer and chisel and began to chip away at the rock. Nashti realised that the man with the tools was more powerful than any rock, and he cried out, "I want to be a stonecutter!"
Once again the heavens heard his cry and he became a stonecutter. Once again he lived in a tiny hut and made his living with hammer and chisel.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"The Water of Life"
Three people were searching for the water of life, hoping to drink from it and live for ever. m The first was a warrior: he thought the water of life would be very mighty – a torrent or a rapid – so he went in full armour, with all his weapons, believing he could force the water to yield to him.
The second person was an enchantress: she thought the water of life would be very magical – perhaps a whirlpool or a geyser, something she would need to manipulate with spells – so she went in her long star-spangled robe, hoping to outwit the water.
The third person was a trader: he thought the water of life would be very costly – a fountain of pearl-drops or diamonds, perhaps – so he loaded his clothes and purses with money, hoping to be able to buy the water.
When the travelers reached their destination, they found they had all been quite wrong about the water. It wasn't a torrent to be intimidated by force. It wasn't a whirlpool to be charmed by spells. And it wasn't a fountain of pearl-drops or diamonds to be bought for money. It was just a tiny, sparkling spring; its benefits were absolutely free – but of course you had to kneel to drink it.
This caused the seekers great concern. They warrior was in full armour and couldn't bend. The enchantress had on her long magic robe, and if that become soiled it would lose its magic power. The trader was so loaded with money that if he only bowed his head, coins would start rolling away into corners and crevices.
All dressed up, the three could not lower themselves to drink from the spring of the water of life. There was only one solution. So the warrior laid aside his armour. The enchantress laid aside her magi robe. And the trader laid aside the clothes he had stuffed with money. And then each of them – naked – could kneel to drink form the water of life and receive its sweet, cool, startling benefits.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Two brothers"
Two brothers, Rueben and Samuel, worked together on their family farm. Rueben was married and had 4 children. Samuel was not unmarried. They shared what they grew on the farm equally. Whether it was the farm produce or the profit from selling animals or crops.
But one day Samuel said to himself, "You know, it's not right that we should share the produce equally. After all, I'm by myself and my needs are simple. But here is my poor brother with a wife and all those children to feed." So in the middle of the night he took a sack of rice from his barn, crept over the field to his brother's house and put the sack of rice into his brother's barn.
Meanwhile, unknown to him, his brother Rueben had the same thought. He said to himself, "It is not right that we should share produce equally. After all, I am married and I have my wife to look after me and my children will look after me when I am old. But my brother has no one, and no one to take care of his future." So he too, in the middle of the night, began taking a sack of rice from his barn and sneaking across the field to deposit it in this brother's.
The brothers did this for many nights. Sometimes the nights were very dark. Sometimes the stars sparkled. Sometimes the moon shone brightly and each brother bent low so that no one would see what they were doing. As the weeks passed, the brothers became puzzled. Why was the amount of rice in their barns not going down?
Then one night Rueben and Samuel stared out on their rice delivery. This night they happened to make their delivery at the same time. It was a dark night so they only saw each other as they bumped into each other.
They realised what was going on. They dropped their sacks and embraced each other.
Suddenly the dark sky light up and a voice from heaven said, "Here at last is a place where I can build my Temple. For where people meet in love, there my presence shall dwell."
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Two Mirrors"
Satan always takes great delight in creating confusion. To help him do this better, he once had a special kind of mirror made. This mirror shrank the reflections of all the good and beautiful things in the world, and it enlarged all the bad and ugly things. Satan took great pleasure in going round the earth, holding this mirror in front of people's eyes, until there was not a single land, or a single person, who had not seen this distorted view of the world.
One day, Satan was laughing so much over the trouble this mirror had already caused that it slipped out of his hand and shattered into thousands and millions of tiny fragments. And a great storm blew up and carried these fragments to every corner of the world.
Some of the fragments were as small as grains of sand. They lodged in people's eyes, and from then on, these poor people could only see the bad things in the world. The good things shrank until they were almost invisible. Other fragments were gathered up, over the years, and made into glasses, and when people wore these glasses, they could never see anything in its proper perspective again.
God was very sad when he saw how damaged people's vision had become, and how so many of them could only see the bad things around them, and had lost sight of all that was good and beautiful. He had an idea for putting everything right again. 'I know what I will do,' he though to himself. 'My Son is the image of me, he is my true reflection. I will send him into the world. He will reflect my goodness and my justice, and show the world how I long for it to be.'
So Jesus became a mirror for God's people. He reflected God's goodness out to the world, even to thieves and frauds, and to those whom the world despised. He reflected courage and confidence into the hearts of the sick and despairing. He reflected comfort to those in grief, and trust to those whose hearts were crippled by fear.
Many people recognized God's mirror, and followed Jesus. They loved and trusted him. But others were jealous, and felt their own power threatened by the love of God. In the end, they could tolerate him no longer. They plotted against Jesus and killed him. They shattered God's mirror.
And a great storm blew up. It blew millions of fragments of God's mirror to every corner of the world, and it continues to do so today. These fragments lodge in the eyes of many, many people, and whenever this happens, they are able to see God's world again, just as Jesus saw it. The beauty and goodness of God's creation and God's people are the main thing they see, and then they realize that the bad and the ugly are only transient and can be overcome.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Waterbug"
Walter was a waterbug who lived in a pond. One day he said, "I wonder where the old frog goes. He swims to the top of the pond and disappears from sight. Until, plop! There he is again."
Walter summoned up his courage and asked the Frog. "Respected Frog, sir," he said very shyly, "can you tell me what there is beyond this world?" "There is dry land." replied the Frog. "Dry land with green grass and meadows filled with golden buttercups and sweet white daisies, and there are blue skies and dreamy white clouds and brilliant sunshine."
"Wow!" exclaimed Walter. He could not imagine a world beyond the dark pond waters. "Dry land?" he repeated wonderingly "Can you swim in it?" "Of course not!" chuckled the Frog. "Dry land is not water – that is just what it is not!" "Well what is it then?" persisted Walter. So the Frog said, "Since you're so eager to find out what lies above, I'll give you a ride up on my back and you can see for yourself."
Walter was delighted. He climbed onto the Frog's back and off they went! But the moment they reached the surface, Walter fell back into the pond gasping for breath. He was shocked and disappointed. When the Frog reappeared, Walter said, "there's nothing beyond this pond but death. Why did you tell me all those stories?" "Because they are true," said the Frog. "You know only this little pond, so you will not believe there is anything beyond it."
Walter didn't see the Frog again for a long time. After many days he began to feel strange; and his body began to change. He felt an irresistible urge to climb up out of the pond. His brothers looked at him nervously. "Don't leave us!" they cried. "I can't help it," Walter said. "Then promise you'll come back." "I will, I will," said Walter as he burst through the water into the air.
Walter had become a beautiful dragonfly. From the air he could see the green grass and meadows the Frog had told him about. He remembered this promise to go back to his brothers. So he darted down to the water. But now he was a dragonfly he could not go back into the water to see them. Then he thought, his brothers will become dragonflies themselves one day. Then they will understand what has happened to him.
And Walter flew off into the wonderful new world of sun and air.
"Water into wine"
There was an old wine-maker who lived in a small village. It was a beautiful, traditional village surrounded by the vines. The vintner had lived in the village all his life. He'd inherited the vineyard from his father, who'd inherited it from his father, and so on for many generations. The vintner was well known in those parts for his knowledge of vines and skill of wine-making. The wine he made was not the most expensive or flashy money could buy, but it was consistently good, and not a bad vintage. He was also well known for his kindness and love.
Whenever there was a wedding in the village, the old vintner gave a crate of wine to the newly weds. He enjoyed weddings because he loved hearing the priest read the story of the wedding in Cana and Jesus turning water into wine. He felt close to Jesus in the story and would say to himself "it may take me a little longer, but it's a miracle all the same". He approved of Jesus liking a good drop himself.
The vintner used to teach the young men of the village the secrets of winemaking. The young men would often suggest improvements to the process. They would hear of this or that new technique that a neighbouring village had adopted and try to persuade the vintner to adopt it too. He would always look at them over his glasses and reply "Its been tried before; it wouldn't work for us"; and he would smile to himself as he remembered his own enthusiasm when he was young man and the way he had tried to persuade his father to change his technique. His father had always told him, "the wine tells you what to do. Winemaking is an art. You can't argue with the grapes, or the wood, or the weather." So now after years of experience, the vintner knew that he should work with what he was given.
The villages knew how wise the old vintner was. It was reassuring to see him at the end of the day sitting outside his cottage with a glass in his hand. When he died they found him in his chair. Wine glass resting on his lap; a peaceful look on his face. Everyone knew that the village was poorer without him. They missed his calming presence and his wine making. At his funeral the priest read the story of the wedding in Cana and spoke of how the old vintner had enhanced other people's lives with his wine. He'd helped people take the water of their lives and turn it into wine.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"World War II - French Village"
During the Second World War, a small village in France occupied by German soldiers. The local people felt sorry for the enemy soldiers — young men, far from home and on short rations. So each day the parish priest went from door to door with two large baskets begging food for them. Local produce would emerge, a few eggs, some bread and vegetables.
Then one day the local resistance movement blew up a strategic bridge nearby. The area commander of the occupying forces demanded reprisals and ordered that every man in the village between the ages of 16 and 65 be taken to the village square. There, in front of wives, mothers and girlfriends they were shot.
The distraught and angry villagers turned on the priest: "If you come again asking for food for these murderers, we'll kill you." On the day of the funeral Mass the little church was overflowing, every family had lost someone. The old priest stood up and read from the Gospel of John, Jesus word's "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples."
Later that day the priest stood in the village square, tears in his eyes, watching the local people filling the baskets he'd placed at his feet with food for the enemy soldiers.
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
"Your real name"
Rabbi Yehuda lived in Czechoslovakia. He was the greatest Rabbi in Europe of his age.
One night he had a dream: he dreamt he had died and was brought before the throne of the Almighty. The angel who stands before the throne said to him, "Who are you?" "I am Rabbi Yehuda of Prague. Tell me, my Lord, if my name is written in the book of the names of those who will have share in the Kingdom." "Wait here", said the angel; "I will read the names of all those who have died today that are written in the Book of Life."
The angel read the names, thousands of them – many were sounded strange to Rabbi Yehuda; as the angel read, the rabbi saw the spirits of the people whose names had been called fly into the glorify around the Throne.
At last he finished reading, and Rabbi Yehuda's name had not been called. He wept bitterly and cried out against the angel. The angel said, "I called your name." "But I did not hear it," Rabbi Yehuda said. "Ah," the angel replied, "in the Book are written the names of all the men and women who have ever lived on the earth, for every soul is an inheritor of the Kingdom of God. But many come here who have never heard their true names on the lips of humans or angels. They have lived believing that they know their names; and so when they are called to their share in the Kingdom, they do not hear their names as their own. They do not recognise that it is for them that the gates of heaven are opened. So they must wait here until they hear their names and know them. Perhaps in their lifetime one person has once called them by their true name: here they will stay until they remember. Perhaps no one has ever called them by their true name: here they stay till they are silent enough to hear the King of the Universe Himself calling them."
At that moment, Rabbi Yehuda woke from his dream. He got out of bed weeping. He fell to his knees and prayed, "Lord God, master of the Universe! Let me once hear you speaking my true name through the lips of my brothers and sisters."
[Click here to return to the top of this page]
|
|
