Short Stories (We'll add more from time to time)
These little poems are based on parables and stories found in the Bible. They are offered here for you to read and enjoy with your young ones or with a small group. Thank you for honoring the copyright and not reproducing or distributing these for any commercial purpose.
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The Greater Gift
by Gary Bower ©2015 The rich man to the temple goes wearing fancy shoes and clothes. He jingles up the temple stairs. He jingles past the temple chairs. Jing - jing - jingling all the way, he calls so all can hear him say: “Who would like to help me drag this very heavy money bag?” JINGLE - JANGLE! JANGLE - JING! The rich man gives his offering. He gives a tenth, but keeps the rest to put back in his treasure chest. * * * The widow has no money bags or fancy clothes. She’s wearing rags. She softly climbs each temple stair. You hardly even know she’s there. She has no gold or precious stones. Two small coins are all she owns. She takes them from her purse with care, and thanks her God in whispered prayer. Two soft clinks are barely heard. She drops them both without a word in the basket on the shelf, keeping nothing for herself. * * * Two gave gifts, as you can see, to the temple treasury. A humble gift; a gift with pride. Which was greater? You decide. (Read Matthew 6:1 and Luke 21:1-4)
Up All Night
by Gary Bower ©2015 She looked in the closet. She looked in her drawer. She carefully swept every inch of the floor. She looked in the cupboards. She looked in each cup. She wouldn’t stop searching. She wouldn’t give up. Long after sunset, by flickering light, she searched for her coin far into the night. Well after midnight, there came from the door a tap-tap!...then silence...then tap-tap! once more. She opened the door, and there stood a friend. “My dear,” said the friend, “will your search never end? I couldn’t help but notice your lamp was still lit. It’s late. Don’t you think that it’s time you should quit?” “No,” said the woman, “I quite disagree. My lost coin is simply too precious to me. When something is precious, you simply can’t quit. It’s worth all the effort; it’s worth every bit. I know it’s here somewhere. It must be around, and I won’t stop searching until it is found.” And as she kept seeking she saw, by and by, a shiny thing shimmering, catching her eye. Could this be the coin she was rummaging for? She moved to the object and stooped to the floor. “I found it!” she shouted with joy in her voice, and kicked up her heels. “It’s time to rejoice!” (Read Luke 15:8-10) The Blind Man and His Berries by Gary Bower ©2015 A blind man sat upon his porch, a basket on his lap. He held his cane in one hand; the other held a map. "Oh, what to do?" he asked himself while rocking in his chair. "I want to sell my juicy berries at the county fair. But I can't find my way alone across the countryside. If only I had someone to assist me as a guide." Some footsteps clopped before him and a voice began to chatter, "Perhaps I can assist you, friend. What seems to be the matter?" "Sir," the blind man answered, "would you take me to the fair? My berries are delicious and I want to sell them there. Just taste and see; a finer berry you will never swallow. I have this map that I can't read, but I know how to follow." "I need no map," the gent replied. "I've got it in my head. I've been there many times before. Just take my arm," he said. And so, the blind man took his cane and luscious berry load and walked beside the passerby along the country road. It wasn't long till they turned wrong -- a muddy path in which they slipped and slopped and flipped and plopped right over in a ditch. And all those scrumptious juicy berries spilled upon the ground. The blackbirds came and ate them all; not one of them was found. * * * That's how this simple little tale comes to a sorry end. It's best to know your guide is one on whom you can depend. The blind was led astray because it never crossed his mind that he who tried to be a guide, in fact, himself was blind. (Read Luke 6:39) |
The Talker and the Doer
by Gary Bower ©2015 The farmer's up before the sun doing chores that must be done -- Mending fences, pulling weeds. A little help is what he needs. Back inside, on fluffy beds, two sons rest their sleepy heads. Their father's knocking at their door. They're the ones he's looking for. "Rise and shine!" they hear him say. "We have lots of work today. Weeds are growing; fences call. One man cannot do it all. The first son groans a grumpy groan, wishing to be left alone. "I'm too tired. Go away. I have no energy today." The second son says, "I'll be there. Helping out is only fair. Just one minute more of rest is all I need, then I'll get dressed." Hard at work the father sees someone coming through the trees. Who approaches, sleepy-eyed, to labor at his father's side? Which one heeds his father's call? Why it's the first one after all! The second son is still in bed despite the words that he has said. Sound asleep, he snores and snores, forgetting all about the chores. * * * God is calling people still to work with Him and do His will. Some just talk. Others do. Think about it...which are you? (Read Matthew 21:28-32) The Crabby Old Judge Who Needed a Nudge
by Gary Bower ©2015 There sat in a courtroom that stunk with a stench a crabby old judge on a creaky old bench. Day after day, he sat in the court. His scowl was long and his patience was short. Compassion could never be seen on his face when hearing and judging case after case. One morning, a woman walked up to his bench in front of that courtroom that stunk with a stench. "I beg you, Your Honor, please help me," she said. "I'm poor and alone; my husband is dead. I'm owed lots of money, but I'm in a pickle. The person who owes me won't pay, not a nickel." The crabby old judge just sat there and stared, then tugged at his collar and growled as he glared, "I haven't the time to sort out your mess. The problem is yours and I couldn't care less. I've got bigger problems to deal with today." Then he snorted and sneered as he snapped, "Go away!" The very next day she was back at his bench in front of that courtroom that stunk with a stench. "Your Honor," she pleaded with tears on her face, "I beg you to listen and rule in my case." "YOU again, eh?" growled the crabby old judge. "I gave you my answer; I'm not going to budge! BAILIFF!" he called with his grouchiest shout, "Come see to this woman and escort her out!" Day after day, she returned to his bench, back to that stale, musty, courtroom-like stench. She pleaded with sobbing that rang through the hall, but all of her pleas got her nowhere at all. The judge wouldn't budge, his word absolute. Unmoved by her tears, he did not give a hoot. She left disappointed day after day, as the crabby old judge always sent her away... ...until one fine day when the judge said, "OKAY!!! You win! I give in! You can have it your way! I've had it!" he barked with a snarl and a pout. "Your begging and pleading are wearing me out! Though I am not moved by the sorrows of men, I can't stand you coming again and again! I'll rule in your favor, you've pestered me so. There! That's my verdict. Now, take it and go!" * * * Persistence paid off, though that judge didn't care. Imagine how God, then, will answer your prayer. That crabby old judge acted harsh and severe, But God loves His kids and is eager to hear. So take this encouragement; tuck it away: Never, no never, give up. Always pray. (Read Luke 18:1-8) |