Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Sunday School (10/25/07)
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TITLE: Ain't Gonna Wear No Wings | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joy Faire Stewart
11/01/07 -
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“Gus, we need a strong presence to portray Gabriel in the play,” Parthena said - not adding that Gus was the only child tall enough to wear the adult costume.
***
Parthena Cornwell loved her job at Livingston’s Bakery. The fragrances of baking cranberry-orange muffins, date cookies, lemon bars, and all the other rich, spicy aromas permeated the small shop.
“Miss Cornwell, I can pay you twenty-five pounds annually,” Mr. Livingston offered the day she applied for the job.
Walking to work in this unfamiliar part of Gloucester, she noticed the ragtag group of street children. She had heard rumors of England’s hungry orphans.
“I just didn’t realize their plight was so severe,” she cried to Mr. Livingston one morning.
The kind baker considered for a moment and then spoke.
“Miss Cornwell, if you will contribute an extra hour each day, I will contribute ingredients for breads. You may use the ovens on Saturday evenings when the shop is closed.”
That day, Parthena’s Bread Basket ministry began.
***
Standing taller, but just as scruffy as the other children, Gus was clearly the leader of the gang of waifs. Thaddeus, thirteen-years-old, shyly stood a slight distance away. Edwin, the youngest of the group, was playing in the dirt. Parthena coaxed names from the other children...Sarah, Rowena, Bernard, Patrick...
“Mr. Livingston, these children need Christian guidance,” Parthena declared one evening while locking the shop. As she distributed savory tartlets and cheese scones to the children the next day, she got an idea and announced, “You are all invited to my home at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon.”
Not having time-pieces, the children drifted onto Parthena’s porch throughout Sunday afternoon. Most were early, some were late, but she didn’t mind. She read Bible stories, and had prayer as the children gathered around her, consuming scriptures much like they had devoured treats the day her Bread Basket had begun.
Their favorite Bible story was Joseph and his coat of many colors, and she used the opportunity to teach the children forgiveness. Closing class for the afternoon, she sang Bethlehem Fair until the children memorized the words.
Are you going to Bethlehem Fair?
Frankincense, gold and myrrh;
Remember me to the child born there,
He has come to save the world.
Tell his mother there’ll be no more weeping,
Frankincense, gold and myrrh;
The stable is warm and the babe is sleeping,
He has come to save the world.
She was flabbergasted when Thaddeus fished a harmonica from his pocket and began to play as the motley group sang.
***
“I want to do something special for the children,” she told Mr. Livingston one morning as they placed the last batch of raisin cookies in the oven. She thought a moment and then clapped her hands together with excitement. “We’ll have a Christmas play!”
“But, Parthena, it’s July.”
“That’s why it’s perfect. The church won’t be using their Christmas costumes, so we can borrow them.”
Taking care to choose each part and costume for the children, Parthena began rehearsals. Everyone was excited about telling the Christmas story - all except Gus. Refusing to wear the angel wings, he stomped from the porch and disappeared.
Parthena sighed. “Thaddeus, why won’t Gus wear the wings?”
Rubbing his palms against the sides of his ragged shirt, Thaddeus answered.
“Well, it’s like this... Gus had a dog named Newton. He loved that dog. One day, we told Gus we seen Newon lying in the street where a carriage had done run him over. By the time Gus got there, the birds had...”
“Oh,” Parthena sobbed, stopping him. “I had no idea...”
***
Candles illuminated Parthena’s porch as the children recreated the Christmas story that warm July evening. After everyone had departed, she snuffed out the last candle and heard a noise. Turning, she saw Gus sitting on a rock in her garden.
“Gus,” she cried, “I am so sorry.”
With a crooked grin, he looked down at his torn shirt. “Not `zactly a coat of many colors...but if I forgive, will it make me like Joseph?”
____________________________________________________________
Bethlehem Fair by Chuck Beard, to the tune of “Scarborough Fair.”
To hear a sample of the song, go to http://www.beardmusic.com.
“Scarborough Fair” written in Medieval England, Author Unknown.
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Great message, too--I like the way the caring teacher found out what was bothering the main boy. Wonderful title--it sparked my curiosity. Great job!