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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: IT'S CHILD'S PLAY (06/06/19)
Today was going to be such fun, thought Grace. The womens’ group had planned the activities with the children in mind. At the top of the list for the celebration would be the story of Jesus and why we celebrate Easter. They would show a short movie by Veggie Tales.

For her four year old daughter Hansa, she was sure the climax would be the egg hunt especially when Pastor added the phrase, ‘it's easy; it’s child’s play”.

As she drove home Mom explained the hunt was a fun outdoors game. ‘Artificial eggs made of plastic filled with chocolate or foil-wrapped egg-shaped chocolates of various sizes are hidden in sneaky places. “You can eat them afterwards!” she said with a smile.

Grace looked in the mirror and noticed that Hamsa seemed sad. She asked, “What is wrong?”
With unusual solemnity, Hansa looked away because she was thinking in her heart about the movie they were to see. It seems that she had seen it before in Sunday school. In her young heart, her inner turmoil was, ‘How could they treat Jesus like that? That was not child's play!’

She loved Jesus and all the good things he did, so “How could we enjoy Easter and eat chocolate when he suffered so much,” she finally exploded in an angry voice to Mom.

“Hansa, at Easter we celebrate the fact that Christ did not remain dead. He came to life and went back to heaven and is alive there now.”

“I’m sorry Mom, but I keep thinking about how those people tortured him like the bullies at school. To them it was all child play. The bad people enjoyed it Mom, just as we are enjoying the Easter egg hunt” she said with tears in her eyes.

Grace realised that she and George had some thinking and explaining to do. “Darling, can we talk about it when we get home. Daddy will be home too” she said quietly in a calm voice.

A few minutes later, they were home.

Together Grace, George and Hansa sat on the sofa and the talk began. George held Hansa in his arms and he did his best to explain the Christian and non-Christian origins of what Easter is. He did so with humility and apologized for what offended Hansa, but also tried his best to highlight the singular greatness of Resurrection day in language that a four year old would understand.

...................................................................

In truth, Christ being tried, tortured and killed was not child play, but through it we know that He gave us salvation and eternal life, brought Grace and the Kingdom of God to earth.

‘The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil’. [1 John 3:8 ESV]
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Barbara Culler 
06/14/19
Intriguing story. Hansa seemed very mature for a four-year old. And how can someone describing a child's game refer to it as Child's play? It seems Hansa would understand that term in a literal sense, not metaphorically. I would like to hear more of her story, and see what more this bright child comes up with!
Donald Standeford
06/14/19
I enjoyed the intent and spirit of this festive story. I would like to see the dramatic qualities of this work fully portrayed.

"Today was going to be such fun, thought Grace." The first line is critical. Having the story start with someone's thoughts, doesn't draw the reader into the drama of the story.

Dialogue instead of thought would really help. example: "We are going to have a blast today, guys! Fasten your seat belts, and get ready to have a good time!"
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/17/19
You have a really great foundation here. I enjoyed the conflict in the little one's mind. You had a POV shift (hopping from Grace's thoughts to Hansa's) and the dialog for Hansa could use some tweaking to make it sound more like a four-year-old little one. A wee one wouldn't say child's play but instead something like: They were meanies! They really hurt Jesus. Then she compares the bad people to bullies who torture at school. It seems like one reference in her head is something kids wouldn't do, but then she says bullies at school torture (both torture and going to school seems young for a preschooler.) However, with all that said, I think this story has an outstanding message. With some tweaking, it would make a fantastic Sunday School lesson. It is awful Jesus had to die so horrifically, but what a day of rejoicing there will be when we are all resurrected with him again. That's the true beauty and power in this story. I did like the ending too. It would be great to include it it actual dialog with all three participating. You've a great start here. Don't get discouraged and keep writing and reading and commenting on other entries.