Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: MOUNTAIN (07/02/20)
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TITLE: Everything in Love | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tammy Ortung
07/08/20 -
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“Okay girls,” I said. “One more episode of Barbie’s Dreamhouse, then it’s time for bed.”
“And you’ll read us a story?” Nancy asked.
“Of course. Don’t I always?”
Twenty minutes later, we made our way slowly upstairs. This was their typical speed whenever they grudgingly did anything. They donned their pajamas, brushed their teeth, and climbed into their respective beds before looking at me expectantly.
“Instead of reading a story tonight, I thought I’d share one my Grammy used to tell me when I was little.”
“Okay,” they chorused.
“There once was a huge castle, built high on a rocky mountain,” I began.
“We saw a castle when we went to Germany,” Nancy interrupted.
“Oh, you did, did you?” I asked.
“Yep, it was so big daddy said we could’ve fit twenty houses inside.”
“That’s nice, baby. Can Grammy finish her story?”
“Okay.”
“The castle overlooked a small village nestled in a valley below. The mountain people had everything they needed. Their land was teeming with rams, rabbits, fowl and other wild game drawn to the fresh mountain stream that flowed near the castle. It provided a year-round water supply, even in the heat of summer.”
“Daddy goes hunting,” Nancy said. “He hunts wild pigs.”
“Yes, I know,” I said, patting her hand and continuing.
“The people who lived in the valley didn’t have things so easy. They had to haul water from a cistern from over a mile away … “
“A sister?” Nancy asked.
“A cistern,” I said. “It’s a big water tank sort of like the one in the magical well story we read last week, remember?”
At her nod, I continued. “The valley people were forced to ration supplies during the hotter months. Even wild pigs were difficult to find,” I said winking at Nancy. She grinned. “The valley people had been jealous of the mountain kingdom for years. Then, rumors began to circulate about a treasure buried deep beneath a large stone, just beyond the king’s beautiful flower garden.”
“Like your garden outside?”
“Well, probably even prettier than that,” I said.
“What kind of flowers did he have?”
“I don’t know baby. Probably every flower you can imagine.”
“Really?”
“Really,” I said.
“The valley Chief vowed to possess the treasure no matter what the cost,” I continued before she could interrupt again. “He called his fastest heralds to take a message to the mountain King, asking about the buried treasure—one his scouts speculated was full of gold and priceless gems.”
“They returned several days later with a penned reply from the King. ‘We will gladly share the treasure with our valley brethren.’ Yet when the Chief read the message, he became very angry. He called his warriors to gather their knives, bows and arrows, and other weapons and prepare for war. Then he commanded them to mount their horses and begin the two-day journey upward.”
“Their army arrived in the middle of the night, crept into the unsuspecting castle, and slayed the mountain people while they slept. Red ominous skies arrived the next morning like a premonition as the valley warriors stood beside the treasure, removed the heavy stone, and stared bewildered as they read the message beneath it. “Do everything in love (1 Corinthians 16:14 NLT).”
“How can we do everything in love?” I asked. Both girls shrugged.
“We just need to look at how God describes love in the Bible. He says that love is kind and patient, it doesn’t want things—even treasures—that belong to others. True love doesn’t brag and doesn’t always have to have its own way. The valley people weren’t very loving, were they?”
“No,” they said matter-of-factly.
“We can learn from their mistakes by being happy with the blessings we already have and not wanting the toys or belongings that other kids have.”
‘Okay, it’s time to go to sleep now.” I leaned over first one, then the other, kissing each forehead and tucking the covers tight before standing to leave.
“Grammy?” Nancy called out. I turned just as she blew a kiss. I reached out and caught it mid-air, bringing my fist quickly to my chest.
“Close to my heart.” I said. She smiled brightly, plopped her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes with a contented sigh.
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