Prince Andrew was a very happy little boy. His father, the King, wanted to give him the best, because one day he would become the King of Lapier. Prince Andrew was just like any other little boy, except he had every toy ever made in his father's Kingdom. He had so many toys that the King had to make him his own play castle.
When dignitaries from other countries came to visit the King and Queen, they brought Prince Andrew special toys from their lands. This went on for several years, until the Prince was seven years old and he had so many toys that he did not know which one to play with first. He was so bored and tired of all his toys that he became very sick with an incurable disease.
The King and Queen immediately called in the doctors, but they couldn't heal an incurable disease. Finally, with no one else to ask , the King called for his wise men The wise men told the King that the little Prince's problem was not that serious. They explained to the King, " Prince Andrew's sickness is TOO MANY TOYS and he is sick of them. If he would give some away he would feel much better."
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The King didn't understand. He was only trying to make his little prince happy. They were the best toys the world could give. But he wanted he son well again so the King, on the advice of the wise men, sent out invitations to all the children in His Kingdom to come to the Palace and each one to take a toy.
Still this did not heal the little Prince. The King was very upset with the results, so he called the wise men in again. This time they told the King that the little Prince should go down into the village and personally give away the rest of his toys.
This idea excited the little Prince, so he packed up the rest of his toys and went down into the village knocking on each door. He felt so good giving away his toys, watching the children laughing and playing together. How much he wished that he could play with them. But he was the Prince and he wasn't allowed to play with them.
The little Prince continued to knock on doors, until he came to the door of a little crippled boy, who could not play like other children. Prince Andrew asked,"What toy would you like me to give you?" The little crippled boy responded,"I would love your violin."
"Oh, no. he thought, not my violin It was the toy that he loved the most. I can't give this up" Then he remembered the Wise men's instruction. ALL the toys had to be given away. Slowly, he reached into his toy bag and brought out his favorite violin. "May I first play it one more time?"
"Of course you can," said the little crippled boy. The little Prince picked up the violin and started to play the most beautiful song. He was always the happiest when he played his violin. If only he had remembered to play his violin, he would not have gotten so sick. But it was too late. He had to give his violin away. Then the most amazing thing happened. As soon as he handed his most precious toy to the little crippled boy, the little Prince didn't feel sick any more. He ran home to his Father. "Father, Father, I am well, I am not sick any more, daddy."
"My son, I know that it must have been so hard to give up all your toys. But just think how happy you have made the children."
"But daddy, giving away my favorite violin was really the hardest, yet it has made me the happiest."said prince Andrew joyfully
"Son, you have just learned the most valuable lesson as the future King, "It is more blessed (happy) to give than to receive." From that day on, Prince Andrew every year would go through his toys and give away the ones that he wasn't playing with anymore. It seemed like the more that he gave away, the more that he received.
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I would like to tell you about a little girl with a kind heart. One day, she was out walking out in the shady woods near hear home, when she noticed a pigeon's nest in a tree. Peeping in, she saw one round, smooth, beautiful egg. She wished very much to take it home and have it for her own. But while she was thinking about it, a pretty white pigeon came flying around her. What a pleading look was in its eyes! They seemed to say" Little girl, won't you please leave my egg? It is the only one that I have, and it will break my heart if my mate comes back to our tree home and finds it gone."
The little girl looked first at the egg and then at the sad-eyed pigeon. Then she heard the little voice of conscience saying, "You must not destroy the happiness of the poor, little bird." So she left the egg in the cozy, little nest and went home, where her mother was waiting for her.
Not long after this, the little girl's brother became very sick. No one seemed able to help him at all ,and every one thought he must surely die. What a heavy heart the little girl had! She could not play or think of anything happy, while her only little brother lay dying.
One evening in springtime, as she was sitting by the open window in her little brother's room, a beautiful white pigeon flew down and settled on the window sill. Presently it seemed to say to her, "Dear, little girl, I am the pigeon whose egg you spared that day. I come to tell you something I know will make you happy. Last night while I was resting in the fir groves, I heard the angels whispering. ' They said that God in heaven is looking down upon His world. He loves to see people being gentle and kind and loving. Because you were so kind and left me my one little egg, He will not let your only little brother die, but will spare him to you so that you and he might romp and play together once more'."
When it had spoken these words, the beautiful white pigeon flew away. Then the little girl turned and looked at her brother. He was sleeping peacefully in his bed, for the first time in many days. And there was a sweet smile upon his lips, as if the angels from heaven had been whispering their secrets to him. From that time, he began to get better, and in a short time he was strong and rosy and romping merrily about with his little sister again.
Have you heard the story of three goldfish that lived in a pond? If you listen real closely, I think you will learn a very important lesson.
Once upon a time there lived three goldfish in a pond. As their master sat on the shore and fed them crumbs he often called to them, and this is what he said:"Fishes, fishes, be careful about two things, if you want to live long and always be happy. Do not go through the gate into the big pond which is near this small one; and do not swim on the surface of the water when I am not with you."
The three fishes thought a good deal of these commands, and talked them over together. They could not understand why their master did not wish them to swim on the surface of the water or go through the gate into the big pond
"He walks there," said one."And what can be the harm if we sometimes go into the great pond?" said another. "I shall pay no attention to him; I am going to do as I like for once, and enjoy a pleasant trip," said the first.
"And I am going to play on the surface of the water in the sun," said the second.
The third goldfish was wise, and he reasoned it out thus: "It is certain that our master loves us, for he gives us bread crumbs. so I shall do just as he wishes, even though I do not know why." This little fish remained at the bottom of the pond.
The first fish had hardly come into the big pond when a pike swallowed him. A hawk saw the second one on the surface of the water, dived down, and ate him. Only the wise and obedient goldfish was left. He was loved and cared for by his master, and he lived to a good old age.
How sad I feel for the the two fish that thought they could disobey their master. I am so happy that my boys and girls will obey their mommies and daddies, and do not think they know better than their parents. You could get into a lot of trouble. See the sad look on this little fish's face without the two other fishes? It is always better to obey your parents and be safe. Some times we might think we know more than our parents, but that is not true.. Mommy and daddy are really care about you and want your safety, but God is the wisest one of all and He watches over both you and your mommy and daddy to protect you.
My name is Ralphie and I am a good friend of Emma Marie. I live down the street from Emma and we have so much fun together. I also like to play with her two big brothers in their sand box. Emma plays with us also. It is a really big sand box and we can build roads and hills all over it. You would love it.
I was talking with Emma the other day and she told me how hard it was to be Shelby's friend. I know what she means, but Emma and I need to learn how to be her friend. Next week Topsy is going to have a birthday party. Maybe we can invite Shelby to come. I think Shelby isn't adjusted to her new home or something like that. But, before you go to bed, do I have a story for you!
It happened two days ago, when my big brother George was at baseball practice and Emma and I were playing together. I got this great idea. At least, I thought it was a GREAT idea. Emma didn't think it was so GREAT, but I couldn't resist the temptation any longer. For days George's new red bike was staring at me in the garage and I couldn't resist it any more. I just knew that I could ride it. Before I realized it, my feet were on the pedals and I was spinning down the driveway. The bike was really too big for me, but I was doing pretty good keeping my balance UNTIL Pepper, my dog, saw me and started barking at my leg. I tried to stop him, but I couldn't keep my balance and I crashed right into the stone wall at the end of our driveway.
Oh, no! I knew I was in BIG trouble now. Emma came running. "Are you all right, Ralphie?" she asked. My knees were pretty banged up and my elbow was scrapped. Actually, I was a mess !
Emma was more scared than I. "Ralphie, what are you going to do? George is going to kill you." she exclaimed..
Why didn't I listen to Emma in the first place. She was right, WHAT WAS A GOING TO DO? My first thought was to hide it in the backyard under the bushes,or behind the tool shed. But than I thought to myself, "that isn't too smart! What do I say when he finds it under the bushes or behind the shed? No matter what I do, nothing is going to cure my problem. I guess the only solution is to face George myself and tell him what happened. But wait, maybe I could fix it? No that won't work The front fender was badly twisted."
There was no way to repair it without help. So Emma and I decided to pick it up and take it back into the garage and wait for George. No sooner did we get the bike back into the garage when my father drove up the driveway and saw us with George's bike. "What are you kids doing with George's bike?" He asked inquisitively. When he saw it smashed up, my Dad was petty upset. I tried to tell him that I was very sorry and to forgive me. He did forgive me but, there was a serious consequence.
In two months I was going to get my new bike for my birthday and I knew what was coming. Daddy said "Ralphie why did you take your brother's bike without permission especially when it is really too big for you? I am so sorry son, but with the money I was going to buy your new bike for your birthday, I am going to fix your brothers and you will have to wait".
I can't tell you how hard that was to hear. I wanted a bike so badly, but it made me think about something my daddy taught a while ago about temptation,. "Son, there are temptations all around you, but the Lord will always give you an escape." Daddy was right, I was tempted and I didn't listen to the Lord. He was using Emma to stop me. She is a real friend. If only I had listened. I hope tomorrow will be a better day and that I don't get tempted again.
Do you remember Shelby, the little girl who wasn't very kind and was very bossy? Do you also remember how Emma tried to be her friend? It was only a few weeks ago when Shelby had moved into the neighborhood, and friendships were not going very well for her. Emma tried hard to be a good friend to her by inviting Shelby to play with her and to swim in her swimming pool with all the other neighborhood kids. But nothing Emma did could change Shelby's heart. She just wanted everything to go her way. By the end of the summer, Shelby found herself all alone without any friends. Nobody wanted to play with Shelby.
One Saturday afternoon, Emma thought that she would try one more time to be a friend to Shelby. So Emma went over to Shelby's house and found her crying on her back porch steps. Emma was surprised to see Shelby so upset. She didn't think anything could make Shelby cry. But she was wrong. Emma went over to her and sat down beside her and asked, " Why are you crying Shelby?" Through her tears and sniffles, Shelby tenderly relied," Emma, I never wanted to move here. I don't like this neighborhood and I thought if I acted badly and had no friends, my parents would move me back to Haggerville. I had lots of friends there." Emma surprisingly answered, "You did? WOW Shelby, you sure fooled me. I never thought that you were putting on a act, so that you could move back to Haggerville."
Shelby's secret was out and now Emma knew why she was acting so unkind with all the kids " Well, Shelby, did it work? Is your family moving back to Haggerville?" asked Emma inquisitively. "No, Emma, it didn't work and now I have made a BIG mess of everything for myself. What am I going to do?"
Emma was very happy to learn that Shelby really wasn't unfriendly, but only making believe to influence her parents, which didn't work. "Shelby, I think we can fix everything. You just give me a little time and you will see that this neighborhood really does like you, if you just give them a chance." Emma explained.
Shelby dried her tears and hugged Emma, " You really do like me, don't you Emma?" "Yes, I do Shelby. I really do want to be your friend, and I would like to invite you to my pool party next Saturday , if it doesn't rain. All the kids will be there and we are going to have a surprise birthday party for Ralphie. Would you like to come?"
Shelby was thrilled to be invited. From that day on, she no longer tried to make enemies, but made new friends. Shelby's heart had changed. She went to Ralphie's birthday party and all the neighborhood kids were so surprised to see how kind and friendly Shelby had become. She shared her roller blades and let the kids ride her new bicycle. She became one of Emma's closest friends. Once the neighborhood kids knew about Shelby's secret they all accepted her as one of them.
Big Bear Lu was the biggest bear in the whole Greenville Zoo. The children from towns around came to the zoo in the Spring,when Big Bear Lu woke up from his winter's hibernation. Big Lu was the most popular attraction because he had a friend, Micky, the monkey, who lived with him. Micky loved to run all over Big Lu and especially sit on top of his head and scratch behind big Lu's ears. It made the children laugh seeing Micky, the monkey playing with Big Bear Lu.
Early one morning when the zoo keeper came to feed Big Lu and Micky, they both were missing. Oh, no,they had escaped in the night and no one knew where they were. The zoo keeper pulled the alarm and the police department responded within minutes. The TV reporters arrived with their cameras and put out a detailed description of the two animals. Everyone in the town were on the lookout for the two run-a-ways. They were sure that if they found one, they would find the other. Micky and Big Bear Lu were loyal and devoted to each other. They were the best of friends. Where do you think they went?
For the next few days the police and zoo keepers looked everywhere. They looked under under dry dead debris, old barns and sheds, but they couldn't find them anywhere. Because they had been gone so long, everyone was getting scared because they knew that Big Lu and Micky hadn't eaten for days and would probably be looking for food in trash cans. It was getting very dangerous for the town's people, so the police rode up and down the street calling out on their loud speakers, "Stay inside until they are found "
But there was ONE PLACE where they hadn't looked. Could Big Bear Lu and Micky find their way back to the Green Forest? It wouldn't especially be the best home for Micky, but he loved Big Bear Lu, so he knew that they should be together. The zoo keeper thought that if he made a bear trap that he could capture Big Bear Lu. As the police and zoo keepers started into the Green Forest, they notice Big Lu's huge bear foot prints. He had to be in there, but where? The Zoo keepers set the trap and left. The next day they went out to the Green Forest hoping to find the animals, but the trap was empty and the food was eaten. How did that happen? The zoo keepers were stunned. They couldn't believe how the food could be eaten and yet they were not caught.
You will never believe what happened the following week. Early Monday morning just after the zoo opened, when the zoo keeper was getting ready to feed the bears, to his surprise, there was BIG BEAR LU with MICKY perched on his head. During the night the two animals had eaten the food in the bear trap and decided to make their way back to the zoo. The zoo keeper was so happy to see Big Bear Lu that he give him a big hug and three extra pieces of meat. Micky fared well with his own bunch of bananas. From what I understand , every Spring, just after Big Bear Lu comes out of hibernation, the zoo keeper allows both Big Lu and Micky to take a short vacation in the Green forest. Food is provided, while they enjoy all their little forest friends before they they head back to the Greenville Zoo.
Once upon a time in the land of Genova,,an invitation from the King and Queen was sent through the land to all the eligible young men for marriage. The king and the Queen had three beautiful young daughters who were ready to be married. The oldest was Princess Stephanie, who loved to ride horses and read
books. The second oldest was Princess Caroline, whose favorite past
time was fancy tea parties, lovely clothes and piano. Princess Margret
was the youngest, who enjoyed drawing pictures and designing clothes.
However, the King was very reluctant to let his three beautiful daughters marry without a challenge. So he decided to make up three riddles. Whoever could answer the first riddle could have the hand of Princess Stephanie. Whoever solved the second riddle could marry Princess Caroline. The who completed the third riddle would marry Princess Margret. If no one could answer the riddles, the King would not allow his princesses to marry.
The three sisters were very excited about getting married and so they a started to plan their weddings. Princess Stephen dreamed of a soft white flowing wedding dress and a white veil over her face. Princess Caroline thought about a very frilly lacy long sleeve dress with lots of petticoats underneath the shirt. Princess Margret heart was set upon a white silk chiffon with a long train in the back. All of the dresses were so incredibly beautiful and fit for a princess.
Ever since the princesses were very young they had dreamed of their wedding day, and now WAS IT REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN? Would three young men be able to solve the riddles? The next day the King issued an edit for all the eligible bachelors to meet him at the palace to solve the riddles.
The Kings riddles were:
1. How many animal did Moses take on the Ark?
2. Where will you find roads without cars, and cities without houses. What am I?
3. I have an eye but can not see yet I am stronger and faster than a human. What am I?
One man after another came through the palace trying to answer the riddles, but NOT ONE MAN could answer the riddles The three princesses weren't as disappointed as everyone thought they would be. As much as they wanted to get married, they wanted to PICK THEIR OWN husbands rather than be chosen by someone solving a silly riddle. Besides, the three princesses thought the princes were so conceited. They were NOT at all impressed.
As a result they convinced their father the King to let them choose their own husbands. Within two years, all three of the princesses were married to the man of their dream and lived happily ever after.
Answer to riddles:
1. None. Noah built the ark.
2. A road map.
3. A hurricane.
Prince Andrew was a very happy little boy. His father, the King, wanted to give him the best, because one day he would become the King of Lapier. Prince Andrew was just like any other little boy, except he had every toy ever made in his father's Kingdom. He had so many toys that the King had to make him his own play castle.
"Of course you can," said the little crippled boy. The little Prince picked up the violin and started to play the most beautiful song. He was always the happiest when he played his violin. If only he had remembered to play his violin, he would not have gotten so sick. But it was too late. He had to give his violin away. Then the most amazing thing happened. As soon as he handed his most precious toy to the little crippled boy, the little Prince didn't feel sick any more. He ran home to his Father. "Father, Father, I am well, I am not sick any more, daddy." 
