It had been raining for several days and the little field mice were getting bored. They could not find anything exciting to do. It was especially hard for Sed and Ned who loved to play together out in the meadow. Of course, they were always on the alert for the big black cat. But with the rain, they didn't have to worry about him. The rain stopped enough for the two little brothers to go out and play. They remembered to put on their rain gear. The last words of their mother was, "NOT to PLAY in the storm drains, because they could be very dangerous after rain.
The two little mice were so happy to be outside again. But it wasn't long before it started to rain again. As it started to come down harder and harder, Sed and Ned forget what their mother told them and ran for cover in a storm drain. Suddenly, a huge rush of water picked up the two little mice, tossing and banging their little bodies from side to side. Finally, they they were able to grab hold of a piece of tile floating by. They both were able to crawl up onto the tile and float the rest of the way out of the drain,
Waiting for them at the end of the drain was a pack of SEWER RATS! After a storm , it was always a good place for sewer rats to wait to see if they could capture some mice as slaves. Sed and Ned great grand father had been enslaved for many years, until his father made a heroic attempt and rescued him. At first the rats didn't see the boys hiding in the bushes.
The mice were shaking so hard with fear. They thought for sure they would be captured and become rat slaves.
"Sed, we have got to do something quickly, brother, or we will be captured and slaves for life!" cried Ned.
"What do you think we should do? You are the oldest." said Sed confidently
"We'll, have to move fast. When I say run, we will ran as fast as we can to our hideout in the old oak tree. If we can get there, the rats will not be able to fit through the hole and we can wait for help".
"That sounds great Ned, but what if we don't make it? ?"
"We have got to make it Sed. Just be ready to run......NOW!"
Just as soon as Ned said NOW, the two mice ran out from under the bush and headed for their hideout. The sewer rats saw Sed and Ned running across the meadow and hurried into their hideout. The rats caught up and started to surround the tree. The boys were so exhausted and out of breath.
"Phew! Ned, we made it! That was a wild run. I don't want to run like that again, but what are we going to do now brother? "
" I don't know, but we will think of something " We better wait here until morning to make sure all the rats have left."
Meanwhile, it was getting dark and their parents were very concerned. They decided to call Murky the mole to see if he knew anything about the boys. Fortunately, just that afternoon, Sed and Ned had asked him to make a separate hole out of their hideout in case of emergency. Murky wasn't able to finish to hole that day, so he told their parents that he would take a run out to the hideout and see if they were there.
Murky didn't have any problem getting to the old oak tree. Most of the hole was already dug. All he had to do was to connect it to the hideout. Inside the hideout Sed and Ned were getting tired and started to fall asleep.
"Ned, anxiously asked Sed, "Do you hear that noise? I hope it isn't the rats?"
"Sed, don't worry about the rats. They don't know how to dig." exclaimed Ned .Suddenly The boys saw dirt separating under their feet.
"It's Murky, he has come to rescue us!" The two little mice excitedly exclaimed as they started to dance around the room.. Up popped Murky's head. "Hi fellers. Are you all right?
The boys explained to Murky their afternoon ordeal and didn't waste any time escaping through the tunnel.
The sewer rats never knew what happened to the mice. They gave up waiting for them to come out and went home. Sed and Ned were happy to be safely back home, but they had a lot of explaining to do with their parents. For the next week, they were not allowed to play in their hideout, until they learned to listen and obey. Murky was the hero and from that day on, there was a permanent escape from their hideout, across the meadow into their back yard.
It was late in the afternoon and Jennifer's mother was getting ready to bake some cookies for the evening meal. Jennifer loved to help her mother, even though she always made a big mess. Her mother didn't mind as along she helped clean it up. Pulling a chair over beside her mother, Jennifer climbed up with her wooden spoon ready to mix the batter. Her mother was always happy to have Jennifer's company, mess and all.
Mint chocolate chip cookies were on the menu. Jennifer's job was to stir the cookie dough and to put the chips in the dough. But somehow, her little fingers had a hard time staying out of the cookie dough.
"Jennifer", her mother said.' get your fingers out of the cookie dough. You have germs on them. Now go to the bathroom and wash your hands. You know that all good cooks always wash their hands before they cook and keep their fingers out of the food," explained mother.
Jennifer really did know better but cookie dough with mint chocolate chips with just too much of a temptation. When she returned from washing her hands, she helped her mother put the drops of dough on the cookie tray ready for the oven . She couldn't wait for them to finish baking. Her mother told her that she was not to eat any before dinner , because it would ruin her appetite. Jennifer didn't understand why one cookie would spoil her dinner. It didn't make any sense to her.
When the cookies came out of oven, they were put on a rack to cool. The aroma was too much of a temptation for Jennifer. As soon as her mother left to go out into the garden to gather some veggies for a salad for dinner, Jennifer could not resist another minute. She climbed up unto the counter and wrapped two cookies in a napkin. She then jumped down and ran off upstairs into her room. She put one cookie under her pillow and ate the other hiding in her closet.
But after she ate the cookie, she didn't feel very good and it wasn't her stomach! Something was wrong. Somehow that cookie didn't taste very good.
When Jennifer's mother came in from the garden, she noticed that two cookies were missing from the rack. "Oh no,' thought mother.'I hope Jennifer didn't take two cookies when I told her to wait?" Her mother's heart was broken. Her little girl had disobeyed. The last thing she wanted to do was to discipline her, but she knew she had no choice.
No sooner had she had that thought, when Jennifer came down stairs with a cookie wrapped up in a napkin. "Mommy,' said Jennifer handing her the wrapped up cookie. "I don't feel so good. I took two cookies, ate one and hid the other under my pillow. I need to put this one back."
Mommy took the cookie from Jennifer and said, "Jennifer, I was very disappointed when I saw that two cookies were missing after I told you not to to eat any before dinner."
"I know mommy, I disobeyed you and I stole two cookies, but I am so sorry. As soon as I ate the cookie, I knew something was wrong.
I didn't feel right. I keep hearing a voice in my head saying, 'eat the cookies, your mother will never know'. But, I knew that it was the devil tempting me. I remembered what you told me, "When you know what is the right thing to do and you don't do it, it is sin and you will not feel good.' I felt awful mommy and even the cookie didn't taste good. Will you please forgive me?"
"Jennifer, you did the right thing. God gave us a conscience to help us to do what is right. I am very happy that you listened to your conscience and said no to the devil. Stealing is wrong and you will never feel good when you steal or when you disobey your parents. It is God's way to keep you safe in a world that is so full of evil."
Mommy and Jennifer hugged. It felt so good to be forgiven. Because Jennifer had confessed to her mother her sin, her mother chose to show her God's grace and did not discipline her that night. Jennifer learned the importance of telling the truth . From that day on, she had learned how important it was to listen to her conscience and do what was right.
CHAPTER 8
This adventure of George and Jennifer started in the summer when their two families decided to camp at Lake Ivanhoe for the weekend. They had never camped there before. The children loved camping, and especially this year because they would have many new places to investigate.
Saturday morning George and Jennifer were up early, packed a picnic lunch and were allowed to hike only the safe trail marked by white paint on the trees. As long as the children followed the white paint they would not get lost. What excitement filled their hearts as they put on their back packs and headed down the trail.
"Can you believe it Jennifer? We are explorers. Today, we are going to experience a great adventure." said George.
"I'm ready, George. I think it will be an incredible day."
As the two children headed down the trail which was bordered predominately by pine trees, they came upon a meadow. George became very curious and wanted to know what might lay beyond meadow.
"Hey, Jennifer," said George. " We got to investigate the meadow. Who knows what we might discover, Jennifer."
"But, George, I think we better stay right on this trial and follow the white paint."
"Jennifer, it wouldn't matter if we go off just a little bit. It would be an adventure." George tried to encourage Jennifer to go with him. But, she would not budge. "OK, Jennifer, have it your way". So the two children continued down the path along a bubbling brook.
"Let's wade in the brook George."
" That sounds great Jennifer. My feet are sweating. So, the two children sat down on a rock and took off their sneakers. The water felt so delicious cool on their feet. It wasn't long before George noticed through a grove of pine trees, an old broken down abandoned house.
"Jennifer, do you see that old house over there? We have to investigate"
"It looks pretty haunted to me, George. I think we better stay right where we are. I don't want to get into trouble." Jennifer carefully responded.
"We have to, Jennifer. You know we are explorers, and who knows what we might find. Maybe there is a treasure or something? Come on Jennifer. Just a peek, we will be fine" said George excitedly
"OK George, I will go with you, but we better not stay long. It looks too spooky to me." Jennifer hesitantly replied.
They waded out of the brook, put their sneakers back on, and headed toward the abandoned house. What a mess it was. The paint was peeling off , English ivy grew all over the sides of the house. It did look scary. No one had lived in it for many years, so they thought. But could they be wrong?
Slowly the children started up the old rickety stairs onto the front porch. The porch floor had several broken and missing boards. They had to be how careful how and where they walked.
Slowly with great caution, George opened the front door. What a mess they discovered. Cloths were thrown all over the room. The curtains were filthy and raggedy. The carpet had dirty spots on it and smelled like the barn yard. The beds were not made and the sheets were so dirty. An old suit case sat on the bed. It was very curious why it was there.
In the kitchen, breakfast dishes and cereal were still on the table. The only thing in the refrigerator was half gallon of sour milk and a little orange juice.
"Hey, George we better get out of here, right now." Jennifer said nervously. "I think someone is really living in here.
"Not so fast Jennifer, " George told her. "We got some more exploring to do. What about that suit case sitting on the bed? Aren't you curious about that?"
George went back into the bedroom. When he opened it, inside was thousands of twenty dollar bills.
The children's eyes pooped out of their heads. They had never seen so much money before. "What are we going to do, George?" questioned Jennifer.
George put a couple of twenty dollar bills into his pocket. "We better take this to my Dad now."
The two children ran as fast as they could back to the camp grounds and told their parents about their adventure. Just that morning, George's father had picked up news paper from the camp store. On the front page was a story about a bank being robbed in Gunterville, not very far away.
George showed his dad the two twenties dollar bills. "We better call the police right now. Can you tell them where this house is.?" asked George's Dad anxiously.
"No problem Dad. Jennifer and I know exactly where it is." promised George.
It wasn't long before the police to arrived. George and Jennifer lead the way. When they got near the abandoned house the police spread out and surrounded the house with their guns ready to shoot. The chief of police kicked in the front door, "Don't you move" said the Chief. The robbers were caught by surprise, and didn't know how to respond. Quickly, the police arrested the two robbers and put hand cuffs on them.
George and Jennifer's day of exploration ended with a big surprise. What didn't know was that there was a reward of $1,000 for anyone who know anything about the robbery. Both George and Jennifer got $500.00 a piece for leading the police to the robbers. The next morning their names were in the local newspaper telling everyone about their greatest adventure they experienced.
It was "Fence Day" in the Green Meadow, and songs of liberty, marching bands, and little field mice dancing on their tails filled the air with great excitement celebrating their freedom from the BIG BLACK CAT. Bobbi Brown's father had built a huge chicken wire fence in his back yard to keep the
deer and rabbits from destroying his trees and flowers.The
BIG BLACK CAT was furious. He wasn't able to spend his days hunting for field mice. He had to stay in his OWN backyard and
play with Pepper, Bobbi's new little puppy. Pepper's youthfulness was very annoying. He kept jumping
on the BIG BLACK CAT wanting to wrestle and play. The BIG BLACK CAT was bored with the little puppy. All he wanted to do was to GET into the green meadow again. Every day the BIG BLACK CAT sat in front of the fence just waiting for
his chance.
From time to time, on the other side of the fence, Alphie, the little field mouse would sit teasing the BIG BLACK CAT. He liked to make silly faces and taunt him by saying "You don't scare me BIG BLACK CAT," and then put his paw through the chicken wire, making the BIG BLACK CAT crazy with his scent. Alfie loved to tease the BIG BLACK CAT, but it didn't stop there. Alfie was known for his jokes, but unfortunately, not everyone thought he was funny, but more of a liar.
While the"Fence Day" festivities continued, Alfie slipped away to see how the BIG BLACK CAT was dealing with all the field mice running around the Green Meadow. Was his mouth watering? Before he got to the fence Alfie noticed that the little puppy was digging a hole under the fence. He ran to tell the mice patrol. "Help, Help, come quickly. There is puppy digging a hole under the fence".
But because it was Alfie , the police didn't believe him. They knew that Alfie liked to play practical jokes, so they ignored him. Alfie kept exclaiming, " I am not lying, this is not a joke. It is the truth!
"Go away Alfie and enjoy the celebration. We don't believe me." said the field mice patrol.
"But...butttt...it is true! I really am not lying"
Yah,yah, yah, Alfie,that is what you said the last time. The trouble with you Alfie, you believe your own jokes. Go away little feller and leave us alone".
"Little feller," thought Alfie. " I am NOT a little feller. I will show them I am telling the truth."
Alfie left the police station, thinking to himself, " Gee, I didn't think I was lying by telling jokes. I was just trying to be funny, play a joke, what is wrong with that? Alfie rationalized.
His mind quickly reverted back to the fence problem "What if the dog gets under the fence? He would do some serious damage, ruin the celebration and threaten many lives!"
Alfie decided that he had better keep his eye on THE BIG BLACK himself. By the time he returned, the puppy was still digging a hole, while the BIG BLACK CAT stood by watching and waiting for the hole to fit him through.
"Oh, no you don't BIG BLACK CAT. You are NOT going to spoil our Freedom Day!" Because of all the many times Alfie had played jokes, he knew that no one was going to listen to him. He had to deal with this serious situation himself. Alfie ran to the back of his house, turned on the water and stretched a long garden hose down to the fence. He started spraying the little puppy and he started to yelp. The puppy's barking disturbed the major's speech. "Will someone please quiet that dog! I can't talk with all that noise." complained the city major.
The mice patrol went to find out what the trouble was and when they saw Alfie holding a hose on the puppy and the BIG BLACK CAT drenched with water, they could not believe that it was Alfie. He had saved the day!
"You were telling the truth, Alfie. We will take over now.." The mice patrol filled in the hole with dirt ordered a fence patrol to watch the puppy from that day on. In the morning, Alfie found his name in the headlines of the Green Meadow Gazette. "Alfie saves the day and keeps freedom ringing."
Alfie was a hero that day. Every year on, "Freedom day" the mayor of the Green meadows opened the festivities first by honoring, Alfie, the brave little field mouse.
I would like to tell you a story about three convertible cars. Do you know what a convertible car is? It is a very fancy car. Its roof goes up and down. On a sunny warm day you would love to drive around with the roof down, but on a rainy day you want to make sure that your roof is up.
Have you ever seen one on the road? Why look now, here comes Mr. White Convertible with his roof down. He is so proud, singing to himself, " I am the most beautiful car on the road. There is no other car like me. My roof goes up and down. Just look at me, I'm the greatest car on the road!!"
Following right behind Mr. White was Mr. Red and Mr. Yellow Convertible. Mr. white was so in love with himself that he didn't even see the other two convertibles. Mr.White was singing his song about how wonderful he was when all of a sudden, he missed the turn in the road and crashed right into a telephone pole.
Mr. Red drove up quickly to see if there was anything he could do to help. "Mr. White, convertible you are a wreck! Can I do anything to help you?"
"Me, a wreck. How can you ever say that. I am the most beautiful, handsome, smartest, fastest convertible on the the road. There is no other convertible like me. I don't need your help" said Mr. white proudly.
"But, but... Mr. White you are a mess. You need help!" Mr Red tried to tell him, but Mr. White just wouldn't listen, so Mr. Red drove off and left Mr. White convertibles singing his song wrapped around a telephone post.
Later, Mr. Yellow convertible drove up to see if he could help. "Mr White convertible, what happened to you? You are a wreck!"
"I don't need your help thank you. I am doing just fine."
"But...but.. you don't understand!".
But, nothing Mr. Yellow convertible. You are just jealous because you aren't as handsome as I am."
There wasn't a thing that Mr. Red or Mr. Yellow could do, so they called the police for a tow truck to come and take Mr. White away to the junk yard. Even as he was being driven away, he was still singing to himself. "Look at me. I am the most handsome, cleanest, greatest, and beautiful convertible in the whole world!!!!!"
Boys and girls,have you ever thought you didn't need any help? That you could do everything all by yourself? Or that you are the prettiest, most handsome, and smartest person in the whole world?
Have you ever thought, that you didn't want anyone telling you what to do? If you have, that is called pride, and you will be heading for the junk yard. You weren't created for the junk yard. You were created to know and to love your Creator, the Lord Jesus.
When you ask Jesus to live in your heart, He will make sure that you never will go to the junk yard. In His Kingdom there is NO PRIDE, because there is only one person who is the greatest and that is JESUS. He loves you and wants you to live with Him. Why don't you ask your mommy or daddy about Jesus and how He can live in your heart. You don't want to be a Mr. White Convertible.
