Hector, the Shiny Red Fire Truck
Hector was a very special little red fire truck. For years, Hector was the only fire truck in Mugginville. When the fire alarm sounded Hector's little engine was always oiled, greased and ready to go. His siren always made the loudest noise, telling people to get out of his way. When there was a fire, he was the first to arrive and the last to leave.Everyone in Mugginville loved Hector. On the 4th of July, Hector always led the big parade. His wheels were so shiny and clean as a whistle. His red engine was polished so bright that you could see your face in the front fender.
One day while Hector was getting washed and polished, a brand new red fire truck pulled into the garage right beside Hector. It was twice his size. Big Joe was his name. His water hoses were three times as long as Hector's and could shoot to the top of the highest buildings in town. His ladders reached the sky. At least Hector thought that they did. He had been the only fire truck for years, and he thought to himself, "The town doesn't need another fire truck. I know I can do the job. I always have,"
Then early one morning the alarm went off. Hector was the first one awake and ready to go, but when the fire men arrived they all jumped onto Big Joe and left Hector and fireman Fred to watch the station. Hector felt so dejected. He didn't know what to think. He had never been left behind before. He felt like he was unwanted, unimportant and rejected. Big tears began to roll down his shinny red fenders. His little red heart was broken.
Hector was feeling so sorry for himself that he didn't even hear the alarm go off. "Hector, Hector," called Fred, "It's our turn.." Hector wiped his tears, put a smile on his face, as Fred jumped on the back. He headed down the street. But, you will never believe where the fire was? It was the same fire that Big Joe was at. "What's the problem Big Joe ," asked Hector. Big Joe replied, " There is a little puppy crying for help and I am too big to squeeze between the two buildings. The puppy is so scared." His master on the ground was extremely happy to see Hector. Brave little Hector fitted himself right between the two buildings, while Fred climbed the ladder and brought the little puppy down and placed him into the arms of his master. Hector was so proud of himself. He was really needed. Everyone patted Hector on his shinny red fenders for saving the puppy. Even big Joe admired him saying "Hector, you are a very special, fire truck. I could never do what you did today." Hector smiled and led big Joe back to the fire station.
From that day on, Hector knew that he was important and never felt sorry for himself again. It was a lie. He was needed. Hector just had to wait his turn. He wasn't the ONLY one that was important. Big Joe had his place in the fire station too. There would always be plenty of smaller fires for Hector to perform alone. But don't forget the 4th of July. The parade never started without Hector leading it.
Little Trash was a little kitten who lived in the alley behind the super market. Nobody wanted her in their home because she was so dirty and smelly. She never took a bath or cleaned herself like other little kittens did. Poor little Trash, she lived a lonely, sad, and neglected life. Wasn't there anyone who would accept her just as she was?
One day, she decided to leave the ally to find herself a home. She traveled up and down Main Street, stopping at every door crying "Meow, Meow, I am so hungry" All she ever heard was, "scat, scat go away you little dirty cat". Door after door would slam in her face. Little Trash felt so rejected and unwanted. Many times she would think, " Oh, how I long for someone to pick me up, cuddle me in their arms, and let me live in a warm cozy home." Hopelessly, little Trash, headed back to the alley. On her way back, a young girl noticed her walking on the sidewalk. She held out her hand and little Trash stopped and licked it. "Poor, little kitty,' said the little girl,"would you like to come home with me?
Little Trash couldn't believe that somebody really was that kind and caring. The young girl picked her and carried her home. When her mother saw little Trash, she said," April, that kitten smells terrible. You don't expect her to live in our home! You have to take her back to the alley" April begged her mother, but the answer remained the same. "NO KITTEN".
When April knelt down to say her prayers that night, she asked the Lord to help her mommy change her mind about little Trash. She crawled into bed, thinking about the precious little kitten she had found. In the morning, she felt the Lord had answered her prayer. "If I give little Trash a bath and make her smell clean, perhaps mommy would allow little Trash to live with me".
After April, finished her morning chores, she headed down to the alley behind the supermarket to find little Trash. The little kitty was hiding in a garbage can, eating her breakfast. "Little Trash,' called April,'come out, come out, I want to take you home." When little Trash heard April's voice she quickly jumped out of the garbage can . April picked her up and took her back to her house, where she had prepared a tub of warm water to wash little Trash. The kitten was so scared and started to run away. Little Trash wondered, "What is going on? I don't like water." April explained to her that if she was going to live in her house she had to take a bath. She finally consented, but the most amazing thing happened. After her bathe the water was so filthy and dirty, in fact it was black as coal, but little Trash was white as snow. April took a towel to buff her dry. Was this really little Trash?
April took the kitten into the house to find her mother. She didn't want to tell her mother that it was little Trash, because she knew that her mother wouldn't let her keep the kitten. "Mom, where are you' she called, 'come and see a beautiful white kitten. Can I want keep her, mommy?". "Why, April" said mommy she is very beautiful. You can keep her only if you promise to bathe her. " Oh, I will mommy, ' responded April excitedly. Holding little Trash in her arms, April hurried of upstairs to show her, her new bed right beside hers
That night when mommy came to tuck April into bed, she told her mommy how the Lord had given her the idea to give little Trash.a bath. Jesus knew all along that she was a beautiful white kitten that He had created. All little Trash needed was someone to be kind and to care for her. April reached down to pat little Trash good night, when Little Trash jumped up onto her bed and snuggled close to her. " I can't call you little Trash anymore. You are too beautiful and silky. I think I will call you Silky". So Little Trash's name was changed to 'Silky 'and together April and Silky grew to be very close friends. Silky grew to love her baths once a week and she never was smelly, dirty, skinny, or lonely ever again. In fact, Silky even forgot that she was ever called little Trash.
