The Story Teller

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a cild, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1Corinthians 13:11

I was a story teller. I loved making up stories at night when my two sisters and I lay in our beds. In the summer when our room was hot, we fanned ourselves with comic books to cool off so we could go to sleep. It was then that my sisters begged me to tell them a story.

They wanted a scary story this time, so I began. "Bloody bones, I'm on the first step." I paused for affect. "Bloody bones, I'm on the second step. Bloody bones, I'm on the third step."

I thought I heard a creaking on the stairs as if something was on them.

"Bloody bones, I'm on the sixth step. Bloody bones..." I went on in an increasingly intense tone, creating an imaginary boogeyman coming up the twelve steps. Finally the creature was at the door. "Bloody bones, I'm by your bed." I could hear my two sisters breathing grow heavy and fast. Gene, who lay beside me, scooted closer, her slip damp with sweat.

"Bloody bones," I said with a deep voice. I paused, then said in an unearthly voice, "GOTCHA!"

Screams erupted from both my sisters. I felt a sweet satisfaction in my chest and couldn't help laughing at my frightened siblings.

"Girls! Quiet down and go to sleep!" Orders from Mother.

I had to go to the bathroom, but I was afraid in the dark room. Yep! I was a story teller.


Father, thank you for the imagination and the ability to put it in writing. May it be pleasing to You and glorify Your Name. Amen

(c) 2010
E. Bonnie Ryan

Is This Really Christmas?

The air is peaceful, cold and still.
The stars twinkle at night.
The cat slinks in the shadows while
birds twitter in the moonlight.
But...is this really Christmas?

Shoppers scurry downtown,
purchases piling high.
Nervous voices chatter,
weary as the hours fly by.
But...is this really Christmas?

Footsteps tread through the snow,
a deliberate, peaceful walk;
Into church to kneel and worship.
There is no need to talk.
THIS...is REALLY Christmas.