Last week I went out to eat with Mickey and Minnie. While we were eating, a mother came in with her children and this is what happened:

ICE CREAM IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

The six year old son asked if he could say grace. As they bowed their heads, he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with laughter from other customers nearby, I hear a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, the young boy burst into tears and asked his mother, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"

As the mother held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, I approached the table. I winked at the lad and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."

"Really?" the lad asked.

"Cross my heart" I replied. Then in a theatrical whisper I added (inclining my head to indicate the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, the mother bought her kids ice cream at the end of the meal. Her son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember for the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is already good."

2001