|
~*~
the Pope decided that all
the Jews had to leave Rome.
Naturally there was a
big uproar
from the Jewish community.
So the Pope made a deal.
He would have a religious debate
with a member
of
the Jewish community.
If the Jew won,
the Jews could stay.
If the Pope won,
the Jews would leave.
**
The Jews realized that they had no choice.
They looked around for a champion
who could defend their faith,
but no one wanted to volunteer.
It was too risky.
So they finally picked
an old man named Moishe
who spent his life
sweeping up after people,
to represent them.
Being old and poor,
he had less to lose,
so he agreed.
He asked only for one
addition to the debate.
Not being used to saying very much
as he cleaned up
around the settlement,
he asked that neither side
be allowed to talk.
The Pope agreed.
**
The day of the great debate came.
Moishe and the Pope sat opposite each other
for a full minute before the Pope
raised his hand and showed three fingers.
Moishe looked back at him and raised one finger.
The Pope waved his fingers
in a circle around his head.
Moishe pointed to the ground where he sat.
The Pope pulled out a wafer
and a glass of wine.
Moishe pulled out an apple.
**
The Pope stood up and said,
"I give up.
This man is too good.
The Jews can stay."
**
An hour later,
the cardinals were all around the Pope
asking him what happened..
The Pope said:
"First I held up three fingers
to represent the Trinity.
He responded by holding up one finger
to remind me
that there was still one God
common to both our religions.
Then I waved my finger around me
to show him,
that God was all around us.
He responded by pointing to the ground,
showing that God
was also right here with us.
I pulled out the wine and the wafer
to show that God absolves us
from our sins.
He pulled out an apple
to remind me of original sin.
He had an answer for everything.
What could I do?"
**
Meanwhile, the Jewish community
had crowded around Moishe,
amazed that this old, almost feeble-minded man
had done what all their scholars
had insisted was impossible!
**
"What happened?" they asked.
"Well," said Moishe,
"First he said to me
that the Jews had three days
to get out of here.
I told him
that not one of us was leaving.
Then he told me
that this whole city
would be cleared of Jews.
I let him know
that we were staying right here."
"And then?" asked a woman.
"I don't know," said Moishe.
"He took out his lunch and I took out mine."
**
Author: Unknown
~*~
 |
My sister woke
in her high spirited mood
as she always had.
She is older than I
and always looked at a new day
with optimism.
For myself, it was another day
to follow her around
with that sense
of envy I always felt.
She got everything,
she could do everything;
I was jealous.
She left the house and took her usual route
down the street
and around the corner,
reaching her final destination
the phone booth
beside the corner store.
I followed.
She checked for money as she always did,
and as always she found some.
She would never share,
but instead
went into the corner store
and spent it all on herself.
I ran home,
in my usual way,
in tears
with a feeling of inadequacy.
***
One time it was going to be different.
My mom promised me
that she would keep my sister
occupied after lunch
while I got
my well deserved fortune.
I ate lunch as quick as anyone
could shovel it in,
and off I went.
The excitement was overwhelming.
I could barely run,
I felt like
jumping,
shouting,
telling everyone
that this was my turn in the spotlight.
I reached the corner
and stuck my finger
in the coin slot.
My heart sank.
All the feelings
of ecstasy erased.
I walked home
with the biggest sense of defeat
I had ever felt.
***
The sense of hollowness stayed with me
for the remainder of the day.
My sister, a friend, and I
went to the park
to watch the nightly ball-game.
The whole way there
my sister bragged of my failure
to outwit her.
The whole feeling of inadequacy
came rushing back in my body.
I would never get my chance
in the limelight.
I was destined to always look up at it.
My head was bowed,
watching my feet
wear a path in the grass....
suddenly there it was,
my reward for a life of despair,
a ten dollar bill
$$$$$$
stared up at me.
A great sensation over took the hollowness
as I turned around and ran,
followed by my envious sister,
to the corner store
to spend my medal.
$$$$
Author:$$Mistyshadows2u$$
~*~
 |
I'm smaller than your thumb:
I live in people pockets
That's where I have my fun.
I don't suppose you've seen me,
I'm too tiny to detect:
Though I'm with you all the time,
I doubt we've ever met.
Before I was an Angel...
I was a fairy in a flower:
God, Himself, hand-picked me,
And gave me Angel power.
Now God has many Angels
That He trains in Angel pools:
We become His eyes, and ears, and hands
We become His special tools.
And because God is so busy,
With way too much to do;
He said that my assignment
Is to keep close watch on you.
When He tucked me in your Pocket
He blessed you with Angel care;
Then told me to never leave you,
And I vowed always to be there.
***
Author: Unknown
~*~
