The farm
‘Mommy, can I have some of the chicken pie?’ Jackie asked.
Her mother looked at her over her twin, Jack head. ‘Yes, dear, you can have as much as you want’
She smiled as she took a bite of the sweet-scenting pie. It tasted delicious.
‘Where is father?’ Her twin, Jack asked.
‘He is out milking the cows’ Jackie answered. She, her brother and her parents lived in a farm just outside town.
Their farm was the best in town, with different animals-chicken, goats ,pigs ,cats,
cows, sheep and horses. Their mother and father, Mr and Mrs Murphy took great care of their lovely little farm.
‘The farm is our livelihood’ Their Father always said to them. The four of them lived a happy, content life in the small farm house.

Mr Murphy came in just then. ‘There is an emergency’ He said, looking at them.
Everyone looked up at him. ‘My Mother has been hospitalised’ He said, looking worried.
‘We need to go there immediately’ Mrs Murphy said.
‘But who will stay to take care of the animals?’Mr Murphy asked
Mrs Murphy looked at the two teenagers. ‘Jackie and Jack can do it’ she said firmly.
‘But they are only fifteen’ Mr Murphy said. He turned to them. ‘Can you guys manage the farm without us?’
The twins looked at each other. ‘ Yes, papa’ Jackie nodded.
‘Please take care of Grandma’ Jack added.
Both parents had tears in their eyes. ‘You guys are children to be proud of’

Once that was decided, Mr and Mrs Murphy went upstairs to pack a suitcase. They were going to leave that same day.
They said goodbye at the front doors made of pine wood. ‘Take care of yourselves and the farm’ They told the twins.
Both nodded their heads as they stood in front of their family portrait.
‘Take care’ said the twins as
they left.
The twin looked just like their parents, with lean builds and pale complexion. Both parents and children had identical blue eyes and black hair.
‘Can we do it’ asked Jack, hands pressed together.
Jackie stood up straight. ‘Of course we can’ she said. ‘If you are feeling a loss of confidence then remember - Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Ephesians 6:17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
‘ Fine, let’s get to work’ said Jackie. They went outside to the farm grounds. It was a mess. The chickens needed feeding and their nests cleaning, the goats and cows needed milking and the horses needed their straw. The sheep were already bleating. The twins looked at each other in a panic.
‘Let’s make a plan’ said Jackie. ‘ I take care of the cows, the goats and the chickens and you take care of the pigs, horses and sheep’
‘Okay’ said Jillian.
Jackie went to work, milking a cow while Jillian went to feed the pigs.
Jackie was milking the last cow
when she heard a loud noise. She looked up to see all the horses loose and roaming the grounds.
‘What to do?’ She whistled for her horse and it came running. Jack came out then, riding after the horses.
Together the twins managed to get the horses back into the stable.
Finally, Jackie finished milking all the cows and the goats. She sat down on a wooden chair, exhausted.
Jack was working hard too.
She headed to the chicken house and began to feed the chickens. Then she cleaned the house. She was carrying a crate of eggs out when it crashed and spilt over.
As if she called for help, Jackie heard the gate bell ring. Who could that be?
She opened the gate cautiously.
Three clear faces beamed at her. It was
Jullian, Sheily and Tracy, their best friends.
‘Why weren’t you at school today?’ They asked
Jackie smiled as they stepped into the farm grounds. ‘My Grandma was hospitalised so
I and Jack had to stay home and look after the animals’
Jack ran up to them from the back.
‘You are here’ he beamed at them.
‘Yea, you are home alone, right’ said Jullian. ‘We will help you’
‘Thanks’ Both Jackie and Jack looked delighted.
Their work moved smoothly after them. The five of them cleaned the farm house from top to bottom.
Once the work was finished, they walked back to the farm house.
‘Work done’ said Jack. ‘Time for a feast’
Together, the five of them cooked the meal and set the table . They placed rice, potatoes and chicken on the table.
‘ Nice’ said Jack as they sat down to eat.
‘It was nice of them to come’ Jackie smiled fondly as she cleared the table after their friends had gone.
‘Wow now I know how difficult our parent’s work is’ said Jack.
The next few days continued much as it was. They fed the animals, cleaned their stalls and collected milk and eggs.
Jack was cleaning the horses stall when a horse reigned up and hit him across the face.
‘Ah’ He cried.
Jackie came running.
‘Jack’ She knelt down next to him shaking. ‘Are you all right?’
‘I am hurt’ He was covering his eye.
Jackie ran for the phone in the farmhouse and called an ambulance.
‘Please’ she begged. ‘My brother is hurt, come quickly’


The ambulance came soon. They drove them all the way to the hospital.
‘What’s wrong with him, doctor’ Jackie asked the moment they got there. Jackie was still grasping his face.
‘Don’t worry, he is going to be fine’ The doctor waved her away.
Jackie waited in the waiting room until she was called. Jack was on a bed, his face bandaged.
‘The doctor says I am going to be just fine’ He told her as she hugged him and cried. ‘I only have a bruise’
The hospital had called their parents and the next morning, they came through the doors.
‘ Jack, Jackie’ They took them in their arms in a family hug.
‘How is Grandma?’ said Jack.
‘She is going to be just fine’ said Mrs Murphy. ‘And guess what, she is coming to live with us’
The twins yelped in delight.
‘Come on, we best be getting home now’ said Mr Murphy.
Everyone laughed in delight.

‘Who is Jesus Christ?’’ Sam asked the children surrounding him.
Everyone raised their hands.
‘He is the son of God’ said a short, fair boy.
‘Very Good, Junior now tell me what did he do for us?’’
Junior nodded. ‘He died for our sins’’
The rest of the students clapped for him.
Maya turned her eyes away. She didn’t believe a word of it.
Her mornings were now always like
this, with one bible story after the other. She had never felt so bored in her life.
She was never more pleased than when Sunday came. She was relaxing in her room when Grandma Lily came in.
‘You need to get ready’ she said.
‘For what?’’
‘Church’
Maya wanted to cry. ‘But Grandma, I have been to bible school throughout this week’
‘Church is important, too’’

Tracy murmured as she showered and put on a dress.
They walked to the high, long
building with large windows.
Maya entered the church building and looked around. A lot of people were seated all around.
Grandma led her to a pew in front and sat down.
‘Time for the opening prayer’’ said a guy at the front and everyone stood up for the prayer.
After prayer and thanksgiving, the preacher took the stand.
‘Today, I want to talk about conforming to the image of the Son’’
Romans 8:29-For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to beconformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

‘What does it mean to conform to the image of the son, we need to ask what Christ was like’’
‘Christ prayed in  Luke 22:42 -Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done
We should aim to do God will and not our own, we need to put God first’’
‘Christ sacrificed for others, he gave his life to save us - we should aim to also live a life of self sacrifice’’
‘ Luke 23:34-Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
‘We should aim to also forgive others, we should all aim to be like Christ’’
Her Grandma shook Maya awake. She
had fallen asleep on the chair.



Maya was stepping out of the study hall on Monday when a girl and a boy approached her.
‘Hey,are you Maya?’ the boy asked politely.
‘I am Jamie and this is Ruth, we were wondering if you would like to join us spread the gospel’’
Maya scoffed. ‘And how are you going to do so?’’
‘We are going to make flyers with the gospel on it to give away ’
‘I am sorry but I am too busy’’ Maya said, walking away.

Today, Sam put on a tape for the children to watch. Tracy watched the screen. Pictures of Jerusalem came into view with how it was a pot of trembling among the nations.
Finished with her bathroom break, Maya
was walking back to the hall. She hopped forward happily.
Around her she could smell the flowers and moving forward she began to sing.
Then she stopped. It was as if someone was near her.
‘Who is it, she thought
God came to her mind.
They are coming to take away your freedom came another thought.
Maya took off racing. No, she thought, I am a free individual.
But as she entered the hall, all she could think of was God. Was God calling her? She
laughed aloud at the thought. There was no God.



That evening however, Maya picked up her
bible and read.
Now looking around, she couldn’t help thinking that God created all this.



Maya was deep in thought. She keep thinking about God
Her eyes fell on the Bible pages
and  Zechariah 12 :2-Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

It was true. Jerusalem was a pot of trembling .God prophecy came true.
If God prophecy was true then it meant that God was real.
Oh my, she thought to herself. God was real. So it was all real, heaven and hell and the Garden of Eden.
The next question that came to her mind was this. Did the God of the old testament really send his son to die for us?
She read into the bible widely. The Gospel verses came to her.
Isaiah 53:5 - But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
It was all true. Jesus died for our sins.
Maya knelt down and prayed. ‘God, thank you so much for your love, please accept me as your child’’


Maya hurried downstairs.
‘Grandma’ She hugged her Grandma. ‘Grandma, I believe in Jesus’’
‘You believe in Jesus’ Grandma Lily hugged her tightly.
‘Yes, please can I speak to my parents?’’
They called Mr and Mrs Evans on the phone.
‘Mommy, Daddy, Jesus is real, He is God’’
‘What!’ They sounded flag basted.
‘Yes, mommy, I read the bible and God is real, he created the world’’
‘Well, that great, sugar, I am glad you have found something you like’’ said Mr Evans.
‘We love you, honey’’ said Mrs Evans.
She smiled and decided to be better behaved from now on.




















‘Maya, go sweep the kitchen’’ Grandma Lily said.
Maya got out of bed and went to the kitchen. She wanted to obey Grandma.
The next day, when she got to Bible School, she stopped by Jamie and Ruth who were seated by each other.
‘I join you guys’ she told them. ‘To make flyers’
They both looked up in surprise. She smiled before moving through the rows to a seat.
Maya sat in the corner of the room
and listened intently. She was full of zeal to hear about God.
As she was walking out of the hall , Jamie and Ruth came up to meet her.
‘Are you really going to join us?’’ Ruth asked .
‘Yes’’
‘Then let go start the preparations’’ Ruth was smiling.
Maya followed them to a classroom at the back of the school.

Jamie and Ruth sat down and began to write Bible scriptures on paper. Maya sat by their sides, helping them.
It wasn’t long before grandma came to pick her up. Maya found her waiting in the study hall.
‘How was class today?’’
‘Class was good, we learnt a
about Moses today’
‘I am so glad you are enjoying your lessons’ Grandma gave her a warm smile.
‘I am very happy to learn about God every day’
Maya eyes were glowing. ‘I am still in shock that he actually exists’’
Grandma laughed . ‘Maya you are becoming so different’’
They walked home holding hands and entered the duplex.
‘Grandma, we are having banga soup for lunch, right’ The smell of the soup filled the house. ‘Will you show me how to cook it next time, please’’
‘Of course’’
Suddenly the doorbell chimed.
Maya opened the door to find a man and a lady standing there.
‘Good afternoon’ She tried to be polite.
‘Joseph, Esther welcome’ Grandmother was smiling. ‘Come in’’
The visitors were led to the dining room where they sat down.
‘ My friends are here to have lunch with us’’ said Grandma
‘Welcome’ said Maya.
Soon they were all eating from identical bowls of garri and soup.
‘People are saying that Jesus is coming soon’’ said the man called Joseph.
‘They have been saying so since I was
born’’ Esther said.
Joseph turned the pages of the bible and read-Acts 1:11 -Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven

Maya lowered her spoon in thought. She had to do God’s will so that she could make it into heaven. By God’s grace.

Every weekday now, Maya attended Bible School to study the bible. After that, she wrote down Bible scripture with Jamie and Ruth before coming home



Before Maya knew it, two weeks had gone by in her summer holidays.
The next day,Maya woke up early to read the bible.
She read the passage where Jesus turned water into wine.The first miracle .
 John 2:10- And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

The new wine, it must represent the new covenant ,Tracy thought to herself
She closed her book and knelt to pray.



The next day, Maya took her seat in the study hall.
Sam was looking over some notes. ‘Let’s us talk about Daniel’’ He told them.
Maya listened eagerly to the story about Daniel and the lions.
When they were done, they all stood up to
pray. Maya felt so much peace like she had never known before. She so wanted to live a godly life, and now wanted to be faithful to God.

Maya Call
‘Maya, get up’ Mrs Evans called from the door way of her bedroom.
Maya stirred softly then went back to sleep. It felt so cosy on her soft bed.
‘Maya’ , Her mother carried her to the bathroom. The moment she was put down, Maya tried to flee but her mother held her down.
Washed and dressed, Maya Sat down for breakfast. Mrs Evans piled rice, vegetables and stew on a plate.
‘I don’t want vegetables’, Maya yelled pushing the plate away from her.
‘You have to eat ’ Her mother said, trying to hold her to her seat. The eleven year old sprang from the chair and ran.
Mrs Evans followed her quickly. Maya was so naughty child, always giving her trouble.
Soon, Maya was half carried into the school bus and it set off, towards the school.
Maya watched wide eyed at the school bus entered
the large circular compound that made up the Gift Grammar School.
There were a lot of early comers about in the big, wide buildings.
The students lined up to leave the bus one by one. When it came to her turn, Maya jumped down the bus and made for her classroom.
The teacher, Miss Blessing was waiting.
‘Good morning, Miss Blessing’’ said Maya bringing out her homework.
The day got off to a good start, notes were
copied, the teacher taught them about traditions and taught them to calculate.
‘Please bring out your English textbooks’, Maya brought out hers and then suddenly Billy who was by her left side accidentally knocked the book off her hand.
Maya rose, snarling. ‘Why did you hit my book?, She pushed him to the ground.
Mrs Blessing rushed to their side. ‘Stop this instant’ she said.
But Maya didn’t listen. She reached out to hit Billy again. Luckily, Mrs Blessing held her back.
‘Detention for an hour’ Mrs Blessing told Maya firmly and sent her to the Detention hall.
Maya was frowning. How could Miss Blessing give her detention again? What would Mother and Father say?
She put her head on her seat as tears filled her eyes. She was in trouble again.
An hour later, she cleaned her eyes
And returned to the class.
‘Time to study French’’ Mrs Blessing was saying as she went in.
Back in her seat, Maya opened her textbook and read with the rest of the students.
Everything seemed to be going well. At break-time, Maya, Philip, and Jonathan sat together at a table.
Maya playfully cut pieces of her donuts and threw it at the boys at her table, Philip and Jonathan.
‘Stop playing with your food’’ The school nurse, Madam Rosaline cried.
Maya laughed and continued. Madam Rosaline sighed. It was obvious that Maya was a troublesome child.
Maya got home in a good mood. ‘School was nice, Mother’ she said to Mrs Evans. ‘Then why was I called about your detention?’’
Maya gulped.
Mrs Evans stood over her. ‘Why are you always getting into trouble?’’
‘It is not my fault’’ Maya screamed and kicked at a table so hard it fell over.
‘I suppose that isn’t your fault also’ Mrs Evans said. ‘Maya, try becoming an obedient, dutiful child’’
Maya hissed and made for the bathroom where she shut the door hard.
Mrs Evans went for the door but Maya had bolted the door.
‘Maya, open up’’ Mrs Evans called but Maya refused to budge.
Despite Mrs Evans pleading, the door remained shut until Mr Evans came home.
‘Open the door at once’’ He said before Maya opened the door.
Mr Evan took her arm and led her to the living room.
‘Maya you know very well that you are our precious child, please try to listen and obey us’’
‘But Daddy’ Maya said. ‘It isn’t my fault’
‘Darling, try to listen, okay’’
But both Mother and Father had very little hope, that Maya would ever change.
The school term soon came to an end. In the middle of July, Mrs Evan took Maya to school to get her result.
Miss Blessing handed over the envelope with her eyes on the ground .Mrs Evans looked it over.
‘This cannot be’ Maya had failed every subject.
‘I am sorry, Mrs Evans we did our best but it still turned out this way, Maya refused to focus at all.....’’
‘I know that my daughter is an unfocused, troublesome child but she must be good at something’’
‘She did worst than everyone else in every subject, I am writing a report for her so she can get tested for the attention deficient disorder’’
Mrs Evans signed. ‘Is there any other way?’’
‘I am afraid not’’ Mrs Blessing said.

Mr Evan frowned when he saw the result. ‘ Our daughter is in need of serious help, she cannot continue like this’’
Mrs Evan wiped tears from her eyes. ‘I am so worried about her future’’
Maya who was outside the door eavesdropping lowered her eyes at the sound of this.
‘We have to come up with a plan’’ said Mrs Evan.


The next morning, Maya woke up to the sound of a moving suitcase.
Before she could say what! Her mother had her out of bed.
‘Get ready, you are going to Grandma Lily place’’
Maya pouted and struggled. ‘I don’t want to go anywhere’’ She didn’t like Grandma Lily, her father’s mum who was very strict.
‘You have to’ Mr Evans was by the door and he wasn’t smiling.
‘But...’’
‘Maya, we have tried our best with you but all we have done is fail, now we are handing you over to my mother for the holidays’’
‘No.....’’ Maya shrieked her loudest
But it was to no avail. Her parents had her packed and ready to go.
‘I won’t go’’ Her father carried her in his arms and into the car.
They drove to the train-station where Mr Evans brought three train tickets to the Port-Harcourt. And soon, they were off.


The trip from Lagos to Port-Harcourt was over in a few hours. Then Mr Evan hailed a cab which dropped them right in front of Grandma Lily house.
Maya looked up at the sight of the small lemon-painted duplex and wanted to cry again. This must be what it felt like to go to prison.
Her father carried her to the door. Grandma was
Waiting and Maya shrieked at the sight of her. She was a frail old woman with white hair and brown, piercing eyes
‘Welcome’’ She said in a weak voice. Both the Evans hugged her warmly
She led them into a lovely hall-way painted
in lemon, just like everywhere in the duplex was painted in lemon
Maya gasped at the sight of the huge portrait in the hallway. It was of the four of them, Maya ,her parents and Grandma. Both her father and mother looked much the same as they did now, with lean bodies, dark skin and brown eyes but Maya had grown much taller.
Maya lowered her voice. ‘Daddy, Mommy can I go back with you, I promise to behave much better’’
Mr Evans signed. ‘It is too late, Maya, you have to stay’’
Maya burst into tears again. Grandma hugged her but she pushed her away.
‘Maya....’’ Her father shouted.
‘Don’t worry about it’’ said Grandma.
The adults moved aside to talk in low
Voices while Maya stood still with bent head. Soon, they came back.
Mr Evans took Maya into her arms. ‘’Be a good girl, Maya and obey your grandmother’’ She whispered. ‘And don’t be naughty’’
‘Don’t forget we love you very much’’ Mrs Evan added. ‘You are always in our hearts’
Maya looked away from them, shoulder rose. Signing, her parents rose to leave.
Maya screamed and held on to her mother’s dress. Mrs Evans gently removed her hand and both parents walked away, leaving Maya wailing in her Grandmother arms.




















Grandma Lily hugged Maya warmly. ‘Don’t cry, we’ll have lots of fun together’’ she told her.
But Maya kept wailing.
‘Stop crying’ Lily said in a firm voice. Maya kept quiet at once.
‘Time for some bath and some tea’’ said Lily.
Maya looked away, refusing to move
‘Move Maya or else you would remain in your room all evening’’ Maya moved slowly after her to the bathroom.
After Maya was washed and changed, they sat in the living room to have tea.
‘Let’s us pray’’ Grandma said.
Maya pretended to move her mouth while Grandma prayed.
‘Eat your sandwiches’ said Grandma.
Maya nodded and prayed then when Grandma
looked away, she tossed the sandwich into the bin.
‘Upstairs’’ Grandma said.
She ushered her to a little bedroom near the stairs
‘You will spend the afternoon reading’’ Grandma brought out a book from a low shelf titled ‘Bible stories’’ and held it to Maya.


Maya looked into the book until Grandma left the room then tossed the book to the floor.
She was furious. She was dumped her to stay with the old woman while all her friends were having fun during the holidays. It was unbearable.
The day passed quietly until Grandma called her for dinner and then she bid her wear her shoes.
‘We are going out’’ She said.
Maya followed the old lady as they walked past houses and into another street.
They stopped near a tall wall painted with many colours.
‘This is the compound of your new school’’
‘What!’’
‘It is a bible summer school for kids’’ said Grandma.
‘But I am not a Christian’’
‘Maya, we all need God in our lives, your parents have given the go-ahead’’
‘I don’t want to go’’
They walked back home in silence, Maya fuming. Summer holidays which should be spent in front of the television was now going to be so boring.
I have to get out of here, Maya thought.

The next morning, Grandma came to her room early.
‘Time to get ready for school’’ she called. Maya lay completely still.
Grandma Lily picked her up as if she were a doll . ‘I know you are awake’’ she said.
Maya opened her eyes. ‘But....’’
‘You have to go’’
After breakfast she led her straight to the school. Inside the compound there were several round halls for different groups.
‘Here is your group’’ Grandma
Lily bent to register her with other eleven year olds.


Maya joined the other eleven year olds for their first lesson. The teacher, a tall lean man introduced himself as Sam.
She laughed when the teacher drew the Garden of Eden for them. ‘It is a myth my mother says, there is no place like that’’
‘The Garden of Eve exists, it does’’ cried the
other kids.
‘Ha, you guy are being deceived’’ Maya said.
Sam heard her. ‘Why did you say that’?’ he asked Maya.
‘My mom says no one has ever seen the place’’ said Maya.
‘Maya , God says there is such a place’’ Sam said softly.
‘There is no such person as God’’ said Maya.
The children all screamed in outrage.
‘Calm down, Calm down’’ said the teacher. ‘Maya God exists, there is no doubt about it’’
‘But how come we can’t see him,then?’’ asked Maya.
‘The bible says in Romans 1:20-For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:’ said the teacher


‘God is a spirit, Maya believe in God, he loves us so much’’
Maya didn’t say a word again until it
was it was time to leave.


Grandma Lily came to pick her up.
‘How was today?’’ she asked as they left the gates of Forever Bible School.
‘They talked a lot about Adam and Eve’’
‘Well, they were the first humans God created’’
Tracy scoffed. ‘I don’t believe that, mom said we evolved from animals’’
Grandma patted her arm. ‘You will learm more about God as time goes on’’
‘So, tell me’’ Grandma said as they got home. ‘Did you make any friends?’’
‘No’’
Her aunt put on the kettle to boil and soon the little room filled with the scent of tea.
‘Go change and then come down’ Frowning, Maya hit each stairs hard as she walked up the stairs
After Grandma prayed and they drank their tea, Maya immediately went to sleep

Satan,a spiritual being is trying to deceive himand take your souls. Resist him by asking and receiving salvation and do what the bible commands-pray without ceasing,give thanks in everything and praise God because God inhibits the praise of his people

T-boy and the monkey
T-boy opened up his picture book. It was full of drawing of animals. There were drawings of tame animals like the cows and pigs, and there were pictures of wild ones, the bear and the gorilla.
‘You are reading your favourite book again’ His mom ran her fingers across his soft red hair, smiling at the small boy.T-boy looked outside the fast-moving train to the forest outside. He was sure there were all sorts of animals in the jungle.
‘He wants to be a vet just like his papa’ His father, Mr Dickson commented from behind the newspaper he was reading.
T-boy nodded from between his parents. He missed the animals they had left behind in his father’s clinic though he was looking forward to their holiday in Spain.
Suddenly, the train jolted. T-boy could hear the sounds of footsteps on the roof.
‘What is happening?’ Mr Dickson called out .Everyone was beginning to look confused.
The train came to a sudden stop .People turned to each other.
‘It is a robbery’ someone said and everyone stood up in alarm. The whole place broke into a panic. People began to push and pull to get out the train.
‘Hold on to me,T-boy’ Mr Dickson said as they got caught up in the crowd of people pushing their way out.
BOOM BOOM
Shooting came as if from nowhere. T-boy shrieked .His mother pulled him close.
They were almost at the door of the train where four masked men appeared.
‘Stay still’ one of them said. People screamed and began to push widely. T-boy was pulled away from his parents in the rush.
‘Mom, Dad’ He cried in alarm .But the noises in the train were too loud. He couldn’t see his parents anymore.
He was pushed out of the train in between the crowd. Outside, he heard shooting. He took to his heels and ran into the jungle.
T-boy looked around. There were high trees everywhere. The smell of grass and stink filled his nostrils. Behind him, some leaves moved. He shook in fright. But it was only a squirrel.
‘Mom, Dad’ He shouted as loud as he could. In his fear he had run far away from the train. How on earth was he going to find his parents?
He shook in alarm again as he heard whistling. But it was only some birds flying above.
He wound his arms around his cold, shaking body. He was only nine years old. How could he survive in the forest alone?
T-boy stepped forward quietly, not wanting to alert any wild animals.
‘God please help me’ He prayed silently. ‘Help me find my mama’



T-boy walked and walked and saw no one.
The forest was silent.
T-boy had expected to see herds of deer, antelope and even run into terrifying animals like the tigers. But he only saw rats, rodents and a few small animals sneaking by.
Every tree he looked at seemed to be
full of succulent fruit- berries, apples and mangoes. They looked so sweet and ripe. He heard his tummy growl but he didn’t touch anyone of them, not know which was poisoned.
Then he heard the sound of a running spring. He hurried towards the sound.
Water sputtered down a low mountain to a river. T-boy gasped. His father had told him once, on a hike, that if he was ever lost, he should follow the river. It was his way out.

‘Ho ho’ said a voice.
‘Ha..’ T- boy shook at the noise. ‘Who is there?’
‘Me’ said a voice. It was a little brown monkey. He jumped down from the tree with a loud thud and came closer.
‘A talking monkey’ T- boy gasped.
‘It is a special ability of mine, I can talk to all animals’ said the monkey.
‘Wow’ T-boy bent low to gaze at him keenly.
‘So, tell me, what is a human like you doing in the forest?’ asked the monkey.
T-boy eyes misted. ‘Robbers attacked my train and I ended up here, I am on my way to find my parents’
‘Really, so you are not a runaway’ said the monkey.
‘Not at all’
‘Well then I have an idea’ said the monkey. ‘I help you find your parents and you reward me with some banana suckers’
‘Suckers’ T-boy widened his eyes.
‘Yes, they can be transplanted so we
can have bananas in the jungle again ’
‘Aren’t there any bananas in the forest?’ asked T-boy blowing his nose as the smelly monkey moved right next to him.
‘There used to be, but the blight killed them all, but we monkeys want to grow them back’ said the monkey sadly.
‘I see’ T-boy nodded. ‘It is a deal, then ,you help me find my family and I buy you some banana suckers’
‘Great’ the monkey looked overjoyed. ‘My name is Edd, by the way’
‘T-boy’ He said as they shook hands.
They soon came up with a plan. The monkey would carry T-boy home.
‘Climb up’ the monkey bent low so that T-boy could enter his back.
‘Wait’ said T-boy, winkling his nose. ‘You need a wash first’
He lifted the cool water from the stream and poured it on the monkey. Edd shouted and jumped.
‘It is for your own good’ said T-boy.
‘No’
‘Please’ The monkey seemed not to have taken a bath before.
The monkey closed his eyes while T- boy washed him with water. After, it was done, he didn’t smell as bad as before.
Edd bent down his wet body for T-boy to climb onto.
‘Wait’ T-boy heart was beating fast. He climbed unto Edd wet back.



‘We have to go, just close your eyes, it is what I do whenever I feel afraid’
T- boy closed his eyes as the monkey moved forward and jumped.
‘Weew’ he cried, cold wind blowing through his fine red curls. He held onto Edd tightly as he jumped from tree to tree. They were following the river.
The sun was beginning to set,T-boy was sure his parents would be so worried.
‘We will find them soon’said Edd as if sensing his worries.
Again, they met hardly any other animals.
‘Why is the forest so devoid of animals?’ T-boy asked.
‘They are all in hiding’
T-boy raised eyebrows. ‘But why?’ he asked as they jumped onto a tree.
‘It is a big problem, the elephants and the tigers have a serious conflict going on and since they are both such powerful animals, the whole forest is terrified and have hidden themselves’
‘What caused the conflict?’
‘The tigers injured a elephant cub while hunting and the elephants have declared a faceoff between the two tribes today’
‘What do you think is going to happen?’
‘A war that could destroy the entire jungle’ The monkey lowered his shoulders in despair.
T-boy froze. ‘Is there anything we can do to help?’
‘The only way would be to save the elephant cub but no one know how to do so’
T-boy thought for a while. ‘I might be able to help, my father is a vet, he helps animals and I get to watch him all the time’

T-boy made his decision quickly. ‘Take me to the stage of the conflict’
Edd sputtered. ‘But.. .’
‘It is the only way to save the jungle’ He explained . ‘Don’t worry; you will be safe in the trees’
‘Fine’
The monkey changed directions and turned east wards. He jumped so fast from the tree that T-boy shrieked.
They soon arrived at a large clearing with rocks over the grass and sand. From the top of a tall tree hidden by weeds, they could see both tribes. The elephants lay on the right, a big group, blowing their trunks loudly while the tigers stood to the left, looking particular fierce as they paced the ground.
It was the scene of a big fight.
‘That tiger in the front, Raco is their leader’ Edd pointed at an tiger with white spots. ‘He is the one who injured the cub’


Near one of the elephants, T-boy could see a little cub lying face down, moaning as if in pain.
‘The elephants are asking for a fight’ Edd whispered to him. T-boy looked at the baby elephant. It looked like something was struck in his foot.
The mother elephant was whistling something in tears, pointing at her baby.
‘She wants revenge’ interpreted the monkey. ‘The cub is dying, she thinks’
It was true. The cub foot was bleeding.
The tigers and the elephants pounded their feet. They were geared up to fight.
T-boy gently scaled down the tree. He hurried outside to the animals.
‘Stop’ He shouted. ‘I can help’
All the animals froze in shock. Edd watched mouth open in amazement.
T-boy waved widely while the animals looked on in shock.
‘I can help’ He said again. But none seemed to understand. He looked back for Edd but he seemed to have disappeared.
He pointed to the baby elephant then to himself, then tried to mimic himself tending to it.
The head tiger,Raco roared in annoyance, making to attack T-boy but the elephants suddenly surrounded him.
The mother elephant nodded at him. T-boy knelt next to the little elephant and began to examine it. It looked pale and very weak.
He found it then. There was a tiger nail in his foot. T-boy held the elephant close, petting it and with a sudden pull, pulled the nail out.
The elephant cried.
T-boy cut some leaves and carefully cleaned the wound. He tore a piece of his shirt and carefully wrapped the elephant feet.

The elephants led him to their home. It was a large comfortable field.
For the rest of the night, T-boy tended the little elephants. By morning, it was beginning to move around.
There was ruffling in the trees. Edd suddenly appeared.
‘Seems the elephant has recovered’ He said. ‘ All the animals are talking about it, you saved the jungle’
‘Praise God’ T-boy signed with relief. ‘But I need to be getting home now, my parents must be so worried’
The elephant had gathered round, looking grateful.
‘They are asking what you want as a reward’ said Edd.
‘All I want is for there to be peace in this jungle’ He replied. The monkey relayed the message.
The elephants nodded in agreement. The baby elephant came to hug him goodbye.
‘I take you for free now’ said Edd
‘Because you helped us all’
‘Thanks but I get you some bananas free as well’ T-boy hopped onto his back and they sped off through the trees.



They went back to the river and began to follow it. Along the way, they began to notice animals. T-boy gasped when he say heads of deer, antelope, pigs and animals of all sorts grazing in the forest. From the trees, he even saw bear, tigers and gorilla all moving around the jungle.
The forest was alive again.
‘It is back to normal’ Edd was shaking in excitement. ‘The forest is back to normal’ He yelped in delight.
It was a long journey and T-boy was both tired, hungry and sleepy. His body shook with tiredness.
Suddenly T-boy could hear the sound of a train whistle.
‘There, There’ He pointed ahead. The monkey hurried forward.
An hour later, they finally arrived at the train station. The place was filled with people.
‘T-boy-T-boy’ He could hear his mother voice nearby.
‘I am here’ he shouted. She screamed in relief at the sound of his voice.
They ran to each other arms joyfully. His father came and hugged him from behind.
‘We are so happy you are fine’ said his father.
Mr Dickson lifted him up. From up, he could see Edd.
‘Can we buy some bananas suckers ,Papa?’ He asked.
‘Yes, of course’ said his father.
They found a fruit vendor and bought some bananas suckers immediately. T-boy made his way to Edd while his parents watched.
‘Thanks for everything’ T-boy hugged Edd. ‘I will never forget you’
Edd has tears in his eyes. ‘Me, neither’
‘Take care of yourself and grow a lot of bananas’ T-boy handed over the banana suckers to him.
‘Thanks you so very much’ said Edd.
‘Thank God’ T-boy said.
The monkey disengaged himself and jumping up, flew into the trees. T-boy waved as he left.

Pauline and the lion
Each day, the young lions, Billy and Seth practiced fighting with each other. They pounced on each other and fought each other with all their strength.
Jim, the youngest of the lions often watched them from behind a tree.
One day, he came out.
‘You guys are always practicing’ His eyes were sad.
‘Yes, of course’ said Billy, the biggest cub. ‘It is only a matter of time before we grow up and have to leave our pride and go defeat another’
‘There is no need for us to leave Rosewood forest’ said Jim. ‘Our families are here, we could stay here forever’
The other lions laughed. ‘ It is the custom for young lions to leave their pride, defeat another and make it their own’ said Seth scratchily.
Jim drew back. ‘I believe we can make a different future, where all lions can live in peace, without warring against each other, there is enough food for everyone, there is no need to fight........’
‘There is great need to fight’ Billy shouted, pounding his feet so the ground shook. ‘We will control our own pride’ He made to pounce on Jim.
Jim ran away, signing. Why couldn’t his brothers understand? The lions were born in a circle of hate, when one lion defeated another and killed all the male young in his pride, took over
the pride and had his own children, only mostly to be killed off by another lion. There has got to be another way for lions to live.
Jim wished for all animals to live in peace without war and killing. For the lion and the antelope to graze next to each other, eating grass .For the rat to sleep safely next to the
snake nest. But in real life, the jungle was a battlefield where the weak were pounced upon and eaten. Even the lions who were proclaimed as the king of the jungle, were at war with each other. There was no peace.
‘Jim’ said his father voice.
Jim turned to see the mighty lion, Zachary. In his time, he had defeated six prides to add to his own. Even though he was now old, he was still so feared that none of the young lions came near his pride. Standing behind him were twelve lionesses.
‘What are you doing here, Jim?’ said Zachary. ‘Why aren’t you fighting with your brothers?’
‘Father, I don’t like fighting’ Jim answered.
‘Are you a lion or a donkey?’ His father hissed on him. ‘you don’t eat meat, you don’t fight, what really can you do?, you have become so weak’
Furious, he passed by, leading the lioness away.
Jim passed by, heading deeper into the forest. He loved the scents and sounds of the jungle. As he walked, he noticed a head of deer eating grass. He walked nearer but they suddenly heard his steps and fled. It was always the same with the rest of the animals. They always ran, scared for their life.
He climbed up a mountain stepping on sandy rocks, ran round a little cave he found and played happily near the river, after drinking his fill.
He was walking back to Rosewood when rain began to drizzle, wetting him. He shook himself and hurried on.
Suddenly he stopped looking ahead through the grass as a sweet scent drifted towards him.
There stood before him a creature standing on only its two feet. He had never seen a more beautiful animal before with mostly hairless skin and delicate body. And its scent, its scent was overwhelming sweet.
Jim felt a desperate urge to feed on it.
I can’t do this, he told himself. I won’t eat anyone.
He went closer. The creature turned and walked away. Jim followed, transfixed. What was it?

Suddenly there were shouts. Several of the same kind of creatures came out of a wooden cave.
They threw sharpened rods at him. Jim ran but one pierced his arm. Blood spilled out.


‘What could have happened?’ Billy and Seth narrowed their eyes when he crawled in, bleeding.
They helped him clean his wood with some grass as he spoke.
‘Amazing’ chimed Seth. ‘So you met them?’
‘Who are they?’
‘Humans’ said Billy. ‘They are the
most feared creatures in the world, I heard that you can hardly escape alive after meeting them’

Jim gasped. ‘But they looked so delicate’ He had heard of humans but always thought they were myth.
‘Yea, they are weak physically’ Seth nodded. ‘But they are unbelievably bright, and they always stick together and take care of one another, they left the jungle and built their own world and they only have a few other animals with them’
Jim lowered his eyes. How he so wanted a home like that. Where everyone cared for each other. Wasn’t there a way for the lions to also live together in harmony? He wanted to find out more about the humans and the secret behind their success.
‘Where do the humans live?’He asked his brothers.
‘They live outside the forest, you can follow the water to the edge of the jungle, but no one goes there as they would just kill you’
Jim nodded with a glint in his eye. He was going there to find out more about humans.


After two days walking, Jim finally reached the edge of the forest. He felt a rush as he caught a whiff of the air. There were humans nearby.
He crouched down and crawled forward through the soft grass slowly. He widened his eyes and looked far ahead. Everywhere he looked were buildings made of wood and stone.
There was a human with a softer look than he had seen previously and long hair .She bent over a round building of stone of some sorts and drew out water. Jim felt the desire to pounce on her and eat her but he rejected the urge.
All day, he watched carefully as different humans came around. Some came to draw water
from that round stone, others went to the forest holding sharpened sticks. Most of them seemed to be working on something or the other but Jim noticed one thing.
It was true what his brothers said. They co-operated with each other. They built homes and lived in peace. Any fights he noticed were quickly settled by the elders. Jim was fascinated. Day after day, he watched them.
One day, he was engrossed with watching some small humans play when he heard a loud cry.
‘Lion’ cried a voice from behind. ‘Lion’
Pandanoria erupted. Humans took off running.
Jim rose to flee but some hunters came flying through the trees.
They threw some material over him, and it trapped him. Next thing, he knew sharp sticks were piercing his body. He feel himself slipping away.
Next time he woke, he was inside in something strong and wooden. He used his body to hit on it repeatedly but it didn’t break. Outside, the humans seemed excited, pointing. He was trapped.


That evening, the long haired women he had first seen from the edge of the forest came carrying some goat meat. She threw it at him. He didn’t budge.
She stared and made signs, pointing to the meat and Jim mouth. Jim looked away.
Day after day, humans came to see Jim. They
threw stones at him and laughed. Jim bent his eyes low. The smell of the humans were nearly driving him wild.
The long hair came to bring meat every day. Jim didn’t eat any. He grew weaker every day.
One day, the long haired girl came by eating some bread. He stared at her and she threw some at him. He ate it up.
She yelped and threw more. He ate more.
She never fed him meat again. That day, she made sounds with her mouth.
‘Pauline’ She mounted. ‘My name is Pauline’
The lion tried to repeat. ‘Pa.....u’
‘Let’s be friends’ she said.
Jim didn’t understand but he purred in return. He liked her.


Weeks pass into months. A year quietly passed. Jim became a healthy young lion. Pauline came to feed him every day.
‘Hey’ She was smiling now as she threw bread to him. He shook his tail at her. He had learnt to understand a little human language.
She made signs at him. ‘You know, I cant still believe you don’t eat meat’
He signalled that he hated it.
She made signs again ‘You don’t kill other animals’
He signalled ‘Never’
At that moment, some male humans came by, holding stones. They threw it at Jim.

‘Stop it’ Pauline had tears in her eyes. ‘He has done you no wrong’
‘He is a lion’ they hissed at her.
One picked a stone and made to thrown again. Pauline held onto his hand but he pushed her away.
After they left, Pauline came closer.
‘Sorry’ She told him. ‘Please forgive them, I make a petition to get you out of here’
When it was time for the next town meeting. Everyone was seated down.
When the gong was sounded for the meeting to start, one after another, people brought their petitions.
There was a petition about
housing, another about a marital disagreement and yet another about lost property. Pauline waited for everyone to bring their petitions.
‘Is there any petition left?’ asked the village elder finally.
Pauline raised her hands. ‘It is about
the lion, he is such a good lion, he never roars at anyone, has never hurt anyone and refuses to even eat meat, and yet he is sometimes being attacked, I petition that he should be set free’
Under the banana trees, everyone signed.
‘It is true that he is a well-behaved lion, but he is the pride of our village, how can we let him go?’
‘I am sure we can find another lion if we go hunting soon’
The elder thought for a while. ‘Pauline, you saved the lives of many in the village with your medicine and because of that, we have been looking for a way to reward you, for that, we would let the lion go’
Everyone clapped in agreement.


Jim was taken to the edge of the forest to be set free.
The cage was opened and he stepped outside for the first time in a year. The smell of the jungle hit him and he wanted to go home.
‘Goodbye, Jim ,take care of yourself’ Pauline hugged him goodbye, stroking his soft fur .
He took off into the jungle.
For two days again, he hurried through the forest. He so wanted to see his family again.


He reached Rosewood finally. He was home. The trees, the grass, the running animals, everything looked and smelt the same.

He drew near to the large enclosure where his pride lived. Something caught his eye and he looked up.
It was his father head, lying on the ground. His father was dead.
Jim froze in shock. He couldn’t quite believe it.His father was gone. Upset, he began to cry.


Jim crawled close to Rosewood pride but didn’t dare enter it. He wanted to find out how his mother was.
Rosewood pride looked much the same, except for a giant lion who sat in the King rock.
‘Get me some meat’ He was ordering some lionesses despite the fact that he was finishing up a deer. All the entire lionesses looked tired.


‘More meat’ He growled.
Jim watched him all day. He made the lioness work all day, cleaning, hunting and looking after him. They all looked miserable.
One of the lionesses staggered in tiredness.
‘Can we have a little time to rest?’ Jim mother asked, holding her.
The giant hit her hard across the face. Jim growled in anger and came out.
Suddenly, his mother turned and saw him. She froze in shock
The lion and all the lionesses followed her gaze. They all froze also. The giant roared.
Jim roared right back. He wanted to save his pride from the giant so that the lionesses can be at peace again.
Then Jim turned and ran. The giant, roaring, followed.



Jim ran and ran. Though Jim was not strong, he was unusually quick on his feet. The giant lion ran after him, roaring.
For two days they ran. Jim finally reached the edge of the forest and ran into the human territory.
The giant followed right behind.
Humans began to scream.
Nets came as if out of nowhere, covering both lions. They were both put in cages.
Luckily, Pauline soon came over.
‘Jim’ She cried. ‘You are back’
Jim cried at the sight of her.
She ran off to tell the elders.
Half an hour later, Jim was released again. Pauline hugged him goodbye once more.
Jim walked to his pride. The lioness screamed with delight as they saw him coming.
His mother welcomed him with a hug. Within weeks, they had brought back his brothers, Billy and Seth who had fled because of the giant lion . He was going to build a pride where everyone would live in peace.

Lucy the antelope

‘Lucy, Lucy’ called her friends loudly.
Lucy, a small female antelope, woke from her musing and turned to face her friends, Rachel and Esther.
‘We found water’ said Rachel. ‘The herd found water’
Lucy smiled in relief. Her herd of antelope had been searching for water for hours. She hurried after her friend and soon they reached the brook. Most of the herd were already drinking.
Lucy lowered her head and drank deeply from the brook. It tasted so refreshing.
‘Tiger’ someone screamed. ‘Tiger’
Lucy ran fast. The whole head took to their heels. They didn’t stop running until the all clear was given.
‘Count everyone’ said Elder Abel.
Everyone was counted. A little antelope called Jane was missing. Lucy eyes filled with tears.

Life was hard for an antelope. Finding food and water was difficult and there was one thing that made life horrible. It was predators. Lions, tigers, wolfs and more. They were always waiting to devour. Everyone lived in terror.
Lucy loved her herd very much. She hated to see them live this way, always running and some getting eaten. She wanted to do something to change things.


Lucy left the herd and walked into the forest. She was going to find a way out.
The air smelled crisp and clear, and the wind blew sand into her face as she walked past the trees, stones and vegetation. Owls hooted into the air as she passed by. Was there anything she could do?
Her search proved fruitless. There seemed to be nothing at all.


Everyday seemed to continue as it was before. But Lucy kept looking.
‘What are you always looking for?’ Rachel had to ask one morning.
Lucy signed. ‘I want something that would keep us from getting killed’
‘That’s impossible, if there was a way ,we would know by now, they are just too strong for us’
‘We can’t go on like this,Rachel,our people are dying, I can’t bear to see another child lost, if there are stronger than us then we have to be smarter than them’
‘The tigers are far too smart’
‘I won’t give up, no matter what it takes’ Lucy was firm.
She went off running. A lond object suddenly hit her foot. She looked down. it was a round shiny object with a tiny gong in the middle.
She picked it and it shook .It made a loud sharp noise. Lucy came up with an idea.

Lucy went straight to Elder Abel.
‘I found something important’ she told him.
‘What is it?’ He asked.
‘It is a object that make noise, I think it could be used to warn us when a predator comes near’
‘Seriously’ He examined the bell. He shook it and most of the antelopes jumped at the noise.
Elder Abel called all the antelopes together.
‘We have an idea to help us know when a predator comes near, we shake this object and everyone flees’ He shock the bell for good effect and all the antelope jumped.
Everyone agreed it was a fabulous idea.


The next day, all the antelopes were grazing in a field .Lucy was munching a sweet piece of grass.
The bell rang. Lucy ran. Alongside her, all the other antelope ran, too.
They reached a safe place.
‘Count’ said Elder Abel.
Everyone was counted. No one was missing. All the antelope jumped in joy. Rachel and Esther jumped around Lucy.
Lucy felt so happy.
Everyday, the antelope went to to get food and water. And when any predator came near, the person watching rang the bell and no one got caught.
One day, Lucy was grazing with the rest of the antelopes when she saw a lioness running at them.
‘Ring the bell’She shouted at the watcher for the day. ‘Ring the bell’

But the lion was fast. He made for the watcher antelope and broke his neck.
‘Lion, there is a lion..’ But it was too
late. The lion had both caught another antelope and were tearing him apart. Lucy fled with the remaining antelopes.
When they got to a safe place, everyone
raised their voices in tears.
‘She knew’ Lucy was weeping. ‘They must have found out about the bell’
‘it is our fault, we kept on using it until they found out the trick behind it’ said Rachel.
‘There are four antelope missing’ Elder Abel had finished counting them.
Everyone was inconsolable.


Life began without using the bell again.
Lucy watched with dismay as things returned quickly back to the way things were before they found the bell. It was as if the brief reprieve never happened at all.

She huddled close to Rachel and Esther.
‘I am still going to try to find another way out of this’ She told them.
‘ Please don’t, the last time ended in such a disaster’ Esther said.
‘But, Esther, I don’t want to give up, even if I fail, I want to still keep trying, I believe that one day, I will succeed’
She wanted to save everybody.



Lucy got up when everyone was dozing off.
She leapt over the other sleeping antelopes and walked into the jungle.
She looked around the jungle. it used to be so alive during the day, with all sorts of animals roaming about, but now it was dark and most of the animals were sleeping.
It was hard moving forward in the dark as she passed trees, rivers ,and rocks searching desperately.
Early the next morning, she saw a large mountain. I can’t stop here, she thought.
Up she climbed, passing rocks and skipping stones. Ahead was a large cave.
Lucy peeped inside. It was really large but no one was there. She walked right in.
It was a really big cave. There was grass growing inside .She walked in deeper and saw a small lake. It was like a dream. Everything her herd needed was here. And most animals won’t brother climbing the mountain so they were safe from predators.
She hurried her way back to the
herd.
‘I found a place where we can all live in peace and safety’ she told Elder Abel.
But he looked away, not willing to listen to her. He must still be displeased over the bell incident.
She turned around and shouted. ‘Everyone listen, there is a cave up a mountain far away from there that has both food and water, and is free from predators, won’t everyone like to go there?’
Everyone looked around at each other.
‘Yes, yes’ The answer all round was a resounding yes.
Everyone followed Lucy down the forest at night. It was quiet and dark but Lucy could still remember the way.
Finally, they climbed up the
mountain. Everyone gasped when they saw the cave.
‘Seems like a cosy home here ‘Elder Abel was making himself at home on a pile of grass. The rest of the antelope quickly followed suit.



Life at the cave was very happy.
‘Everyone has as much grass and water as they want’ Esther told Lucy. ‘And there
are no lions or tigers here, yippee’
Lucy laughed. ‘This is what I have always wanted, for everyone to live in peace like this’
Rachel came over to nuzzle Lucy. ‘ I am so happy, thank you so much’


Esther, Rachel and Lucy were drinking water by the lake.
Esther coughed and blood spilled on the floor.
‘What!’ Lucy raised her head in alarm.
But it was not just her. Around her, many of the antelopes were coughing blood.
‘We need to get out of here, it must be the water here making everyone sick’ Elder Abel seemed dismayed. He led the way out while the rest of the strong ones followed, carrying the weak ones.
For hours, half the antelopes remained ill as they made their way back to their former home. On their way, Esther died, along with six other antelopes. No one could stop grieving.


‘Are the rest of them all feeling better?’ Lucy asked Elder Zack. She didn’t dare go near Elder Abel.
But Elder Zack hissed at her and walked away. Lucy walked up to where two other antelope was grazing.
Immediately they shifted away,
turning their backs at her.
‘There is no point trying to talk to anyone’Rachel had come over now. ‘Everyone shuns you because they blame you for the cave sicknesses’
Lucy wept. it had been heat-reaching to watch Esther and the other healthy antelopes die. She couldn’t stop blaming herself.
She fell on the ground, weakened. She had hardly eaten and drunk since they all died.
‘I have an idea to help everyone’ She told Rachel. ‘Will you please help me?
Rachel nodded. ‘I help you’ she told her. ‘But we can’t afford to fail this time’




The antelopes were feeding in the pasture when a tiger came out of nowhere.
‘It is a tiger’ The antelopes took off running.
The tiger went after a nursing antelope with her young. For a moment Lucy paused in terror, but she came out, heading for the tiger. Distracted, the tiger followed Lucy instead.


Lucy ran for her dear life. The tiger was right at her heels. Then it fell right into a hole.
Lucy ran with the other antelopes until they got to a safe place.
Once they got there, all the other antelopes surrounded Lucy.
‘You did it’ said Rachel. She and Lucy had dug the hole together.
‘You are so brave’ said another antelope.
‘Thank you so much’ said the nursing mother the tiger had been aiming at.
From being an outcast, Lucy had become a hero again.



From that day forward, whenever a predator came along they would play the same trick. The predator would fall into the trap and no antelope would be harmed.
Five days later, they were drinking water by the river when a lion came out of nowhere.
‘Run, everyone run’ Lucy raised the alarm as she went to distract it.
The lion roared. Lucy wanted to flee in terror but thinking of the herd she loved she moved forward.
But out came two more lionesses. Lucy nearly fainted from fear.
Confused, she turned and ran, trying to lead them to the trap, but ignoring her, they turned sideways, chasing other antelopes.
It was a total night mare. There was nothing more to do. With no other option, she ran for her own dear life.


They finally got to a safe place. But they had lost many, including the nursing mother Lucy had saved before
Everyone began to weep.
‘It is all her fault’ Someone pointed to Lucy angrily. ‘ She is the one who got us into so much trouble’
The entire herd stared at Lucy. Lucy froze in terror again. It was all her fault.
‘The lions must have planned this as revenge for always putting them into a hole’ Said Elder Abel.
‘She is the one who caused that trouble with the cave also’ Everyone looked on bitterly. It was as if they would kick her to death.
Lucy bent low. ‘ I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused, please forgive me’
But they were furious.
‘Leave us’ they shouted. ‘And never come back’
Lucy looked at their faces. They were all hard without pity except for Rachel who was crying. I deserve this, she told herself sadly as she crawled away.



Lucy wandered the forest slowly. She lost the desire to do anything, even eat or drink.
How could this have happened? How could she cause so much harm when all she wanted to do was to help?. She lowered her head in grief.
Days passed by as she roamed around alone in the jungle. She saw a thicket ahead and then fell into a hidden place.
She passed though and gasped.
It was the most beautiful valley. It was full of all sorts of vegetation and there was a spring of running water . It looked so clean. Lucy tasted some of the water. She ate some of the grass. It all tasted perfect. And it was so well-hidden that there was no risk of predators.
I go and bring everyone here, she told herself. This time, it would work out fine.


Lucy hurried back to the herd as fast as she could.
She met a dismal sight. Everyone had covered their heads with sand. They gaped at her.
‘What’s wrong?’ She made for Rachel
who was standing by an orange tree.
‘We are constantly losing children to predators’
Lucy shook at the horror. ‘I have found a new place that would be perfect for us’ She shouted loudly. ‘It is a valley with a lot of vegetation and flowing water, and it is hidden so there is hardly any possibility of predators coming’
But everyone turned away, except Rachel.
‘Is there any way I can convince them to come?’ She asked Rachel
Rachel shook her head no.
Alright, how about everyone come and see and if you don’t like it, you can leave immediately’ Lucy begged.
‘Fine, then’ said Elder Abel. ‘We will just come and see’
Everyone agreed to that.
The entire head followed her to the valley.
‘Oh my’ said one when they arrived.
‘The place is perfect’ said another.
Everyone gaped.
‘There is food, clean water and it is hidden from predators’ Said Elder Abel.

‘This is our new home’ everyone agreed.
‘Thank you, Lucy’ they all said to Lucy. Everyone came to pet her.
And they all lived happily from that day on.

Lucy the antelope

‘Lucy, Lucy’ called her friends loudly.
Lucy, a small female antelope, woke from her musing and turned to face her friends, Rachel and Esther.
‘We found water’ said Rachel. ‘The herd found water’
Lucy smiled in relief. Her herd of antelope had been searching for water for hours. She hurried after her friend and soon they reached the brook. Most of the herd were already drinking.
Lucy lowered her head and drank deeply from the brook. It tasted so refreshing.
‘Tiger’ someone screamed. ‘Tiger’
Lucy ran fast. The whole head took to their heels. They didn’t stop running until the all clear was given.
‘Count everyone’ said Elder Abel.
Everyone was counted. A little antelope called Jane was missing. Lucy eyes filled with tears.

Life was hard for an antelope. Finding food and water was difficult and there was one thing that made life horrible. It was predators. Lions, tigers, wolfs and more. They were always waiting to devour. Everyone lived in terror.
Lucy loved her herd very much. She hated to see them live this way, always running and some getting eaten. She wanted to do something to change things.


Lucy left the herd and walked into the forest. She was going to find a way out.
The air smelled crisp and clear, and the wind blew sand into her face as she walked past the trees, stones and vegetation. Owls hooted into the air as she passed by. Was there anything she could do?
Her search proved fruitless. There seemed to be nothing at all.


Everyday seemed to continue as it was before. But Lucy kept looking.
‘What are you always looking for?’ Rachel had to ask one morning.
Lucy signed. ‘I want something that would keep us from getting killed’
‘That’s impossible, if there was a way ,we would know by now, they are just too strong for us’
‘We can’t go on like this,Rachel,our people are dying, I can’t bear to see another child lost, if there are stronger than us then we have to be smarter than them’
‘The tigers are far too smart’
‘I won’t give up, no matter what it takes’ Lucy was firm.
She went off running. A lond object suddenly hit her foot. She looked down. it was a round shiny object with a tiny gong in the middle.
She picked it and it shook .It made a loud sharp noise. Lucy came up with an idea.

Lucy went straight to Elder Abel.
‘I found something important’ she told him.
‘What is it?’ He asked.
‘It is a object that make noise, I think it could be used to warn us when a predator comes near’
‘Seriously’ He examined the bell. He shook it and most of the antelopes jumped at the noise.
Elder Abel called all the antelopes together.
‘We have an idea to help us know when a predator comes near, we shake this object and everyone flees’ He shock the bell for good effect and all the antelope jumped.
Everyone agreed it was a fabulous idea.


The next day, all the antelopes were grazing in a field .Lucy was munching a sweet piece of grass.
The bell rang. Lucy ran. Alongside her, all the other antelope ran, too.
They reached a safe place.
‘Count’ said Elder Abel.
Everyone was counted. No one was missing. All the antelope jumped in joy. Rachel and Esther jumped around Lucy.
Lucy felt so happy.
Everyday, the antelope went to to get food and water. And when any predator came near, the person watching rang the bell and no one got caught.
One day, Lucy was grazing with the rest of the antelopes when she saw a lioness running at them.
‘Ring the bell’She shouted at the watcher for the day. ‘Ring the bell’

But the lion was fast. He made for the watcher antelope and broke his neck.
‘Lion, there is a lion..’ But it was too
late. The lion had both caught another antelope and were tearing him apart. Lucy fled with the remaining antelopes.
When they got to a safe place, everyone
raised their voices in tears.
‘She knew’ Lucy was weeping. ‘They must have found out about the bell’
‘it is our fault, we kept on using it until they found out the trick behind it’ said Rachel.
‘There are four antelope missing’ Elder Abel had finished counting them.
Everyone was inconsolable.


Life began without using the bell again.
Lucy watched with dismay as things returned quickly back to the way things were before they found the bell. It was as if the brief reprieve never happened at all.

She huddled close to Rachel and Esther.
‘I am still going to try to find another way out of this’ She told them.
‘ Please don’t, the last time ended in such a disaster’ Esther said.
‘But, Esther, I don’t want to give up, even if I fail, I want to still keep trying, I believe that one day, I will succeed’
She wanted to save everybody.



Lucy got up when everyone was dozing off.
She leapt over the other sleeping antelopes and walked into the jungle.
She looked around the jungle. it used to be so alive during the day, with all sorts of animals roaming about, but now it was dark and most of the animals were sleeping.
It was hard moving forward in the dark as she passed trees, rivers ,and rocks searching desperately.
Early the next morning, she saw a large mountain. I can’t stop here, she thought.
Up she climbed, passing rocks and skipping stones. Ahead was a large cave.
Lucy peeped inside. It was really large but no one was there. She walked right in.
It was a really big cave. There was grass growing inside .She walked in deeper and saw a small lake. It was like a dream. Everything her herd needed was here. And most animals won’t brother climbing the mountain so they were safe from predators.
She hurried her way back to the
herd.
‘I found a place where we can all live in peace and safety’ she told Elder Abel.
But he looked away, not willing to listen to her. He must still be displeased over the bell incident.
She turned around and shouted. ‘Everyone listen, there is a cave up a mountain far away from there that has both food and water, and is free from predators, won’t everyone like to go there?’
Everyone looked around at each other.
‘Yes, yes’ The answer all round was a resounding yes.
Everyone followed Lucy down the forest at night. It was quiet and dark but Lucy could still remember the way.
Finally, they climbed up the
mountain. Everyone gasped when they saw the cave.
‘Seems like a cosy home here ‘Elder Abel was making himself at home on a pile of grass. The rest of the antelope quickly followed suit.



Life at the cave was very happy.
‘Everyone has as much grass and water as they want’ Esther told Lucy. ‘And there
are no lions or tigers here, yippee’
Lucy laughed. ‘This is what I have always wanted, for everyone to live in peace like this’
Rachel came over to nuzzle Lucy. ‘ I am so happy, thank you so much’


Esther, Rachel and Lucy were drinking water by the lake.
Esther coughed and blood spilled on the floor.
‘What!’ Lucy raised her head in alarm.
But it was not just her. Around her, many of the antelopes were coughing blood.
‘We need to get out of here, it must be the water here making everyone sick’ Elder Abel seemed dismayed. He led the way out while the rest of the strong ones followed, carrying the weak ones.
For hours, half the antelopes remained ill as they made their way back to their former home. On their way, Esther died, along with six other antelopes. No one could stop grieving.


‘Are the rest of them all feeling better?’ Lucy asked Elder Zack. She didn’t dare go near Elder Abel.
But Elder Zack hissed at her and walked away. Lucy walked up to where two other antelope was grazing.
Immediately they shifted away,
turning their backs at her.
‘There is no point trying to talk to anyone’Rachel had come over now. ‘Everyone shuns you because they blame you for the cave sicknesses’
Lucy wept. it had been heat-reaching to watch Esther and the other healthy antelopes die. She couldn’t stop blaming herself.
She fell on the ground, weakened. She had hardly eaten and drunk since they all died.
‘I have an idea to help everyone’ She told Rachel. ‘Will you please help me?
Rachel nodded. ‘I help you’ she told her. ‘But we can’t afford to fail this time’




The antelopes were feeding in the pasture when a tiger came out of nowhere.
‘It is a tiger’ The antelopes took off running.
The tiger went after a nursing antelope with her young. For a moment Lucy paused in terror, but she came out, heading for the tiger. Distracted, the tiger followed Lucy instead.


Lucy ran for her dear life. The tiger was right at her heels. Then it fell right into a hole.
Lucy ran with the other antelopes until they got to a safe place.
Once they got there, all the other antelopes surrounded Lucy.
‘You did it’ said Rachel. She and Lucy had dug the hole together.
‘You are so brave’ said another antelope.
‘Thank you so much’ said the nursing mother the tiger had been aiming at.
From being an outcast, Lucy had become a hero again.



From that day forward, whenever a predator came along they would play the same trick. The predator would fall into the trap and no antelope would be harmed.
Five days later, they were drinking water by the river when a lion came out of nowhere.
‘Run, everyone run’ Lucy raised the alarm as she went to distract it.
The lion roared. Lucy wanted to flee in terror but thinking of the herd she loved she moved forward.
But out came two more lionesses. Lucy nearly fainted from fear.
Confused, she turned and ran, trying to lead them to the trap, but ignoring her, they turned sideways, chasing other antelopes.
It was a total night mare. There was nothing more to do. With no other option, she ran for her own dear life.


They finally got to a safe place. But they had lost many, including the nursing mother Lucy had saved before
Everyone began to weep.
‘It is all her fault’ Someone pointed to Lucy angrily. ‘ She is the one who got us into so much trouble’
The entire herd stared at Lucy. Lucy froze in terror again. It was all her fault.
‘The lions must have planned this as revenge for always putting them into a hole’ Said Elder Abel.
‘She is the one who caused that trouble with the cave also’ Everyone looked on bitterly. It was as if they would kick her to death.
Lucy bent low. ‘ I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused, please forgive me’
But they were furious.
‘Leave us’ they shouted. ‘And never come back’
Lucy looked at their faces. They were all hard without pity except for Rachel who was crying. I deserve this, she told herself sadly as she crawled away.



Lucy wandered the forest slowly. She lost the desire to do anything, even eat or drink.
How could this have happened? How could she cause so much harm when all she wanted to do was to help?. She lowered her head in grief.
Days passed by as she roamed around alone in the jungle. She saw a thicket ahead and then fell into a hidden place.
She passed though and gasped.
It was the most beautiful valley. It was full of all sorts of vegetation and there was a spring of running water . It looked so clean. Lucy tasted some of the water. She ate some of the grass. It all tasted perfect. And it was so well-hidden that there was no risk of predators.
I go and bring everyone here, she told herself. This time, it would work out fine.


Lucy hurried back to the herd as fast as she could.
She met a dismal sight. Everyone had covered their heads with sand. They gaped at her.
‘What’s wrong?’ She made for Rachel
who was standing by an orange tree.
‘We are constantly losing children to predators’
Lucy shook at the horror. ‘I have found a new place that would be perfect for us’ She shouted loudly. ‘It is a valley with a lot of vegetation and flowing water, and it is hidden so there is hardly any possibility of predators coming’
But everyone turned away, except Rachel.
‘Is there any way I can convince them to come?’ She asked Rachel
Rachel shook her head no.
Alright, how about everyone come and see and if you don’t like it, you can leave immediately’ Lucy begged.
‘Fine, then’ said Elder Abel. ‘We will just come and see’
Everyone agreed to that.
The entire head followed her to the valley.
‘Oh my’ said one when they arrived.
‘The place is perfect’ said another.
Everyone gaped.
‘There is food, clean water and it is hidden from predators’ Said Elder Abel.

‘This is our new home’ everyone agreed.
‘Thank you, Lucy’ they all said to Lucy. Everyone came to pet her.
And they all lived happily from that day on.

Arianna Dog
Twelve year old,Ari swung up on the red swing in her mother garden, the cool wind blowing wildly through her brown hair and brown eyes, her brown arms grasping the warm ropes of the swing.
Yippee ,she tried to laugh raising her left arm to rub her teary eyes. She felt lonely. It was only the first day of the August break and she had no one to play with.
She looked behind at her parents brown sprawling manor with stained windows and comfortable interior. She had almost everything money could buy. But she had no friends.
Her mom had told her to thank God and pray whenever she had any problems.
“In Jesus name” She prayed in her soft voice. “Father, I thank you for all your love, please send me a friend to play with”
She shook in fright as loud rustling sounds came through the trees in the garden. In front
of her stood Taylor, their housekeeper ten year old son and his best friend, Henry.

“Arianna, Arianna’ they called excitedly.
Ari started wide eyed. They had never spoken to her before.
“Come with us” They both took one of her hands and led her bare-feet on the soft wet grass in the garden. Ari could only gap as she was led out the gate, down the streets and by the lake.
“There it is” Taylor, his green eyes wide under his shiny red hair was pointing. Stunned, Ari looked ahead at a carbon box placed right near the end of the rustling waters. It was holding two cutie white puppies, one with gray spots all over it.
“Oh, my” said Ari hurrying along the two boys to them. Though the dogs gave a faint rink, they began hugging ,petting and playing them while the puppies yapped and wagged their tails. On the carbon box was a carved sign “Please adopt me”.
“Can we take one to our house, please’Taylor green eyes begged.
“Of course” Ari was shaking in excitement. So, it was agreed. Henry, Taylor black-eyed friend was taking the gray spotted dog. They were talking the purely white one.
“Let’s name them Peter and Paul” She nodded. “Like the apostles in the Bible”

Their white-haired green eyed house-keeper was fretting when they returned home.
“Where have you been?”She eyed them curiously. Her eyes fell on Peter. “What!” Her mouth curved in surprise.
“Sorry, nanny, we went out to get him, he is our new pet, his name is Peter” Ari said in a rush as she could feel her insides tightening in nerves.
“Can we keep him, please?’’Taylor folded his hands together.
Mrs Elinor eyes softened when she looked at her son. “Where did you find him?”
“Near the lake, in a box with a ‘please adopt me’ on it”
“I tell Mother when she gets home from her trip” Arianna added quickly. “I am sure she will let us keep him”.
Mrs Eli nor paused for a while. “Fine”
“Yea” The kids both jumped in excitement.
Mrs Eli nor soon gave directions.
They had lots to do.
They carried Peter to the tap in the garden. Ari put the tap on and warm water gusted forth, splashing them.
Peter struggled to get away but Taylor held him tight while Ari washed his hairy, weak
body clean. Then Taylor held him tight while Ari dried him with a hair dryer from her bedroom and spayed him free of flees with a spray Mrs. Eli nor gave them. They then fed him with chucks of bread mixed in a bowl of warm milk in the kitchen.
He was soon asleep on a pillow in the foyer.
“He is perfect” Taylor claimed. “Just perfect”

The next day, after her morning prayers, Ari hurried downstairs to see him. She took a wagging Peter into her arms immediately.
“How cute” Taylor voice chimed pin as he walked in just after her. “you look like his mommy”
“Really” Ari laughed as she kissed his
fur, taking in its now fruity scent. it was good that she used her liquid wash to bath him.
“Mommy said we have to take him to the clinic today”
“Sure” She wanted Peter to get all the care he needed.

Ari wanted to eat with Peter so she had her breakfast with Taylor in the kitchen. She gave Peter half her tasty chicken to eat, and he jumped at it.
Taylor walked Peter next, Ari gushing at his side. As they passed by, all the neighborhood kids on the way stopped to watch them, surprised.
Mrs. Eli nor drove them to a large vet hospital that day, where Ari could sniff disinfectant everywhere and a faint scent of lemon. The gray-haired vet took them to a room with a long white table where Peter, struggling was held down just as had once been done to her by a children’s doctor, and given an injection.
Everything seemed rosy.
They had just got home and getting out of the car when they saw Henry waiting, Paul by his side. The boy looked dejected as Peter jumped at Paul, obviously happy to be reunited.



“My parents don’t want Paul, they say he is a disturbance ‘His dark skinny face was frowned with worry. “Can you take him?”
Beside them, Mrs. Eli nor gave a huff of amazement as her two wards turned to her, hands folded together in front of them, their eyes pleading.
“We best get back to the vet, then” she smiled.








They took their new dogs everywhere, from the park to the play grounds so the other children could play with them. They only left him behind when they went to the church. The four of them were sometimes seen roaming in the streets together having the time of their lives.
Two weeks later, Arianna was reading a bible story on the couch in the living room when Taylor came rushing in.
“I can’t find them” He was gasping for breath.
“Who?”
The dogs, I can’t find the dogs”
Ari rose.
“I look round the rooms in the house, you look through the garden ”Ari started for the corridors “Peter, Paul” she called loudly. Could the dogs recognize their names?
But the search proved fruitless.
“Do you think they went under the gates?” Ari asked, arm over her chest as they stood in front of the front gates which were just a foot above the ground, enough for a little dog to get through .
“Yea”
Ari prayed in the foyer. Where could the dogs have gone?.
“Ari, come have lunch” Taylor called .
She nodded half-heartedly. “Taylor, do you think the dogs returned to their former home”
“Maybe”
“Woof, Woof”
They gaped for a moment.
“The dogs’’ She gasped as they hurried outside. The dogs flew at them, barking widely.
Ari held on to them, their fur soft against her arms. I hope you never run away again.
The next day, Ari was bent over her drawing book, eyes fixed on the Paul as she drew a picture of him. The dog had been oddly still today.
“What’s wrong with Paul?, he looks ill” said Taylor who was carrying in some clothing. He often helped his mom with her tasks.
“You think” Ari bent her heads sideways as she considered the matter.
They looked at the dog. He stood up slowly and began to crawl, as if in pain.
“I get some water” Ari hurried out of the attic.
Paul slipped the water slowly but then he turned on his back and vomited.
Both Taylor and Ari faces were both alarmed. Now even Peter was watching with fright.
“Let’s get him to the veterinarian” Taylor cried.
Mrs. Eli nor received the news compassionately and soon the three of them were on the way to the hospital with Paul.
The gray haired vet looked him over. “I think this is a mild case of food poisoning, just give him some medicine and he will feel better” He smiled reassuring at the children. “What have you been feeding him?”
Taylor went into details about all his meals. “Oh, but he went missing yesterday so we don’t know what he may have eaten” Ari added.
The vet, Mr Edwards nodded. “We will just keep him over night to watch over him and will send him back hale and hearty tomorrow hopefully” He told them.


The next day, Taylor was riding his bicycle outside in the garden when the delivery man came.
“Peter” Ari stood up from the stone seat , her drawing of a sunflower dropping on the floor as she made for the van. Peter began barking furiously, no doubt happy at the arrival of his friend.

She was just near the almond tree when Peter pounced forward and attacked a snake just a step from her.
She could just hear the Taylor and the delivery guy screaming but Ari was frozen like a statue.
Soon, the snake was dead. Peter was injured.
“Let’s hurry him to Mr. Edward” said the delivery guy coming over with a towel to wrap Peter bites. Both children could only nod.


Peter, luckily didn’t die and though the children avoided the garden now, and Mrs. Eli nor was shocked by the events, everything seemed to return to normal. They however treated the dogs with even more care than before.
On the last day of August, Ari made a plus sign on her calendar. Her parents were retuning.
The cleaning crew came around to clean the manor. It was scrubbed from top to bottom this morning. The whole house had a clean scent.
When the doorbell rang, Ari went downstairs to stand beside Taylor and Mrs Elinor at the oak front doors.
“They are coming” Mrs. Eli nor nodded at them. A moment later the door opened and her parents stepped in.


Ari was held close by her mom.
“We have missed you “her mom, Esther Flutter held her close. She was just an adult version of Ari, with big brown eyes, brown hair and light brown skin.
Hugh Flutter, a short fair man, patted his daughter head fondly. ‘How are your studies going, dearest?”
“Fine, papa”
All of a sudden, barking sounds fill the living room as Peter and Paul make their entrance.
Her parents looked flagabased. Her mother jumped into her father arms.
“ Dogs’Father muttered aloud. ‘What are they doing here?”
Mrs. Eli nor went into the tale of how they had ended up here, with special emphasis on how they saved Ari life.
“I see,I see” said her father.
Her mother turned to her father. “Can we have a quiet chat, husband” He nodded gravely.

The kids paced noisily in the pal our as they waited for the verdict.
Her parents came soon.
“No” said her father.
“Please papa” Ari begged. “The dog saved my life, can’t we keep them?”
“They will distract you from your studies” Father answered.
“And I don’t want a dog in our house”her mother added.
Ari stepped forward on the soft brown carpet . “ Please”
“Our answer is no” her mother said firmly.
A few hours later, the shelter van arrived and Ari was hugging the dogs goodbye tearfully.
“I hope you will be taken good care of by the shelter, we will miss you” Taylor was holding them tightly until his mom removed his grip.
Cheer up, kids” Even Mrs. Eli nor looked a little sad to let them go.However,soon both kids saws stones placed under their gates to prevent the dogs from ever coming back.
With the September school year, Ari and Taylor were soon swapped with their studies.
I still have so much homework to do” Taylor admitted one morning.
Ari was staring out of the window wistfully. “I just miss them so much”
“I miss them too” Taylor agreed with her
The next morning, Ari was just starting on her studies when Henry came calling.
“it is the dogs “He said. “Come and see”
They followed him six blocks away until they got in front of a shop for Kitchen ware. The dogs, their precious dogs were lying in front of its window ,both dead.
Ari and Taylor fell next to the dogs, crying.
“The Dogs, oh our dogs “Taylor wept.
“Did you see what happened to those dogs” Henry asked the balding shopkeeper who had come out of his shop to watch the crying kids.
‘Well that is quite the story, I have seen them around these parts for like a week, they must have run away from the shelter nearby, well both dogs were starving, they had no food and just yesterday they were set upon by a gang of bullies that roam these parts ,I saw it myself they were giving them quite the beating but the white dog covered the gray spotted one until he died and then the living dog stayed by its side, refusing to go anywhere until it died soon after”

“This is all my fault” Ari wept “ I should have found the dogs a new home”
“Don’t blame yourself” Henry seemed pensive.
“Do you think the dogs are in heaven?” Taylor asked between sobs.
“The bible says- Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?- Luke 12-6”
Ari felt certain that she won’t forget the puppies.

19


Lucy walked down to Hannah house on Saturday.
'Welcome' said Hannah leading her to her room where a silver tea tray was.
Lucy looked around. The room was a mess. There was clothing everywhere.
‘Your room is always so clean, Lucy, please help me clean my room' said Hannah
They cleaned and dusted and soon the room was sparkling.
'How do you do it? , I so want to keep my room clean but I keep failing'
Lucy smiled. ‘it is the word of God, I used to have a dirty room as well but my uncle taught me to resist temptation with the Word of God like Jesus did when tempted by Satan'
‘ The bible says in Proverbs 11:14-Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety’
‘And people say cleanliness is next to godliness’
'And so whenever the temptation came to leave my room dirty came I would say cleanliness is next to godliness and I would end up cleaning the room'
Hannah nodded. The girls had their tea and Lucy left for home.
Two days later, Hannah room was beginning to be dirty again.
'Just leave it for later, and relax' a thought from Satan came.
‘No, Cleanliness is next to godliness ‘Hannah said.
She cleaned her room. It wasn't that hard if you cleaned it regularly. She always kept herself and her room clean from that day.


20

Adam mom drove them to work every day.
She didn't know why but every time, she ended up complaining a lot.
‘Why is the streets blocked?' she murmured on Monday.
'You there, stay on your lane, where are the police officers to deal with this nonsense?' she shouted on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, She called Toby about it.
'Is there anything I can do to stop disputing when I drive? She asked him
‘Whenever you feel like disputing you cans say- Philippians 2: 14-Do all things without murmurings and disputing’
‘Will it work?' she asked
‘When Jesus was tempted in the desert, he spoke the word of God, we should do the same when we are tempted too'
She drove Adam to school again that morning. On the way, a car hit her bonnet.
'Look what that driver did, I get out right now and dispute’ Dark thoughts from Satan hit her mind immediately.
'No' she said. ‘It is written- Do all things without murmurings and disputing’
The temptation eased. And she drove off.

.











21

Toby was at work
He was leaving work when he saw Peter, fellow co-worker.
‘Let’s have dinner together' Toby called as he passed by.
‘Sure’
Later that evening they meet at Brown sticks for their meal. They were led to a table and sat down.
‘How is church these days' Peter asked as they ordered hot plates of salmon and rice?
'Fine' Toby nodded. Toby had once talked to Peter about Christ and even invited him to his church.
'I like to still attend church but I just get too lazy to go when it is time, what to do?’
'Psalm 122:1-A song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord'

'Yea, but I don't think that God will punish me for such a small thing'
'It is a temptation, whenever it comes, do what Jesus did when he faced temptation from Satan; he spoke the word of God’
'For example if I am tempted not to go to church I can say it is written - A song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord'
Or another way would be to say - it is written-Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with thy entire mind
'We have to love the Lord that much 'said Peter
‘Yea but God loves us so much more than we can ever love him’
Three days later, it was Sunday and Peter was at home.
'Why don't you stay at home and just rest as before, dont listen to what that guy says' a dark voice from Satan was in his mind.
' No ‘said Peter. 'It is written- A song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord'
And he went off to church.















22
Daisy prayed anytime she sinned.
‘God forgive me' she would say when her mom asked her to tidy her room and she lied that she had.
She was sure that God would forgive her but she still felt guilty after her prayers. What was the need for being worried? Jesus died for our sins.
One quiet evening her mother asked her if she had finished her homework.
'Yea' she lied and made her way to her room. Her mom followed her and asked for her homework.
Daisy was taken to Toby for a lesson. The other children came too.
'Daisy the bible says –Hebrews 10: 26- For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remained no more sacrifice for sins.
'So what do you do when the temptation to sin wilfully comes?'
‘We can say- it is written - For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remained no more sacrifice for sins.
Later that week, Daisy mom asked her if she was unwell. She felt perfectly fine.
'Just say yes and she let you do whatever you want' came a thought from Satan. 'And you can pray for forgiveness later'
' No' said Daisy. 'it is written- For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remained no more sacrifice for sins.
‘I am perfectly fine’ she told her mom.








23

Junior was walking down the street when David the head of the bullies meet him.
He shivered and tried to run but David held his arm.
'Please stop, I want to be friends’David said.
They soon got talking.
'I want to be like you' said David. 'You are so full of graceful and well mannered'
'It is the Lord's doing'
'You are helped by your Christian faith'
'Yea it has helped me stop being a servant of sin for the bible says in John 8:34-Jesus answered them,Verily,verily,I say unto you, Whosoever committed sin is the servant of sin.
'I have a problem myself - people say I am always gossiping about people'
‘What kind of gossip? ‘Said Junior.
‘I talk unfavourable behind people’s back, have you any idea how I can resist the temptation?'
‘When Lord Jesus was tempted by Satan he spoke the word of God so we should do the same when we face temptation'
' Ephesians 4: 29- Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers’
David took the advice seriously.
The next day, he was with his friends when a boy called Charles walked by.
‘Look at his clothes, they are so old-fashioned, why don't you tell your friends so you can laugh about it' a dark voice from Satan came.
‘No’ said David. 'It is written - ' Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth’
The temptation went away. Praise God.





24
‘Can we go, please' said Junior.
They were having their graduation dinner as they were leaving the Christian foundation class.
It was Halloween and they wanted to go trick a tricking.
'No, it is a witchcraft holiday, and we are Christians, unrepentant witches and wizards would go to hell ‘said Toby
‘But they are not real witches or wizards, only people dressed up as one ‘said Juliet.
‘Yea, but the word of God says in 1 Thessalonians 5:22- Abstain from all appearance of evil' said Toby
‘Everything that had the look of evil like witchcraft books and Halloween and bad films are to be avoided'
The children all sat up later watching a Christian program on TV.
Voices appeared in all their heads- Why are you sitting here when many of the other kids are having fun in Halloween'
They all said- It is written- Abstain from all appearance of evil.

13

Juliet and Junior were fighting. Toby did everything to dissuade them but they refused to stop.
‘Why are you fighting?’ He asked
them. The two of them eyed each other and looked away.
‘Aren’t we all Christians here?’ he asked them. ‘Shouldn’t we love each other?’
The condo looked a royal mess thanks to their fight. Toby wondered what to do about it.
‘It is junior fault’ said Juliet, her green eyes flashing. ‘He tore my new dresses
‘And I told her sorry like ten times ‘Junior cried. ‘But she refused to listen’
Toby signed. ‘Everyone, gather round’ said Toby. ‘For another lesson’
His students took their seats on the sofa. They looked tired as they had been studying the bible for more than an hour on their own.

‘Who here has ever made a mistake?’ he asked them. Everyone raised their hands.
‘And `did you want to be forgiven?’
‘YES’ they all chimed.
‘Who wants God to forgive them their sins?’
‘Me, me’ the kids were on their feet, Juliet jumping.
‘That’s good, calm down all but do you know what the bible says-Matthew 6-14-For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
‘OH’ said the children.
‘Yes, so what do we do when we are tempted to not forgive others’
‘We speak the word of God like Jesus did when he was tempted by Satan’

Juliet stood up happily. ‘It is written- For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
‘The Lord prayer even says so Matthew 6: 12- And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Toby went to Juliet. ‘So now will you forgive Junior?’
‘Yes’ she said quickly.
‘And you, Junior`, will you forgive Juliet?’
He nodded yes.
‘Everyone gives them a sound clap’ He said pleased.
The class clapped very, very hard.





14


Lucy mom called to complain every week during the short break. Lucy was stubborn. She didn’t do her homework, she never cleaned her room, and she refused to eat her vegetables. Her mom wondered if she was ever even listened to the Christian foundation class.
Finally, they had a class after the short break. Because the weather was cool, they all went to the patio.
Toby looked at the brunette. ‘So, Lucy how was your holidays’
‘Fine’ she raised big dark eyes at him.
‘Your mom called me a few times’
‘What!’ The eight year old seemed furious.
‘Do you know what the bible says about the child relationship with their parents? I will read it to you’

‘ Ephesians 6:1-Children,obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2-Honour thy father and mother;(which is the first commandment with promise
3-That it may be well with thee,and thou mayest live long on the earth.

‘You see, the lord wants us to obey our parents at it is right, if our parents tell us to clean our room ,we obey, if they tell us to do our homework or finish our food, What do we do?’

‘We obey’ shouted the class.
‘And the bible also reads that we should honor our parents and it is the first command with a promise, you should honor your parents, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth’

The children all nodded in delight.
Adam raised his hand. ‘Uncle, I obey my parents’ he said.
‘Very good, if you are ever tempted not to obey our parents, what should we say? He asked. As usual, everyone raised their hands.
He picked Lucy.
‘I would say-It is written Children obey your parents like Jesus spoke the Word of God when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness’
‘And if we are tempted to dishonor our parents?’ He asked Lucy again
‘I would say-Honor your father and mother that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth’.
‘Very Good’ He said. ‘You learnt well, Lucy’
She smiled while the other kids applauded.
At home, it was time for dinner.
‘Eat your vegetables’ said Lucy mom.
A thought from Satan came-I don’t like vegetables so I won’t eat it’
‘No, it is written- Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right’ said Lucy.
And she ate her vegetables.
‘I can’t believe it’ Lucy mom told Toby later that week. ‘She is so obedient now’












15

‘What does it mean to love another as you?’The class were in Jacob bedroom drinking lemonade to celebrate his prefect grades.
‘Why do you ask, Jacob? Daisy asked looking away from the windows where the pretty flowers were.
‘Because it seems hard’ Jacob took a bite of a yummy cookie. ‘What does it mean?’
Adam searched for his bible.
Luke 10-27- And he answering said-
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,and with all thy soul,and with all thy strength,and with all thy mind;and thy neighbour as thyself.
It was in the bible so it had to be obeyed.
‘The bible also says in Luke 6:31 – And as ye would that men should do to you,do ye also to them likewise’ continued Adam.
The room felt chilly so the children now covered themselves with a large thick blanket.
‘But what does it mean?’ Jacob asked again.
‘For example if I don’t want to be stolen from I shouldn’t steal from another,right’Juliet said, cuddling under the blanket.
‘My mama said that love worketh no ill to his neighbour’ Daisy stood up as the smell of potato porridge filled the room. It smelt delicious.
Adam nodded-‘I think that love means being kind to each other’
‘Let do and have dinner’ said Jacob as the sounds of his mother footsteps came, no doubt to call them for dinner.








16
Jacob screamed when the new post man came to the door and ran to his room.
He was scared of everything except schoolwork and even at night he woke up shakily because of nightmares.
‘How can we help Jacob?’ about Jacob ‘asked his father.
‘Should we call Toby? ’ asked his mom
‘No, no, we can take care of these ourselves’
So, they sat Jacob down to give him the talk.
‘Why do you get so scared, Jacob?’ His father asked
‘You are the best student in your school, you should be a little bolder’ said his father again.
‘When Jesus was tempted by Satan didn’t he speak the word of God’ said his mother. ‘Shouldn’t you do the same?
‘it is written - - 2 Timothy 1:7- For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind’
Said his father. ‘Say it whenever you feel fear ’
‘I can’t think well when I am afraid’ said the boy
‘We will pray about it, then’
So the family came together to pray every day.
Two days later, Jacob was alone in his bedroom.
‘You are alone now, something scary is going to come’ A scary thought came from Satan.
Jacob remembered what his father had said. ‘It is written- For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind’
The fear went away and he went to bed happy and content.

17

One quiet day in June, Lucy received a friend in her home for tea.
'Are you still going for those foundation class' the girl Hannah asked. Lucy had told her all about the lessons.
'Yea'
'So they still teach you to resist temptation by speaking the Word of God as Jesus did when he was tempted by Satan'
' Yea' Lucy got the saucer and poured the tea into her cup, nosily.
'And why do you need to do them, why can't you come more often to play with meme mean I face temptation too but I just ignore most of them' Hannah was annoyed.
' My mom said that it is important because the bible says in 1 Samuel 2:9-He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

Lucy continued-Even Paul too- Acts 23: 5 Then said Paul, I wits not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shall not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
And Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11-1-Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.













18

‘Find him' The neighbourhood boys, at the order of their leader pursued Junior.
He ran past the junkyard, past the streetlights and down the streets and almost to the doors of his house.
He heaved and panted and was almost at his house when he was caught.
They held him tight, blowing and hitting him hard.
'Who is there?' a voice called and the bullies ran, leaving behind the sounds of running footsteps.
Junior dusted his clothing as best he could, before entering his home. His mother and father didn’t notice anything amiss.
'They are bullying you again' said. Adam the next day.
'Yea'
'How are you coping?'
'Fine, no visible injuries, and I have forgiven them’
'Let search the bible on what to do about enemies' Adam said. ‘What did Jesus say?’
They searched the bible and found-

Matthew 5:44-But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

'So what are we going to do?' asked Adam.
'We are going to say -it is written- love your enemies OR it is written- repay evil with good whenever we are tempted to do otherwise'
'Yea, you are right; Jesus Christ spoke the word of God when Satan tries to tempt him in the wilderness so we should do the same'
.The thoughts kept coming.
‘Are you really going to love those who hurt you?' came a dark thought from Satan.
Junior said ' it is written- love your enemies and repay evil with good'
James 4: 7 Submit you therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Four days later, Junior was walking down the street when he saw the leader of the bulliers, David younger sister of three wandering lost in the street.
'Just let her be, he always bullied you ‘the thought from Satan came.
'No, I will do the will of God' He said. 'To love our enemies'
He took her hand and led her home.
'Thank you so much' both parents said.
'I am sorry' David added.
The neighbourhood bullies never bullied anyone again.

7
The party was just beginning .There was a clown, balloons and a white long table filled with delicious food. There was rice and large jugs of fruit juice.
'Time for the happy birthday song' Daisy mother said immediately the party started.
Everyone gathered round. Toby led the song. 'Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you---'
‘Hip hip hip'
'Hurray'
Daisy mom gave her a kiss, fondly stroking her soft cheeks.
'Let's dance' said Daisy leading the way to the wooden dance floor that had been set up. Sounds of a children song was soon playing and the children footsteps.
Next they had a puppet show then it was time for the feast. They all gathered at the table.
‘In the bible- Matthew 15:6And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, -Jesus gave thanks for his food, we all should give thanks as well'
They all closed their eyes and gave thanks and dug in. Toby loaded fish, fried rice on a plate and found a nice stone table in the garden to eat. It all tasted delicious.
As he ate, he kept watch of the kids. Adam and Jacob and Juliet ate their food quietly, Daisy picked at her food but Junior kept going to the table to get more food.

Toby walked up to Junior as he was about to load another plate of spaghetti on his plate.
'Junior isn't that your fourth plate of food?' Toby commented. 'Aren’t you over-eating?'
'I can't help it, I am addicted to food' Toby had noticed that he had a big belly.
Toby called the rest of his group together in the garden.
'Daisy I noticed you hardly touched your food'
'I don't want to be fat' said the blonde by Juliet side, her eyes flashing.
'Philippians 4:5-Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand’ Toby said
‘Of course fasting is good but will you consider over eating or under eating for your own desires to be moderate' He continued.
The kids nodded no.
'So you speak the word of God just like Jesus did when he was tempted by Satan if you are tempted to not be moderate, okay'
‘Yea’ mounted the kids.
Later on, after the clown did his show, the party ended. However they were piles of food everywhere. Toby called his class together.
'. Everyone Romans 8:29. Says-For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.'
'Meaning we are to conform to the image of the Son-Matthew 15-37And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full'
‘Jesus gathered up the left-over’s, this means we shouldn't waste food, let’s gather all the leftovers' He nodded at them.
Soon, they had two full dishes of rice and lots of meat, fish and drinks.
'I drop it off at the church shelter ‘Daisy mom was smiling.
‘Oh, your birthday was so nice and we learnt so much, we should tell Lucy all about it' Juliet was telling Daisy.
'Sure' Daisy said happily.










8
Adam mom called two days after the party.
'We need to have a talk about Adam' she said sounding distressed.

Toby was at his workplace filing papers for his boss. He was only allowed to take a call for two minutes. 'Why don't we meet for tea at five in Stabuck' He would leave work at four and only have time to rush home and change clothing.
'Fine' she switched off abruptly and. Toby returned to his work.
Several hours later Toby was sitting opposite her at the cafe.
‘What is wrong' He asked her as she kept signing.
'Adam won't stop ‘She said before returning to signing again.
Toby called a waiter and ordered two large cups of tea. He could see the sky from the windows seat was clear outside but the weather was chilling. He pressed his arms together.
The waiter returned with their tea. Toby gave thanks to God then took a slip, and was relieved to see not too hot.
'So, what is wrong with Adam ‘he asked feeling troubled. Adam mom,
Sophia was touching her tea.
She bowed her head.’He is a thief'
Toby was confused. 'Whatever do you mean?'
‘He steals stuff a lot, just little things but he does it often, that why I enrolled him in a Christian foundation class so he could change'
'And are you sure it is him taking this stuff'
'Positive'
He paused for a moment. 'What evidence do you have' he took another slip of the sweet, hot tea.
'Both I and my husband and his sister and several of his relations have caught him red-handed and in possession of stolen goods'
Toby nodded.2 Corinthians 13:1 says -This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
'I try and do something'
The next day, he called the children together.
' We need to talk' he said. Can anyone tell me how to resist temptation'
All raised their hands.
'Tell me, Juliet'
Juliet stood. 'By speaking the word of God like Jesus did when he was tempted by Satan'
'Tell me what would I do if I am tempted by anger? He pointed at Jacob. Toby had been reading the Bible for weeks with them now.
‘I would say-James 1:20-For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God' Jacob answered.
And if I were tempted by fear, what would I say? He pointed to Lucy to answer.
'2Timothy 1:7-For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ‘She said boldly.
'And what if I was tempted to steal, what would I do? Toby asked them. No one raised their hand. It was obvious that they hadn't learning that one yet.
'Well I tell you whenever the temptation comes I would say-Ephesians. 4:8-Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.'
'So what would anyone do when they are tempted to steal' he asked.
'It is written - let him that stole steal no more' they shouted together.
‘And don't forget that Romans 6:23 says-For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord'
That evening, Adam was in his room reading when the cold voice came.
‘Why don’t you go take some money from your mom’s bag’ said the voice. ‘They won’t find out this time’
Adam felt like going to take the money then he remembered Jesus.
‘I can’t’ he said. ‘The Bible says that- Let him that stole steal no more’
He no longer felt like stealing. He felt happy.
Two weeks later, Adam family called to say he had become the most honest little boy and they were delighted.










9
Junior and Lucy were fighting.
‘It is mine' Lucy said
‘But I found it first' said Junior, clutching a teddy bear.
'Please stop that, no arguing, okay' Toby was tired of the constant fighting for stuff that took place between the kids during their allocated playtime. It was time to teach them about giving.
‘Come together' he pointed to the round marble table that stood in the middle of his living room then waited for them to take their seats
‘Do you know what the bible says' He told them. '2 Corinthians 9:7-Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver’.
' So, you see that God loves a cheerful giver, people say that there is love in sharing and shouldn't there be love among Christians'
‘Yea’ said the kids.
'So from now on, you guys will share the toys I brought you?
'Yea' said the kids.
Junior raised his hands. 'So, if we give to those in need, we obey God'
'Yes' said Toby. '1 john 4:8-He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.'
'But there is something you should know, the Bible also says -Matthew 6-3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.'
' So we keep our good deeds secret to obey our father in heaven'
Junior turned to Lucy. ‘Come, let’s play with the teddy bear’ He held out the teddy.
Lucy made a mental note to give her piggy bank savings to the children home without telling anyone.



10

'Leave me alone' Junior screamed at the other kids. He had a ranging temper.
His mom called to say that he had blow a fuse when she told him to eat his vegetables.
He threw temper tantrums every day
Toby reminded him to say the word of God whenever he felt tempted just like Jesus did when he was tempted like Jesus did.
'What do you say when you are tempted by anger? He told him. ‘James 1:20-For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God'
'I do try and it restrains my anger a lot-but I get so angry sometimes that I don't say the words' Junior said
Toby thought for a while.
'Try to days the word of God before you get too angry' he told him 'But you know what, another way you can resist is by praying to God for help whenever you get angry or are tempted to sin in any other way - you can say- 1 Thessalonians 5:17- Pray without ceasing.'
‘Okay’ said the boy 'I do it'.
Two days later, he was finishing his drawing when his sister slipped and poured ink on his drawing.
Fury filled him. ‘Push her’ a dark thought came.
‘Remember what Toby said’ came to his mind.
Junior prayed. ‘God, please help me’ and the Word of God came to his mind. ‘It is written- For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God'
His anger cooled and he hugged his sister instead of shouting at her.





11

Everyone was unhappy.
Daisy signed by the corner, the boys cried sadly as they played with the toys and even Toby was sad. They seemed to be little joys today.
‘What’s wrong? What happening?' Jacob said from the sofa. ‘Why is everyone so glum?'
Toby could not for a second understand why everyone seemed so sad. His own problems of not having a wife were flashing in his mind.
' Something is wrong' Lucy said.' We are being attacked by Satan' She herself kept getting flashes of her long lost cat.
'With what?' asked Jacob?
‘Depression' Toby put in calmly. 'I think I have an idea of what we can do'
He searched the Bible for awhile. 'Here it is-1 Thessalonians 5:18-In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.'
So the kids gathered round.
'Time to give thanks to god' Toby said.
'But I are so sad' said Daisy. She kept receiving thoughts of herself getting fat.
'The bible says we should give thanks in everything'
So they clapped hands and sang thanksgiving songs. Everyone suddenly felt much happier.
'We should give thanks when we are sad or when we are happy or when we are rich or when we are poor or any other circumstances, always, always give thanks'
'If tempted not to give thanks say the word of God--In everything give thanks: ' concluded Toby.










12

Daisy failed her exams. Her mom brought her over with her report card.
'She didn't make a credit in any subject' she cried to Tega.
'Doesn't she study?' He asked her
' She does but she can't concentrate, the teachers tried everything but she still isn’t doing well'. The lady wiped tears from her eyes 'what can we do?'
'I see what I can do 'Toby said calmly.
The next day, it was lesson time.
'Today we are going to learn about diligence, we all have to work hard, for instance I have a job where I have to do my duties very well'
'You guys go to school while I go to work but you must know Proverbs 22:6-Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.'
‘So we need to start up your training now'
Toby continued.
2 Thessalonians3:10-For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.'
'So, in the future, you may have to work for a living and it is very good you do so, tell me class what did Jesus do the first time he was tempted by Satan?'
The kids all read from their notes together-
Matthew 4:3-4 -And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD.
‘So, we need to speak the word of God when we are tempted like Jesus did'
'If you are tempted to lax off work and your studies you can say -He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.'
'And if you don't have the confidence to work or you feel discouraged about your studies or work
You can say-Philippians 4:13-I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
All the kids nodded and clapped.
Daisy went home and her mother took her books to her.
‘Try and study a little’ she pleaded.
Daisy opened her English book and looked at the drawings of a clock. It seemed boring.

She read a little then lazy sleep clouded her eyes.
The Word of the Lord came to her-‘the hand of the diligent maketh rich’
Her eyes cleared immediately. She wanted to be successful in life.
‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me’ She told herself again and again as the temptation to slack off came. She could be diligent.
The next term her report card came. She was the best in her class, her teachers wrote in amazement

1
'Kids it is time for Sunday school' called Toby the Sunday school teacher .The row of six kids that had just been dropped off at the new little Pentecostal church all turned to stare him in the face.
‘What are we learning today?' called a little boy called Adam, a lean blue- eyed seven year old.
‘First thing first, who here has ever told a lie?'
All the kids raised their hand except Junior who stared.
Toby started from the front of the little room, a rush of cool wind nearly blowing him aside and chilling his bones.
'Have you ever committed any other sin like stolen even a pen or disobeyed your mommy? He asked Junior.
The brown haired and gray- eyed boy nodded yes.
'The word of God, the bible says that all have sinned'
Moving to the board, he tapped on it and the first message of the day appeared -Romans 3:23- For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
'Everyone has sinned, our next lesson is this - after everyone me, you and
Any other persons dies we are to face judgement'
He tapped hard on the board again and it appeared again-Hebrews 9-27-And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
All of the little faces looked up to him alarmed.
'Worry not, little ones' He nodded.' there is hope, a way out for believers'
‘What way out' asked Jacob, a small bespectacled boy.
' John 3: 16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'

'Jacob tells me who Jesus Christ is' he touched the boy soft hair on the head.
'The son of God' Jacob said immediately.
'Long ago he came to this world to die as a ransom for many and now Romans 10:9-That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved.
'Now let take notes' he gestured to them to copy the bible passages on the board.
‘After this, we can have some tea, okay'
The kids all smiled as they could all smell the tea brewing from the next room. Ten minutes later, they all drank the delicious tea.

2
The kid came for a lesson in his small condo the next evening.
Toby served them orange juice in his patio outside where the air was cool.
'Are you going to teach us about Jesus again' asked a blonde blue eyed girl called Daisy.
'Of course' Toby nodded as he poured her juice.
'Have you ever heard the story of Adam and Eve, the first humans?' he asked.
'Yea' they all said.
'We were all taught in school' said Juliet, a red haired with green eyes.
Good, Good Do you know of the demons headed by Satan, the deceiver who tempts human to do wrong'
All the kids looked unhappy to hear that.
‘They are mankind enemies ‘said Juliet sharply
The third girl, Lucy a brunette with dark eyes raised her hands. 'Is there any way to resist temptation?’
Yes, children, Jesus Christ, Our saviour was also tempted by Satan and guess what he did-he spoke the word of God'
He put a pen on his laptop next to them and read to them-Matthew 4:3-4 -And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD.
We need to live by not just bread, but by the word of God.
We can resist the devil with the word of God as Lord Jesus did.
He switched off the laptop and nodded to them.
As Christians it is our duty to do the will of God, however Satan seeks to stop us, the bible says to-James 4:7-Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
The kids all nodded.
'Sin is to be avoided at all costs, the bible says in -Ephesians 6:17: And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

3
Jacob was ill.
Toby received a call from his mom at the end of the week
‘I take the kids along to see him' he told her. ‘I am sure they be happy to see him'
So, the next day, he drove the five remaining kids to the hospital.
They found Jacob in bed, a drip attached to one arm.
‘He looks ill' said daisy tossing her blonde hair from her face worriedly.
'Jacob, how are you?' Juliet had her green eyes wide open. All the kids looked worried.
' Fine' he grunted, reaching for his glasses on the bedside table, his hand hitting Toby who felt it hotness.
'Now kids what do we do when someone is sick?' Toby asked.
‘We pray to God' Junior said.
'Yes, Philippians 4:6-Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.'

‘So don't worry about anything just pray instead, let's start with thanksgiving' continued Toby. ‘Let’s start with a thanksgiving song'
'I will enter his gates with thanksgiving, Halleluiah’ Toby led the song and the kids followed.
Next we say the 'prayer' Toby said.
They all closed their eyes and knelt down ' in Jesus name, Luke 11:1-4-9-Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Toby continued to pray, placing his hand on Jacobs’s forehead. ‘Thank you for all the good things you have done for us, please heal our friend, Jacob"
'Amen' said the children.
'Children, you must pray always because the bible in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says- Pray without ceasing.'






4

Jacob recovered and soon recovered home.
Three days later, the kids were learning about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when Toby noticed Jacob clutching his arm.
'Are you all right, Jacob' he asked the small boy.
‘Yea, I am fine' the boy said quickly gazing aside to the other boys.
Toby was really suspicious so he decided to keep a closer eye on him.
Just a week later, Jacob was leaving the clean scented toilet when Toby saw him with his glasses askew.
He bent over to put it straight when he noticed that his face was injured.
'Who did this to you' he asked.
'None just hit my face'
Toby ignored him and opened the bathroom door wide.' Come out' He said firmly.
Adam and Junior both came out. They had obviously been bullying Jacob. Toby took the three of them to the Patio where the three girls were waiting.
‘Our next topic is about Love he said as the three boys took their seats.

‘Who has heard of the Golden rule’ Toby asked the class.
Daisy the blonde girl raised her hands.
'Treat others the way you want to be treated' she said.
'Yes, yes our bible tells us we should love our neighbour as ourselves and even love our enemies’ he nodded to the class. 'Christians should have no hate for anyone in their hearts and they should also forgive one another’ He nodded pointedly at Jacob.
'Look here' he switched on his laptop and read- 1 John 3:23And this is his commandment that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
He smiled at them. 'The solution to most of the world problems today is love, do you know the bible says-1 John 4:20-If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
The bible also says that-Luke 6:31-And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Everyone needs to obey God commands so they can go to heaven’ Toby concluded.
'Yea' they all said.
'Now Adam and Junior, you heard all we have said, apologise to Jacob and shake hands with him'
The boys obeyed happily though Jacob seemed a little reluctant.
‘Now we are all friends’ Toby laughed. 'Let's sing a friendship song- we love each other -----'
The kids joined in happily.
'So, kids what we do when we are tempted to bully another’ asked Toby.
‘We speak the word of God' said Juliet. 'We can say-it is written love your neighbour as yourself'
'It is just as Jesus did when he was tempted in the wilderness, he spoke the word of god-Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD.


5
Juliet was reading on the coach.
‘Your parents are here, Juliet'. Toby called to her from outside before leading the quiet unassuming couple in.
The rest of the kids started at the sight of the redhead parents. Toby watched surprised, as they were both old and simple, nothing striking about them.
'Juliet, are they your parents?' Adam the tall blue- eyed boy asked.
'Yea' said Juliet looking uneasy like a mouse caught in a trap.
'What's wrong' asked Toby looking from Juliet to Adam.
Adam shrugged, Juliet looked away but Junior shouted, his grey eyes flashing.
'Juliet is a liar that what's up'
Juliet parents looked astonished. Toby was shocked.
'Apologise to Juliet at once' Toby said firmly.
'But it is true, she lied that her mom is a TV presenter Diana’ Junior cried.
'It is true'. Lucy put in 'She said over and over again that her mom was Miss Diana'
'Didn't we learn about forgiveness and love just yesterday' Toby signed. 'Tell Juliet sorry'
'Sorry' both Lucy and Junior said.
‘Oh it’s our entire fault for not raising Juliet well' said Juliet mom sadly.
‘Juliet’ Toby faced her now. 'Do you know what the bible says about liars-Proverbs 6 says: 16 these six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue,
'So then Juliet' Said Toby. 'What do you do when you are tempted to lie because of pride or anything else?'
'I do what Jesus did' said Juliet remorsefully ‘I speak the word of God, I say it is written-yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue,
'Very good' said her mother. ‘We take her home now, she seems properly chastised'
Juliet waved her goodbyes as she left.


6

Daisy, Toby blonde blue-eyed student brought invitation cards to her birthday party to the kids on their next meeting.
'Thank you' Toby heard the rest of the kids say as they each accepted one by one.
They kept talking about it.
‘Is there going to be a clown?' Junior asked.
'Yea, but my mom making cheese to avoid sugar' said Daisy, smiling at the attention. She had always been the quietest of the students.
‘And are there going to be balloons'. Jacob sounded eager.
‘Yea, of course'
'Let's pick out a theme colour for the party, which colour you want us to wear, Daisy' Lucy looked like she could hardly wait for the party to begin.
'Yellow ‘said Daisy, who was bent over a flower- pot sniffing the roses.
Days passed quickly and the evening before the party came. Outside the sounds of a car stopping came and next thing you know, Lucy came looking glum.
‘What’s wrong, Lucy' Toby asked.
'My mom is singing at an Easter concert tomorrow' said Lucy. 'And she wants us all to come'
Adam leapt to his feet.' yep, yep’
'Hurray' cried the rest of the kids except Daisy who looked like she wanted to cry. ‘We are going to the concert'
‘No, you are not, what of Daisy birthday' said Toby firmly. 'Didn't you all agree to go?'
'Yea, but the concert is more fun' said Junior biting his lip.
‘We did not swear to go to the party'. Adam insisted.
'Yea, we didn’t' added Juliet.
'Do you know what the bible says about swearing-James 5:12-But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

‘So, we are not allowed to swear' Toby nodded. But you should keep your word, now who is willing to go to daisy party?'
Everyone raised their hands except Lucy who was to go to her mom Christian concert.
Daisy was smiling again.