Answers
Thanh looked to his thirsty rice fields. Why hadn't the gods answered his prayers? If the gods won't help me, he thought, I must help myself. All day, he worked to dig channels to water the rice fields, never praying to the gods, or cursing them for not answering. Eventually, he fell, exhausted from the oppressive Vietnamese sun. I need to be strong , he thought, struggling back up. After many hard hours, Thanh collapsed onto his hammock. As he silently cursed his misfortune, Thanh felt something: a raindrop. This, he realized, smiling, is the gods' reward for hard work.
Immortality
Ash hung in the sky, obscuring all but a few rays of sunlight. Dinosaur skeletons now littered the barren ground. The mouse scurried past a spinosaurus skeleton, searching for tender shoots. He discovered a small shoot and happily devoured it. He stared into the distance and admired the vast array of dinosaur skeletons that graced the sallow wasteland. As Fortin looked closer, he saw other mice wandering among the skeletons. It was ironic how the dinosaurs were regarded as immortal and invincible for their great size and power, while the tiny, feeble mice were the ones who had survived longer.
Patience
Today, Ellie thought, I'm going to catch a butterfly. Her eyes settled on a butterfly with speckled blue wings. She tried to capture the butterfly, which continued to elude her. Finally, she watched it escape into the endless sky, beyond her reach. Stymied, she walked away. Then, a patch of berries caught her attention. I should pick some for my mother, she thought. Ellie began picking berries, dropping them into her net. I had fun today, Ellie thought as she headed home, Even though I didn't catch that butterfly. Suddenly, Ellie felt something on her shoulder. It was a butterfly.
Fun
Max was always willing to do vacuuming for his mother. He never understood why she hated it so much. It was always fun to see dust swirl around inside the vacuum machine as it made its vroom vroom sound. Max enjoyed watching the vacuum miraculously swallow up the dust and dead bugs accumulated in some places. When he vacuumed, Max loved to pretend he was a spaceship pilot, steering the spectacular machine as it magically devoured everything in its path. His mother wondered why he never complained about his chore. Why would he complain? After all, vacuuming was great fun.
Choice
Enli had just completed his training, and it was time for him to choose his own sled dogs. "What makes a good sled dog"? he thought, regarding the variety of dogs being presented for sale, "Strength? Temperament? Speed?" Not all dogs are created equal, his mentor had told him. Some were quick to follow orders and show affection, but just as quick to tire out and give up. Others were impervious to wind and ice, but also to commands and affection. Many dog sledders chose their dogs on the basis of strength and speed, but Enli... he simply loved dogs.
Why?
Once upon a Friday:
"Teacher?"
"Yes, sweetie?"
"Why is it raining today?"
"Because of the water cycle, sweetie; the water evaporates and turns into clouds. Then, the clouds become heavier and drop their water".
"I know how, but why? Why does the water cycle happen? " The teacher paused for a moment.
"I don't know, sweetie".
One morning at Sunday school:
"Father, how did God make clouds?"
"With his divine power, sweet child".
"But what did he do to make them?"
"What matters is that God created everything for a purpose. How he created them is not important, my dear".
Mire
Ayomide, the elephant was stuck in the mud. No elephant likes being stuck, but part of her liked it; it was easy. But she didn't want to be stuck forever. She wanted happiness. Ayomide mustered her courage and called out. The elephants heard her call and came. When within reach of her, they tried to pull her out with their trunks. As they struggled, Ayomide realized that she must use her own strength to be free, and pushed with all her strength. With the combined strength of herself and the herd, Ayomide rose from the mud and was happy again.
Books
The teacher looked toward her bookshelf. Books were very important to her; she loved knowledge and sharing it, but few students did. It was easy to tell who was and who wasn't. She assigned them a research project and gave them a book to use. Some didn't even care to read the book; they learned very little and scored poorly. Most used the book, but nothing else, so they got average scores. The highest scorers used the assigned book in addition to other books and internet sources. The teacher admired those students. Those who truly love learning seek it everywhere.