Wednesday, December 26, 2007
It's time to tell a story again. Today it's about a boy, named Tom. Tom used to be a simple innocent boy. Brought up to be obedient to his parents and teachers, he was quiet when he had to be and participated when called on. Tom was a model student in school, and the child every parent wanted. Tom's friends were good, and supportive, and would not be classified as bad company. But Tom's life took a twist one day. It was a journey in its most literal sense. He saw a flyer about a competition. The objective was to build a race car which would then race against other cars made by other kids of the same age group. Tom was excited. He gathered his materials and drew up blue prints, and it wasn't long before he had his race car built and ready for the big day.
The race atmosphere was exhilarating. He started his engine and soon he was off down the course making turns and trying to take over the cars ahead of him. Tom however was in it only for the fun, but from the looks on the faces of the children in the other cars he saw something other than fun. It was not nice. Drivers were throwing stones at each other, hurling insults, banging cars at each other trying to force them into walls. It was not the sort of competition Tom had in mind. He wanted out before he got hurt, he wanted to stop now, but there was no stopping the race. Tom had to finish something he had now come to dread. Thank God he crossed the finish line safely, but not first. Sadness could be seen on his face but not one of defeat.
A year passed and once again Tom saw the flyer for the race car competition, but this time his innocent mind was innocent no longer. The evils of the world, and its mechanics had found a way to creep into his mind. His brother Jack saw the same flyer and was filled with excitement. Tom could recognize it straight away. He warned his brother, trying to protect him, but how could you convince someone that young lads like himself could cheat and hurt just to be first in a competition that would not be remembered 10 years later? Tom let go realizing that the only way to let his brother learn was to let him take part in the competition and see it for himself. But in his more discerning mind, Tom was preparing himself for the sacrifice he might have to make for his brother.
Dan
3:17 am
