THE MOON, tale to be read in the darkness

The black cloud was covering the sky shyly. Red, white and yellow stars begin blinking in a sleepy way.

The night is awaking as the moon crosses the celestial sky, firs with an initial yawn giving way later to a sigh.

The moon circles around coming closer to the sea offering a kiss of goodnight. The sea waves calmly with a smooth swell, attracted by the kiss of the moon.

The stars keep blinking sleepy while the moon flies up through mountains and trees, kissing them goodnight as well. Old trees begin to flicker filling the night with balmy perfume and pleasant sounds.  

The moon moves away bit by bit from the woods reflecting herself in the surface of rivers, springs and lakes. Along the shores, she discovers fairies and undines exhaling sighs and singing to the beat of the water´s sound.

In silence, the moon moves away completely from the woods and she peers into every house slowly. She watches the boys and girls asleep in their beds, approaching them with dull rays of sunlight and she gives them a goodnight kiss.

In the end, she flies up to the heaven of the universe and from up there leaves the light on as a reminder that nobody has to fear darkness.

Author: María Abreu

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Leer el cuento en español: LA LUNA, cuento para leer a oscuras

The Bald Man and the Fly - El calvo y la mosca

One bald man was sitting outside a café enjoying a cup of coffee. A fly which was flying around smelled the scent of the coffee and went to the cup and took a sip out of it. Then maliciously it flew away and stung the bald man in his head.

The fly continued flying around the bald man’s head and as soon as he tasted his coffee the shameless fly immediately stung his head.

Another slurp…. But this time when the cunning fly got close to repeat its action, the man raised one hand and slapped the fly. The injured insect lying on the table with a broken leg reproached the man:

_ Mean bald man! Because of a mere sting you tried to kill me!

_ Who acts with ill will, severe justice will have! _ replied the bald man.

The daring fly with its broken leg flew far away in pain and ill temper.

PS: Whoever acts with malice sooner or later will receive their punishment.  

Author: Maria Abreu

Leer el cuento en español: El calvo y la mosca

Stablish my steps in thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.  (Psalm 119:133)

EL MIEDO ALERTADOR

Un pequeño ciervo bebía agua fresca a la orilla de un río y al percatarse de que un malicioso cocodrilo se estaba acercando a la orilla echó a correr.  

_ ¡Miedoso, miedoso!_ le gritaba el cocodrilo.

El pequeño ciervo que aún huía con destreza le vociferó:

_ ¡El miedo alertador es dueño de la seguridad!

Fin

Autora: María Abreu

El prudente ve el mal y se esconde, pero los ingenuos pasan y reciben el daño. (Proverbios 22:3)

VIRTUE TREE - El árbol de los valores

Once upon a time there was a wood with many trees and bright flowers in which butterflies shimmered in hundreds of colours while others were happily perfumed by their sweet nectar.

Sometimes, because of the glaring rays of the sun, these butterflies were highlighted with gold and silver colours.

The fairy Sarita, who had recently arrived in the wood was full of joy at seeing the friendly landscape. She stared at one butterfly with a magic flapping giving different virtues to each leaf of a tree.

Astonished at the landscape, the fairy Sarita went next to other butterflies and asked:

_Why are those trees so beautiful?

The butterfly Rosa, who was the guardian of the whole forest, replied with her nice smile:

_ Their beauty comes from their leaves which the tree grows from human virtues.

_ What are virtues? _ inquired fairy Sarita with curiosity.

_ Virtues are those things that make people better every day! _ revealed butterfly Rosa.

As she thought about it, the fairy Sarita asked to be taught how to grow a virtue tree. That´s why butterfly Rosa gave her some leaves from which she was to select a few.

At that very moment, fairy Sarita chose the virtues of dignity and responsibility for the roots. The virtue of integrity for the trunk. The virtues of friendship and respect for the branches.

And finally, virtues such as self-control, dialogue, effort, work, courage, self-esteem and entertainment for the leaves of the tree.

As the virtue tree was about to grow she decided to go to play. She spread a circle of light for other butterflies to come to it while she was flying freely across the wood.

Immediately, all the insects flew down into the valley and made a circle on the verdant grass and danced happily. Among songs and music the fairy Sarita learned how to dance the butterfly waltz.

While she was swaying and dancing, she approached her virtue tree, and she burst into tears when she discovered that her tree was the only one that didn’t blossom. As butterfly Rosa saw the fairy crying she went to her and explained:

_Your tree has no flowers because among all the virtues you didn’t choose the most important.

_ And what is the most important? _ asked fairy S in tears.

_ The most important virtue is love! _ confessed the butterfly Rosa.

Having heard this, the fairy Sarita flew swiftly towards her tree and put the love virtue on it, and immediately, the virtue tree started to grow.

This event clearly showed fairy S the paramount importance of all the values, but first and foremost…. the love virtue.

Author: Maria Abreu

Leer el cuento en español: El árbol de los valores

With all gentle and quiet behaviour, taking whatever comes, putting up with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2)

EL CALVO Y LA MOSCA

Un hombre calvo estaba sentado en una terraza tomando una taza de café. Una mosca que volaba alrededor, al respirar el aroma del café se acercó a la taza y se tomó un trago. Después maliciosamente alzó el vuelo y le picó al hombre calvo en la cabeza.

Continuaba la mosca rondando por la cabeza del hombre calvo y cada vez que éste se tomaba un trago de café la desvergonzada mosca aprovechaba y le deba un picotazo en la calva.

Otro trago de café; pero esta vez, cuando la maliciosa mosca se acercó para picarle en la calva, éste levantó la mano y le dio un manotazo. La mosca cayó sobre la mesa y con una pata coja reclamó:

_ ¡Calvo malvado! ¡Por un simple picotazo intentaste quitarme la vida!

_  ¡Al que actúa con malicia, severa justicia! _ respondió el hombre calvo.

La atrevida mosca con la pata coja alzó el vuelo y se marchó del lugar dolorida y enojada.

PD: El que actúa con maldad, tarde o temprano recibirá su castigo.

Autora: María Abreu

Leer el cuento en inglés: The Bald Man and the Fly

Guía mis pasos conforme a tu promesa; no dejes que me domine la iniquidad. (Salmos 119:133)

   

Good night white cloud - Buenas noches nube blanca

A bunch of thoughts and ideas stop Sofía from getting slept. She tosses and turns in bed, but it is definitely impossible for her to sleep.

When Sofía clears her mind…, a white cloud comes slowly into her head and starts cleaning away her colourful ideas until her mind goes blank. 

Having her mind cleared, Sofía goes into a deep relaxation. In each breath she feels like she is flying and then she comes down falling asleep comfortably in her white cloud.

PS: This short story helps litte kids to control their hectic minds in order to have a peaceful dreams.

Author: María Abreu

Leer el cuento en español:  Buenas noches nube blanca

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)