ايمان لونس

إنَّني فصلُ الخريفْ إنني فصلٌ لطيفْ فِيَّ... يحلو العنبُ فِيَّ يشدو القَصَبُ * فِيَّ... أسرابُ الطيورْ تَطلبُ الدفءَ.تُهاجرْ وتُغنِّي.. في حُبورٌ ومع الصبح..تُسافرْ * فِيَّ... فَلاَّحُ الرُّبوعْ يُنثرُ الحَبَّ الكثيرْ ويُصلِّي... في خُشوعْ يَطلبُ الربْحَ الوفيرْ * فِيَّ أسرابُ الغُيومْ تَتراءى في السماءْ كفَراشٍ..أبيضِ اللونِ...مضى نحو الضياءْ * فِيَّ.. آلافُ المَدارسْ تَفتحُ الأبوابَ..صُبْحا فَيعودُ الجَرَسُ الغافي لِمِلْءِ الحَيَّ صَدْحا * إنَّني فصلُ الخريفْ إنني فَصْلٌ لطيفْ إنني فصلٌ... لطيفْ

كانت لنا الصحراءْ‏ ينبوعَ كبرياءْ‏ كتابنا أنيقْ‏ نخطّ في أوراقهِ‏ تاريخنا العريقْ‏ كم سار في دروبها الفرسانْ وكم زها في ربعها الإنسانْ فكان يا ما كانْ‏ يحكي لنا الزمانْ رمالها ذهبْ‏ وأهلها عربْ‏ نخلاتٌ خضراء الغرّةْ‏ لم تحنِ قامتها مرّة‏ هذي الصحراءْ‏ صدقٌ ووفاءْ‏ أشعارٌ كُتبتْ بالذهبِ‏ خطّتْ أحرفها في الكتبِ‏ أقلام الفنان العربي‏ والصبح أضاءْ‏

إنَّني فصلُ الشتاءْ إنَّني فصلُ العَطاءْ فَمياهي... تَحملُ الفرحةَ.. خِصْباً ونَماءْ فِيَّ.. يَعرى الشجرُ فِيَّ يغفو القمرُ فَيُغنِّي المطرُ ويَفيضُ النَّهَرُ فيَّ.. برقٌ ورعودْ وغيومٌ شاردهْ وصقيعٌ.. وجَليدْ ورياحٌ باردَهْ بِيَدي أصنعُ ثوباً ناصعا.. كاللُّؤلؤهْ فَيلوذُ الطفلُ بالبيتِ..وتَشدو المِدفأَهْ إنَّني فصلُ الشتاءْ فِيَّ.. يحلو السَّهَرُ فَتَطيبُ "الكَستَناءْ ويَطيبُ السَّمَرُ فأنا لحنُ السماءْ وأنا رمزُ العطاءْ إنِّني فصلُ الشتاءْ

إنَّني فَصْلُ الربيعْ إنَّني فصلٌ بَديعْ فأنا حُلْمُ الجميعْ وأنا عُرْسُ الجميعْ انتي فصل الربيع فِيَّ أَسرابُ الطيورْ تَصنعُ الأَعشاشَ صُبْحا وتُغنِّي في سُرورْ تَملأُ الرَّوضَةَ صَدْحا بَيَدي أَكسو البَساتينَ رِداءً أَخضرا بِيَدي أَحملُ للرَّوض النَّسيمَ العَطِرا يا لَرِحلاتي البَديعهْ بينَ أَحضانِ الطبيعهْ.. تُبهجُ الطفلَ.. فَيَشدو للعصافير الوَديعهْ إنَّني عيدُ الفَراشات، وأَعراسُ الزُّهورْ حيثُما سِرْتُ.. فإنَّ العطرَ يصحو.. ويدورْ فأنا حُلْمُ الجميعْ وأَنا فَصْلٌ بَديعْ انتي فصل الربيع

تظلُّ في الفضاء سفينةُ الفضاءْ تطيرُ في الهواءْ وتعبرُ الغيوم تعانق السماءْ تظلُّ في الفضاء بخفةٍ تدورْ وحولها النجوم كأنها زهورْ تقارب القمرْ لا ترهب الخطرْ وحينما تصلْ تحطّ في حذرْ وينزلُ الروّادْ كأنهم فرسانْ ليجمعوا العلوم لخدمةِ الانسانْ ياأيها الرّوّاد ياأيها الأبطالْ بقلبنا أنتم زرعتم الآمالْ

‏ تعالَ يا مساءْ‏ فالشمس لمت ضوءها‏ ألقت به في الماءْ‏ تعال فالأطفالْ‏ لا يرهبون الليل والظلامْ‏ سواده ظِلالْ‏ تحملنا لعالم الأحلامْ‏ أتعبنا النهارْ‏ بالجد والعملْ‏ لكننا في الدارْ‏ نعود للأملْ‏ فننفض الغبارْ‏ ونغسل التعبْ‏ وترحل الأحلامْ‏ بآخر الصخبْ.‏ فتبسم النجماتْ‏ حباً لكل الناسْ‏ وآخر الكلماتْ‏ يأكلها النعاسْ‏

الطائر الطيب العجيب كانت نباتات البطيخ الأخضر تملأ ذلك الحقل الكبير وهي فرحة بأنها نضجت وأصبحت جاهزة للقطاف وكل بطيخة كانت تتخيل مصيرها: هل ستقع في يد مسافر عطشان.؟... أم ستنتقل على العربات إلى البعيد من البلدان؟. هل سيقطفها الصغار من الصبيان ليأخذوها إلى بيوتهم ويأكلوها مع وجباتهم؟...أم ستأتي الفلاحات النشيطات لقطفها وجمعها ثم توزيعها على أهل القرية جميعاً من المساكين العطشانين؟ كل ثمار البطيخ بألوانها الخضراء الزاهية كانت تضحك، ما عدا واحدة منها هي أضخمها وأكبرها حجماً.. كانت قشرتها قد أصبحت سميكة وصفراء، وتكاد تنفجر من كثرة نضجها وامتلائها قالت البطيخات لهذه البطيخة الأم أنت لم يقطفك أحد الموسم الماضي... أليس كذلك قالت أنا مثلكن... زرعوني هذا الموسم، لكن بذرتي كانت كبيرة وقوية، ونمَوَتُ بسرعة أكثر منكن. وهم زرعوني لغاية غير الغاية التي من أجلها زرعوكن. قالت البطيخات الشابات بفضول: هيه... قصي علينا قصتك... ثم ما هي هذه الغاية؟ قالت البطيخة الأم أكبر البطيخات: قصتي هي أنني سأظل في مكاني هنا حتى أنفجر وتخرج بذوري مني. صاحت بطيخة صغيرة بفزع ولماذا؟ ألا تذهبين معنا وتنفعين الناس. وينتهي الأمر؟ وإلا لماذا خلقنا؟ ضحكت البطيخة الكبيرة أم البطيخات، وقالت إنني أنتظر هنا صديقي الطائر الطيب... ذلك الرسول الأمين الذي سينقل بمنقاره ما استطاع من بذوري، ثم يطير بها إلى مسافة بعيدة ويرميها في أرض لا تعرف البطيخ.. فأنبت من جديد هناك وأكون سعيدة بسعادة الناس بي. قالت البطيخات الشابات كان الله في عونك... ستظلين هنا وحدك مع ريح الليل، وشمس النهار... وربما هطلت الأمطار عليك فأفسدت كل شيء قالت البطيخة الأم: وماذا تظنين أنت ومثيلاتك أيتها البطيخات الشابات؟ من أين أتيتن إلى هذا المكان ولم يكن يعرف البطيخ أبدا إنه الطائر الطيب العجيب هذا الذي حمل أول بذرة وألقاها في بلاد بعيدة.. وكانت مغامرته مفيدة وسعيدة... وهكذا يفعل قالت بطيخة ناضجة أكثر من سواها: دعينا من هذا الكلام.. إنه من الوهم أو الأحلام... أنهم يزرعوننا بذوراً... ولم نسمع هذه الحكاية إلا منك هزت البطيخة العجوز برأسها، وقالت صحيح... إنها حكاية... لكنني أحبها، وأتشوق أن تحصل معي... ولعل الطائر الطيب سيرسل بدلاً منه آخرين من المزارعين الطيبين يأخذونني... ويستغلون بذوري لأعود فأنبت مع كل بذرة من جديد ونظرت البطيخات كل منها إلى الأخرى وتشاورن... من تريد أن تبقى مع البطيخة الأم لتغدو من جديد هي الأم؟ وبينما هن كذلك رفرف طائر فوق حقل البطيخ.. ولم يعرف اسمه أحد.. ولم يعرف سره أحد.. وأخذ يهبط ويطير فوق حقل البطيخ، وهو يزقزق بحبور... ويبحث بين التراب عن البذور

<TABLE id=table1 width="100%"> <TR> <td vAlign=top>قطةٌ وظلُّها ـ رأتِ القطَّةُ دفُلّةُ، حمامةً تستحّمُ في ساقيةِ الصديقةِ.‏ ياهْ.. حمامةٌ!! وجبةٌ محترمةٌ لهذا اليومِ، لحستْ شفتيها بطرفِ لسانِها...‏ ـ فُلّةُ اختفتْ وراءَ شجرةِ وردٍ، زحفتْ على بطنِها، ثم انطلقَتْ كالسهمِ نحوَ الحمامةِ.. هوبْ.. وإذا بفلّةٍ تتعثَّرُ، وراحَتْ تتدحرجُ فوقَ الثيّلِ، والحمامةُ طارتْ فزعةً..‏ ـ فُلّةُ نهضتْ من عثرتِها بسرعةٍ كأيّ قطّةٍ نشيطةٍ، ثم سمعَتْ كلاماً:‏ أهذا تصدّقٌ؟!!‏ تلفتَتْ يمنةً ويسرةً، فلم ترَ أحداً، وبعد لحظةٍ إذا بكفٍّ يمسح على ظهرِها برفقٍ‏ آهٍ.. ظلّي!!‏ أجلْ أنا ظلّك يافُلّةُ وأنا الذي أمسكتُ قدمَك فتعثرتِ كي تنجوَ الحمامةُ من مخالبِكِ الحادّةِ، صمتَ الظلُّ برهةً ثم تابعَ كلامَه، إن لم تقلعي عن صيدِ الطيور سأبتعدُ عنكِ، بصراحةٍ يا فُلّة أنا لا أريدُ أن أكونَ ظلاًّ لقطّةٍ قاسيةٍ مجرمةٍ...‏ ـ يبدو أنكَ يا ظلّي أصبحتَ من جماعةِ الرفقِ بالطيورِ.‏ بلا تعليقات من هذا المستوى..، هذا عيبٌ..‏ ـ تطلّعتْ فلّةُ في وجهِ ظلّها خجلةً وقالتْ:‏ أنا آسفةٌ.. آسفةٌ يا ظلّي، ثم رفعتْ يديها إلى أعلى ضاحكةُ وصاحتْ بأعلى صوتِها: اهدلي يا حماماتُ.. وغرّدي يا بلابلُ.. وزقزقي يا عصافيرُ، فقد قرّرتْ فُلّةُ بشكلٍ قاطعٍ، أن لا تصطادَ طيراً بعدَ اليوم‏ </TD></TR></TABLE>

التقت شجرة بخروف يوماً، وكانت الشجرة تتمنى أن تكون مثل المطر، فقال لها الخروف أن ترضى بما هي عليه فقالت الشجرة عاتبة لا يا صديقي لا .. ولكن المطر يعطي الكثير ، وأتمنى بصراحة أن أكون مثله .. ليس هناك أجمل من العطاء ، وكما ترى فليس هناك من يعطي كما يعطي المطر ، هذه حقيقة .. فلماذا لا أكون مثل المطر قال الخروف قد لا أفهم كثيرا في مثل هذه الأشياء .. لكن كيف تكونين مثل المطر .. أنا أظن أن المطر مطر والشجرة شجرة والخروف خروف .. فكيف تكونين مثل مطر أجابت الشجرة اسمع يا صديقي ، سأوضح لك ، إن المطر يعطي ويفيد الآخرين كثيرا ، أما نحن ففائدتنا محدودة جدا ، لماذا لا نكون مثل المطر قال الخروف بحزن مع أنه لم يفهم تماما ما المقصود من كلام الشجرة ، وكان يظن أنها تفهم كل شيء معك حق يا صديقتي الحكيمة ، كم عطاؤنا قليل أمام عطاء المطر..لكن ماذا نستطيع أن نفعل ، من الصعب أن يصير الواحد منا مطرا .. مثلا أنا لا أستطيع أن أتخيل نفسي حبات مطر ، ولا أستطيع أن أراك تهطلين مثل المطر قال الشجرة كأنك لم تصل إلى معنى ما أريد .. ببساطة يا صديقي الخروف أتمنى أن أعطي كثيرا لأكون مثل المطر قال الخروف ربما فهمت .. أقول ربما .. على كل المطر رائع وأنت رائعة ، مثلا أنا أظن أنك أفضل مني بكثير لأنك شجرة ولأنني خروف ، أنت تعطين أكثر بكثير ، هذه حقيقة ، فهل أستطيع أن أكون شجرة على أقل تقدير قبل أن أكون مطرا كانت حبات المطر تسمع هذا الحوار الطريف الجميل وتتمايل بفرح، ورأت أن تتدخل فقالت كل ما تقولينه يا صديقتي الشجرة غير صحيح .. أيضا ما تقوله يا صديقي الخروف غير صحيح .. علينا أن ننظر إلى الحياة بشكل يكون فيه الكثير من العمق .. كل واحد يقدم حسب استطاعته ، وعطاء كل واحد منا عطاء رائع لأنه يكمل عطاء الآخر ما الذي يجري لو أن كل شيء تحول إلى مطر قالت الشجرة ولكن لماذا لا نعطي أكثر ؟؟ العطاء شيء جميل لماذا أنت أفضل منا في عطائك أجابت حبات المطر بهدوء كلنا نتعاون في العطاء .. أنا أعطي ، أنت تعطين ، الخروف يعطي ، كلنا نعطي ونفيد ، ليس هناك أقل وأكثر في عطائنا كل واحد منا يؤدي وظيفته الرائعة في العطاء ، وكما قيل من يعطي يستحق الحياة ، وما دمنا نعطي فنحن نستحق الحياة شعر الخروف بالكثير من الفخر وقال ولكن هل قيمتنا مثل قيمتك أيها المطر مادمنا لا نستطيع الاستغناء عن عطائك وعطائي وعطاء الشجرة، فالقيمة متساوية ، وأظن أنه لا قيمة لأحد بدون الآخرين تابع المطر هطوله بسرور ، وكانت الشجرة سعيدة وهي تعانق حبات المطر ، أما الخروف فكان يجري بمرح متجها إلى بيت صاحبه

قد جئتكم بالنورْ‏ أرشّه على ذرا الجبالْ‏ وأفرش الدروب بالزهورْ‏ وأوقظ الشلالْ‏ فيهرب النعاسْ‏ من عين كل الناسْ‏ ليشرعوا على المدى الأبوابْ‏ وتدخل الأنسام‏ تلقي على الأصحابْ‏ عبيرها سلامْ‏ هذا هو الفلاح‏ يغدو إلى الحقولْ‏ في جيبه مفتاح‏ للعالم الجميلْ‏ وذلك الصياد‏ سينشر الشراعْ‏ يودِّع الأولاد‏ ويبدأ الصراعْ‏ صديقنا الصباح‏ يفتتح النهارْ‏ ليبدأ الكفاحْ‏ ويفرح الصغارْ‏

الغابــة هذي هي الأشجارْ‏ تروي حكاياها‏ والنهر منسابٌ‏ يصغي لأحلاها‏ ‏ في الغابة الحسناءْ‏ كنز من الخُضْرةْ‏ تبدو خلال الماءْ‏ لوحاتها النضِرةْ‏ عصفورة ملّتْ من الفراقْ‏ فأسرعت للدارْ‏ ها عشُّها غُمْرٌ من الأوراقْ‏ ورزقها ثمارْ‏ في الصفّ قد تساءل الرفاقْ نحبّ أنْ تصيرْ‏ غاباتنا تمتدّ في الآفاقْ‏ كعالم كبيرْ‏ يا أيها الأحبابْ‏ بغرسة صغيرةْ‏ تبتدئ المسيرةْ‏ هذا هو الجوابْ‏ فلنغرس الأشجارْ‏ حالاً على سفوحنا‏ ولنجعل الشعار أشجارنا صروحنا‏ ولنسقها تعلُ بها هاماتنا‏ دوماً‏ وتزهُ روحنا‏

انا فرشاة للأسنان 00 أحب الخير للإنسان إني للأطفال صديقة 00 لكن يكرهني بعض الأطفال جاء طفل في عجل يسألها : ما سبب الأحزان قالت والألم يبكيها في رأسي أشواك ناعمة ، تنظف أسنان الأطفال لكن منهم من يكرهني 00 يرفض ، يرفض أن يحملني قال الطفل في عجب أنا أهواك يا فرشاة في محفظتي أحفظك ، أحملك دوما بثبات قالت فرشاة الأسنان لست شيئا تحفظه، استعملني .. استعملني في المحفظة لا تنساني دوما دوما استخدمني 00 في الصبح ، في الظهر وقبل النوم على أسنانك مررني 00 واجعلني واجبك اليومي أجعل من فمك نظيفا 00 أبعد عن أسنانك مرضا أجعلها صلبة ومتينه ، فلا تتركني الدهر دفينة عن أسنانك تبعدني ماذا تريد خيرا مني ؟! هلا محيت الحزن عني

<TR><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"> <td align=middle></TD> <td height=21 vAlign=center width="33%" align=middle></TD> <TR> <td vAlign=top align=middle> <TABLE dir=rtl cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=center> <TR> <td id=TdStoryTittle>عنوان القصة :بياض الثلج </TD></TR> <TR> <td id=tdWriter>المؤلف: p://www.7elmkhulais.com</TD></TR> <TR> <td id=TdPublisher>الناشر :p://www.7elmkhulais.com</TD></TR></TABLE> </TD></TR></TABLE> في قديم الزمان كانت تعيش ملكة وقد جلست قرب النافذة تخيط الملابس , فشكت إصبعها بالإبرة فسقطت من إصبعها ثلاث قطرات من الدم على الثوب الذي كانت تخيطة فأعجبها جمال لون الدم الأحمر مع الثلج الأبيض فقالت : ليتني أرزق مولوداً أبيض كالثلج وأحمر كالدم وأسود كالليل . وبعد مرور فترة من الزمن رزقت الملكة بطفلة أسمتها بياض الثلج , وبعد ذلك توفيت الملكة تزوج الملك من ملكة جديدة جميلة وكانت شديدة الإعجاب بجمالها , وكانت للملكة مرآة سحرية معلقة على الجدار وتقول لها أيتها المرآة المعلقة على الجدار من هي أجمل سيدة بين سيدات هذه البلاد ؟ فكانت تقول أيتها الملكة أنت أجملهن جميعاً وأقسم أن بياض الثلج أجمل فتنة . فغضبت الملكة فطلبت من الصياد أن يأخذ بياض الثلج إلى الغابة ويقتلها هناك ولكن بياض الثلج توسلت للصياد أن لا يقتلها ويدعها تذهب لحال سبيلها فتركها تذهب بعيداً في الغابة . شاهدت بياض الثلج كوخ للأقزام السبعة وحكت لهم قصتها وطلبت منهم أن تبقي معهم بشرط أن تنظف الكوخ وتطهي الطعام وقفت الملكة قبالة المرآة يوماً وسألتها : من هي أجمل سيدة بين سيدات هذه البلاد ؟ لم تصدق أذنيها عندما سمعت الجواب الآتي : أيتها الملكة إنك جميلة جدا ولكنني يجب أن أقول الحقيقة , أقسم أن بياض الثلج لم تمت , وهي لا تزال حية في بيت صغير بعيد , قائم فوق تله . ومع أنك أيتها الملكة جميلة حقاً فإن جمال تلك الفتاة الفائق يجعلها أكثر جمالاً وحاولت الملكة عدة مرات قتل بياض الثلج ولكن الأقزام ينقذونها في كل مرة , إلا أن آخر محاولاتها نجحت وظلت بياض الثلج فاقدة وعيها بسبب أكلها للتفاحة المسمومة التي أعطتها لها الساحرة

الثعلب يأكل القمر في ليلة مقمرة، كان الثعلب الجائع يطوف خلسة حول بيت في مزرعة بحثاً عن فريسة.. وأخيراً.. وبعد طول معاناة، قابلته هرة صغيرة.. فقال لها: لست وجبة مشبعة لمخلوق جائع مثلي لكن في مثل هذا الوقت الصعب فإن بعض الشيء يكون أفضل من لا شيء. وتهيأ الثعلب للانقضاض على الهرة.. فناشدته قائلة : كلا أرجوك.. لا تأكلني.. وإن كنت جائعاً، فأنا أعلم جيداً أين يمكن للفلاح أن يخبئ قطع الجبن.. فتعال معي، وسترى بنفسك. صدق الثعلب ما قالته الهرة الصغيرة.. وسال لعابه ينما تخيل قطع الجبن وهو يتهمها. فقادته الهرة إلى فناء المزرعة حيث يوجد هناك بئر عميقة ذات دلوين.. ثم قالت له: والآن، انظر هنا، وسترى في الأسفل قطع الجبن. حدّق الثعلب الجائع داخل البئر، ورأى صورة القمر منعكسة على الماء، فظن أنها قطعة من الجبن.. فرح كثيراً وازداد شوقاً لأكلها.. قفزت الهرة إلى الدلو الذي في الأعلى، وجلست فيه، وقالت للثعلب: هذا هو الطريق إلى الأسفل . إلى قطعة الجبن.. ودورة الهرة بكرة الحبل، ونزلت بالدلو نحو الأسفل إلى الماء.. وهبطت إلى الأسفل قبل الثعلب، وهي سعيدة.. وتعلم ما تفعل.. ثم قفزت إلى خارج الدلو وتعلقت بالحبل.. ناداها الثعلب قائلاً: ألا تستطيعين حمل قطعة الجبن إلى الأعلى؟. أجابت الهرة : كلا، فإنها ثقيلة جداً.. ولا يمكنني حملها إلى الأعلى.. لذا عليك أن تأتي إلى هنا في الأسفل. ولأن الثعلب أثقل وزناً من رفيقته، فإن الدلو الذي جلس فيه الثعلب هبط إلى الأسفل وغمره الماء في الوقت الذي صعدت فيه الهرة الصغيرة إلى الأعلى، وأفلتت من فكي الثعلب بذكائها..

He now knows that even though he wishes hard and tries hard too, there are just some things some birds aren't meant to do... The challenge for Round Bird, then, is to find those special things that only special birds can do

McFeeglebee's Pond <DIV class="post-body entry-content"><DIV style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" dir=rtl> <TABLE style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0> <TR> <td colSpan=3 align=middle>

by Storie-Jean AgapithDedication: This story is dedicated to my wonderful son, Leon W. Weed, 1971-1997; he was my inspiration for telling stories. I will always love my beloved and only child, and with each story I will have wonderful memories of when I told them to him.Illustrated by Michael S. Weber Mr. Coyote was getting very old and had to be more careful for his own safety. He had been walking for hours and hours through a beautiful valley when he came upon a large tree. Mr. Coyote was very tired and wanted to rest but he also needed to be safe. He kindly asked the tree, "Please open up so I can rest safely in your care". The tree opened up so that Mr. Coyote could go inside to rest, then it closed to keep him safe. Mr. Coyote slept for hours. When he woke up he could not remember what he had said to make the tree open. He said, "Let me out Mr. Tree", but nothing happened. He said, "Please let me out now!" and again nothing happened. The tree didn’t even creak. Mr. Coyote knocked on the tree, but it would not open up. Mr. Tree was upset with Mr. Coyote for not having said please the first time he spoke to the tree! It let him rest a little longer. Because the birds heard Mr. Coyote banging on the inside of the tree, they came down to peck on the tree to help get him out. But they were too small and the tree was just too big! Finally Mr. Woodpecker came down and pecked a hole in the tree. Although it was a very small hole, it caused Mr. Woodpecker to get a bent beak! This meant he couldn’t peck on the tree any more. Mr. Coyote put one hand out the hole but he could not fit through. He then tried his leg but still he could not fit through. He had to come up with a way to escape since Mr. Woodpecker's beak was now bent. Mr. Coyote knew there had to be a way. "Ah, come on you old ugly tree," he cried, "Just let me out!" But still nothing happened, just the silence around him. Mr. Coyote decided to take off his arms one at a time and put them through the small hole. He then put his legs through one at a time by taking them off. He put his body through by taking it off. This was working out fine. I’ll show you Mr. Tree, you can’t keep me in here, he thought. Next Mr. Coyote tried to put his head through the hole, but it was too big. His ears were in the way. So he took off his ears and put them through the hole. He again tried his head, but his eyes were too big. Mr. Coyote took his eyes off and put them through the hole. Mr. Raven saw the eyes and flew down to take them. Then Mr. Raven flew back up high in the tree with Mr. Coyote's eyes. They were such beautiful eyes, blue like the sky, and would be a treasure to put in his hiding spot! Mr. Coyote finally put his head through the hole. He then put himself back together. One piece at a time he became a whole coyote again. But after he put his head on he could not find his eyes. He was feeling all over. His ears were listening to hear him touch his eyes, but not a sound could be heard from his eyes. His fingers were being careful while feeling around, but still no eyes were found. Mr. Coyote knew he could not let the animals know he was blind. He felt his way to a wild rose bush; he then put two rose petals in for his eyes. This would cover the blindness for a little while, but he would have to keep looking for his eyes. Surely they were close by! Along came Mr. Snail who saw Mr. Coyote with the rose petals in his eyes. He asked Mr. Coyote, "Why do you have those rose petals in your eyes?" Mr. Coyote said, "Because they are very beautiful. They have lovely colors. You can try them if you want and I will hold your eyes." Mr. Snail took off his eyes. He put them into Mr. Coyote’s hands and tried the rose petals in his eyes. Then Mr. Coyote put Mr. Snail's eyes into his head and ran off with his long tail wagging. To this day Mr. Snail is crawling with his head down looking for his eyes. And all coyotes have brown eyes instead of blue; this is because Mr. Coyote was naughty when he took Mr. Snail’s eyes. And Mr. Raven still has those beautiful blue eyes in his secret hiding place, but he cannot return them because the secret hiding place was so secret not even Mr. Raven can find it!

Follow the littlest knight as he battles to save the kingdom from the terrible dragon and win the hand of the princess.A Children's Book Written and Illustrated by Carol Moore Once upon a time long ago, even before the days of King Arthur, there lived a blacksmith only three feet tall. He was so short that he needed a stool to stand on to shoe the great steeds of the knights. This bothered him not a bit because although he was small he was very brave. In fact, in his heart he secretly longed to become a knight and win the hand of the Princess. The Princess was the King and Queen's only child and it should come as no surprise that the little blacksmith loved her very much for she was both kind and beautiful. She was even smaller than he, and had dancing eyes and long silken hair which she wore in a coiled braid. But, alas, the little blacksmith could admire the Princess only from afar because she was, after all, a princess and he but a lowly blacksmith--not even that tall. One day a terrible dragon came to the kingdom. Breathing fire on anyone who crossed its path, it trampled houses and burned fields. Many knights battled the dragon but their swords could not cut its thick scales. Each night it flew home to its cave in the mountains surrounded by a deep ravine. The dragon was enchanted and protected by a magic spell. It said, He who would break my spell, Must carry a thousand swords, And do it well. Then cross a bridge which isn't there, If he wants to reach my lair. And last, not least, my defeat Will be an empty cup filled. Many knights went to battle and many knights were hurt as the dragon moved closer and closer to the castle. The King declared whosoever killed the dragon would be granted half his kingdom. Now knights came from across the sea. They were the most fierce, the bravest and the biggest knights anyone had ever seen. A thousand of them gathered to attack the dragon. But with his great wings the dragon took no time in knocking 50 knights from their horses and breathing fire on the rest. He said, You must think I'm here to fiddle, 1,000 men--that's not the riddle. One man alone, only one man, With a thousand swords, That's the plan. In desperation the King proclaimed whosoever solved the riddles and killed the dragon would be granted their heart's desire. Now the merchants got busy. Suddenly there were swords everywhere: fat swords, skinny swords, sharp swords, dull swords, fancy swords, but mostly tiny swords so that one man might carry many of them. But a tiny sword is more like a dagger and most knights were too proud to carry a sackful of daggers. <BLOCKQUOTE> There was also a need for building materials to make the bridge, all kinds and shapes of wood and rock and rope and twine. Of course, with all this material they needed carts to carry it and animals to pull it so there was a run on wagons and horses and donkeys and oxen. Lastly, the chinaware merchants had a field day. They sold crystal goblets, wooden goblets, big cups, little cups, coffee cups, fat cups, skinny cups. To fill these cups the wine merchants and the milkmaids sold red wine, white wine, sparkling wine, cow's milk, goat's milk and all types of fruit juice. As a matter of fact, the kingdom had never known such commercial success. Nothing was left of anything resembling a sword or building material, or a wagon to hold it, or an animal to pull it, and there was not a drop of liquid left in all the kingdom but ordinary water. What was left were sacks and sacks and sacks of money piled everywhere. And did this do any good? No. The knights for all their effort and all their supplies couldn't defeat the dragon and now the countryside was strewn with debris and the kingdom was a mess. Only the little blacksmith's heart was full of hope for he finally had a chance to win the hand of the Princess. He fashioned a suit of armor and a sword out of old tin cups and scrap metal, mounted his pony and rode to court. Bowing before the King, he said, "I wish to be knighted so that I may rid your kingdom of this horrible monster." There was a moment of silence, then everyone but the Princess began to laugh. In fact, they laughed and they laughed, which made the little blacksmith's ears turn red. The King said, "You are no match for this dragon. It takes might to fight. You are simply too small." The little blacksmith squared his shoulders. "I may be slight but I can fight." The Princess was impressed. It was clear to her he was brave and good. "Father, for my sake, knight him this day. You promised 'whosoever should slay the dragon,' and surely he deserves a chance." The King couldn't refuse his only daughter. He rose from his throne and knighted the blacksmith. Then, for luck, the Princess unwound her long braid, pulled out a single hair and handed it to the littlest knight. He placed it in a pocket over his heart. "May you have good fortune, my brave knight," she said. So the littlest knight set out on his pony to find the dragon. He met many tired and injured knights and one helpful fellow told him, "Go back. One man can't carry 1,000 swords, nor can you cross a bridge which isn't there, and if you fill an empty cup it won't be empty any more. It is all a trick." He thought the littlest knight was the biggest fool. The littlest knight had been traveling half a day when he came upon an object in the road beneath a tree. It was a beehive. Being a kind soul he picked it up to put it back in the tree. Suddenly he heard a tiny, buzzing voice. We see you have kind intentions, But please don't put us back. Every knight who's seen us here, Raised his sword and gave a whack. Carry us elsewhere, we pray, And we'll return the favor one day. "OK," said the littlest knight and carefully tied the beehive to his saddle. It was shortly after that he found the dragon or rather it found him. It landed nearby to look him over, and said, Pfft, why you're nothing but a pea, Who doesn't reach my knee. Go home and grow some more. Fighting you would be a bore. But the littlest knight charged anyway striking a blow with his sword. "Ouch," said the dragon. The littlest knight charged and struck him again. The dragon roared. You've gone too far this time. You hit me on my behind. I'll fry you 'till What you look like most, Is a piece of burnt up toast. Suddenly there was a buzzing from the knapsack. A bee flew out and up to the littlest knight's ear. We have a way to repay you, Throw our beehive and we'll save you. So the littlest knight grabbed the beehive, throwing it at the dragon's head. Immediately a thousand bees flew out with a thousand stingers. With their tiny swords they stung the dragon again and again. The dragon's eyes began to swell and he could hardly see. With a bellow of pain and anger he leaped into the air and flew off to his cave in the mountains. The littlest knight followed on his pony. When he reached the dragon's lair he saw that the cliffs of the ravine were so far across that building a bridge would take a year. He sat down to think about it, meanwhile pulling from his pocket the Princess's single silken hair. Again there was a buzzing from the knapsack and a bee flew out. It asked him what the matter was. When he told it, it said. This is easy. To cross a bridge which isn't there, Could be a single human hair. Tie the Princess's to my back. I'll fly it there and Tie it near the dragon's lair. The bee did just that. The littlest knight couldn't believe his good fortune until he was fully halfway across the ravine, balancing like an acrobat. The Princess's hair seemed magical for it stretched the whole distance and even with his weight did not break. He made it across and entered the cave. There he found the dragon in a far corner. It was in misery with its eyes swollen shut and its forked tongue lying on the ground. It hissed at his approach, for it could still smell him. I warn you do not come in here. I'll kill you if you come near. It's foolhardy to be involved, When there's still a riddle to be solved. But the littlest knight wasn't afraid. With his kind heart all he could feel now was pity. He wanted to help the beast, to give it water to drink and cool its swollen eyes. Returning outside he climbed down the cliff to the stream below. At the bottom there was plenty of water but nothing with which to carry it. Then he spied a chipped cup some knight had tossed from above. Carefully picking it from the sand he filled it as best as he could and climbed back up. But when he got back to the dragon he discovered that not only had the cup been chipped but it had a crack he had not seen. What little water there was had drained out while he was climbing. He approached the dragon and said, "I'm sorry. I meant to help you, I really did. But the cup is empty." To his surprise the beast rose up with a roar of glee. Thank you, oh thank you, little knight, You have saved me, all right! An empty cup it may be, But it was filled with kindness, you see. And an empty cup filled, sets me free! I was a good and gentle dragon long ago, Before I angered an evil wizard so that He cursed me to be as wicked as he. I'm forever in your debt, I'm the happiest dragon yet. Let me take you home. I'll guard you forever, I tell no lies. I'll be your wings, if you'll be my eyes. The littlest knight was shocked, stunned and delighted. The evil dragon wasn't evil at all, only bewitched, and now that the riddles were solved it was proving to be as kind as its new master. The first thing the littlest knight did was attach the beehive to a high rock at the mouth of the cave. The bees were thrilled. They had a new home with shelter, protection and most important, privacy, and the stream below had enough flowers growing by it to make more honey than they would ever need. Then the littlest knight, astride his flying dragon, flew home with his pony galloping beneath. At first the King and all the kingdom were terrified. All except the Princess, that is. She trusted her littlest knight and upon hearing the whole story set about immediately to make a healing salve for the dragon's eyes. The littlest knight married her and got half the kingdom. The dragon got back his eyesight and, true to his word, guarded the kingdom faithfully. In time, the littlest knight and the Princess had seven children who loved taking rides on the dragon's back. Of course, they lived happily ever after. The End </BLOCKQUOTE>

This is the number ONE. One rabbit waves hello. This is the number TWO. These two rabbits hop and hop. This is the number THREE. Three bunnies jump in the rabbit hole. This is the number FOUR. Four bunnies eat their carrots, yummy! This is the number FIVE. Five bunnies sit on a log. They are having some fun, hurray! This is the number SIX. Six bunnies hop and flip. This is the number SEVEN. These seven bunnies are on a swing. This is the number EIGHT. These eight rabbits pop out of a hat. This is the number NINE. These nine bunnies are all taking a bath. This is the number TEN. Here are ten bunnies brushing their teeth. This is the number ELEVEN. These eleven bunnies are in their bed sleeping.

The word AIRPLANE starts with the letter "A". An AIRPLANE flies in the sky. This is a BEAR. The word BEAR starts with the letter "B". This is the CAT. CAT starts with the letter "C". This is a DOG. A DOG can bark and wag its tail. The word DOG starts with a letter "D". The word ELEPHANT starts with the letter "E". This is an elephant blowing its trunk. FISH live in the water and swim around. The word FISH starts with the letter "F". This is a GORILLA. They live in the mountain jungles. The word GORILLA starts with a "G". The HELICOPTER flies in the air. The word HELICOPTER starts with an "H". This is an IGLOO, it is a home built out of snow. The word IGLOO starts with the letter "I". This toy is called a JACK-IN-THE-BOX. The clown's head pops out. The word JACK-IN-THE-BOX starts with the letter "J". This is a boy flying a KITE. The word KITE starts with the letter "K". This is a LIZARD. Lizards lie on rocks to get warmed up by the sun. The word LIZARD starts with the letter "L". This is a MOP. We use them to clean. The word MOP starts with the letter "M". This is a NEST. Young birds hatch from their eggs in a NEST. The word NEST starts with the letter "N". This is the OCEAN. You can see the OCEAN at a beach. The word ocean starts with the letter "O". This is a PARROT. It is a beautiful bird that can repeat words people say. The word PARROT starts with the letter "P". This is a QUILT. You can put one on your bed to keep you warm at night. The word QUILT starts with a letter "Q". A RAINBOW occurs after a rainstorm, when the sun shines. Some people believe there is a pot of gold at the end of a RAINBOW. RAINBOW starts with the letter "R". This is a SAILBOAT. It can sail on the water using the wind. SAILBOAT starts with the letter "S". This is a TREE. Apples grow on this tree. The word TREE starts with the letter "T". An UMBRELLA is used during the rain. The word UMBRELLA starts with the letter "U". This is a VACUUM CLEANER. We use it to clean the floors and carpets. The word VACUUM starts with the letter "V". This is a WATERFALL. Such a wonderful sight. The word WATERFALL starts with the letter "W". This is a XYLOPHONE. We use it to play music. The word XYLOPHONE starts with the letter "X". This is a ball of YARN. We can knit a sweater with yarn. The word YARN starts with the letter "Y". This is a ZEBRA. This animal has stripes all over its body. The word ZEBRA begins with the letter "Z".

Written and Illustrated by Teresa Ng Based on an Ancient Chinese Tale by Po Chung-ling <TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=510 align=center> <TR> <td rowSpan=2> </TD> <td> </TD> <td rowSpan=2> </TD></TR> <TR> <td>Once there was an elderly widow, Chen Ma, who lived with her only son inside a forest in the Shanxi Province. Her son was one of the tiger hunters licensed by the local magistrate, following the same profession of his father and grandfather before him. His share of the profits from the sale of tiger skins, meat and bones was sufficient to keep the small mud hut well provisioned for himself and his old mother. All was well until a particularly bitter winter. During a snowstorm, Chen Ma's son was separated from his fellow hunters and became food for a hungry tigress. After her initial shock and grief subsided, Chen Ma took stock of her own utterly desperate situation -- an old woman left all alone. She went and implored the magistrate to provide her with compensation for the loss of her son, who was her only source of support. The magistrate decreed that henceforth, she would have a small share of profits from the kill of each tiger by the hunters. Needless to say, his decision was not taken well by the hunters, who had plenty of mouths of their own to feed -- both old and young. So, when the hunters succeeded in killing the tigress that ate Chen Ma's son, they decided not to give her a share of the profits. Instead, they brought her the tigress' newborn cub. He was a small quivery ball of golden fur with wobbly legs and toothless gums. The rope they tied around his neck was so tight that it was practically choking him. Instantly, Chen Ma's heart went out to this helpless creature, whose jade-green eyes were glistening with tears. </TD></TR></TABLE> After the hunters left, the tiger cub wobbled to where Chen Ma sat and lay at her feet. She bent down to rub his ears and he licked her shoes with his soft tongue. The elderly widow looked at the tiger baby and sighed. "They told me to butcher you, to salt and smoke your flesh for my meat supply. Your skin would make warm boots for my feet; your bones are good for making Tiger Bone Wine to ease the pain in my joints. But oh, how can I bear to kill you? You are so young and vital, while I am so old and frail." And so, Chen Ma untied the rope from the little tiger's neck and fed him a paste of cooked roots with her fingers. Her son had a good supply of grains and roots in the attached shed and she planned to stretch the food out to last the winter. When the store of the firewood was running low, Chen Ma was unable to keep her bedroll on top of the kang warm (a kang is a bed base built of bricks with space for a small fire). So she slept curling against the baby tiger, whose soft fur was cozy and warm. Once ever so often, women from nearby villages would bring sewing for Chen Ma to do. She was very handy with a needle. They paid her for her labor with dried venison and small sacks of grain. At first they did not find the little tiger's presence alarming; he was no bigger than a piglet. However, when spring came, he had grown into the size of a calf, showing a full set of teeth and claws. The women told their hunter husbands and the men came to kill the young tiger. Chen Ma armed herself with her son's hunting spear and threatened to gut anyone who dared to harm her beloved pet. "I've lost both husband and son. This tiger is the only companion I have now. I shall go to the magistrate and request to adopt him as my son." The hunters thought the old woman had become mad and jeered at her. But since she was so determined, they dared not kill her tiger without the magistrate's permission. So they followed Chen Ma and her tiger all the way to the official's judgment hall. "Venerable Mother," said the magistrate. "Your request is most unusual. Are you not afraid that some day the tiger might revert to his wild nature and devour you?" "Honorable sir," replied the old widow with tears in her eyes. "What is there to fear? I have lived too long. The only worry I have now is being left utterly alone. Please let me adopt this young tiger, for he has become like a son in my affections." The kindly magistrate did not have the heart to refuse such an ancient woman's pleading. So he had his assistant draw up a document for the tiger's adoption. In order to protect the tiger from the hunters' arrows and spears, the magistrate ordered a large copper pendent made to hang around the beast's neck. The words "Fu Chee" were engraved on the pendent meaning Tiger Son. To show her deep gratitude, Chen Ma knelt down in front of the magistrate and knocked her forehead three times. Then she led Fu Chee back to their home in the forest. By next winter, Fu Chee had grown into his maximum size. Chen Ma's hut was in danger of collapsing whenever the tiger became playful. Reluctantly, she allowed Fu Chee to make his home inside a cave nearby. However, the affectionate tiger came back to visit his adopted mother often, always bearing a gift in his mouth -- a dead deer or a large piece of tree branch. Also, he still liked to lick her shoes and to have his ears rubbed. Chen Ma's needs were being cared for just as if her natural son was still alive! After Chen Ma died at the ripe old age past one hundred, the hunters noticed Fu Chee guarded her tomb nightly. They left him unmolested as he had never attacked any humans or domestic animals. This went on for a number of years and then one day the tiger was seen no more. Out of deep respect and admiration for the filial tiger son, the hunters erected a small stone monument at Chen Ma's tomb with Fu Chee's story engraved on it. Henceforth, Fu Chee became a household legend in that part of Shanxi Province. ~ ~ The End

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0> <TR> <td align=middle> </TD></TR> <TR> <td></TD></TR> <TR> <td vAlign=bottom align=middle>A Native American Indian Story</TD></TR> <TR> <td></TD></TR> <TR> <td align=middle>by Storie-Jean Agapith</TD></TR> <TR> <td></TD></TR> <TR> <td align=middle>Illustrated by Thomas Mitton</TD></TR> <TR> <td></TD></TR></TABLE> Sti'Tumma had always wanted to have beautiful beaded "shooflies" attached to her saddle, on the breastplate and under the horse's tummy on the cinch. She had already made a couple for her favorite bridle! The shooflies were made from a small amount of horsehair being folded in half, wrapped with buckskin, and beadwork put over the buckskin. The shoofly would then be clipped onto the favorite spot selected by each rider. So when the horses had their tails cleaned, the hair was saved for Sti'Tumma who then went to work to make herself some beautiful and colorful shooflies. Sometimes Gilly, Sti'Tumma's sister, would do the beadwork on a dozen shooflies at a time for the trail guides. The shooflies would move with the horse and keep some of the flies from settling on the horse! It was a beautiful Saturday morning and time to get ready to meet the scheduled trail riders at the lake for the 20-mile ride through the beautiful countryside. Her nephew and youngest brother saddled her horse while she went to select the shooflies to attach to her saddle today. Across the breastplate she clipped six, on the cinch she clipped two, and on the rear of the saddle she clipped two. She stood back to take a good look, and said to herself, "Today both Zoomer and I will look good!" At the lake she stayed on horseback due to the pain she was feeling in her back and neck; getting off and on would only make it worse. Today she wanted to be able to complete the ride to show off all her hard work on the beautiful and colorful shooflies. By wearing her new ribbon shirt, she looked elegant upon that gorgeous horse with all the beadwork showing on the shooflies. She met the riders, gathered the riding fees, which were placed in the beaded bag tied tight to her saddle, and even had some pictures taken of her and Zoomer! Today Sti'Tumma would begin the trail ride by trailing the riders. She took her time, although Zoomer wanted to be in the lead of the pack. What a lovely day, open views for nice photos, and she noticed that the riders were taking some lovely shots. Zoomer was becoming impatient, so Sti'Tumma let him walk a bit faster to get to the head of the riders. She was almost to the beginning of the riders when a pair of riders, an elder cowboy and his wife, moved up to talk to her. The lady asked, "We were wondering if you are a medicine lady, you have all the scalps with beadwork on them displayed on your saddle. And we wanted to know how you got anyone to actually touch the scalps to put the beadwork on them." Sti'Tumma started chuckling, and then broke out in laughter! Her younger brother, the lead trail guide for today, stopped the group to check on his sister. Sti'Tumma decided this was a good spot to take a break and talk about the shooflies she was so proud of. By the time the riders started off again on the ride, the whole Country Trail Ride crew were amazed at how many of these city cowboys and cowgirls didn't understand the Native Americans at all, they still believed there was scalping and raiding going on within the reservation! Scalps, what a joke, now every trail guide would want to be decorated with the "scalps" displayed on their horse to show their "honor within the Tribe"! Since that ride, and all the jokes and laughter about the medicine lady and her scalps, Gilly has been able to have a dozen "imitation scalps" beaded and ready for sale at each trail ride during the lunch break at the wonderful and remodeled old campsite.

Thunder Runner Sometimes, before summer rainstorms arrive, you hear a special kind of thunder. It's thunder sounding like a hundred sleepy cows walking slowly across a long, invisible, wooden sky-bridge. Red Dog liked to chase that kind of thunder. One afternoon, from a storm coming from far beyond Clint Nall's tobacco field, sky-bridge thunder-rumble made Red Dog's ears stand straight up. He stopped dead in his tracks and gazed across the field with his "searching-for-something-special" look. I knew exactly what he was thinking. "Red dog... no! But already he had leapt across the ditch. Already he was bounding like a mad-dog through Clint's tobacco field, his head thrown back, laughter-like barks gushing from his throat, and his scrambling paws throwing up dust. The tobacco plants were tall as a man's head and every leaf was broad as a kite. As Red Dog ran through them I heard leaves tearing and being trampled onto the ground. Every step that Red Dog took caused poor Clint to lose another dollar.[center]"Red Dog!" I called, "come back!" But, there was no reason to call. Already Red Dog was too far away to hear. Now he was rampaging across Clint's soybean field. I knew that Red Dog would keep going until the thunder stopped. I knew that when the time came for him to catch his breath, he'd stop, look around and then understand just how far he'd run. He'd have to walk a long time before catching up with me. I thought of Red Dog chasing thunder and of his running through Clint's tobacco. I thought about my standing all alone on the gravel road. And as I turned homeward I laughed a laugh so unexpected that, up on the telephone wire, the mockingbird paused while singing his before-the-rain-comes song...[/center]

Rain Across the bean field, sweeping toward us like a thundering waterfall, the fantastic white curtain of rain poured from a dark cloud. As in a dream when something huge and terrible comes chasing, the rain was catching up with us as we ran toward home. "Red Dog, go on home!" I commanded. I was too slow to outrun the rain but maybe Red Dog could. Of course, Red Dog stayed with me. When the air began smelling of ozone, and huge, widely spaced raindrops made mud-craters in the dust along the roadside, we understood that soon the flood would catch us. Yes, this rain would drench us and soak us to the bone. Causing ear-splitting cracks of thunder, the lightning began striking all around us. "Red Dog," I said, "let's sit at the road's edge. This lightning frightens me. If we stay low and don't go near tall trees or telephone poles, it won't hurt us. Let's just sit here and let the rain come... " There was nothing bad about the storm. The rain was warm and it made everything so fresh. A billion, billion friendly raindrops washed us and tickled our backs. Lifting my face, I let raindrops explode inside my whiskers. Raindrops splattered into Red Dog's eyes, making him blink and smile. The lightning stopped before the rain did. Without thinking, I stood and looked across the fields, and Red Dog stood with me. We saw waves of wind and rain making a joyful storm. And how alive the whole world seemed!"Rain," I called, throwing open my arms and laughing, "Red Dog and I thank you

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