This is the beginning of Christmas Week. As a gift (or maybe a punishment), I have scheduled articles each day for the next 8 days.
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Many years ago, in a faraway land (well, Cincinnati feels like a long way from my Minnesota roots), there was an Aunt who loved to read to children. Rainbow Fish was one of her favorite books.
Cozied up together, Aunt and grand-niece cuddled on the couch. An extremely young little girl, this newcomer-to-all- things, sat silently, listening intently all the while enraptured by the story being expressively read to her.
As any good monologist would do, my sister reached the end of the story and reverently closed the book.
Intently she looked at her audience of one and asked with a smile, "Isn't that a nice story?".
An exuberant shake of a child's head affirmed the question which was followed by another.
"That shiny fish shared his scales which made him and all the other fish happy! Wasn't it a nice thing to do? I know that my sister was pleased that a moral story had been clearly laid out for this young mind.
Instead of the anticipated reaction, the Someday-I'll-be-a-Lawyer replied, "Um, well yes". Followed by a short pause, she qualified her answer saying, "But I am NOT a fish!!"
That story is probably 10 years old now. I still laugh.
But the moral part of the story still applies - to all of us.
We search the world for happiness. We work hard to buy what we need. We work hard to purchase what we don't need. And yet, new cars, houses, and large bank accounts don't bring the happiness we seek.
Maybe this year has been particularly difficult. Well, for most of us, it certainly has as we look forward to turning over the December calendar page. But, this is also the season when we celebrate an incredible gift.
I wonder if it's time for us to be fish-for-a-day and share a scale or two.
Maybe this act of kindness can change hearts, both giver and receiver, as we give to someone having no chance to return the favor.
Quotes from a Bible and a Website. Not so very different if you think about it.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
Rainbow Website
"Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in the ocean, his scales shimmering the colors of a rainbow. When the other fish see him, they want shimmering scales too, but Rainbow Fish keeps the beautiful scales to himself. His choice not to share soon makes Rainbow Fish a lonely fish. He discovers, in the end, that in sharing his scales, not only does he bring a smile to others, but he feels happy as well"
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