April, 1939
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
139
Junior King s Business By M A R T H A S. HOO K ER
T IN Y , TH E L ILY BULB B y A lverta N. D undas wanted to go, she said, ‘This world is so big and I am so little, that I think it is best for God who made me to choose where I shall go.' “The big, proud bulbs teased Tiny, call ing her ‘silly,’ ‘coward,’ and ‘shriveled bump.’ ” “Poor Tiny,” sighed Alice, thinking of how it hurt to be called names. She listened more carefully than ever as Miss Davis continued her story: “Other bulbs were ready to call Tiny all sorts of names when the gardener came and helped all but Tiny into a basket. He slipped her into his pocket, and later threw her at a cat walking along a high alley fence. Tiny, whizzing through the air, missed the cat and fell near some children who were digging in a back yard. Frightened, she rolled into a hole and soon was cov ered with cold, black dirt. She was about to cry, but then she remembered that God was with her. She determined she would be beautiful in an ugly place! "Immediately she began to grow, but she did not find life easy. Twice storms tore at her, and fighting dogs almost crushed her. But finally Jimmy Lewis, the boy who lived in the house in the front of the yard, put her into a brick-colored flower pot and took good care of her. When Tiny sent seven buds up from her happy heart, Jimmy car ried her up three flights of stairs in an old, ugly house, and into a small room to live with Peter, a little sick boy. “Tiny sat on an old table by the bed. Peter told her about his mother who work ed all day in the factory, and of the Sav iour who had died for the sins of boys and girls and of men and women. He told her the wonderful resurrection story, too, and added that the Lord Jesus had said to those who loved Him, ‘Because I live, ye shall
AL ICE BROWN longed with all her heart to have enough to eat, warm •L -A. clothing, and a good time such as other children had, but she feared she never would have them. One day at the church near Alice’s home, Miss Davis ex plained to the boys and girls that vhen Christians truly delight to do God's way, He promises to give them the desires of their hearts. But Alice knew that though she really loved the Lord Jesus as her Sav iour, there were things in her life that were not right. Mean thoughts popped into her head, occasionally an angry word s.ipped off her tongue, and tears swam in her big blue eyes when she was teasingly called Skinny, Red Top,” and “Penny Chaser.” It was that last name, “Penny Chaser," that hurt most, for Alice had to be careful about every penny she was able to earn. Often she had to work when she wanted very much to do something else. In the social hall at the church, Miss Davis at story-telling time would tell the most de lightful stories of brave boys and girls, or lovely make-believe stories, or about ani mals, money, and flowers that acted and talked like real people. But Alice seldom could come to listen to the stories. She must sell magazines, help her lame mother, and, when the weather was good, lead her blind father to the downtown streets where he played on his violin. But one rainy Saturday as the children settled to hear about “Tiny, the Lily Bulb," in came Alice. Seeing she was wet and cold, Miss Davis gave her the place near est the fire. Then the story began: "The lily bulbs had lain resting for weeks. Now it was time for them to begin growing. “ I wish to be placed in rich, warm soil
live also.' Peter said that some day he was going to live with Jesus, up where he would be always well and would play with other children in the streets of the beautiful city. "Peter and his mother loved Tiny. They told her she was a gift from God, and they called her ‘Sunshine,’ ‘Sweetheart,’ and ‘Pretty Face.’ Tiny thought this was ever so much better than being called mean names by the proud big lily bulbs. “One afternoon, Peter, smiling sweetly, closed his kind brown eyes, and Tiny knew he had gone to be with the Lord Jesus. A day or two later, when her blossoms had all faded, Tiny was taken to a city trash pile, and she was surprised to hear some one calling her. Looking around, she saw the faded flowers of the big lny bulbs. "Some of the lilies told Tiny of how they had been frightened by quarreling guests at a gay party. Others complained that they had been crowded to the back in a big church. But Tiny’s heart was filled with thanksgiving. She thought of the happy time she had had with Peter and his mother, and she knew God’s way was best." As she finished the story, Miss Davis bowed her head and prayed: “Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You that in each heart may grow love thoughts that may blossom into smiles, kind words, and helpful deeds. Help each one to be as brave about his work and play as Tiny was.” The rain had stopped, and Alice, slipping out the side door, whispered, “I want to be like Tiny. She didn’t say mean things when she was teased. I know what I’ll do. I’ll give each magazine customer a bouquet of smiles and kind words—and to those who called me names, too, but I’ll keep the best for my parents." After she had gone, Danny Duncan said,
where I shall be cared for every day,' declared the largest bulb. ‘When my buds are opening, I want to be taken to a grand party where I can see ladies in lovely dresses and hear grand music.’ “ 'You are wise!’ ex claimed her companions. “ ‘I would rather be taken to a fashionable church where I can listen to a big organ and see beautiful win dows,’ said another bulb. “And her friends told her she. too was wise. ' Soon all the bulbs had taken sides with the two largest ones—all but Tiny, the smallest and the ugliest. “Tiny was timid, but be ing coaxed to tell where she
“It isn’t right to call Alice ‘Skinny’ and ‘Red Top’ and 'Penny Chaser.' Let’s do something to help her like Jimmy helped Tiny. I’ll help by leading Alice’s father to the corner. It must be ter rible for him to be blind.” “That will be fine,” said Miss Davis. “And next Sat urday is Alice's birthday. Would you like to have a surprise party for her, and to form a T . L. B. Club—a ‘Tiny Lily Bulb Club’? Each one joining must, promise to live his best just where he is, and to help other less fortu nate ones.” "Let’s have the party with ice cream, pink frosted cake with candles, and presents," said one of the girls, and
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