“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” ~ Romans 12:12
Josef took off his coat in a dim corner of the Reading Room
and settled into a plush armchair. It’s eerily quiet here, but keen ears may
catch the opening of a book, turning of a page, or tapping of a cover – ever so
quietly.
There aren’t any books
here. They’re displayed elsewhere, in a grander space with gilt-lettered spines
that enclose the silence like the walls of a great nave.
Josef craved silence. At
home, he watched TV shows, often without listening, amid the luxury of
solitude. He’d almost convinced himself that deep contemplation had given him
some of the richest hours he’d known.
Some would call him lonely, but he’d learned how to lessen
the pain over time. The Reading Room was his refuge, a place where he could
believe that he lived in a caring society with his imaginary friends. He meets
here every day, among the noiseless people, their odorless scents, and occasional
glances to give his brain a little of the companionship it needs.
Settling into the tranquility
of the space, Josef opened his book and read for an hour. The words seemed
unimportant, so he closed the book. Small voices from the nearby Children’s
Room wafted toward him like the scent of warm bread fresh from the oven.
A woman with a warm
smile and twinkling eyes narrated the tale of a mischievous squirrel named
Scamp. The way she used her voice brought Scamp to life. Her expressive
gestures and the authentic joy in her eyes were pure magic.
Here was a place where
children could escape, where their minds could wander freely, and where the
magic of stories could spark a lifelong love of learning. Every story held the
potential to open a new door, every page a step into a world of endless
possibilities.
That evening, Josef
decided to try it himself. He dusted off some old storybooks, practiced unique
voices in the mirror, and even added some sound effects.
He could do this. He
could volunteer as a storyteller.
Facing the small crowd
of wide-eyed toddlers, he realized the power of storytelling. It wasn't just
about entertaining; it was about sparking curiosity, igniting imagination, and
creating wonder.
Josef’s life is no
longer routine but filled with the joy of creating worlds where a small ladybug
could be a hero, a playful squirrel could teach a lesson, and a simple story
could touch the hearts of young minds. He found a new calling as a dream weaver,
one tale at a time.
Father God, our children carry in their
hearts great hope: make them strong and pure so that they can build their
tomorrow with confidence. May they always feel loved, valued, and believed in,
and may they carry the light of Your love forever. Amen
