COVER
lethea! Alethea! Look over the balcony!” cried everyone present. “Oh! They are beautiful, what beautiful flowers,” cried Alethea. Slowly the flowers moved, exposing a smiling face. It was Big John. “Big John, you are here!” said Alethea, beaming. “We are having so much fun. Can you stay?” “Alethea, I would love to stay, but I must go soon to meet a little boy. He has read about me, so it seems, but he’s not sure if I am real. We can’t have that. Of course I’m real,” Big John chuckled. “Big John, why don’t you bring the little boy back with you to visit God’s balcony?” everyone called. “I’m sure he would love that,” Big John replied.
We leaned over the balcony and watched Big John’s slow and steady step, as he gradually disappeared from sight. We all love Big John, and although we are disappointed he can’t stay, we all know the importance of his meeting with the young boy. We couldn’t bear the thought of children not knowing that he is real. Big John is so gentle and kind, and he looks after all of us. There is so much more to tell you, but I am running out of time. I think I will ask our friends Snail, Spider, and Caterpillar to come forward, so you don’t miss out on meeting them.
“Hello,” said Caterpillar and Snail as they moved forward. “Spider can’t come right now. He is weaving a beautiful web to span across the sky. It will read, ‘Welcome,’ and we are going to ask Big John when he comes back, if he can hold the really little people up high, so that they can see it too.” Then Possum stepped forward, puffing his chest out. “It is now time for our storytelling,” he said with great pride.
Thomas the Bird took a quick dip in the birdbath to cool off. He joined Ollie and Beth under the tree. He is going to read you the first story. It is called
Thomas the Bird Thomas the Bird sat with his mother high up in a tree, watching people come and go beneath them. “Mother, how can we make friends with people? They are always rushing about and they look so busy. Not one person has even looked up here this morning. They don’t even know we’re here!” “Well, Thomas, it hasn’t always been like this,” said his mother, ruffling her wings in a shrug.
“That was a great story, Clouds,” everyone called.
As you know Big John is not here, so Possum’s very happy his moment has finally arrived and he is going to tell you a story. Snail and Caterpillar are now nestled into Possum’s lap, ready to listen to the story called
Big John
There once lived a giant. His name was Big John, but those who knew him well simply called him Friend. Big John loved to roam across the earth, and he travelled far and wide. His step was slow and steady, and with every step he took, the universe would whisper to every living thing, “Listen very carefully, Big John the giant is coming your way. If he stops with you for a while, you may never be the same again.” Big John made for an awesome sight. His head was crowned with golden hair that was so soft and fine that it moved in all directions at the slightest breeze. It was wild. His eyes were like glassy pools that ran deep and pure and when he looked at you, it was as if he was giving you a glimpse into who he was in his world. You wanted to stay there for ever and ever, because he felt so good and so safe. When Big John smiled, it was felt like the warmest touch from a dear friend. When he felt sad, his tears fell like the gentlest rain upon the ground, and every flower would open to him to receive his tears. The flowers then shone in their own magnificence for their cherished and much-loved gentle giant of a friend.
nd the next time you feel the wind on your face, listen very carefully, for perhaps wind is reminding you of us all, and simply remember...� - Alethea the Fairy
Welcome to God’s Balcony. Thomas the Bird, Possum, Charlie, Ollie and Beth, the Clouds, Big John the Giant, and others have been excitedly planning this special day to invite you here for a magical day of fun and storytelling. We can hardly wait to meet you and we promise not to start until you come.
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14.95 US 16.95 CAN
FPO I S B N 978-1-62086-722-8
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781620 867228
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51495