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This Story is Copyrighted, if in doubt, please read COPYRIGHTS section at TALESetc.com Monica the Angel by Catherine Pearce |
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There was once an angel called Monica. She was very kind and helpful to everyone and she spent most of her days answering calls about people, or animals, in need. Monica had been living in the same town for many, many years, as she had not been told when she should return to Heaven. She was always so busy that she had no time to think of herself, or her tattered wings that were very quickly wearing out. Every day you could see Monica floating around the town, looking down upon everything that was happening, and making sure that everyone was safe and well. She always knew if someone was ill, or sad, or if an animal was hurt, or in danger. She knew everything because she was an angel! One day, when Monica was in Mr. Gorden's paddock watching over some newly-born lambs, she felt very content that the lambs were doing very nicely, so she kissed them lovingly on their soft little heads and then continued on to her next call. As she began to raise her wings she felt a great pain and heaviness in them. She didn't even have the power to lift herself off the ground! As hard as she tried to lift them, they still failed her, so she sat back gently, on the grass, and carefully lifted her wings, so that they folded around her chest and lay in her lap. "Oh my!" Monica said to herself. "My poor old wings are wearing out! They are so tattered and worn!" She shook her head in despairand looked up at the sky, hoping that an idea, or an answer to her dilemma, just might appear. Well, the answer to her problem didn't come the way that Monica expected it! Over the paddock stomped Mr. Gorden. "Monica, are you all right" he asked, sounding very concerned? After Monica explained what the problem was, he reassured her that everything would be all right and quickly hurried off for help. Within a very short time all the town's people, and animals eagerly offering to help, in any way they could, surrounded Monica. It was obvious to everyone there what Monica's problem was. Excitedly, all the people and animals chatted and planned between themselves how they could contribute to mending her wings. The ducks thought that they could give their feathers and the horses suggested that their strong hair would be more than suitable for darning repairs. The sheep offered their wool to line the underpinnings of her wings and the women were excited about using their vast sewing expertise. Every person and animal there had something to contribute and they all eagerly went their ways, collecting materials and preparing for the long night that lay before them. The men returned with lanterns and wood and began to build fires, as it was a bitterly cold night. The women had set up their sewing baskets with thimbles, cottons, silk threads and every size needle that you could imagine. The animals brought their spare feathers, new fleeces and hair and finally the work began! Monica lay peacefully on the grass and her wings were spread apart as far as they would go. She looked around at everyone there and a tear rolled down her cheek. "Thank you, my very dear friends", she whispered. The women's needles started to go in and out and up and down and feathers were passed one-by-one, from the long line of children who watched on with great interest. The women weaved and darned as the men tended the fires and kept the lanterns shining brightly. The rabbits huddled against Monica's body and their soft, warm fur kept her cosy and warm. The cats took turns to stroke her head and gently rub their tails across her forehead to comfort her as the work continued. As the hours passed they were all making wonderful progress and Monica's wings were looking strong, smooth and rounded, and every feather had been perfectly sewn into place. By the early hours of the morning all the children were sound asleep and the men still watched on quietly, as the women lovingly placed each delicate stitch in exactly the right place. The sun was now rising and the women were adding the final delicate edging to the wings and weaving in any loose hairs or cottons. By the time that the sun had finally risen, a miracle had occurred! Monica's wings looked like they had been made in Heaven and were more than perfect. Everyone was overjoyed and waited with anticipation for Monica to test her new wings. As she slowly got to her feet, she gazed upon all her very dear friends whom she had loved for many years and Monica knew that something wonderful was soon to happen, something that she had been waiting on for years! Monica gently raised her wings. Up, up, higher than they had ever gone before. They felt so light and strong! She felt she could fly as high as she wanted and to anywhere she chose to go. In her heart she knew where she wanted to go, and she also knew that the time had come to return to Heaven. She had carried out her duty on earth to the best of her ability and, now it was her turn to feel the wonders and love of the Universe! She spread her wings and her delicate feet lifted off the ground, it seemed that everyone there knew what was happening. Each time Monica lifted her wings up and down she floated gracefully higher and higher into the bright morning sunlight. Monica was returning to Heaven! Tears of joy were shed by all the people and animals watching. They didn't want Monica to leave them, but they understood that she had faithfully carried out her duty as an angel for all those years. Not only faithfully, but also with all the love that she could possibly share with everyone! Monica waved her hand, smiled with tranquility, and faded into the soft, white clouds. This was the last time that anyone would ever see her! Slowly and solemnly the women turned to their baskets and began to pack their sewing materials. The children wiped their tears; the men gathered their lanterns and, with the animals, slowly went off to their homes. The next day the sun shone brightly; the children walked off to school, and the animals went about their business as usual. The men were off to work and the women went about their duties, trying to adjust to the strange, insecure feeling of not having Monica there. Everyone in the town was feeling exactly the same, but tried to hide their sadness and great loss. The day passed slowly and, as the evening began to fall, the animals started to go to their homes and the townsfolk finished off their daily duties and prepared for the night. SUDDENLY, the sky began to darken and the most brilliant shining stars appeared! Everyone there just stared in amazement, wondering what was going to happen next. They were all feeling a little afraid and yet their hearts were jumping with excitement and wonder, as to what was going to happen next. High up in the sky a bright, shimmering light appeared and everyone stood watching in awe. A brilliant, gleaming light appeared in the form of something that had the appearance, and aura, that was so magnificent that it could only have come from Heaven. Then, as the light began to fade, a figure with wings became visible and it was now obvious to the eye that this glorious body-form was an angel. The people and animals stood watching, overwhelmed by this extraordinary event that they had just witnessed. The angel gazed lovingly at everyone, and her aura of tranquility and peacefulness comforted every heart that was there. Then the angel began to speak in a soft, gentle voice. "My name is Rose, and I have been sent to watch over and guard you all, as Monica did before me! Monica loved you all so dearly and I shall do the same!" The animals and children flocked around Rose's feet and the people laughed and danced with great joy and jubilation! Rose stayed in the town for many years and cared for and guarded all the people and animals just as Monica had done. Do you have a guardian angel watching over you? I'm sure you do! God has a guardian angel for all of His children and, of course, all of His animals. So this is a little prayer that I used to say each night in bed, it comforted me and made me feel safe and you may also like to say it. Angel of God, my guardian, dear. To whom God's love commits me here. Ever, this day be at my side. To light, to guard, to rule in God. Amen.
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