Kirjahaku

If your dog were a human what kind of human would he be? Would he be a cop or a robber, a singer or a pilot? Told rhyming with whimsical illustrations. LELAND P. GAMSON enjoys telling animal stories to children and children's stories to animals. After retiring from the VA and U.S. Army, he is focusing on writing stories for young people.

Hannah loves spending time with her widowed Grandmother Brown. One day she is shown a photo of her Grandpa Brown. She asks Grandma Brown where Grandfather Brown is. Her Grandmother explains that he died before Hannah was born, and his body is buried in the town cemetery. This is Hannah first encounter with the concept of death. Hannah asks why he died. Grandmother explains that we all die. Hannah then asks if the dead live below the cemetery. Her Grandmother tells her that only one's body is buried. Our body is not us. It is what our spirits wear in this life. When Grandpa Brown's body died, his spirit went to be with Jesus. Hannah asks how do we know that Grandpa is with Jesus. Her Grandmother says that Jesus promised us, that if we follow Him, we will live with Him in Heaven. Hannah then asks what Heaven is like. When she learns that Heaven is a lovely place, she wants to go there now. They can visit both Grandpa and Jesus. Grandmother tells her, that when we go to Heaven, we stay forever. There is plenty for us to do for Jesus here now. Grandmother tells Hannah that while Grandpa is in Heaven, he left her with many fond memories. She remembers his favorite drink was lemonade. Grandmother then pores Hannah a glass of Grandfather's favorite drink.

The ancient Greeks invite Israel to field a team at their Olympics. Israel sends a team with one member, Samson. Lampis, the legendary Spartan Olympian, mocks the Israelite for showing up. They, the Greeks, are world renowned athletes who train rigorously. The Hebrews, in contrast, spend their time studying their scripture and praying. Some of the Greeks have heard stories of a Hebrew, strong man, who dragged a forty ton gate forty miles in one day and could catch 300 foxes in one day. He got his strength from God. They didn't believe these reports, but then they didn't believe in the God of Israel either. In the first event, the discus throw, the Greeks are astounded when Samson throws his discuss out of the stadium and into the sea. The judges won't credit the Hebrew's toss, as they can't find the discuss. Samson makes certain, the judges can find his javelin in the next event. He tosses it into their chair. Again, his throw is not counted as it landed too close to the judges. In the third event, Lampis tries to trip Samson but winds up flipped backwards. Samson's finishes the race first, but he is disqualified for tripping the Spartan. The Greeks tie ten pounds of rock to Samson for the running broad jump. They say it is his Olympic number. Samson wins anyway and is granted his first win. To win the wrestling event, Samson is told he must beat everyone without resting. He does it and now he has two first place wins. In the final event, boxing, Samson is told they box as a team. Samson, is unphased, saying, "Twelve strong Spartans against me and the God of Israel. That sounds fair enough." Samson knocks down his twelve opponents and wins for Israel. The judges make one more effort to have a Greek, the Olympic winner. They offer to make Samson a Greek citizen if he will become clean shaven. Samson explains to them he will not break God's law, by cutting his hair and shaving off his beard. The judges respond, by the time he gets back to Israel, his hair will grow back. His fellow Hebrews will not know he shaved. Samson tells them God will know and it is God who gives him strength. The judges tell Samson he will not go down in history as an Olympian. This is why there is no mention of Samson in the ancient Greek Olympic records. However, his deeds of strength are recorded in the Bible.

Katen, a colt, was delighted when Jesus chose him to ride through Jerusalem. The young donkey and his mother not only experience the cheering crowds, but also witness the persecution of Christ and His resurrection. LELAND P. GAMSON enjoys telling animal stories to children and children's stories to animals. After retiring from the VA and U.S. Army, he is focusing on writing stories for young people. One of the Rainbow Gardens children's books.