AN ORCHARD WALK

I hear many teachers instruct students on bus behavior. One teacher made a comment I especially liked. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Here's a poem that does just that.

We took a long walk; my brother and I,
Through the orchard where apples red
Dangled like rubies from branches of gold.
Waiting to be plucked and eaten instead.

We bit into an apple; it was ripe as sunshine
And sweet as rain dripping down our fingers.
We stayed in the orchard grove for a while,
My brother and I, a memory that still lingers.

FALLING LEAVES

We are approaching a new season. It's good to reflect on each passing season and be thankful for our blessings. Just think, the leaves that decay under the snow will bring nourishment for spring flowers.

Butterfly leaves floating down
Falling from the trees.
Golden yellow, orange and brown
Fluttering in the breeze.

Like graceful, lazy butterflies
Leaves float all around,
Gently falling from the skies,
Not making any sound.

THE CANADIAN GOOSE

I see a lot of Canadian geese. They soar over my house many times a day, especially in the autumn. I just love the fact that they mate for life. And they have wonderful parenting skills. They'd make a great study.

Behold in the sky
The Canadian goose,
Wears a fine tux
Of chocolate mousse.
With matching attire
His friends honk too,
Bowing their long necks
And say, how are you.
After greeting each other
They honk their goodbye
And with a flap of their wings
Soar through the sky.

A Prayer of Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! We have much to be thankful for. Probably more than we can imagine. Here's a prayer of thanks.

Dear God,

Thank you for the sun that shines
in the bright blue sky.
Thank you for the rain that falls
from the clouds on high.
Thank you for the plants and trees
that give us food and shade.
Thank you for each animal
both wild and tame you’ve made.
And a big thanks for my family
and my home so fair.
Help me remember that each blessing
was given because you care

Amen.

MY BUDGIE

I've got a budgie with personality. I can say that because I've had a few. George, thinks he's a person. Whenever we eat, he sits on the bottom of his cage and flaps his wings furiously. It's his way of saying he wants to join us. Of course, we open his door and let him eat from our plates. It seems cruel not to.

My sweet feathery blue
Confined to a cage,
Sings to an audience
Inside a wire stage.
All day the songs continue,
As if he never heard
Those songs are required
From a caged little bird!

THINGS COULD BE WORSE

It makes us laugh to watch a movie where everything goes wrong. But if it happens in real life it's not fun at all. Sometimes, it's just a matter of putting things into perspective.

It all started at breakfast
When I broke my favorite cup
And juice dripped on the floor
Mom made me clean it up.
At school I had a spelling test
I stumbled on each letter.
Later I noticed a giant hole
In my new blue sweater
At recess I was chosen last for tag
I fell and skinned my knee.
My friends ate a bag of jellybeans
But wouldn’t share with me.
On the way home I stepped in a puddle
My shoes got soaking wet.
For supper Mom served meatloaf
Knowing it’s not my favorite.
Later that night I lay in bed thinking
Wondering if I had a curse.
Then I recalled the news I saw on TV
Na—things could’ve been worse.

The Bible Tells Us

I'm getting ready for Pioneer Clubs. It's a club for kids to learn about God. Our theme verse is Psalms 119: 105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path.

I’m so glad God gave us his Word
It explains how we came to be.
Without the Bible I couldn’t learn
How much that God loves me.

It tells how God made the oceans
And placed the clouds in the air.
It tells how God formed people
From the very ground He put there!

Yes, the Bible answers our questions.
God wrote it for you and for me.
Everyone matters so much to God.
Without Him—we just wouldn’t be.