sitting under a tree in the early fall. crisp, slightly chill wind blows, whipping her long, dark 
curls back from her face. it was so peaceful and serene in this spot. she brushed an orange leaf 
from her pale yellow muslim frock. a white handknitted shawl covered her shoulders, keeping her 
warm in the cool october air. picking up her book, she began to read the Scriptures she had grown up 
with. growing restless, she stopped and placed the precious book on her lap and stared up at the sky. 
a brilliant blue, it was, with dainty white clouds. the orange and yellow leaves from the overhead 
tree brances created a golden crown, encircling God's massive creation. she sighed in contentment, 
filled with an inner peace. 


but it was not to be.


suddenly, a strong, biting wind began to blow. the sky darkened. the leaves lost their brilliant 
coloring. the paradise that was hers a moment ago became a nightmare. darkness crept up, and it grew 
colder and colder. the sky was nearly black when it shattered. cold, bitter, icy rain poured down 
from the sky, soaking her to the skin. she pulled the shawl tighter around her delicate frame, 
shivering violently. the bible lay still on her lap, becoming more and more waterlogged as each 
frightening moment passed. softly, gently, she began to cry. then, harder, more insistant tears fell 
from her wide blue eyes. she hugged herself, trying desperately to shield herself from it all, from 
the desolate place this had become. pressing her face into the ruined bible, she cried and prayed 
that soon the storm would be over.