A Boy and An Angel

A boy named Igor was walking along a country road. He was on his way home from school. It was one of those days when he was accused of not understanding what the teacher was trying to teach, of not listening. That's why he had spent an awfully long time in the corner of the classroom.

He tried to put the experience out of his mind. The nature around him comforted him as it always did. He saw a rabbit hopping and ants had their own traffic along the road.

When Igor opened the door of the small cabin that was his family's home, his mother was ready to give him orders.

"Fetch some water and feed the chickens," she said.

Igor sighed but obeyed at once. That way he would have time for himself later.

When his chores were done, Igor left the cabin and began to climb up the hill behind it. He liked to go up there alone. There was so much air and sky and clouds and the whole world was below him.

Igor loved God so much that he prayed every day. He usually prayed for a friend because the other boys liked to play together and he did not seem to fit in with them. He also prayed for God to show him how to serve God better.

Although Igor did not know it yet, this day was going to be special. When Igor reached the top of the hill, he got down on his knees and prayed. He closed his eyes as he always did when he prayed.

When he opened his eyes, he saw a glorious, radiant being before him. He rubbed his eyes. When he opened them again, the glorious being was still there. It was an angel, he was sure of it.

"Hail, Igor. God has heard thy prayer and he has sent me unto thee. Know, then, that I will guide thee throughout thy life and I will be to thee a friend. My name is Gabriel," said the angel kindly.

"Oh, at last, I shall have a friend of my own. You are so beautiful, so full of light", said Igor. And so their friendship began.

Gabriel showered Igor with his love and taught him many things. When Igor ran home for dinner, Gabriel was still tenderly watching him.

Based on the book by Mark and Elizabeth Prophet, The Masters and their Retreats. Gardiner: Summit University Press, 2003, p.138-140. Quote in italics p. 138.

Image above by RÜŞTÜ BOZKUŞ from Pixabay