Acceptance (Or "Be As Little Children")

A little girl was playing with a doll one day, and got a bit enthusiastic in tossing her "baby" around. She missed a catch and the doll fell to the floor, smashing its head.

The little girl was crestfallen and took the doll to her father, pleading, "Daddy, will you fix my doll, please?"

Dad surveyed the damaged doll and just shook his head.

"I'm sorry, honey, but I don't know how to do that. I can't fix your doll."

Suddenly angry, the little girl said, "All right, then I'll go into my room and pray for God to fix it!"

Then she flounced off into her room, slamming the door.

After a while, the little girl returned to the living room, this time playing happily with another doll. Her father put his arm around her and asked, "Did God answer your prayers?"

"Yes," replied the little girl.

"But the answer was no!"

Moral: Praying is good, but being thankful for what we get is better.


Jump Back! Click for Parable Directory

Read On! Click for another Parable...