Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Sewing (02/22/07)
-
TITLE: The Missionary | Previous Challenge Entry
By Symantha McClennan
03/01/07 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
The Missionary
“Wow!” said the young woman. Her slim white hands caressing its surface, “this is terrific, thanks Mom,” she said as she resealed the box returning the little Brother serger sewing machine to complete darkness.
“Hmm,” she murmured, an older version of the young woman opened the box in which he sat, cradled snuggly by two slabs of white Styrofoam. “Hmm, I really should take you out and use you. I’ve already had you five years and it just can’t be that hard. Can it?” she asked herself.
“Mom!” yelled a high-pitched voice in the background.
“Oh, well. Another time,” said the woman, shrugging her shoulders and brushing a weary hand, not quite as slim as it once was, across her tired brow, once more resealing the white box with the picture of the elaborate machine that it housed emblazoned on each of its four sides.
“Here,” she said handing the box to waiting hands. “I’ve never had, or made, the time to figure this out; please take it.” The box was jostled as it passed from one set of hands to another and was deposited inside a huge box alongside a lawn mower and a bicycle and computer components and what seemed like hundreds of unseen, unnamed items clustered in the enveloping darkness.
“This one if for you, Sister Rose,” said the tall man to the diminutive white woman in African dress.
“I am so pleased. I had heard there was one coming. My sisters will be overjoyed and you shall stop by to see what we make. Your wife will want one.” Sister Rose was fairly bobbing in her excitement as she gently held the large box in both hands, pressed to her chest as if it were a precious child as she turned and strode jauntily down the crowded street and away from the dock.
“For me?”
“Yes!” said Sister Rose, smiling at the gnarled black woman squatting on a small wooden stool by a tiny fire. “For you!”
A black face peered into the carton, almost reverently, “how shall I use it? I do not know how,” said the little woman, a worried pucker appearing between her dark brows.
“I will show you. Take it out,” said Rose, gently touching the older woman on the forearm.
Gingerly, carefully as if it were made of the finest porcelain, she freed the little Brother serger sewing machine from his case of Styrofoam and cardboard. Black, work worn hands caressed his smooth, white plastic. She clicked her tongue with pleasure, tears pooling in her dark eyes.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.