The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Calm (emotionally) (09/13/07)
Look, I'm really not such a bad guy.

I wasn't asking for much last night.... just some dinner. I'll bet you guys had your dinners last night and you probably didn't expect much trouble getting dinner tonight. So, try to see it from my point of view, OK?

I've never had any trouble getting my dinner before. I've gotten used to the routine over these last few years: dinner is usually placed right in front of me and it doesn't take much effort for me to reach out and grab it. I'm bred to be a hunter, after all, and though I don't
exactly have to hunt anymore; I've never before faced prey that prevented me from acquiring and eating it.

But today instead of chowing down I found myself backing down. My intended dinner didn't look any different than my usual targets at first – though I'll admit he was young and seemed to be an athletic sort of guy. And it's not like he bested me. No way do I want it said that I was defeated by my own dinner.

But when Daniel stood in front of me, I didn't see the usual panic or desperation. He just stood there with an expression that said he was completely at peace. Peace? How could he have been at peace, facing me? One chomp of my incisors and he woulda been history. King Darius was so angry that he ordered the gates sealed so no one could get in or out until I took care of business. But did Daniel show any fear? Not that guy. He lifted up his hands toward the skies and prayed out loud. He confidently asked his God to protect him.

I wasn't the least bit impressed. Others have prayed before when brought into my den. Sometimes the ones that pray the loudest are the easiest to overpower. But when I swaggered up to him I found that I couldn't open my mouth. I roared as best I could through my closed mouth; that didn't shake him up at all. He stood straight and proud and met my eyes without flinching. What’s worse, my claws didn’t work either. I could extend my paws but it was like Daniel was standing behind some invisible armor; my claws were stopped inches in front of him.

How could he face me so calmly? Couldn't he see I had the power to kill him? God or no God, Daniel is just a mortal man and I am a lion; carnivorous, deadly and strong. Yet he uttered just one simple prayer and his features became serene and settled; he squared his shoulders and never once showed any anxiety. On his face I only saw acceptance and the expectation of a favorable answer to his prayer. I had to respect him, no matter how hungry I was.

In the morning, the King came back and unlocked the gate. When he saw Daniel standing unharmed in front of me, he was shocked into incoherence. He had to acknowledge that Daniel ‘s devotion to God was more than just a passing fancy. He became so unrattled that he made a decree that all men in the kingdom must respect Daniel’s God. He also impulsively arrested the men who’d talked him into having Daniel thrown in here with me. Then, he threw them into my den.

That would be you, gentlemen.

And, like I said… I’m not such a bad guy, but there is the matter of my dinner to attend to.

Ah, now there’s that fear I’d been expecting! And my mouth doesn’t seem to be closed up anymore! Look out, boys! Here I come!
***********************************
Daniel 6: 10-24
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1482 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
09/20/07
A fun read - you did a fabulous job of giving your MC a personality, and of describing the action. Enjoyed this very much!
Jan Ackerson
09/21/07
I enjoyed every word of this, and then when I got to "That would be you, gentlemen" I broke into a big ol' grin. FANTASTIC voice.
Marilyn Schnepp 
09/22/07
One Bible story we never forget! And THIS version of "Daniel in the Lions Den" gave us the lion's point of view! Fantabulously clever and creative! King Darius, by the way, had desperately tried to undo his declaration due to his fondness for Daniel...but failed; but all worked out for the Glory of God. Terrific job of writing!
Frank Creed
09/22/07
I have to ask--if you find the time I want to know what inspired a lion's Pov and this Biblical story for the topic of "calm". Well done.
Janice Cartwright
09/22/07
A lion's pov. Wow! What a unique approach! I especially like the ending, kind of tongue in cheek (or out, as the case may be - hee-hee) macabre comic. Dry humor carried to the nth degree!! :) All kidding aside, this is really good writing.
Sharlyn Guthrie
09/23/07
"...try to see it from my oint of view, OK?" Very funny stuff!
Dolores Stohler 
09/23/07
Your story was simply delightful! You took what was essentially a pretty grim history lesson and turned it into something refreshing--and funny. Wow! Was Daniel really that calm? I'd like to think he was.
c clemons
09/27/07
Cute story, I must admit I am not fond of telling a story from an animal's pov, I really wonder why people do it. But if it can be used to help someone understand the scriptures better...anyway keep writing.
Teri Wilson
09/27/07
Donna, I was a judge this week and wanted to let you know how much I adored this entry. It stood out for me as one of the cream of the crop. So creative and clever. Excellent work! Love and blessings, Teri
Marilyn Schnepp 
09/27/07
Congratulations! So glad that the Judges loved your sense of humor on this one - It's one story that I find hard to forget - and so happy you got a "Share" of the 'goodies'! Kudos!
Sheri Gordon
09/27/07
Congrautlations on your 3rd place. This is a great retelling of the Bible story. I really enjoyed reading this. Nice job.
Janice Cartwright
09/28/07
Congratulations, Donna! So very creative and unique!
Dee Yoder
09/28/07
Donna, I love it! I missed reading so many before the judging was finished, but what a story! This is humorous, unique and fun. I love the line, "That would be you, gentlemen", too. A deserving win!
Clyde Blakely
10/09/07
Well done Donna and deserving to advance to Masters. Great POV.
Another lesson we can learn from this story: God rewards patience and obeying Him - instead of just one person coming for dinner, God rewarded the obediance of the lion with much more than he could eat at one time. For those who wait upon the Lord...