Children's Orthodox fairy tales to read. Christian stories children's prayer
Religious reading: Christian stories children's prayer to help our readers.
children's christian stories
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Once a boy of twelve or thirteen was attacked on his way home from school by fifteen evil and mischievous boys and girls. The unfortunate child was completely helpless. How could he defend himself? He remembered how his mother often told him: “If you find yourself in a difficult situation or in danger, pray to God.” He prayed to God for a second or two, but there was no help, and he was severely beaten.
He came home in tears. Mom consoled him, and he said:
You told me that if I pray to God, God will protect me, but God did not protect me. Look, I'm covered in bruises and abrasions.
My son, - mother answered, - I told you to pray to God every day, but you didn't do it. You didn't pray every day, morning and evening. You prayed to God maybe once a week, and even less often. Sometimes you meditate for one day and then for ten or fifteen days you don't meditate at all. You need to pray to God every day for at least ten minutes early in the morning. Meditation and prayer are the same muscles. If you train for one day and then don't train for ten days, you won't be able to get strong. You can become strong only if you exercise every day. In the same way, if you pray to God every day, your inner muscles will become stronger and God will protect you. God will surely protect you if you pray to Him every day early in the morning and in the evening.
From that day on, the boy began to pray to God. He obeyed his mother. Early in the morning he prayed for ten minutes, and in the evening he prayed for five minutes. Six months passed, and he said to his mother:
Yes, prayer helps. Now nobody bothers me. I go home every day and no one touches me.
Even if someone sticks to you, - Mom answered, - you will be protected, because you pray regularly every day and God is pleased with you. God will protect you.
On the same day, an incident happened. When the boy was returning home from school, a very tall, big and strong guy roughly grabbed him and wanted to hit him.
Oh God, the boy immediately thought, my mother said that if I pray to You every day, You will protect me.
And he began to repeat the Name of the Lord very loudly: “God, God, God, God, save me, save me!”
The guy who grabbed him was big and strong, he began to laugh at the boy:
Do you think something will happen if you repeat: "God, God, God"? Do you think you can get rid of me this way? Nothing like this!
The boy blurted out what his inner voice told him, and the guy immediately released him and ran away.
This guy had a ghost dream last night and he got really scared. Everyone is afraid of ghosts, even adults. The word "ghost" reminded him of the creature he had dreamed about last night. When the boy said, "Even the ghosts disappear when we chant the Name of the Lord," God made the bully see the ghost from his dream in the boy. God showed him a ghost in the form of this boy, so he ran away.
When the bully let him go, the boy rushed home and told this story to his mother.
This is exactly what I told you about, - answered my mother. - If you pray to God every day, God will surely save you. He will definitely protect you.
As you can see, if you pray daily, God will protect you. This boy never thought about ghosts, but God told him what to say. If you pray, God will help you in some divine way in case of danger. God will give you inner guidance, or He will instruct another person. If someone attacks you, you will immediately say something that you yourself do not understand. When you say this, the attacker will suddenly be scared to death and let you go. Pray to God every day, and then in a difficult situation, God will tell you what to do.
One Sunday morning, the little boy Misha was sitting on the bed and reading a big thick book “Jesus is your best friend.” Suddenly, at the moment when the clock hand pointed to 12, the book fell from Misha's hands. He picked up the Bible, but alas, there was no hope of reading from that place.
With a book! I read it, but it fell and closed in the most interesting place! - Mikhail explained.
Children's Christian stories
Children's christian bible story
And always give thanks for everything to God our Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20(SPB)
Mom and 4-year-old daughter were walking around the market. When they passed the stand with oranges, the seller took and gave the girl an orange.
What should be said? mother asked her daughter. The girl looked at the orange and then slipped it back to the seller and said; What about cleaning?
Gratitude needs to be taught. What is excusable for a four-year-old child for a fourteen- or forty-year-old will definitely be rude or bad manners.
But how easy it is for us to be ungrateful to God! We accept His gifts and think: Not bad, but not enough.
And without gratitude to God there is no spiritual maturity. Children, we are bitter if we forget to say thank you to God. And Paul, addressing, for example, Christians in Ephesus, calls them to fidelity to Christ, drawing their attention to the fact that they would give thanks. I wrote this verse at the beginning of the article. This is the Modern Bible. I love the Modern Bible... I love reading this translation! I always thank God for everything he does and gives me in life! If you can, but have never thanked God, I ask you, friends, let's thank the Creator! Make this decision!
Let’s not complain that we don’t have something there, don’t be offended by our evil fate, don’t beg for more and more blessings, but I just repeat once again to thank God for everything.
No need to speak; What about cleaning? You have to say: Thank you.
I like this verse
We give glory to God for everything
In all things, let us submit to the will of the Lord
He saves us and He will save us.
And there is such a great quote!
Gratitude does not depend on what we have in our pocket, but on what we have in our heart!
Christian stories for children
Truthfulness is the best
Have you lost your place? How did it happen son?
“I think, mother, that this happened solely due to my negligence. I dusted in the store and dusted very hastily. At the same time, he hit several glasses, they fell and broke. The owner became very angry and said that he could no longer endure my wildness. I packed my things and left.
The mother was very concerned about this.
“Don't worry, Mom, I'll find another job. But what should I say when they ask why I left the old one?
“Always tell the truth, Jacob. You don't think to say anything else, do you?
- No, I don't think so, but I thought to hide it. I'm afraid I'll hurt myself by telling the truth.
- If a person does the right thing, then nothing can harm him, even if it seems so.
But it was harder for Jacob to find a job than he thought. He searched for a long time and finally seemed to find it. One young man in a beautiful new store was looking for a delivery boy. But in this store everything was so neat and clean that Jacob thought that he would not be accepted with such a recommendation. And Satan began to tempt him to hide the truth.
After all, this store was in a different area, far from the store where he worked, and no one here knew him. Why tell the truth? But he overcame this temptation and directly told the store owner why he left the previous owner.
“I prefer to have decent young people around me,” the shop owner said good-naturedly, “but I have heard that he who is aware of his mistakes leaves them. Maybe this misfortune will teach you to be more careful.
“Yes, of course, master, I will try my best to be more careful,” Jacob said seriously.
“Well, I like a boy who tells the truth, especially when she can hurt him. Good afternoon, uncle, come in! - he spoke the last words to the man who entered, and when Jacob turned around, he saw his former master.
“Oh,” he said, seeing the boy, “do you want to take this boy as a messenger?”
- I haven't received it yet.
Take it completely calmly. Just make sure he doesn't spill liquid goods, and dry goods so that he doesn't pile them all up in one heap,” he added, laughing. In all other respects you will find him quite reliable. But if you do not want, then I am ready to take him again with a trial period.
"No, I'll take it," said the young man.
- Oh, mom! Jacob said when he got home. – You are always right. I got this place there because I told the whole truth. What would happen if my former owner came in and I told a lie?
“Truthfulness is always best,” said the mother.
“The mouth of the truth abides forever” (Prov. 12:19)
Prayer of a boy disciple
A few years ago, in a large factory, there were many young workers, many of whom said they were converted. One fourteen-year-old boy, the son of a believing widow, belonged to the latter.
This teenager soon attracted the attention of the boss with his obedience and willingness to work. He always did his work to the satisfaction of his boss. He had to bring and deliver mail, sweep the workroom and do many other small assignments. Cleaning the offices was his first duty every morning.
Since the boy was accustomed to precision, he could always be found at exactly six o'clock in the morning already working.
But he had another wonderful habit: he always began his working day with prayer. When one morning, at six o'clock, the owner entered his study, he found the boy on his knees praying.
He quietly went out and waited outside the door until the boy came out. He apologized and said that he woke up late today, and there was no time for prayer, so here in the office, before the start of the working day, he knelt down and surrendered to the Lord for the whole day.
His mother taught him to always start the day with a prayer, so as not to spend this day without the blessing of God. He took advantage of the moment when no one else was there to be a little alone with his Lord and ask for His blessings for the day ahead.
Just as important is reading the Word of God. Don't miss it! Today you will be offered so many books, both good and bad!
Perhaps there are those among you who have a strong desire to read and know? But are all books good and useful? My dear friends! Be careful when choosing books!
Luther always praised those who read Christian books. Give preference to these books. But above all, read God's precious Word. Read with prayer, for it is more precious than gold and pure gold. It will strengthen you, keep you, and encourage you at all times. It's the Word of God that endures forever.
The philosopher Kant said about the Bible: “The Bible is a book whose content speaks of the divine principle. It tells the history of the world, the history of Divine Providence from the very beginning and even to eternity. The Bible was written for our salvation. It shows us in what relationship we are with a righteous, merciful God, reveals to us the full extent of our guilt and the depth of our fall, and the height of divine salvation. The Bible is my most precious treasure, without it I would perish. Live according to the Bible, then you will become citizens of the heavenly Fatherland!
Brotherhood and Compliance
Cold winds blew. Winter was coming.
Two little sisters were going to go to the store for bread. The eldest, Zoya, had an old shabby fur coat, the youngest, Galya, the parents bought a new, larger one, for growth.
The girls really liked the coat. They began to dress. Zoya put on her old fur coat, and the sleeves are short, the fur coat is tight for her. Then Galya says to her sister: “Zoya, put on my new fur coat, it’s big for me. You wear it for a year, and then I wear it, because you also want to wear a new fur coat.
The girls exchanged coats and went to the store.
Little Galya fulfilled the commandment of Christ: “Yes, love one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34).
She really wanted to put on a new fur coat, but she gave it to her sister. What tender love and pliability!
Is that how you kids treat each other? Are you ready to give up something pleasant for you, dear to your brothers and sisters? Or maybe vice versa? It is often heard among you: “This is mine, I won’t give it back!”
Believe me, how many troubles arise when there is no compliance. How many disputes, quarrels, what a bad character then develops in you. Is this the nature of Jesus Christ? It is written about Him that He grew up in love with God and man.
Is it possible to say about you that you are always compliant, gentle with your relatives, brothers and sisters, with friends and acquaintances?
Take an example from Jesus Christ and these two sisters - Zoe and Gali, who love each other with tenderness, for it is written:
“Be kind to one another with brotherly love” (Rom. 12:10)
All of you children have probably seen in the summer in the grass a small blue flower called forget-me-not. Many interesting stories are told about this little flower; they say that angels, flying over the earth, drop blue flowers on it so that people do not forget about the sky. That is why these flowers are called forget-me-nots.
There is another legend about the forget-me-not: it was a long time ago, in the first days of creation. Paradise had just been created, and beautiful, fragrant flowers bloomed for the first time. The Lord Himself, passing through paradise, asked the flowers for their name, but one small blue flower, directing its golden heart to God in admiration and not thinking about anything but Him, forgot its name and became embarrassed. From shame, the tips of its petals blushed, and the Lord looked at him with a tender look and said: “Because you forgot yourself for Me, I will not forget you. Call yourself forget-me-not and let people, looking at you, also learn to forget about themselves for My sake.
Of course, this story is a human fiction, but the truth in it is that forgetting about yourself for the sake of love for God and neighbor is a great happiness. This is what Christ taught us, and in this He was our example. Many people forget this and seek happiness away from God, but there are people who serve their neighbors with love all their lives.
All their talents, all abilities, all their means - everything they have, they use in the service of God and people, and, forgetting themselves, live in the world of God for others. They bring into life not quarrels, anger, destruction, but peace, joy, order. As the sun warms the earth with its rays, so they warm the hearts of people with their caress and love.
Christ showed us on the cross how to love while forgetting ourselves. Happy is he who gives his heart to Christ and follows His example.
Do you, children, not only want to remember the Risen Christ, His love for us, but, forgetting about yourself, show love to Him in the person of our neighbors, try to help with deed, word, prayer to everyone and everyone who needs help; try to think not about yourself, but about others, about how to be useful in your family. Let's try to support each other in good deeds with prayer. May God help us in this.
“Do not forget also doing good and sharing, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Heb. 13:16)
Little artists
Once the children were given a task: imagining themselves as great artists, draw a picture from the life of Jesus Christ.
The task was completed: each of them mentally drew one or another landscape from the Holy Scriptures. One of them painted a picture of a boy enthusiastically giving Jesus everything he had - five loaves and two fish (John 6:9). Others talked about many other things.
But one boy said:
I can't paint one picture, but only two. Let me do it. He was allowed, and he began: “The raging sea. The boat containing Jesus and his twelve disciples is flooded with water. The students are in despair. They face imminent death. A huge shaft is approaching from the side, ready to turn over and flood the boat without fail. I would draw some disciples who turned their faces to the advancing terrible wave of water. Others covered their faces in horror with their hands. But Peter's face is clearly visible. It is despair, horror, confusion. The hand is extended to Jesus.
Where is Jesus? At the stern of the boat, where the steering wheel is. Jesus is sleeping peacefully. The face was serene.
There would be nothing calm in the picture: everything would rage, foam in the spray. The boat would then rise to the crest of the wave, then sink into the abyss of waves.
Only Jesus would be calm. The excitement of the students was inexpressible. Peter in despair shouts through the noise of the waves: “Teacher, we are perishing, but You have no need!”
This is one picture. The second picture: “Dungeon. The Apostle Peter is chained with two chains, sleeping between the soldiers. Sixteen guards guard Peter. Peter's face is clearly visible. He sleeps peacefully, although the already sharpened sword is prepared to cut off his head. He knew about it. His face looks like someone."
Let's hang the first picture next to it. Look at the face of Jesus. Peter's face is the same as his. They bear the seal of peace. Dungeon, guards, sentence to death - the same raging sea. A sharpened sword is the same formidable shaft, ready to end Peter's life. But on the face of the Apostle Peter there is no former horror and despair. He learned from Jesus. It is imperative to put these pictures together, - continued the boy, - and make one inscription above them: "For you must have the same feelings that were in Christ Jesus" (Phil.2:5).
One of the girls also spoke about two pictures. The first picture “Christ is being crucified: the disciples are standing in the distance. On their faces they have grief, fear and horror. Why? - Christ is crucified. He will die on the cross. They will never see Him again, never hear His tender voice, never again look at them with the kind eyes of Jesus. never again will He be with them.”
That's what the students thought. But everyone who reads the Gospel will say: “Didn’t Jesus say to them: “Just a little while and the world will not see Me, but you will see Me, for I live, and you will live” (John 14:19).
Did they remember at that moment what Jesus said about his resurrection after death? Yes, the disciples forgot this, and therefore, on their faces, in their hearts were fear, grief and horror.
And here is the second picture.
Jesus with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, after His Resurrection. Jesus ascends to His Father. Let's look at the faces of the students. What do we see on their faces? Peace, joy, hope. What happened to the students? Jesus is leaving them, they will never see Him on earth! And the students are happy! All this because the disciples remembered the words of Jesus: “I go to prepare a place for you. And when I have prepared a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself” (John 14:2-3).
Let's hang two pictures side by side and compare the faces of the students. In both pictures, Jesus is walking away from the disciples. So why are the students' faces different? Only because in the second picture the disciples remember the words of Jesus. The girl ended her story with a call: “Let us always remember the words of Jesus.”
Tanya's answer
Once at school, in a lesson, the teacher was having a conversation with second-grade students. She told the children a lot and for a long time about the Earth and about distant stars; she also talked about the flights of spaceships with a man on board. At the same time, she said in conclusion: “Children! Our cosmonauts rose high above the earth, to a height of 300 km and flew in space for a long, long time, but they did not see God, because He does not exist!”
Then she turned to her student, a little girl who believed in God, and asked:
- Tell me, Tanya, do you now believe that there is no God? The girl stood up and calmly replied:
– I don’t know if 300 km is a lot, but I know for sure that only “the pure in heart will see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Waiting for an answer
The young mother was dying. Having finished the procedure, the doctor and his assistant retired to the next room. Folding up his medical instrument, he, as if talking to himself, uttered in an undertone:
“Well, that’s it, we’ve done everything we could.”
The eldest daughter, one might say, still a child, stood not far away and heard this statement. Weeping, she turned to him:
“Mr. Doctor, you said you did everything you could. But my mother didn't get better, and now she's dying! But we haven't tried everything yet,” she continued. We can turn to Almighty God. Let's pray and ask God to heal mom.
The unbelieving doctor, of course, did not follow this suggestion. The child fell on his knees in despair and cried out in prayer in his spiritual simplicity, as best he could:
- Lord, I ask You to heal my mother; the doctor did everything he could, but You, Lord, the great and kind Physician, You can heal her. We need her so much, we can't do without her, dear Lord, heal her in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Some time has passed. The girl, as if in oblivion, remained on her knees, not moving and not getting up. Noticing the immobility of the child, the doctor turned to the assistant:
- Remove the child, the girl is fainting.
- I'm not in a swoon, Mr. Doctor, - objected the girl, - I'm waiting for an answer!
She lifted up her childish prayer in full faith and trust in God, and now she remained on her knees, waiting for an answer from the One who said: “Will not God protect his chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night, although He delays to protect them? I tell you that he will soon give them protection” (Luke 18:7-8). And whoever trusts in God, God will not leave him ashamed, but will certainly send help from above at the right hour and at the right time. And in this difficult hour, God did not hesitate to answer - the mother's face changed, the patient calmed down, looked around her with a look full of peace and hope, and fell asleep.
After a few hours of restorative sleep, she awoke. The loving daughter immediately clung to her and asked:
"Aren't you feeling better now, mommy?"
“Yes, my dear,” she answered, “I am better now.
“I knew that you would feel better, mother, because I was waiting for an answer to my prayer. And the Lord answered me that He would heal you.
The mother's health has been restored again, and today she is a living witness of God's power overcoming sickness and death, a witness of His love and faithfulness in hearing the prayers of believers.
Prayer is the breath of the soul,
Prayer is a light in the darkness of night,
Prayer is the hope of the heart,
Brings peace to the sick soul.
God listens to such a prayer:
cordial, sincere, simple;
He hears it, accepts it
And the holy world pours into the soul.
baby's gift
“When you give alms, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3).
“I want to give you something for pagan children!” I opened the package and found ten coins inside.
Who gave you so much money? Dad?
“No,” answered the kid, “neither dad knows, nor my left hand.
- Yes, you yourself preached this morning that it is necessary to give in such a way that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. So I always kept my left hand in my pocket.
- Where did you get the money from? I asked, unable to contain my laughter any longer.
– I sold Minko, my dog, whom I loved very much. - and at the memory of a friend, tears clouded the eyes of the baby.
When I spoke about this in the meeting, the Lord gave us a rich blessing.”
Modesty
In one harsh and hungry time, there lived a kind rich man. He sympathized with the starving children.
One day he announced that every child who came to him at noon would receive a small loaf of bread.
Approximately 100 children of all ages attended. They all arrived at the appointed time. The servants brought out a large basket filled with loaves of bread. The children greedily pounced on the basket, pushing each other away and trying to grab the biggest roll.
Some thanked, others forgot to thank.
Standing aside, this kind man watched what was happening. His attention was drawn to a little girl standing to the side. As the last one, she got the smallest bun.
The next day he tried to put things in order, but this girl was again the last. He also noticed that many children immediately took a bite from their roll, while the little one carried it home.
The rich man decided to find out what kind of girl she was and who her parents were. It turned out that she was the daughter of poor people. She also had a little brother with whom she shared her bun.
The rich man ordered his baker to put a taler in the smallest bun.
The next day, the girl's mother came and brought the coin back. But the rich man said to her:
“Your daughter behaved so well that I decided to reward her modesty. And henceforth, with every small roll you will receive a coin. May she be your support during this difficult time.
The woman thanked him from the bottom of her heart.
The children somehow found out about the rich man's generosity towards the baby, and now some of the boys tried to get the smallest roll without fail. One succeeded, and he immediately found a coin. But the rich man said to him:
- With this I rewarded the little one for always being the most modest, and for the fact that she always shared a bun with her little brother. You are the most ill-mannered, and I have not yet heard words of gratitude from you. Now you won't get bread for a whole week.
This lesson went to the future not only for this boy, but for everyone else. Now no one forgot to say thank you.
The little girl stopped getting thaler in a bun, but the kind man continued to support her parents during the whole time of hunger.
Sincerity
Sincere God gives good luck. The famous George Washington, the first president of the North American free states, from childhood surprised everyone with his fairness and sincerity. When he was six years old, his father gave him a small hatchet for his birthday, which George was very happy about. But, as is often the case with many boys, now every wooden object in his path had to experience his hatchet. One fine day, he showed his art on a young cherry in his father's garden. One blow was enough to forever make all hopes of her recovery in vain.
The next morning, the father noticed what had happened and determined from the tree that it was maliciously destroyed. He planted it himself, and therefore decided to conduct a thorough investigation to identify the attacker. He promised five gold coins to anyone who would help identify the destroyer of the tree. But everything was in vain: he could not even find a trace, so he was forced to go home dissatisfied.
On the way, he met little George with his hatchet in his hands. In an instant, the father came up with the idea that his son could also be a criminal.
George, do you know who cut down our beautiful cherry tree in the garden yesterday? - Full of discontent, he turned to him.
The boy thought for a moment - it seemed that there was a struggle going on in him - then frankly admitted:
“Yes, dad, you know I can’t lie, no, I can’t. I did this with my hatchet.
“Come into my arms,” my father exclaimed, “come to me.” Your frankness is dearer to me than a cut down tree. You have already repaid me for it. It is commendable, frankly, even if you have done something shameful or wrong. Truth is dearer to me than a thousand cherries with silver leaves and golden fruits.
stole, deceived
Mom had to go away for a while. Leaving, she punished her children - Mashenka and Vanyusha:
- Be obedient, don't go out, play well and don't do anything. I'll be back soon.
Masha, who was already ten years old, began to play with her doll, while Vanyusha, an active six-year-old kid, took up his blocks. He soon got tired of it, and he began to think about what to do now. His sister did not let him go outside, because his mother did not allow it. Then he decided to quietly take an apple from the pantry, to which his sister said:
- Vanyusha, a neighbor through the window will see that you are carrying an apple from the pantry, and will tell your mother that you stole.
Then Vanyusha went to the kitchen, where there was a jar of honey. Here the neighbor could not see him. With great pleasure he ate a few spoonfuls of honey. Then he closed the jar again so that no one would notice that someone was feasting on it. Soon the mother returned home, gave the children a sandwich, then all three went to the forest to collect firewood. They did this almost every day to have a supply for the winter. The children loved these walks in the woods with their mother. She used to tell them interesting stories along the way. And this time she told them an instructive story, but Vanyusha was surprisingly silent and did not ask, as usual, many questions, so that his mother even inquired with concern about his health. Vanyusha lied, saying that his stomach hurt. However, his conscience condemned him, because now he not only stole, but also deceived.
When they came to the forest, mother showed them a place where they could collect brushwood, and a tree to which they were to take it down. She herself went deep into the forest, where one could find larger dry branches. Suddenly a thunderstorm started. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, but my mother was not around. The children hid from the rain under a wide spreading tree. Vanyusha was very tormented by his conscience. At every clap of thunder, it seemed to him that God was threatening him from heaven:
It was so terrible that he confessed to Mashenka what he had done, as well as his fear of God's punishment. His sister advised him to ask God for forgiveness and confess everything to his mother. Here Vanyusha knelt down in the grass wet from the rain, folded his hands and, looking at the sky, prayed:
— Dear Savior. I stole and cheated. You know this because You know everything. I'm very regret about it. I beg you, forgive me. I won't steal or cheat anymore. Amen.
He got up from his knees. He felt so light in his heart - he was sure that God had forgiven his sins. When the worried mother returned, Vanyusha joyfully ran out to meet her and shouted:
- Beloved Savior forgave me that I stole and deceived. Please forgive me and you.
Mom couldn't understand anything that was said. Then Mashenka told her everything that had happened. Of course, my mother also forgave him everything. For the first time, without her help, Vanyusha confessed everything to God and asked for His forgiveness. Meanwhile the storm subsided and the sun shone again. All three went home with bundles of brushwood. Mom again told them a story similar to Vanyushina, and memorized a short rhyme with the children: No matter what I do, God sees me from heaven.
Much later, when Vanyusha already had his own family, he told his children about this incident from his childhood, which made such an impression on him that he never stole or lied again.
Orthodox writer Valentina Ivanovna Tsvetkova was born in 1936 in the village. Nikolskoye, Saratov region. Later she moved to study in Samara. A teacher by education, she has been in direct contact with children for many years. And it shows in her stories. Knowledge of child psychology allowed Valentina Ivanovna to write her stories in a language that is perceived by children easily and naturally. Therefore, her works are read with interest not only by children, but also by adults, because in essence, we are all big children to some extent.
V.I. Tsvetkova collaborated with various Orthodox newspapers, in particular with the Samara “Blagovest” and the Ryazan “Blagovest”. She has been living in Ryazan since 1999 and continues to work on new works, which, we hope, will soon be published.
Wonderful
Granny, please buy me some felt-tip pens today,” Vitya asked his grandmother in the morning.
“I’ll buy it,” she answered, tying a scarf around her head.
“Well then, grandma, let’s go!”
“Wait, Vitenka, I’ll take the pies out of the oven, and treat Agafya Semyonovna on the way.
“Ah, this is the one who always sits in the same place, and whoever does not approach her bows low to everyone, even if I go and do not give her anything. The boys and I purposely walked past her several times, and each time she got up and bowed. Some wonderful!
"But you shouldn't have done that!" Grandmother got angry. - Firstly, she is my first teacher, and secondly, you yourself noticed that she does not bow for alms. You would think about this.
“What do you think, she’s just amazing. And they say she had a double-headed eagle.
- Vitya, you misunderstood and retelling to others, and this is a sin. “Granny, but that’s what everyone says.
- And you shut up. After all, you have not seen it yourself, it is better to listen to what I will tell you about it. In those distant years, when I was little, students were not allowed to wear crosses. The teachers, of course, knew that we wore them, but tried not to notice. Our young teacher Agafya Semyonovna took off the crosses from two girls and threw them into a corner. We were so scared, we thought the teacher would die right away. And she said: “You see, nothing happened!” And continued to teach. After this incident, many lost their fear of the shrine. After some time, Agafya Semyonovna had a child. I saw him myself: instead of one head, he had two small heads. Since then, she seemed to close herself from everyone, although she was among people, and bowed to everyone passing by. And the Lord forgave her and even rewarded her with a gift. She sees a kind of mark on the head of every passer-by - what kind of person this is. And to those who knew her closely, Agafya Semyonovna said that we should greet each other with bows and honor God with bows. To bow before the icons several times a day.
“Grandma, I’m ashamed to walk past her now.
- And you give her a pie and bow too.
“She will see that I am lying,” Vitya hesitated. - After all, I have felt-tip pens, and I still ask.
Well, it's good that he confessed.
So you don't have to go to the store now. And the pie to her, granny, come on, I'll still take it. She will see that I am no longer lying!
Akathist
- When I was not yet in the world, one aunt bought a cow in the market and took her home. I must say that she lived in a distant village. The little cow was caught skinny, at first she walked quietly, then she lay down in the middle of the road and did not want to go. Aunt caressed her, whipped her, but she did not rise. The aunt began to cry and began to ask God. She remembered that she also needed to call on an ambulance helper - Nikolai: “Our helper, God-pleaser Nikolai, help the cow to bring home. I have children without a breadwinner-father. They are waiting for milk, but the cow is dying.”
Aunt bursts into tears. God, seeing this, sent an old man. He goes towards him with a twig, he patted the cow, she got up and went. When the old man began to leave, he said goodbye: “You, young woman, drive the cow into the yard of the last house, and what they will give there, take it, do not refuse.”
She did everything that way. Two old women let her spend the night and fed her. And the cow did not remain without food and drink.
The next morning they gave a hotel for the road. And the cow rested during the night and quickly ran home ...
Girlfriends laugh at Lida: “You haven’t lived in the world yet, but you tell it as if you saw everything with your own eyes.” Lida smiled: “But it's true! It was! The young woman is alive. This is my own grandmother, she told us everything. And she herself did not forget St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and she taught us to honor him. We read an akathist with her every Thursday.”
The girls chose books and left, and the adults were surprised at the deep faith, simplicity, sincerity and decided: “Let the children read the thick Bible, because they receive wisdom not from adults, but by the grace of God.”
blind boy
This one was a long time ago. In winter, in the evenings, the whole family sat on a large Russian stove. There were six of us children. It’s frosty outside, a blizzard, the wind is buzzing in the chimney, but it’s so good on the stove, it’s warm from the bricks. If you want, lie down, if you want, sit. And so that they could see each other, they lit a lamp with a glass bubble in the form of an elongated pear. And in the corner of the hut, in the most visible place, in front of the icon, a lamp was burning. And everything is so comfortable, joyful, calm, quiet. Who laid out the “royal palace” from pumpkin seeds, who simply cleaned and ate them. The younger ones did this, and the older ones knitted lace, sorted out wool and down. We so wanted to touch the fluff with wool with our hands, roll balls, but we can’t. They are needed for socks, mittens. And the elders rolled the balls for us from cow's wool, which is not good for work. The ball turned out to be good: both soft and bouncing like rubber. And the cow is pleased when she is scratched. So. We sit on the stove, but we are not silent. Mom quietly sings a prayer. “O Heavenly King…” Every business is always started with her because the Holy Spirit is called to help. And then they tell stories in turn: both scary and funny, and like this one, about a blind boy.
This boy was born sighted, but one day he became very ill and blind.
At first, no one knew, because he was still breastfeeding and crawling on the floor. And when his mother put a woolen ball next to him, the baby began to look for him with his little hands and did not find him. We went to the doctor, but it was too late. You get used to any grief, you get used to a blind son.
But the Lord made him so wise that you would not immediately think that he was blind. The boy's eyes were clear, beautiful, open. He moved cautiously, but reached the door without a wand. He himself went to the well for water for the cow. So they understood each other, as if they were true friends. He took care of her bed: he would carefully sort out the straw so that there was no pebble or dung lump. And he fed her fragrant hay with strawberries. Zorka chews hay, and the blind boy strokes her. The cow will lie down, and he will sit down to her warm side, and he will fall asleep next to her. Dawn will turn, sigh and warm him with warm steam. Mom is looking for her son, everyone is already going to have dinner, and she always finds the boy at Dawn's side. Once dad announced: Dawn will sell for meat. The blind boy quickly left the hut. Mom hears: in the barn someone is crying, telling something to someone. She listened, looked closely, and this is her blind son praying to God for help so that Zorka would not be handed over for meat. Then he hugged the cow by the neck and cries. But Zorka understands everything, only she can’t say anything, and from huge cow’s eyes with long eyelashes, tears flow in streams. Mom saw it all, but said nothing. And at dinner, dad clarified: even though Zorka does not give enough milk for such a large family, God willing, she will bring us a calf, she will add milk. Everyone was happy, and most of all, the blind son.
Jesus Prayer
The blind boy, besides the cow Zorka, also had other friends. I will tell about all of them in order. The cat Dick and the cat Whiteleg were constantly spinning near his feet, they did not go anywhere. If in winter a blind boy went out to Zorka's barn, they were waiting for him at the threshold. As soon as the door creaks, they immediately run to the boy as fast as they can. He liked to sit not on a chair, but on the floor. The cats were happy about this, rubbed their sides, purred, sat on his feet. When the boy had something edible in his pocket, he took it out of his pocket, always blew it from the crumbs, baptized and said: “Lord, bless!” That's what he always did. And then he ate himself and gave the cats a piece.
If the blind boy got up at night to pray while everyone was sleeping, Dick and White Legs would find him and sit next to him, turning their faces to the icons. They all left together: the boy to sleep on the stove (or in the summer on the bed), and scare the cats under the floor of the mice.
And now the blind brother gets water from the well, and the younger sisters, brothers run a race and pour it into their beds, holes. It was always fun, the blind brother encouraged and praised the waterers for the good work.
And when the younger ones got tired and asked: “Will we finish soon?” To which he replied: “No, they only poured half more.” Waterers objected to him: “No, no, everyone watered. You don't see it!" The blind boy, smiling, said: “I see, water your beds again, otherwise I hear they ask: drink, drink!” Children listen and even lie with their ear to the garden bed and really hear that the earth is "sitting" from the heat. Then they watered again, and the earth no longer asked for water. The blind boy suddenly announced to his sisters and brothers: "That's it, take the last bucket and finish it." How did he know that the beds were saturated with water? It turns out that he read the Jesus Prayer: “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” Prepare the pebbles in advance and put them at the foot. As he pulls a bucket out of a well, he will say a prayer, and he will discard a pebble from his foot. When the pebbles run out, then all two hundred buckets of water are pulled out. This moisture is enough for the garden, and for the soul I read a prayer two hundred times. That's how the Lord made him wise: he, blind, protected us with his spiritual eyes.
Pea
Once a grandmother came to her grandchildren to help sow peas. They were happy with her, because she always spoke kind words. Even dad became kinder, he didn’t scold his children, but he called his grandmother mom. So everything is simple. “And where it’s simple, there are up to a hundred angels, and where it’s tricky, there’s not a single one,” says grandmother. - Without an angel, as without a guide, it is impossible to find the way in an unknown way, and even more so to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. There you need to go through three doors at the same time.” “How is that possible, grandma? the grandchildren ask, “Tell me!” “It is difficult, my dears. These doors are located one behind the other and open only for a moment. These doors are high, heavy, a person stands in front of them like a small pea. He will step into the first one, and the second one will immediately close in front of him - and the person is as if in a trap, in the hopeless darkness. For a moment, all the doors open again, you step through the second door, and the front one closes ... One cannot get through without help. So you need an assistant - an angel or a saint, so that he holds the doors, and the person runs through them. Behind them is freedom, such a vastness that you cannot see with your eyes.
Ahead is a sloping mountain, but you can’t see what’s behind it yet. The person will turn back - there are no more doors. Only his footprints, as in the snow, he will clearly see. They are at random, and at an angle, and straight, and in circles. Go, brother-man, look ahead and pray all the time - then you will reach the Kingdom of Heaven. “Grandma, are there any sweets in this kingdom?” — “What more! A person has no idea what awaits him there.”
Granddaughter Mashenka swallowed her saliva and felt her pocket with her hand - she wanted sweets so much. He sees: the grandmother is holding something in her mouth. “Grandma, give me one candy, please.” - "This is not a candy, my good one, but a pea." “Why do you keep it in your mouth all the time?” - "I am doing a prayer - it means saying:" Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner. And the pea in your mouth gets in the way and reminds you: do good deeds and don't forget your prayer - together they will lead you to the Kingdom of Heaven. Just don't stop."
Granddaughter Mashenka put a pea in her mouth, took a basket in her hands and went to plant as soon as possible in order to keep up with her grandmother. After all, each one must achieve the Kingdom of Heaven by his own labor.
Carousels
Grandma, look what a striped beetle flew into the window and beats against the mirror, ”said Nastya. - I drove him away with a handkerchief, but he does not fly away.
“That, granddaughter, he saw his own kind and got carried away,” answered the grandmother with a smile.
Nastya and her little brother began waving their arms and pointing the beetle towards the window.
“He is stubborn, like you, Vasya,” the girl got angry, “he flies again to the mirror.
And the grandmother lightly pressed the beetle and let it out the window. He flew, he buzzed.
Nastenka and Vasya are happy, which means he is alive. Granny, looking out the window, sighed:
- Until someone enlightens, directs, the weak can die. Especially if the way back forgets.
- Grandma, how to find the way back? Vasya asked.
- According to signs, my good. You have to hold on to them like an invisible rope.
Is it like a carousel? Nastya clarified.
“My dear, you have given me very good advice. When you are spinning on the carousels, everything around you quickly flickers, it is interesting and breathtaking from the height. But at the same time, do not forget to hold on to the rope - otherwise you can break loose and hurt yourself badly. Then you will forget about everything. And who is to blame? Himself, of course. I got carried away and forgot about the rope, let it out of my hands. You will harm yourself and offend the good owner of the carousel. You promised him to keep. And he tied the other end to himself and decided to show you all the beauty of the heavenly places so that you would strive there.
“Grandma, and Vasya is afraid of our heights,” Nastya said.
Grandma smiled.
But he loves to pray to God and he has obedience. It is for this that our Creator will raise Vasya to a great height. And with the Lord God nowhere is scary.
- And girls can be at such a height? - the granddaughter is interested.
- Everyone can, my sweets. Only hold on to the rope, but do not tear yourself away from the Creator-God.
“Grandma, I understand. I will, like Vasya, pray and always obey my elders.
Grandmother crossed them and cried. The grandchildren were frightened:
"Grandma, what's wrong with you?"
“Nothing, my dears. I am glad that you understood everything so well.
“I believe” for the faithful
In the village everyone knows about each other: who went where and why... If I go to the left side of the house, it means to the club, and if to the right, then to the church.
That day I went to church, because it was the great feast of the Nativity of Christ. I didn’t understand what they sang and read in the church, but I remembered for the rest of my life how candles were burning in everyone’s hands, how they sang in chorus, by the whole church.
I was solemn and joyful in my heart. Suddenly I heard someone say quietly: "Without people, the earth is an orphan." These wise words were uttered by blessed Nyurushka, or “simple,” as she was called in our village. I was struck by how her face brightened up when they sang “I Believe”. People were moved to tears when she told someone that he was “pleasing to God.” The man said: "Nyurushka, I am a sinner." “But still you are faithful,” she soothed. I liked this word: some kind of reliable, happy. For myself, I concluded: if you are faithful, then you don’t need to wish for the best.
As I was leaving the temple, I again heard the whisper:
- Have you been married, Nyurushka?
- No no! I made a vow to God.
- Take this pie ... Maybe you have nothing to eat at home ...
- What are you ... What a lump of oil. After all, I never eat it on Wednesdays and Fridays, so it will last a long time.
- Why?
“I don’t want to enjoy these days with the traitor Judas.
Then I thought: “There it is! And I didn't know that."
- Aunt Nyura, here's a candy for you. Pray for me.
You will be saved, son. “I believe” he sang with the faithful. But pass the prosphora to your neighbor, she is sick. Stay with God.
She bowed and left. These are the Nyurushkas who are faithful, they are God's Pleasures, and salvation is from them.
live pictures
Nikita, today we will learn to write numbers, we need to prepare for school.
- Dad, I already know them "five". And he quickly wrote the numbers of the first ten. His father gave him a three. Nikita approached Barsik to complain. The cat ran its green eyes over the numbers, then scratched the paper with its paw and hid under the table.
- Even Barsik noticed your mistake at the number six, the curl is written to the right side ... Well, the reading lesson will be in the garden.
Dad moved his hand from left to right and somehow solemnly said:
“This is all that you see, our Lord, the Creator, created, and everything is in this living book. Look carefully at everything, - continued dad, - notice, and in a small insect you will discover a miracle, because the Creator created everyone and everything for the common good. How can you explain it better? For example, a mail beetle flies with an order, it's not a difficult task, right? But if the flight slows down willfully and does not arrive at the specified time, trouble will happen to everyone. Even the morning may not come if the sun rises late. And the darkness will remain, the night will be eternal - scary! So I say, everyone must fulfill the will of the Creator impeccably and urgently. In this “living” book, a person needs to unravel a lot. Why does the tree grow in the garden? Learn, pick, eat. And why does the violet bloom in different colors? Why do sunflowers turn their heads around the sun? Some flowers close the petals tightly at night, like a padlock, and in the morning they invite bees to visit to collect pollen. And why doesn't honey turn sour? But it is always sweet and fragrant, and in fact it is not made by a person, but only by an insect-bee. Know! That life was given to man on earth mainly for these clues. Learn to distinguish the Master Himself — the Creator from His counterfeits.
Nikita laughed. The artist will want to erase the picture or draw it again with wings or horns. What can an artist do with a picture? — Creator? She herself can only fade and turn into aphids.
- Well, son, you argue, I will be calm for you. And now you still have to love the Creator more than yourself. After all, He made us humans too. Do not forget, our fatherland is Heaven. Be worthy of the Creator to be returned there! And life on earth is short, like a dream. Remember this, dear child! Just do not get carried away with artificial pictures, because the trouble came to a person from them.
Mysterious clearing
On the way, we met an old man, so handsome and attractive: thick white hair on his head, a full, curly beard and greenish eyes with a veil. A smile of good-natured guilt. He looked out the window all the time and seemed to be calculating, calculating something in his mind, and then he suddenly started up and called us to the window. “Look carefully,” said the old man, “remember everything you see in this place.”
We obeyed and began to closely examine the clearing from the train window and hastily inform him: “There is a horse grazing, a motley cow, a white goat, lilac bushes, birch trees, dandelions. And a very wide clearing, and human habitation is not visible.
After a while the old man calmed down and told us a story...
“Once my horse brought me to this clearing. I was struck by her beauty, silence and something else, inexplicable. I got off my horse and went, enjoying the contemplation of wondrous beauty. And I stop in surprise: near my feet lies a nest with chicken eggs. There is no human habitation, but the chicken lives and lays eggs. Here, I think, there will be scrambled eggs. I figure out where to put them so that they don't break. And without raising my head yet, I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. Look, it's a girl! Speaks:
“Don’t take the eggs from the nest, or you will deprive Velvety of her joy!”
- Where is the chicken? I asked.
- She'll be here soon.
- And who are you? I asked her again.
- I'm Maryushka. I guard animals.
- Who are you guarding?
- Malka. He is prettier than your horse. I decided to argue with her: more beautiful than my horse - this cannot be! She warned:
“Malek won’t come out of the thicket if he hears our conversation.
Where should I hide to look at him? At least one eye. Maryushka said:
- You don't have to hide. Look at both, just be silent, otherwise you will scare away.
I promised to be silent. She called out in a piercing sweet voice:
And he immediately appeared from the thicket of the forest, with a silky long mane, with a neck like a swan ... I froze with delight, and then whistled: “This is a horse!” At the sound, Malek ran headlong and disappeared into the thicket.
I began to explain to Maryushka: "You can't keep such a handsome man alone, without friends." She answered after a pause:
We are his friends!
And I laugh:
Is that you with the chicken?
And Maryushka said without offense:
- Well, why, there is still Kalinka.
"Who else is this?" I asked, barely restraining my irritation, because I was completely impressed by the wonderful horse.
And Maryushka, not noticing my inappropriate anger, told me that Kalinka had recently had a daughter. She says, she rejoices, and I keep looking at the forest, if the horse will run out ...
“Well,” I urge the girl, “call your Kalinka, we’ll see her too.”
- No! We must approach it ourselves.
I had to give in - went to look. I saw a motley cow Kalinka with a calf that swayed, standing on four legs, and they parted in different directions. I thought: “This is unseen - a cow! What is there to admire? Not a horse!”
And Maryushka, as if reading my thoughts, says:
- She is an extraordinary cow - destitute and undeservedly punished. At the owner of the house, she broke everything in her path, turned over, she herself once landed in the cellar. And the owner decided to get rid of it. And when we ran to this clearing, I took a closer look and realized: she turns out to be blind. The owners took pity, did not take it away from me, and Kalinka and I began to live in this clearing. She is an orphan and I am an orphan. The blind horse was also brought here, and we accept all the destitute. Love each other. People call me a servant, a nun.
The old man clarified anxiously: “So Maryushka has a white goat?” - and continued:
“How do you live?” I asked her then.
- God helps. He does not forget about us, comforts and does not give offense. Our dugout is like a barn, but in the soul is a paradise! When I sing a prayer, the angels sing along to me, and then the aroma is like in a spring garden. You can't say with words. And someone illuminates our dugout.
I asked Maryushka:
- How often does it happen? She answered:
“Whenever the Lord Himself wills.” I have asked:
“Girl, pray for me!” I'm all in sin. He set his foot on a holy place. Just as Moses was shown a burning bush of thorns, so now, in the age of half-belief, it has been revealed to me on whom the light stands!
Maryushka smiled and prayed. And she punished me at parting:
- You pray yourself. The Lord will not save you without you.
That's all I know about her and never forget ...
You yourself saw just now that Maryushka has the goat now.”
The grandfather was silent. We, the "half-faiths", were very surprised and realized that our land of secrets is full.
Evening comes, darkness falls on the city and the children go to their beds to fall asleep sweetly. But before enjoying pleasant dreams, every child loves to listen to fairy tales that remain in the heart for life. Then why not combine business with pleasure and read to your child at night useful and instructive parables for children.
A parable is a short story that contains the wisdom of our ancestors. Often, parables for children are instructive stories on some moral topic. Previously, they were used as one of the ways of raising children, since they are understandable to every child, easy to remember and as close to reality as possible. Thus, parables differ from fables, which are very allegorical and not always clear to young listeners. Children's parables tell about friendship, family and family values, about good and evil, about God and much more.
Biblical and Orthodox parables for children
For centuries, the Bible has been the most famous book in the world. These are not only sacred texts for Christians, but also the greatest monument of the cultural heritage of mankind. Biblical parables are found on the pages of the Old and New Testaments. Of course, it will be difficult for young children to understand all the sacred meaning that is hidden in biblical texts, but with the help of parents, the child will be able to understand them. The most famous Orthodox parables for children are the parables “ About the prodigal son”, “ About the publican and the Pharisee”, which tell children about mercy and forgiveness, the parable “ About the Good Samaritan”, which teaches kids kindness and compassion, and many others. Jesus Christ very often communicated with his followers through parables, since they help to understand the meaning of all that is hidden.
Short parables for children
Some children, especially very young ones, do not like long stories; it is much easier for them to understand short texts with simple conclusions. In this case, you can read short parables for children to the child every evening. And each time he will have an instructive and interesting story that will remain in his memory.
We especially recommend friendship parables for children- for example, the parable of the nails. Very often children say something evil and bad to their friends and relatives. This parable will help them understand how important it is to appreciate loved ones and not offend them with careless words.
Children's parables about good and evil are probably the most useful for our younger generation. After all, a child does not have life experience, so it is difficult for him to distinguish bad from good, good from evil, white from black. It is necessary to teach the baby such basic concepts, and parables about good and evil for children will be most useful. We recommend reading: " Good fox", "Grandfather and death".
Parables can teach everything. The most important and useful little stories are parables about family and family values, because there is nothing more important in our life. It is especially useful for children to read parables about a mother, about love, about good and bad, about truth and lies.
Teach and educate your child from early childhood, then in the future he will grow up to be a good and kind person, responsive to the suffering of others, merciful and honest. Only in this way will our world become kinder and cleaner!
Orthodox stories for children. The Lord is with you...
A Lenka lived with her mother in a small village in the forest. She studied in the first grade, and the school was in a neighboring village. They lived quietly, amicably, it seemed to the girl that she and her mother were the happiest ...
That evening, which Alyonka will always remember, her mother baked pancakes. She lifted the frying pan, gasped suddenly and doubled over in pain, all she could do was put the frying pan aside.
"Mommy, Mommy, what's wrong with you?" - Alyonka rushed to her.
Mom barely got to the bed and groaned:
- I don’t know, daughter, run for a neighbor.
Alyonka rushed to the neighbors. The kind old woman Vasilievna immediately ran after her. Mom lay down and moaned. She was so pale that even her lips turned white.
“It’s a bad thing,” said Vasilievna. - My son came to the paramedic in a car, I'll run after them.
Alyonka stayed with her mother. She was crying softly and pressed her face to her mother's hand.
The paramedic quickly examined the patient and briefly said:
- Appendicitis. To the city, for an operation, urgently!
- Alyonka, dear, only my mother could whisper. She looked anxiously at her neighbor. She understood without words.
Don't be afraid, we won't leave! Vasilievna said through tears. I will come in.
A neighbor could not take Alyonka to her place: her husband is a drinker, there are scandals every day.
And then they took my mother away. Before getting into the car, she suddenly squeezed Alyonka's hand tightly and whispered:
The Lord is with you, daughter.
Stop the noise of the car. Vasilievna sat down, cried, hugged Alyonka, said: “Go to bed, you have to go to school tomorrow!” - and went home.
Alyonka kept thinking about her mother's words... "The Lord is with you..." They never talked about God.
In the corner they had an icon of the Mother of God with the Child in her arms, still inherited from her grandmother. Yes, a couple of times in the city they went to the church. Alenka liked it: it was very beautiful, but it was not clear.
The girl approached the icon. The face of the Mother of God was so kind, calm. Elena stopped crying. Soon she felt that she was very tired, and lay down, still looking at the icon. Suddenly she remembered that in the morning she had to go to school, she became very scared: she had to go in the dark, through the forest.
Alyonka always walked, holding tightly to her mother's hand, and even then she shuddered at every rustle ... How can she go alone? With these disturbing thoughts, Alyonka did not notice how she fell asleep.
And she dreams that she is walking through the forest, and he is not scary at all, bright, beautiful, as if in summer, no, even more beautiful! beautiful flowers grow, which are not on earth, the birds sing wonderfully, and the light above the forest is brighter than the sun. Alyonka walks through this extraordinary forest, hears from everywhere a whisper beautiful, like music: “The Lord is with you ... The Lord is with you ...” And she will not understand: this is a dream or not.
The girl got up and got ready for school. When she stepped outside the threshold, she froze: it was cold, the wind was howling, the forest seemed black. And again quietly: “Do not be afraid, the Lord is with you…” She boldly ran along the path and managed to get to school on time.
Alyonka returned in the evening and cleaned the house herself. Somehow fired up the oven. Vasilievna came, brought milk and cake, sat with her.
How are you here alone? Are you scared? asked the neighbor.
No, it's not scary, - Alyonka smiled. But she didn’t tell about what she heard, and she didn’t know such words to tell.
So the days went by.
Meanwhile, my mother recovered and returned home. Alyonka rushed to hug her, kiss her, crying and laughing with joy.
Dear daughter, how did you manage alone? Mom asked.
Alyonka looked into her eyes and suddenly said quietly and seriously:
I am not alone, the Lord is with me. And with you, mommy. He is here. And everywhere…
The mother hugged her and cried. How could she tell the little girl now how she prayed to God for her while in the hospital?!
They approached the icon, knelt down, and crossed themselves. How to express that joy, that gratitude that overwhelmed their hearts?
Glory to Thee, Lord! Mom whispered.
Thank You Lord! - Alenka whispered smiling.
They talked about many things that evening. And in the morning we got up early, early and went to the city, to the church.
Elena Mikhalenko
Christian education begins at birth. Initiation into church life is important for the development of a little Christian, but it is even more important to read books that are correct in the Orthodox sense. In the literature of this kind, children's Christian stories play an important role.
It is much easier to develop good qualities in children using the example of stories, stories and poems of the Orthodox persuasion. Such literature awakens the best feelings, teaches kindness, forgiveness, love, strengthens faith and hope, helps not to become discouraged, sort out one's feelings, behave correctly with peers, and more. Books in which children's Christian stories are printed should be in every family where there are children. Such works are written by both domestic and foreign authors, among whom there are ordinary people, priests and even monks.
Tales of goodness that conquers all
One of the most striking in order to encourage a child to do good deeds are stories of this kind. Here, for example, is a story called "The Little Lamp" by John Paton. It tells about a little girl who does not go to school yet, but, without knowing it herself, does a very necessary and good deed, visiting her old grandmother. Lena (that was the name of the baby) even asked her mother what she was doing, why the elderly woman rejoices, calling the baby a ray of sunshine and her consolation.
Mom explained to her daughter how important the presence of a girl is for an old grandmother, because she feels so lonely, and Lena consoles her with just her appearance. The little girl learned that her little good deed was like a candle, from which a huge torch was lit on a lighthouse that showed the way to ships in the darkness. And without this spark, there simply would not be a big flame. So the good deeds of every person, child, no matter how inconspicuous they may be, are simply necessary in this world and are pleasing to the Lord.
Short stories for the little ones
O. Yasinskaya wrote short Christian instructive stories for kids. They have everything that the Orthodox need. One of the stories called "The Secret" from the collection "The Little Christian Woman" teaches to be compliant, selfless, to do something pleasant and kind to another, to always be ready to help. In a story about two sisters, the secret of a happy life according to Christian laws is hidden. And nothing else is needed in the relationship between people for a peaceful and embraced by love and understanding of life.
And the story “What the bees teach us” shows by their example how children should love their parents and take care of them, especially if illness or old age limits their strength. After all, this is the commandment of the Lord "Honor your father and your mother." She must always be remembered.
Christian poems, stories
In addition to instructive stories for children, there are many poems and riddles written for a small Orthodox Christian. For example, Marina Tikhonova writes not only Christian stories, but also poems and riddles. Her collection "Orthodox Poems for Children" is permeated with the happiness of family life, goodness and light. The collection includes several poems, riddles about God and everything connected with Him, and the story "At the Christmas Tree." It tells about a family who decorates the Christmas tree with a garland, toys, rain and a star before the holiday. Parents explain to children what Christmas and New Year mean, a festive tree, decorations on it. The whole family thanks the Lord for the wonderful gifts each has received. The story evokes such strong emotions and feelings that you want to take decorations yourself, hang them on the Christmas tree and thank God for everything, like the heroes of history.
Where did I come from?
Perhaps this is the most embarrassing question for parents from a grown son or daughter. But the kids keep asking about everything. Christian stories will help the little listener find an answer to this question, and his mom and dad will be told what to say in such cases. The story about the boy Mitya, which is called "The Very First Dad", was written by Andrey Ermolenko. This story contains a hint to parents and an explanation to the child about who the Heavenly Father is, where children come from. Very touching and instructive story. Everyone with children should read it.
Athos for a child's heart
This is the name of the book written by the monk Simeon Athos. In fact, all Christian stories are a kind of sacred Mount Athos, which destroys pagan temples in every heart, building a fortress of the truth of God, strengthening faith, spirit, nourishing all the best that is in a child or adult.
With his stories, the monk unobtrusively introduces the children to the common truths of the Lord. At the end of each story is the conclusion that follows from it. The stories are all small, even the smallest Christian can easily listen to them to the end. The book teaches children (and parents too) humility, faith in God, goodness, love for the Lord, see miracles in the usual, draw conclusions from everything that happened, think first of all about others, judge yourself for your mistakes, do not try to blame others for something, not to be proud, to be brave in deeds, not in words. In addition, the book teaches that sometimes misfortune also brings good, and a simple life is already happiness. To find the Kingdom of Heaven, you need to work hard. For the sake of true Love, you need to give everything, and then Heaven will become closer. This is what a monk teaches.
And in this light, the strength and depth of Children's Love is revealed - here it is, the wisdom of God, because a child loves not for something. It is not easy to save a child's heart, but it is precisely such people who are saved. The monk teaches not only kids, his Christian stories, stories - and science to adults.
It would be useful to read the work "On the Frog and Wealth." The main idea of the story is as follows: if you want to take, you will live an earthly life, and if spiritual life is to your heart, learn to give. The monk of Athos wrote many more wisdoms in the form of instructive and interesting stories. This book is useful to everyone who has set foot on the righteous path.
Christian stories are needed at every age as a help on the path to God. When reading to a child, parents themselves draw light and kindness, which helps them to go the right way and lead their children. May God be in every heart!
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