"The Monster on the Prairie"

“The Monster on the Prairie”

 

 

This story takes place many, many, years ago.  Jen and her little sister Allie lived out in the mid-west, in the state of Kansas.  They lived with their Mom, Dad, and a little shaggy dog named Patches.  They lived on a small farm in the middle of the prairie. 

They had a huge, green yard to play in, and after school had ended and all their chores were done they played in that huge, green yard, with Patches till supper time.

 

One bright sunshiny morning, Jen and Allie’s dad hitched the team of horses, up to the wagon, to make a trip, across the wide prairie and into a small town for supplies.  Jen and Allie always looked forward to his trips, because he would always bring them something back, usually it was something they really liked and didn’t get to have very often.

 

The girls got their morning chores done and ate their breakfasts, then it was off to school.  Later that afternoon, on their way home, Jen and Allie were greeted by Patches, running and jumping all around them.  When they got home they quickly changed into their work clothes and did a few more chores.  Then when all the chores were done they had play-time with Patches.

 

After a while, Jen noticed a huge, black cloud that looked like a big, angry monster coming across the prairie.  It looked like it was boiling so Jen ran to the barn, and yelled in the door.  “Mom, come quick!”  Her Mom came out of the barn with a fearful look in her eyes. 

The wind began to blow, then Jen and her Mom heard the fearful sound of roaring in their ears.  Jen’s mom looked at her and yelled, “Quick, get Allie and Patches and head for the cellar!”   

Jen ran and grabbed Allie’s hand and called for Patches to come!  They ran to the cellar with Mom running behind, them.  Their hearts were pounding with fear.  Jen’s mom quickly pulled on the two big doors, trying to close and latch them, but the wind kept blowing them out of her hands, finally she managed to get them shut and latched.

 

By now, Allie had begun to cry.  Jen was sniffling a little too.  The cellar was really small, cold and dark, really dark.  Mom sat down on the bottom step and held both girls tight in her arms, and began to sing, “Jesus loves Me!”  Allie began to sing along with her and soon Jen joined in.  Then Mom stopped and said to the girls. “Jesus is right here with us, we don’t have to be afraid.  I know a verse from the Bible that says; “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you ……..Isa. 41:10. 

All three of them repeated the verse over and over.  Then Jen’s mom noticed the roar was gone so she carefully opened the doors of the cellar and the bright sunlight came shining into the darkness. 

When they came out of the cellar, they noticed a few small trees had been pulled up and two shutters from the windows of the house were blown off, but it appeared that everything else was in good shape.  

After cleaning up a bit, Jen and Allie noticed that a wagon was coming across the prairie.  Their hearts were filled with joy and they began to jump up and down, giggling.  They couldn’t wait so off they ran to meet their Dad.   

When he got to the house, he opened a brown paper bag and pulled out two, sweet, brightly colored, sugar sticks.  And that night when they got ready for bed, they all held hands and their Dad prayed:  “Thank you Lord, for keeping my family safe and helping them to not be too afraid during that horrible monster storm.  Amen!”