December 3, 2023 • 19 mins
Have you ever felt like an outsider, like you just don't fit in? Felt the pain of loneliness and the struggle for acceptance? Join us in this stirring holiday bonus episode of Truth Trek as we walk with Dory, a young girl grappling with physical challenges, navigating the complexities of a fourth-grade classroom. Dory's story is one of pain, loneliness, but ultimately, of resilience, acceptance, and the transformative power of faith.
The highlight of our journey together is a poignant Christmas pageant, where Dory, a seeming underdog, stands tall and captivates everyone with an unexpectedly powerful angel message. This eye-opening moment brings to light her beauty and strength, not just to her parents, her classmates, but also to her compassionate teacher, Miss Ellis. Get ready to be moved and inspired, as we rediscover the true spirit of Christmas, where the seemingly weak are strong, and the smallest can stand tall. Dory's story is a testament to the power of faith, love and acceptance. So, gather round, for a Christmas tale that promises to warm your heart and renew your faith.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Welcome to a special holiday bonus episode of Truth
Trek.
Each Sunday from now untilChristmas there will be a bonus
episode.
I will be reading someChristmas stories, as I posted
these stories last year on adifferent podcast before I had
started Truth Trek.
They were enjoyed by manypeople and so I'm going to post
some of them again this year.
Not all of them, but the onesthat were most well received
(00:39):
based on the podcast analytics.
So gather the family and enjoythis holiday story.
This story is called theTallest Angel.
(01:00):
Author unknown.
God doesn't love me.
The words echoed sharplythrough the thoughts of Miss
Ellis as she looked around thefourth grade schoolroom.
Her gaze skipped lightly overthe many bent heads and then
rested on one in particular.
God doesn't love me.
The words had struck her mindso painfully that her mouth
(01:23):
opened slightly in mute protest.
The child under Miss Ellis'troubled study lifted her head
for a moment, scanned herclassmates briefly, then bent to
her book again.
Ever since the first day ofschool, miss Ellis had been hurt
and troubled by these bitterassertions.
God doesn't love me.
The words had come from a smallnine-year-old girl that stirred
(01:46):
again restively under thecontinued scrutiny of Miss Ellis
, then bending her head to herown desk, miss Ellis prayed in
her heart for the nth time.
Help her, dear God, and help meto help her.
These show, dory, that you loveher too.
Dory sat with her geography bookopen upon her desk, but the
(02:09):
thoughts that raced through hermind were not concerned with the
capital of Ohio.
A moment before she had feltthe warm eyes of Miss Ellis upon
her, and now angry sentencesplayed tag with each other in
her bowed head.
Once again she heard the calmvoice of Miss Ellis.
God wants us to be happy in hislove.
(02:30):
Dory laughed bitterly toherself.
How could anyone be happy witha hunched back and leg breezes?
God loves everyone, miss Ellishad said, to which Dory had
angrily replied.
But he doesn't love me.
That's why he made me ugly andcrippled.
God is good.
(02:50):
God is not good to me.
He's mean to me.
That's what to let me grow socrooked?
Dory raised her head and lookedat the children around her.
Marianne had long golden curls.
Dory had straight brown hairpulled back tight and braided
into an unlovely pigtail.
Janetta had china blue eyesthat twinkled like evening stars
(03:13):
.
Dory had brown eyes that seemedsmoky.
So full of bitterness were theyEllen?
Sue had a pink rosebud mouththat readily spread into a happy
smile.
Well, ellen Sue could smile.
She had a lovely dimpled bodyand ruffled, ribboned dresses.
But why should Dory smile?
(03:34):
Her mouth was straight andtight and her body hunched and
twisted.
Anyone would laugh to seeruffles on her dresses.
No pink and blue dresses forher, only straight dark gowns
that hung like sacks over hersmall hunched frame.
They hate and anger so filledthe heart of the little girl
that she felt she must get awayfrom this room full of
(03:57):
straight-bodied children orchoke.
She signaled her desire to missEllis, who nodded permission.
There was neither pity norlaughter in the eyes that
followed Dory to the door, onlycasual indifference.
The children had long sinceaccepted Dory as she was.
No one ever jeered at herawkwardness, nor did anyone fuss
(04:18):
over her.
And pity.
The children did not mean to beunkind but knowing the limits
of Dory's mobility, they usuallyran off to their active games,
leaving her a lonely littlespectator.
Miss Ellis saw the childrensettle back to their studies.
As the door closed after Doryshe stared at the door, not
(04:38):
seeing the door at all, only thesmall hunchback girl.
What can I do to help her behappy?
She pondered.
What can anyone say or do tocomfort and encourage such a
child?
She had talked to Dory'sparents and found them to be of
little help.
They seemed inclined to feelthat Dory's crippled condition
(04:58):
was a blot upon them, one thatthey did not deserve.
Miss Ellis had urged them notto try to explain Dory's
condition but to accept it asGod's will and try to seek his
blessings through acceptance ofhis will.
They were almost scornful tothe idea that any blessing could
be found in a crippled, unhappychild, but they did agree to
(05:20):
come to church and bring Dory asoften as possible.
Please help Dory, prayed MissEllis.
Help Dory and her parents too.
Then the hall bell sounded andMiss Ellis arose to dismiss her
class.
The reds, yellows and greens ofautumn faded into the white of
winter.
The Christmas season wasunfolding in the room.
(05:41):
Tiny Christmas trees stoodshyly on the window sills.
A great green wreath coveredthe door.
Its silver bells jingledwhenever the door moved and the
delighted giggles of thechildren echoed in return.
The blue-white shadows of awinter afternoon were creeping
across the snow as Miss Elliswatched the excited children set
(06:02):
up the manger scene on the lowsand table.
Christmas thought, miss Ellis,is a time of peace and joy.
Even the children feel thespirit and try to be nicer to
one another.
Is your Christmas done yet,ellen Sue?
Without waiting for an answer,marianne chattered on Mother got
material for mine today.
It's a red, real red velvet.
(06:24):
Oh, I can hardly wait, can you?
Mine is all done, but the hem?
Ellen Sue fairly trembled withexcitement.
It's pink with rose buds madeof ribbon.
Miss Ellis smiled, rememberingthe thrill of the Christmas
dresses of her own girlhood, howcarefully they were planned and
how lovingly her mother hadmade each one.
Miss Ellis leaned back tocherish the memories a moment
(06:47):
longer.
Then a movement caught her eye.
Slowly, furtively, withstorm-filled eyes, dory was
backing away from the chatteringchildren.
Her heart stirred with sympathy.
Miss Ellis watched the unhappychild ease herself into her
chair, pull a book from her deskand bend her head over it.
She isn't studying, thought,miss Ellis.
(07:08):
She is only pretending to coverup her misery.
Dory stared at the book infront of her, fighting against
the tears that demanded release.
What if one of the girls hadasked about her Christmas dress?
Would anyone call a brown sagof a dress a Christmas dress?
Would the children laugh?
(07:29):
No, dory knew the girlswouldn't laugh.
They would just feel sorry forher and her shapeless dress.
Sometimes that was almost worsethan if they would laugh.
At least then she would have anexcuse to pour out the angry
words that crowded into herthroat.
Dory, a warm voice broke inupon her thoughts Dory, will you
(07:50):
help me with these Christmasdecorations?
You could walk along and holdthem for me while I pin them up,
please?
Dory arose thankful for thediversion and thankful to be
near Miss Ellis.
The silver tinsel was pleasantto hold and Miss Ellis always
made her feel so much better.
Slowly they proceeded around theroom, draping the tinsel
garlands.
As they went, the babble ofvoices in the corner by the sand
(08:13):
table took on a new note, aninsistent, clamoring tone that
finally burst forth in a rush ofsmall bodies in the direction
of Miss Ellis.
Please, miss Ellis, can I beMary in the Christmas program?
Miss Ellis, I'd like to beJoseph.
I should be Mary because Ican't sing in the Angel Choir.
Miss Ellis raised her hand forquiet.
(08:35):
After a moment she began.
I've already chosen the oneswho will play the parts of Mary,
joseph, the Shepherds and theAngel Choir.
Tell us the names.
Tell us the names now.
The children chorused.
Alright, agreed Miss Ellis asshe reached for a paper from her
desk.
Here they are Sue Ellen will beMary, daniel will be Joseph,
(08:56):
john, alan and Moses Will be theShepherds.
All the rest of you will bechoir angels.
Miss Ellis scanned the eager,hopeful faces around her till
she saw the upturned face ofDory.
There was no eager hope in hersmall pinched face.
Dory felt from bitterexperience that no one wanted a
(09:16):
hunchback in a program.
Miss Ellis could not bear thenumb resignation on that small
white face.
Almost without realizing whatshe was saying, she finished the
sentence All will be choirangels, except Dory.
There was a moment of hushedsurprise.
Dory will be the special angelwho talks to the Shepherds.
(09:37):
All the children gasped andturned to look at Dory.
Dory, a special angel.
They had never thought of that.
As realization penetratedDory's amazement.
A slow smile relaxed thepinched features, a little
candle flame of happiness shownin the brown eyes.
Her eyes are lovely when she'shappy.
(09:57):
Marvel, miss Ellis.
Oh, help her to be happy moreoften.
The Hallbell sounded the end ofanother school day and soon all
the children had bitten MissEllis goodbye as they hurried
from the room All but one, allbut Dory.
She stood very still, as ifclinging to a magic moment, for
(10:17):
as long as possible.
The lights had flickered out ofher eyes and her face seemed
whiter than ever before.
Miss Ellis knelt and tookDory's cold little hands in her
own.
What is it, dory?
Don't you want to be a specialangel?
After all, I do I do.
Dory's voice broke.
But I'll be a horrid,hunchbacked angel.
(10:40):
Everyone will stare at me andlaugh, because angels are
straight and beautiful.
Dory's small body shook withuncontrollable sobs.
Listen to me, dory.
Miss Ellis began slowly.
You are going to be my specialangel.
Somehow I'm going to make youlook straight and beautiful,
like real angels.
(11:00):
Will you just be happy, dory,and let me plan it all out.
Then I'll tell you all about it.
Dory lifted her head hopefully.
Do you think you can, missEllis?
Do you think you can?
I know I can.
Dory, smile now.
You're so pretty.
When you smile and say over andover God loves me, god loves me
(11:21):
, that will make you want tosmile.
Will you try it, dory?
A shadow of disbelief crossedDory's face.
Then she brightened withresolution.
I'll say it, miss Ellis, and ifyou can make me look like a
straight angel, I'll try tobelieve it.
That's the spirit, dory.
Goodbye now and have nicedreams tonight.
(11:42):
Dory went to the door, paused amoment, then turned again to
Miss Ellis.
Yes, dory, is there somethingelse?
Dory hesitated for a longmoment.
Then she said slowly do youthink I could look like a tall
angel too?
I'm smaller than anyone elsebecause my back is so bent.
Do you think I could look likea tall angel?
(12:03):
I'm sure we can make you looktall, promised Miss Ellis
recklessly.
Dory sighed with satisfactionand let the door swing shut
behind her.
The silver bells on theChristmas wreath jingled merrily
, almost mockingly.
What have I done?
Thought Miss Ellis soberly.
I have promised a littlecrooked girl that she will be a
(12:26):
tall, straight angel.
I haven't the slightest ideahow I'm going to do it.
Dear God, please help me, showme the way.
For the first time since I'veknown her, I've seen Dory happy.
Please help her.
Be happy in your love, dear God, Show me the way to help her.
(12:48):
Miss Ellis went to sleep thatnight with the prayer still in
her heart.
Morning came crisp and clear.
Lacy frills of frost hungdaintily from every branch and
bush.
Miss Ellis rubbed her eyes andlooked out of her window the
sparkling white beauty of themorning reminded her of angels,
(13:08):
angels.
She recalled her promise.
She had dreamed of angels too.
What was the dream about?
What was it?
Miss Ellis tapped her fingeragainst her lip in concentration
.
Suddenly, as if a dark door hadopened to the sunshine.
The dream, the whole angel plan, swept into her mind.
Idea after idea tumbled aboutlike dancing sunbeams.
(13:32):
She must hurry and dress.
She must get to the schoolhouseearly to talk to Joe, the
janitor.
Joe could do anything and shewas sure that Joe would help her
.
At the door of the school shescarcely paused to stomp the
snow from her boots Quickly.
She went down to the furnaceroom where Joe was stoking coal
into the hungry furnace.
Joe, she began I need your help.
(13:54):
I've got a big job ahead of me.
I'm going to make little DorySaunders into a tall, straight
angel for our Christmas pageant.
Joe thumped his shovel down,looked at her intently and
scratched his head.
You certainly did pick yourselfa job, miss Ellis.
How are you going to do allthis and where do I figure?
(14:15):
It's like this, joe, and sheoutlined her plan to him and Joe
agreed to it.
Miss Ellis went lightly up thesteps to her fourth-grade room.
She greeted the childrencheerily, smiling warmly at Dory
.
Dory returned the smile withthe candle flames of happiness
glowing again in her eyes.
For Dory the day was enchanted.
(14:35):
Round-faced angels smiled ather through the o's in her
arithmetic book.
The time passed dreamily onwhirring angel wings.
At last school was over and shewas alone with Miss Ellis
waiting to hear the marvelousplan that would make her a
straight and beautiful angel.
I've thought it all out, dory.
(14:56):
Miss Ellis pulled Dory close asshe explained the plan.
Mrs Brown and I are going tomake you a long white gown when
wings and Joe will fix you up.
So you will be the tallestangel of all.
But, dory, let's keep it asecret until the night of the
program, shall we?
Dory nodded vigorously.
She couldn't speak.
The vision was too lovely forwords, so she just nodded and
(15:19):
hugged Miss Ellis as tight asher thin arms could squeeze.
Then she limped from the room.
Dory had never felt suchhappiness.
Now she really had a place inthe scheme of events, at least
until Christmas.
She felt she really belongedwith the other children.
She was really like otherchildren.
Maybe God loved even her.
(15:41):
At last, the night of theprogram came.
Carols of praise to the newbornking rang through the school.
Now it was time for theChristmas pageant.
Soft music invited a quiet moodand the angel waited for the
curtains to open upon ashepherd's scene.
The sky was dark as theshepherd's sat huddled around
(16:01):
their fire.
Then suddenly, a bright lightburst over the scene.
The audience gasped in surprise.
High up on a pedestal, dressedin a gown of shimmering white
satin, dory raised her arms insalutation.
Fear not, her face was radiantas she spoke.
(16:22):
For behold, I bring you goodtidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people.
Her voice gathered convictionas she continued for unto you is
born this day, in the city ofDavid, a Savior which is Christ
the Lord.
The triumphant ring in hervoice carried to the choir
(16:43):
no-transcript, and the childrensang glory to God in the highest
and on earth, peace, goodwilltoward men, as they had never
sung before.
Dory's father blinked hard atthe tears that stung his eyes
and he thought in his heart whyshe's a beautiful child.
Why doesn't Martha curl herhair and put a ribbon in it?
(17:04):
Dory's mother closed her eyeson the lovely vision, praying
silently.
Forgive me, god, I haven'tappreciated the good things
about Dory because I've been sobusy complaining about her
misfortunes.
The sound of the carols sung bythe choir died away and the
curtains silently closed.
(17:26):
Miss Ellis hurried backstage andlifted Dory from her high
pedestal.
Dory, she asked softly whathappened?
How did you feel when you werethe angel?
Something wonderful happened toyou.
I saw it in your face.
Dory hesitated.
You'll laugh.
Never, never, dory, I promise.
Well, while I was saying theangel message, I began to feel
(17:50):
taller and taller and realstraight.
She paused and looked intentlyat Miss Ellis.
Go on, dear, urged Miss Ellisgently.
What else?
Well, I didn't feel my bracesanymore.
And you know what?
No, what, tell me.
Right, then I knew it was true.
God does love me, dory.
(18:13):
As long as you know that istrue, you'll never be really
unhappy again and someday, mydear, you will stand straight
and tall and beautiful among thereal angels in heaven.
The end K.
(18:39):
Consequently, artmeal Debelonged in heaven.
You, you.
Welcome to a special holiday bonus episode of Truth
Trek.
Each Sunday from now untilChristmas there will be a bonus
episode.
I will be reading someChristmas stories, as I posted
these stories last year on adifferent podcast before I had
started Truth Trek.
They were enjoyed by manypeople and so I'm going to post
some of them again this year.
Not all of them, but the onesthat were most well received
(00:39):
based on the podcast analytics.
So gather the family and enjoythis holiday story.
This story is called theTallest Angel.
(01:00):
Author unknown.
God doesn't love me.
The words echoed sharplythrough the thoughts of Miss
Ellis as she looked around thefourth grade schoolroom.
Her gaze skipped lightly overthe many bent heads and then
rested on one in particular.
God doesn't love me.
The words had struck her mindso painfully that her mouth
(01:23):
opened slightly in mute protest.
The child under Miss Ellis'troubled study lifted her head
for a moment, scanned herclassmates briefly, then bent to
her book again.
Ever since the first day ofschool, miss Ellis had been hurt
and troubled by these bitterassertions.
God doesn't love me.
The words had come from a smallnine-year-old girl that stirred
(01:46):
again restively under thecontinued scrutiny of Miss Ellis
, then bending her head to herown desk, miss Ellis prayed in
her heart for the nth time.
Help her, dear God, and help meto help her.
These show, dory, that you loveher too.
Dory sat with her geography bookopen upon her desk, but the
(02:09):
thoughts that raced through hermind were not concerned with the
capital of Ohio.
A moment before she had feltthe warm eyes of Miss Ellis upon
her, and now angry sentencesplayed tag with each other in
her bowed head.
Once again she heard the calmvoice of Miss Ellis.
God wants us to be happy in hislove.
(02:30):
Dory laughed bitterly toherself.
How could anyone be happy witha hunched back and leg breezes?
God loves everyone, miss Ellishad said, to which Dory had
angrily replied.
But he doesn't love me.
That's why he made me ugly andcrippled.
God is good.
(02:50):
God is not good to me.
He's mean to me.
That's what to let me grow socrooked?
Dory raised her head and lookedat the children around her.
Marianne had long golden curls.
Dory had straight brown hairpulled back tight and braided
into an unlovely pigtail.
Janetta had china blue eyesthat twinkled like evening stars
(03:13):
.
Dory had brown eyes that seemedsmoky.
So full of bitterness were theyEllen?
Sue had a pink rosebud mouththat readily spread into a happy
smile.
Well, ellen Sue could smile.
She had a lovely dimpled bodyand ruffled, ribboned dresses.
But why should Dory smile?
(03:34):
Her mouth was straight andtight and her body hunched and
twisted.
Anyone would laugh to seeruffles on her dresses.
No pink and blue dresses forher, only straight dark gowns
that hung like sacks over hersmall hunched frame.
They hate and anger so filledthe heart of the little girl
that she felt she must get awayfrom this room full of
(03:57):
straight-bodied children orchoke.
She signaled her desire to missEllis, who nodded permission.
There was neither pity norlaughter in the eyes that
followed Dory to the door, onlycasual indifference.
The children had long sinceaccepted Dory as she was.
No one ever jeered at herawkwardness, nor did anyone fuss
(04:18):
over her.
And pity.
The children did not mean to beunkind but knowing the limits
of Dory's mobility, they usuallyran off to their active games,
leaving her a lonely littlespectator.
Miss Ellis saw the childrensettle back to their studies.
As the door closed after Doryshe stared at the door, not
(04:38):
seeing the door at all, only thesmall hunchback girl.
What can I do to help her behappy?
She pondered.
What can anyone say or do tocomfort and encourage such a
child?
She had talked to Dory'sparents and found them to be of
little help.
They seemed inclined to feelthat Dory's crippled condition
(04:58):
was a blot upon them, one thatthey did not deserve.
Miss Ellis had urged them notto try to explain Dory's
condition but to accept it asGod's will and try to seek his
blessings through acceptance ofhis will.
They were almost scornful tothe idea that any blessing could
be found in a crippled, unhappychild, but they did agree to
(05:20):
come to church and bring Dory asoften as possible.
Please help Dory, prayed MissEllis.
Help Dory and her parents too.
Then the hall bell sounded andMiss Ellis arose to dismiss her
class.
The reds, yellows and greens ofautumn faded into the white of
winter.
The Christmas season wasunfolding in the room.
(05:41):
Tiny Christmas trees stoodshyly on the window sills.
A great green wreath coveredthe door.
Its silver bells jingledwhenever the door moved and the
delighted giggles of thechildren echoed in return.
The blue-white shadows of awinter afternoon were creeping
across the snow as Miss Elliswatched the excited children set
(06:02):
up the manger scene on the lowsand table.
Christmas thought, miss Ellis,is a time of peace and joy.
Even the children feel thespirit and try to be nicer to
one another.
Is your Christmas done yet,ellen Sue?
Without waiting for an answer,marianne chattered on Mother got
material for mine today.
It's a red, real red velvet.
(06:24):
Oh, I can hardly wait, can you?
Mine is all done, but the hem?
Ellen Sue fairly trembled withexcitement.
It's pink with rose buds madeof ribbon.
Miss Ellis smiled, rememberingthe thrill of the Christmas
dresses of her own girlhood, howcarefully they were planned and
how lovingly her mother hadmade each one.
Miss Ellis leaned back tocherish the memories a moment
(06:47):
longer.
Then a movement caught her eye.
Slowly, furtively, withstorm-filled eyes, dory was
backing away from the chatteringchildren.
Her heart stirred with sympathy.
Miss Ellis watched the unhappychild ease herself into her
chair, pull a book from her deskand bend her head over it.
She isn't studying, thought,miss Ellis.
(07:08):
She is only pretending to coverup her misery.
Dory stared at the book infront of her, fighting against
the tears that demanded release.
What if one of the girls hadasked about her Christmas dress?
Would anyone call a brown sagof a dress a Christmas dress?
Would the children laugh?
(07:29):
No, dory knew the girlswouldn't laugh.
They would just feel sorry forher and her shapeless dress.
Sometimes that was almost worsethan if they would laugh.
At least then she would have anexcuse to pour out the angry
words that crowded into herthroat.
Dory, a warm voice broke inupon her thoughts Dory, will you
(07:50):
help me with these Christmasdecorations?
You could walk along and holdthem for me while I pin them up,
please?
Dory arose thankful for thediversion and thankful to be
near Miss Ellis.
The silver tinsel was pleasantto hold and Miss Ellis always
made her feel so much better.
Slowly they proceeded around theroom, draping the tinsel
garlands.
As they went, the babble ofvoices in the corner by the sand
(08:13):
table took on a new note, aninsistent, clamoring tone that
finally burst forth in a rush ofsmall bodies in the direction
of Miss Ellis.
Please, miss Ellis, can I beMary in the Christmas program?
Miss Ellis, I'd like to beJoseph.
I should be Mary because Ican't sing in the Angel Choir.
Miss Ellis raised her hand forquiet.
(08:35):
After a moment she began.
I've already chosen the oneswho will play the parts of Mary,
joseph, the Shepherds and theAngel Choir.
Tell us the names.
Tell us the names now.
The children chorused.
Alright, agreed Miss Ellis asshe reached for a paper from her
desk.
Here they are Sue Ellen will beMary, daniel will be Joseph,
(08:56):
john, alan and Moses Will be theShepherds.
All the rest of you will bechoir angels.
Miss Ellis scanned the eager,hopeful faces around her till
she saw the upturned face ofDory.
There was no eager hope in hersmall pinched face.
Dory felt from bitterexperience that no one wanted a
(09:16):
hunchback in a program.
Miss Ellis could not bear thenumb resignation on that small
white face.
Almost without realizing whatshe was saying, she finished the
sentence All will be choirangels, except Dory.
There was a moment of hushedsurprise.
Dory will be the special angelwho talks to the Shepherds.
(09:37):
All the children gasped andturned to look at Dory.
Dory, a special angel.
They had never thought of that.
As realization penetratedDory's amazement.
A slow smile relaxed thepinched features, a little
candle flame of happiness shownin the brown eyes.
Her eyes are lovely when she'shappy.
(09:57):
Marvel, miss Ellis.
Oh, help her to be happy moreoften.
The Hallbell sounded the end ofanother school day and soon all
the children had bitten MissEllis goodbye as they hurried
from the room All but one, allbut Dory.
She stood very still, as ifclinging to a magic moment, for
(10:17):
as long as possible.
The lights had flickered out ofher eyes and her face seemed
whiter than ever before.
Miss Ellis knelt and tookDory's cold little hands in her
own.
What is it, dory?
Don't you want to be a specialangel?
After all, I do I do.
Dory's voice broke.
But I'll be a horrid,hunchbacked angel.
(10:40):
Everyone will stare at me andlaugh, because angels are
straight and beautiful.
Dory's small body shook withuncontrollable sobs.
Listen to me, dory.
Miss Ellis began slowly.
You are going to be my specialangel.
Somehow I'm going to make youlook straight and beautiful,
like real angels.
(11:00):
Will you just be happy, dory,and let me plan it all out.
Then I'll tell you all about it.
Dory lifted her head hopefully.
Do you think you can, missEllis?
Do you think you can?
I know I can.
Dory, smile now.
You're so pretty.
When you smile and say over andover God loves me, god loves me
(11:21):
, that will make you want tosmile.
Will you try it, dory?
A shadow of disbelief crossedDory's face.
Then she brightened withresolution.
I'll say it, miss Ellis, and ifyou can make me look like a
straight angel, I'll try tobelieve it.
That's the spirit, dory.
Goodbye now and have nicedreams tonight.
(11:42):
Dory went to the door, paused amoment, then turned again to
Miss Ellis.
Yes, dory, is there somethingelse?
Dory hesitated for a longmoment.
Then she said slowly do youthink I could look like a tall
angel too?
I'm smaller than anyone elsebecause my back is so bent.
Do you think I could look likea tall angel?
(12:03):
I'm sure we can make you looktall, promised Miss Ellis
recklessly.
Dory sighed with satisfactionand let the door swing shut
behind her.
The silver bells on theChristmas wreath jingled merrily
, almost mockingly.
What have I done?
Thought Miss Ellis soberly.
I have promised a littlecrooked girl that she will be a
(12:26):
tall, straight angel.
I haven't the slightest ideahow I'm going to do it.
Dear God, please help me, showme the way.
For the first time since I'veknown her, I've seen Dory happy.
Please help her.
Be happy in your love, dear God, Show me the way to help her.
(12:48):
Miss Ellis went to sleep thatnight with the prayer still in
her heart.
Morning came crisp and clear.
Lacy frills of frost hungdaintily from every branch and
bush.
Miss Ellis rubbed her eyes andlooked out of her window the
sparkling white beauty of themorning reminded her of angels,
(13:08):
angels.
She recalled her promise.
She had dreamed of angels too.
What was the dream about?
What was it?
Miss Ellis tapped her fingeragainst her lip in concentration
.
Suddenly, as if a dark door hadopened to the sunshine.
The dream, the whole angel plan, swept into her mind.
Idea after idea tumbled aboutlike dancing sunbeams.
(13:32):
She must hurry and dress.
She must get to the schoolhouseearly to talk to Joe, the
janitor.
Joe could do anything and shewas sure that Joe would help her
.
At the door of the school shescarcely paused to stomp the
snow from her boots Quickly.
She went down to the furnaceroom where Joe was stoking coal
into the hungry furnace.
Joe, she began I need your help.
(13:54):
I've got a big job ahead of me.
I'm going to make little DorySaunders into a tall, straight
angel for our Christmas pageant.
Joe thumped his shovel down,looked at her intently and
scratched his head.
You certainly did pick yourselfa job, miss Ellis.
How are you going to do allthis and where do I figure?
(14:15):
It's like this, joe, and sheoutlined her plan to him and Joe
agreed to it.
Miss Ellis went lightly up thesteps to her fourth-grade room.
She greeted the childrencheerily, smiling warmly at Dory
.
Dory returned the smile withthe candle flames of happiness
glowing again in her eyes.
For Dory the day was enchanted.
(14:35):
Round-faced angels smiled ather through the o's in her
arithmetic book.
The time passed dreamily onwhirring angel wings.
At last school was over and shewas alone with Miss Ellis
waiting to hear the marvelousplan that would make her a
straight and beautiful angel.
I've thought it all out, dory.
(14:56):
Miss Ellis pulled Dory close asshe explained the plan.
Mrs Brown and I are going tomake you a long white gown when
wings and Joe will fix you up.
So you will be the tallestangel of all.
But, dory, let's keep it asecret until the night of the
program, shall we?
Dory nodded vigorously.
She couldn't speak.
The vision was too lovely forwords, so she just nodded and
(15:19):
hugged Miss Ellis as tight asher thin arms could squeeze.
Then she limped from the room.
Dory had never felt suchhappiness.
Now she really had a place inthe scheme of events, at least
until Christmas.
She felt she really belongedwith the other children.
She was really like otherchildren.
Maybe God loved even her.
(15:41):
At last, the night of theprogram came.
Carols of praise to the newbornking rang through the school.
Now it was time for theChristmas pageant.
Soft music invited a quiet moodand the angel waited for the
curtains to open upon ashepherd's scene.
The sky was dark as theshepherd's sat huddled around
(16:01):
their fire.
Then suddenly, a bright lightburst over the scene.
The audience gasped in surprise.
High up on a pedestal, dressedin a gown of shimmering white
satin, dory raised her arms insalutation.
Fear not, her face was radiantas she spoke.
(16:22):
For behold, I bring you goodtidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people.
Her voice gathered convictionas she continued for unto you is
born this day, in the city ofDavid, a Savior which is Christ
the Lord.
The triumphant ring in hervoice carried to the choir
(16:43):
no-transcript, and the childrensang glory to God in the highest
and on earth, peace, goodwilltoward men, as they had never
sung before.
Dory's father blinked hard atthe tears that stung his eyes
and he thought in his heart whyshe's a beautiful child.
Why doesn't Martha curl herhair and put a ribbon in it?
(17:04):
Dory's mother closed her eyeson the lovely vision, praying
silently.
Forgive me, god, I haven'tappreciated the good things
about Dory because I've been sobusy complaining about her
misfortunes.
The sound of the carols sung bythe choir died away and the
curtains silently closed.
(17:26):
Miss Ellis hurried backstage andlifted Dory from her high
pedestal.
Dory, she asked softly whathappened?
How did you feel when you werethe angel?
Something wonderful happened toyou.
I saw it in your face.
Dory hesitated.
You'll laugh.
Never, never, dory, I promise.
Well, while I was saying theangel message, I began to feel
(17:50):
taller and taller and realstraight.
She paused and looked intentlyat Miss Ellis.
Go on, dear, urged Miss Ellisgently.
What else?
Well, I didn't feel my bracesanymore.
And you know what?
No, what, tell me.
Right, then I knew it was true.
God does love me, dory.
(18:13):
As long as you know that istrue, you'll never be really
unhappy again and someday, mydear, you will stand straight
and tall and beautiful among thereal angels in heaven.
The end K.
(18:39):
Consequently, artmeal Debelonged in heaven.
You, you.
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