Wall of Books Based on the story of Jonah By: Katrina Miranda F-9E

Wall of Books

Based on the story of Jonah

By: Katrina Miranda F-9E

There was once a little girl, let's name her Vera, as happy as can be. She had four best friends who she trusted, boundlessly. Young they were, the girl's morals were set then. Trust and love, to her, would triumph in the end. But those ideals cracked as time passed by. The group she thought would stay,

All went their separate ways. Little Vera, once so bright and friendly, grew cold and distant. She created walls. Of books. They became her refuge, her shield. While everyone else went on with their lives, she stayed in her area. Her safe little haven of books where no one would hurt her. Where her thoughts, dreams, and imagination would run wild like stallions racing the winds. It stayed that way for four years.

She was nine when something changed. It was grade 3. Her walls were stronger now, than when her friends separated. Her aura of silence masking the shyness and fear that remained in her. The loneliness. The wish for a friend. All hidden deeply inside her. Behind the books she constantly read.

One day she needed a partner for an activity. As normal, she stayed in her seat, hoping someone would approach her. But no one did. She looked around, hoping she would find another person without a pair. She found none. She sighed softly, and slowly got up to tell the teacher she had none. The teacher, a strict, but fair, woman called for another girl, Alice.

It started awkward at first. Both quiet in class, they found it hard to speak out at times. Alice was chubby, just like Vera, but didn't read as much as her.

They finished ahead if everyone else. With some time to kill, they tried to have a conversation, which was pretty tricky until Alice asked Vera a certain question.

"What are you always reading?" Alice always wondered what had this girl so occupied during class. She was rarely seen without any reading material.

Vera replied, though now a bit more comfortable, “Different stuff. Today though I brought some comic books. Do you want to borrow one?"

With a smile, Alice said "Yes."

Unknowingly, Vera's wall had been breached, but even if she did know, she wouldn't have minded. For with that crack in her wall, a beautiful friendship began with it.

Reflection

Jesus is always there for us. Despite our constant ignorance of him, he is always there. What we need to do, is to open ourselves to that fact. He wouldn’t push us to believe; rather he lets us make the decision to turn to him ourselves. In life, many close themselves up. Too possibilities, too chances, too experiences. They don’t try to experience them. But one day they will face them, by choice or not, they will have to open up.