Beanie Books

The Touchstone When the great library of Alexandria burned, the story goes, one book was saved. But it was not a valuable book; and so a poor man, who could read a little, bought it for a few coppers. The book wasn’t very interesting, but between its pages there was something very interesting indeed. It was a thin strip of vellum on which was written the secret of the “ Touchstone ”! The touchstone was a small pebble that could turn any common metal into pure gold. The writing explained that it was lying among thousands and thousands of other pebbles that looked exactly like it. But the secret was this: The real stone would feel warm, while ordinary pebbles are cold. So the man sold his few belongings, bought some simple supplies, camped on the seashore, and began testing pebbles.He knew that if he picked up ordinary pebbles and threw them down again because they were cold, he might pick up the same pebble hundreds of times. So, when he felt one that was cold, he threw it ...

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him. Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me?" "Oh sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said. "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him. "I l...

An Angel Comes Down to Earth An eye witness account from New York City, on a cold winter day, some years ago. A little boy, about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering With cold.  A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!' 'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes, ‘was the boy's reply. The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy.  She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel. By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks ... Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes. She tied up the remaining pairs ...

Click here to read 10 great quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions Author Unknown      W hen I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on. W hen I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back. W hen I hear music I love, I know I can’t carry a tune and don’t have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don’t know them, they make up their own. W hen I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing. W hen I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my to...

Click here to read The story behind the carol, "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day"

What Does The Christmas Angel Look Like? ·  Angels come in all shapes and sizes; all ages and skin types. ·  For example, the little old lady who returned your purse last week. ·  They come disguised as enemies, teachers, students, even fools. ·  Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes light up the world, when you smile. ·  They don't take life too seriously, they travel light. ·  Remember the small child who showed you the wonder in simple things. ·  An angel leaves no forwarding address, they ask nothing in return. ·  Like the poor man who offered to share his lunch with you. ·  Like the rich man who showed you that it really is all possible, if only you believe. ·  Remember the stranger who just happened to come along, when you had lost your way. ·  Think back to the friend who touched your heart, when you didn't think you had one. ·  Some cherubs have freckles, some have dimples, think of...