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Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. Ephesians 5:25 (1) INTRODUCTION It all started with God’s creative power - His word. From the dust of the earth Adam was made. Soon after, Eve followed. Together they walked with God in fellowship. They formed a family.  The Hebrew word for family is mishpacha. It can speak of blood relatives, members of the same clan, and even members of the same faith. At the end of the day, though, all are created by the Creator of all. He yearns for us all to be part of His family in the upcoming kingdom. THE HEBREW WORD MISHPACHA Family represents safety for most of us; for the less fortunate, it can cause stress. Family is supposed to be something everyone should have.  The Hebrew word for family in the Hebrew Bible and Modern Hebrew is mishpacha. The word speaks of immediate and distant relatives, but it can also speak of clan, tribe, and even members of the same group of believers.  GOD’S GREAT DESIGN Adam knew Eve, and she gave birth to Cain.  Family is God’s design. It has always been His blueprint for humankind. It all started when both men and women were created in God’s image. They were given dominion over the earth and told to multiply and replenish it. They were also told to lord over all creation.  Though we are equal, I would still like to say that men and women hold different strengths and powers. When joined together, we become one flesh and form a marital covenant that, per some scholars, is a blood covenant.  GOD’S GREAT FAMILY What was once lost will be restored; it already is. Through Yeshua, we have been redeemed. We can once more fellowship with God. And in the upcoming Kingdom, once Yeshua returns, we will walk together with angels and other divine beings according to God's will. The Sons of God predate men, and the faithful will, together with Humans, rule and reign. We will be part of God’s big family.  CONCLUSION Family is God's divine blueprint. It all starts in the family, they say. Family does have a profound impact even on our adulthood. The Hebrew word for family is mishpacha. It can speak of blood relatives, members of the same clan, and even members of the same faith. The faithful will be part of God's great family. Application During this week, try to do something kind for your family. SOURCES Image created via canva.com Fellowship of Israel-related ministries. Hebrew for Family: The Meaning of the Word Mishpacha. Available at https://firmisrael.org/learn/hebrew-for-family-meaning-of-word-mishpacha/

The easiest explanation, simplistic though it is, is that a novella is longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel. - Robin Storey (1) (2) INTRODUCTION We all love stories. We always have, and will. Sitting down to read a good story is a favorite pastime of man. But in this day and age, it has become less and less likely that we will find the time to do so. And that is why we thrive on information we can digest quickly. It is no different in literature. Short stories have become quite popular, and so have other genres that are on the shorter side. Today, we will take a quick look at novellas. A genre that originates from a sunny country in Europe known for pizza and pasta. NOVELLAS - IN BETWEEN We all know about novels. Every single one of us must have read at least one in our lives. Funnily enough, despite novels originating from them, novellas are not so well known themselves. “What are novellas?”, you may be wondering. Novellas are, to put it simply, a narrative prose fiction whose length is shorter than most novels, but longer than most novelettes and short stories. (3) The English word novella derives from the Italian word novella, meaning a short story related to true (or apparently so) facts. It is a feminine of novello, which means new. (3) The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association defines a novella's word count to be between 17,500 and 40,000 words. (3) A BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW Novellas began to emerge in literature in sunny Italy in the Italian literature of the early Renaissance, principally by Giovanni Boccaccio. It grew out of a rich tradition of medieval short narrative forms (3). Novellas were also written in Spain. But it was in the 18th century when the novella began to take its true form with the addition of forms and rules. Germans were the most active writers and to them a novella represented a fictional narrative of indeterminate length (a few pages to hundreds) restricted to a single, suspenseful event, situation, or conflict leading to an unexpected turning point. (3) The novella influenced the development of the short story and the novel throughout Europe and has its unique characteristics. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NOVELLAS They feature fewer conflicts than a novel, yet more complex conflicts than a short story. They may be divided into chapters, and the white space is used to divide sections. They can be read in one sitting. They often lack subplots and are most often concerned with personal and emotional development. (3) TO CONCLUDE Novellas influenced the development of novels and short stories. Their first beginnings took place in Italy and developed into a full genre in the 18th century. They are shorter than novels, yet longer than novellettes and short stories. There are fewer conflicts and subplots than in a novel, yet th conflicts are more complex than in a short story. SOURCES Robin Storey. Novellas – Why Readers And Authors Love Them. Available at https://www.storey-lines.com/2017/08/08/novellas-readers-authors-love/ Image created via canva.com. Wikipedia. Novella. Available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novella

Life resembles a novel more often than novels resemble life. - George Sand (1) INTRODUCTION Storytelling has left its significant mark in history. As humans, we are wired to want to know more and more. I think it has something to do with our connection with God, the infinite one. Either way, we desire more knowledge, which can be a double-edged sword. And the best way to share the news, knowledge, to teach valuable lessons and moral and ethical principles has always been through a story. What began as epic poems and short prosaic fiction eventually evolved into the most recognized literary form of today - the novel. Let us take a quick look at this popular choice of reading material. WHAT IS A NOVEL? We all know that among the literary forms, novels are by far the most well-known and probably popular. But what is a novel exactly? A novel is a long, extended work of narrative fiction usually written in prose and published as a book. (2, 3) It originates from the Italian word novella for "new", "news", or "short story (of something new)". (3) It consists of: Characters Plot Setting Theme Voice and Style (2) It is complex and tends to deal with human experience throughout a sequence of events taking place in a specific setting. (4) Despite its widespread use nowadays, novels emerged relatively late in the 17th century and are considered the longest narrative prose of today. FROM THE FIRST EPIC POEMS TO TIKTOK VIRALS THE BEGGINING Though late to the game, novels have taken center stage. In ancient times, other forms were the go-to. Novels as we know them today had not yet developed. Epic poems such as The Iliad, The Aeneid and prose fiction like The Golden Ass were the prototypes of the novel. (4) MIDDLE AGES TO THE FIRST APPEARANCE In the Middle Ages to Renaissance romances appeared. They were often stories about knights and quests. In Asia, The Tale of Genji was written, which some consider to be the first true novel. (2, 4) The rest agree that the novel as we know it today began to emerge in the 17th-18th century period with the appearance of classics such as Don Quixote and Robinson Crusoe. (2, 4) THE GOLDEN AGE In the 19th century, considered the Golden Age of the novel, it reached its full bloom. Some of the more notable authors from this period are Jane Austen, Leo Tolstoy, Mary Shelley, Victor Hugo, and so forth. (2, 4) MODERN TIMES The 20th century brought new voices, experimental styles, and global perspectives, and the birth of genre fiction. Novels can be of any genre, which contributes to their vast appeal and widespreadness. HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL START WITH AN IDEA Any literary form starts with an idea, a spark. Novels tend to begin with a simple question: What if? (2) What if an apocalypse happened and two young teenagers were found to be the only ones alive in their vicinity? DEVELOP YOUR CHARACTERS Who are your heroes? Who are the antagonists? What are their motives that fuel them forward? What do they want to achieve? What are they afraid of? What will challenge them or change them? (2) STRUCTURE THE STORY Take the time to structure your story properly by creating an outline. Take the following steps: Beginning: Introduce characters and conflict. Middle: Escalate the tension and challenges. Climax: The most intense moment—something changes. End: Resolve the conflict or leave a powerful impact. (2) WRITE YOUR FIRST DRAFT Put your pen to paper and simply write out your story following the outline. Let your imagination and creativity run. Do not stop to edit, keep the momentum going. REVISE Take a step back from your draft, then revise. Strengthen your character arcs and cut away all that is unnecessary. Add depth to scenes and emotions, and tighten your prose. (2) EDITING AND FEEDBACK Get feedback by finding beta readers, writing groups, or hiring an editor. Any critique received should be taken into consideration. (2) WHY NOVELS MATTER? Novels do more than entertain. They: Reflect and challenge societal norms Explore human psychology and morality Preserve cultural history and voice Inspire empathy through diverse perspectives. (2) IN CONCLUSION Despite their late appearance, novels have taken the center stage in literature. They are long, extended works of narrative fiction usually written in prose and published as books. In their modern form, they began to emerge in the 17th century and are nowadays considered the longest narrative literary form. All the while the goal has remained the same: tell a story to entertain, challenge societal norms, inspire empathy, educate, and explore morality. SOURCES Image created via canva.com Open AI: ChatGPT Wikipedia. Novel. Available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novel Brittanica. Novel Available at https://www.britannica.com/art/novel

(1) Image After was created via canva.com .

Because of religious reasons, I will postpone this week's post to Wednesday, 4.6.2025. Thank you for your understanding. Until next time.

(1) Words are the go-to for communication. But we can convey a message through other means too: mannerism, actions, avoidance, …  Silence in itself can tell us more than a thousand words. A multitude of words is not always necessary. Poetry is a great example of this, and so are short stories, and the topic of our post today - flash fiction stories.  WHAT IS FLASH FICTION? Flash fiction is a brief fictional narrative, typically under 1000 words long. It still offers character and plot development and is a well-rounded story, no matter how short it may be. (2)   Based on the number of words, there are multiple varieties out there:  The six-word story twitterature, also known as the 280-character story, The dribble, also known under the name minisaga (50 words) The drabble, also known as microfiction (100 words) sudden fiction (up to 750 words); flash fiction (up to 1000 words) microstory. (3) THE HISTORY OF FLASH FICTION Flash fiction dates back to prehistory, when it first emerged in the form of parables and fables. (3) In the United States, it made its first appearance in the 19th century. It was known under the name short short story from 1920 onwards until 1992, when it was finally given the name flash fiction. (3) ELEMENTS OF A FLASH FICTION STORY Despite its short size, flash fiction is a well-rounded, complete story. It contains all the necessary elements:  characters plot (beginning, middle, and end) conflict (a problem the character faces) setting (often minimal) theme (a central message or theme) strong hook or title economy of words (there is no room for fluff) (2) WHY CHOOSE FLASH FICTION As a reader, it is no brainer why one would pick flash fiction. It is short, yet compelling enough. It is perfect for this fast-paced society, where sitting down for a cup of coffee may seem an impossible task to do. Flash fiction can be that moment of respite during a long and grueling day, where you divert your mind to something else than your work and tasks. It is said that we operate better when we take short breaks, as children do in school. (2) From the perspective of the writers, it is quite a prestigious challenge. To write a compelling flash fiction is no feat to scoff at. It is challenging and can be quite rewarding. It is a test of skill since every word matters. But from restraint, many times come the best and most creative solutions, or in this case, stories. It teaches discipline, sharpens prose, and forces writers to focus on character, voice, and theme with laser precision, and can help with writer’s block. (2) SOME TIPS FOR WRITING COMPELLING  FLASH FICTION To write a compelling flash fiction, keep the following tips in mind: Go straight to the middle of the story. There’s no time for backstory. After the initial setting and conflict is set, drop the reader straight into the moment of change or tension. Focus on one idea. Choose one emotion, one event, or one realization. Imply more than you say – Use what’s not written to deepen the impact. Cut away ruthlessly. Cut away all unnecessary words for full impact.  End with resonance – A good flash story leaves the reader thinking. End with a line that lands like an echo. (2) CONCLUSION Flash fiction is a brief fictional narrative, typically under 1000 words long. It is a complete story that still includes characters and plot development. It also consists of a theme, conflict, and setting. Flash fiction is quite a feat to write. It is a true test of skill, what with the word count being limited. It teaches discipline, sharpens prose, and forces writers to focus on character, voice, and theme with laser precision, and can help with writer’s block. SOURCES Image created via canva.com Open AI Wikipedia. Flash Fiction. Available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_fiction

(1) Life is full of adventure, events, and occurrences, whether positive or negative. Each and every single one of us has stories we could tell. We love to share a tale or two. Perhaps even more so, we love to hear them from others, too. Mankind in general has been known to love stories. Back in the day, I suppose it was one of the only ways to entertain oneself. Nowadays, we have all sorts of gadgets to distract ourselves with. Still, even in this day and age, many find themselves picking up a book or gravitating towards a story to fill out their day and curiosity. Short stories are all around us. From printed stories, ones we find on television, hear on the radio, or in general read on the internet. Even more so, we hear them every day, when someone gives an account of what might have transpired two days ago in their lives or the life of another. And that is how short stories originally began. ORAL STORYTELLING When pen and paper were not yet around, nor had a writing system been invented yet, people transferred information between themselves orally. Oral storytelling is considered the birthplace of the narrative. These early narratives weren’t just entertainment—they passed down history, values, and cultural identity. (2) Through oral storytelling, myths and epics such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, E pic of Gilgamesh, Homer's Iliad, and Odyssey were born. For easier recall, rendition, and adaptation, these stories were often told in the form of rhyming or rhythmic verse. (3) During the era of the Roman Empire, anecdotes also happened to be quite popular. These stories had to be short by necessity, to remain memorable, repeatable, and portable. They held moral lessons and included much symbolism and allegory. WRITTEN BEGGININGS: MYTH, PARABLE, AND FABLE With the invention of writing, stories could finally be recorded. Myths, parables, and fables were born. Ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt preserved tales that had once only lived in voice. In Egypt, they were composed on papyrus. One of the earliest surviving Egyptian tales is “The Shipwrecked Sailor” (c. 2000 BCE). (2, 4) “The War of the Gods,” “The Story of Adapa” (both Babylonian), “The Heavenly Bow,” and “The King Who Forgot” (both Canaanite) were inscribed in cuneiform on clay during the 2nd millennium BCE. (4) In India, there is a rich heritage of ancient folktales as well as a compiled body of short fiction. It all initially began with Brahmanas (c. 900–700 BCE), which function mostly as theological appendixes to the Vedas , but a few are composed as short instructional parables. Later on came the Jataka tales - Buddhist ethical teachings - and the Panchatantra - amusing and moralistic animal tales. In the latter, the narrative form frame story made its first appearance. (3, 4) During the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th centuries BCE, the sophisticated narratives that are now a part of the Hebrew Bible and the Apocrypha were first written down. The Greeks added much to the collection of short stories and tales, especially moralizing animal fables such as Aesop ’s fables . They added many stories of the adventures of their gods. Short stories also gave way to longer prose, and they are credited with originating the romance , a long form of prose fiction with stylized plots of love, catastrophe , and reunion. (4) Romans were also known for their stories, yet they added little to the collection of short stories. For the most part, their writers collected such into longer pieces like Metamorphoses. (4) MIDDLE AGES, RENAISSANCE, AND AFTER In the Middle Ages in Europe, the short tale became an important means of diversion and amusement from the grim-spirited short prose of the Germanic barbarians to the violent tales, myths, and sagas of the Scandinavians. In contrast were the tales and short stories of the Celts, full of romantic imagination and high spirits, such as the Irish mythological tales as Longes mac n-Uislenn . (4) Also widely respected was the exemplum , a short didactic tale usually intended to dramatize or otherwise inspire model behaviour. In Europe, the short narrative received its most refined treatment by Giovanni Boccaccio in Decameron  and Geoffrey Chaucer in Canterbury Tales . (3) Later on, beast fables , the coarse and “merry” jestbooks, and the ribald fabliaux entered the scene. (4) 19TH CENTURY - THE REEMERGENCE AS A LITERARY SHORT STORY In the 17th and 18th centuries, there was a temporary decline of short fiction in the West. The causes behind the decline were various, among them also the rise of the novel. But not long after, in the 1800's the modern form of the short story emerged almost simultaneously in Germany , the United States , France , and Russia . It was all thanks to the rise of mass printing and literary journals. (2, 4) Authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Guy de Maupassant helped formalize the genre, emphasizing structure, unity, and emotional intensity. It was argued that a short story should be “read in one sitting” and should aim for a singular emotional effect. (2) 20TH CENTURY - THE BOOM In the first half of the 20th century, the appeal of the short story continued to grow and reached its boom, especially in the mid-century American literary scene. Writers like Ernest Hemingway, Flannery O’Connor, Ray Bradbury, and Alice Munro expanded the form’s potential. Genre stories emerged, as well as realism and minimalism. 21ST CENTURY - DIGITAL FLASH AND MICROFICTION With the rise of technology, stories have become easily accessible. It also gave way for two new literary forms to emerge: flash fiction (under 1000 words) and microfiction (under 100 words). The rise of AI has also made way for AI-generated stories. Not only are stories far more accessible, but being a writer is also. CONCLUSION Short stories are all around us, and have been since the beginning. Oral storytelling is where it all began, and with the invention of the writing system, it slowly formed into different literary forms: epics, parables, myths, fables, novels, flash fiction, and microfiction. Nowadays, stories in general are everywhere and easily accessible for readers. Even more so is the opportunity to become a writer, what with AI-emerging and all. SOURCES Image created via canva.com . ChatGPT Wikipedia: Short story. Available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_story Britannica: Short story. Available at https://www.britannica.com/art/short-story/Russian-writers

(1) INTRODUCTION Many a great writer began their writing journey with short stories, which is advised to all new writers. But what exactly is  a short story? How short is “short”? And how is it different from a novel or a piece of flash fiction? Today, we will explore the term short story and its core elements.  WHAT IS A SHORT STORY? In simpler terms, a short story  is a work of fiction that can typically be read in one sitting. To be more precise, though, a short story is a brief fictional prose narrative. (2, 3) It focuses on a single plot, usually contains few characters, and often one main conflict or moment of change, conveyed in only one or a few significant episodes or scenes. (2, 3) Most short stories fall between 1,000 and 7,500 words , although this can vary. Stories under 1,000 words are often classified as flash fiction , while longer works above 7,500 words might be considered novelettes . KEY ELEMENTS TO A SHORT STORY While short stories are brief, they still contain all the essential components of storytelling: Character  – Usually one or two main characters. There's not much space for a full backstory, so the characters are usually not fully developed. What you include must matter. Setting  – Time and place are still important, even if described in just a few lines. A strong setting can deepen the mood and tone. Conflict  – The core of any story. This might be a personal struggle, a decision, a confrontation, or even an internal realization. Plot  – A short story typically follows a simple structure: beginning (setup), middle (conflict), and end (resolution or twist). Theme  – A central idea or message. The best short stories leave readers thinking long after they’re done. (2, 3) WHY READ OR WRITE SHORT STORIES Great for practice:  They allow you to test ideas, styles, and characters quickly. Easier to finish:  You can complete a draft in a day or a weekend. Build your portfolio:  Many magazines and websites accept short story submissions from new writers. Instant feedback:  Because they’re short, you can share them with others and get responses faster. (3) FAMOUS EXAMPLES OF SHORT STORIES If you're curious what short stories feel  like, here are a few classic examples worth reading: “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor “Cat Person” by Kristen Roupenian (a modern viral hit) Each of these stories is under 5,000 words but packs a powerful emotional or thematic punch. (3) IN CONCLUSION Though short and including few characters and settings, short stories are an art form in their own right. As with other writing forms, short stories contain well-defined core elements, including characters, settings, theme, plot, and conflict. They are a great way to practice writing, can be written quickly and allow for instant feedback. All in all, they are one of the best ways to grow as a writer. So why not start your own today? SOURCES Image created via canva.com . Arlen J. Hansen. Short story. Britannica; Apr 14, 2025. Available at https://www.britannica.com/art/short-story/The-20th-century OpenAI https://openai.com/

(1) A multitude of tiny dots, one across another, formed a beautiful flower petal. Six of such were closely arranged around the flower center with the stem. Fascinated was Victor, as he was staring at the painting in awe. Though not that big a fan of art, this painting struck him. The technique was one to behold.  Those new modern styles never appealed to him. This was much more to his liking. The whole painting was made of tiny paintbrush dots. And that spoke of talent, at least to Victor it did.  There were a lot of paintings that Victor got to see during this field trip. From all the landscape paintings, still fruit paintings, and portraits, this one managed to catch his attention. It invoked something from the depths of his heart - a desire. Victor had never before felt it, but today it arose in him in the most innocent shape, in the form of wonder. Victor was filled with wonder. ‘Could I do that?’ he pondered. Immediately, his mind was filled with the image of himself painting, his paintings being admired by all.  As quickly as those images appeared, they shifted because of the doubt that began to creep in. The wonder began to dissipate until a thought passed through Victor’s mind. ‘Why couldn’t I?’ It was enough to ignite a certain determination in Victor. ‘Yes! Why couldn’t I?’ He reassured himself. ‘I can do all through him who strengthens me.’ Soon after, another verse flooded his mind: ‘Is anything too hard for the LORD?’.  Full of zeal and enthusiasm, Victor rejoined his classmates as they headed back home, with a new dream blooming on the inside of him. Image was created via canva.com .

(1) It was a quiet and chilly evening in February. A seasoned ear, though, could detect a multitude of huffs and puffs from all the shortened breaths. These shortened breaths belonged to about 15 young boys, aged 9-13.  All of them were wearing their grey pants and orange shirts. While bent over, crouching or sitting on the floor, many of them were holding their capes in their hands and trying to wipe the sweat from their brows. Amidst them was our hero Victor, crouching and staring at the floor. He was huffing and puffing the loudest of them all. Despite having a bit of trouble catching his breath, his mind was still very active. Right about now, it was contemplating why he joined the team. This was his first year, and only a couple of practices in.  of hopefully many to come.  Tonight, or rather today, was one of the most intense training days any of them has ever endured. With the baseball season right around the corner, the last grueling training sessions were being done. Today marked the beginning of their 7-day spring camp. A camp, Victor was going to remember forever.  A Japanese coach was taking over the team. He flew in to coach the high school team, but was asked if he could take over the Little League team too. The players knew nothing of this. It was all revealed to them today, as the sad news of their current coach Steve Spilt retiring per the doctor's orders reached them. Poor Mr. Spilt sadly had a minor heart attack. With his already high blood pressure, this heart attack was enough of a scare to get him of the field.   They did not manage to meet the coach stretched as he was, but today they experienced his welcoming training regime. If today was an indication, then Mr. Teishin, as was his name, was one of the stricter coaches. He had already retired for the day, and soon his tired players were going to as well.  Slowly, the players managed to stand up straight and began the walk towards the locker room. A warm shower awaited them. In complete silence, they all wondered about their new coach. What was he like? They wondered what else this baseball season was going to serve them with. Many were having second thoughts. Victor caught himself having similar thoughts until he was reminded of a bible verse: “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) Some boys started to voice their concerns until they all entered the dormitory dining area. A feast was awaiting them. A welcoming gesture from their “perhaps” not such a bad coach after all.  With satisfied bellies, the aching muscles were quickly forgotten. This season just might have some good things up its sleeve. Until next time! SOURCES Image created via canva.com .

(1) At the crossroads we may find ourselves, pondering if left or right we should turn, from each road we will something learn, consequences the decision carry will, either good or bad life will deal.  Victor, too, was standing before two doors; Which one was he to choose? One would strengthen his family ties, keep him in the Word and away from lies. The other was all about his wishes coming true, not that God would not want him to be happy too. But what path should he take? A lot may be at stake. This opportunity might not come around again, but he did not wish to miss hanging out with his cousins in their den. Would his family resent him? Would they be angry? Or would they delighted for him be? As he wondered extensively, dawn was approaching steadily.  As the last sunrays descended behind the hills, Victor’s friend came to share news, to spill the beans. Sadly, that opportunity canceled was. The situation resolved was thus. The game will be postponed to another day. If not sooner, then it will be done in May. Angry Victor was for a bit, until he realized the time, his cousins he was to meet. When reading the Word, it came to him, This might have been God; at least according to him, it would seem. Was this a sign, protection from God above? Was this His merciful love? Instead of having to choose between the options two; He was granted the opportunity to see them both through. In his bed at night, another thought came in the fading of the candlelight. Choosing the correct door, the answer would have been, As his eyes were closing, Victor was glad for the answer he had seen. SOURCES Image created via canva.com .

(1) The smell of roasted chicken, rosemary, and cooked brisket permeated the air. The accompanying mouth-watering sight of sautéed asparagus, melting potatoes, carrot soup, flourless chocolate cake, candied sweet potatoes, and ratatouille ignited the appetites of every person sitting at the table. And sitting second closest to the door was none other than Victor. Despite the feast lying right in front of them, no one was eating. Instead, every ear was glued to the man of the house telling an all-familiar story. This long-winged retelling of the story was an answer to Victor's usual every-year question, "Why do you people do all this?" Yes, Victor was given the role of the (temporarily) wicked child. It has become his regular role. He has become quite good at it if he might say. He did tend to wonder why all this had to last so long! His impatience was growing alongside his hunger! 'Surely this could be done quicker.', thought Victor. Almost as though the host heard him, a soft smile appeared on his lips. The words uttered seemed as though they were directed as much at Victor as they were directed at the question of the 'simple child'. "What is all this? All this is in commemoration of all our God did when He took us out of Egypt where we were slaves. Great was the affliction and suffering of our people, yet God showed up with His mighty hand. In return for all His faithfulness, all He commanded us to do is observe this day each year. To feast before our Abba and remember Him." With a sheepish look, Victor looked down at the Passover table and decided he could wait just a tad bit longer. Image created via canva.com .