The Rainbow Bridge Church
The Rainbow Bridge Church: Ancestors of the Ark, book one
Chapter one:
Welcome to the Village of Chapel Hill
In a quiet little village far away from here, lives a Minister and his wife and the animal's they hold dear.
For this is a special village, full of magic, miracles,and love. Well, come with me and see! We'll begin with the view from above…
We notice several quaint cottages surrounded by woodlands, and at the center, on top a green hill, the village chapel stands.
The morning dawns with Springs’ fair light, and skies a crimson hue. It's Sunday morning and the village wakes, so much today to do!
We see the Minister's house, just below Chapel Hill, and as the back door opens, Out runs a big dog, full of zeal!
Meet The minister's friend. A bloodhound black as night. Imagine a kind, old, wrinkled face, and you would have it right.
Old Samuel is the name… the minister's wife gave him... But all the village animals call him Preacher, and loyal friend.
He bounds away to the cottage next door. Then we hear him bark!
But if you listen with magic ears, understanding just might start!
Yes! I think you've got the knack! Did you hear what Preacher said?
“Miss Debbie, my sweet cat neighbor, get up and out of bed!”
Miss Debbie, a young Siamese, named “Little Debbie” after a snack, came gracefully out the front window, to meet Preacher in the back.
Together they went to each cottage, gathering all their animal friends.
It's time for The Rainbow Bridge Church…Sunday services to begin!
Chapter two: Meet the neighbors
Through the woods that surround the village that we just saw, runs a swift, and crooked creek, where one could wash a dirty paw.
Follow the trail just past the creek and over to the left, to the big ol’ Oak tree stump…that's where the pet parishioners met.
On that stump sits Old Samuel, Preacher, straight and strong. Here we see the woodland creatures and pets who've come along!
Let's listen in with our magic ears, attuned to every voice…needed if you wish to read on but to do so is your choice.
“Welcome one and welcome all, please now take your seats!.” We hear Preacher Samuel say, with a voice so big and deep.
The birds are perched on branches in trees high and low. Squirrels stop their busy scampering and poke faces out tree holes.
Mister Fox is there with his family, sitting on the first pue log, right beside Mr.and Mrs. Wang…who are the only two bullfrogs.
Sassy, the little yappy pup, is the hardest to settle down. But she does when, from his fish bowl, Tim looks at her and frowns.
The Opossums are the last ones there, all walking in a row. Dad, Mom, and 5 little ones behind, plus the baby, all in tow.
When at last silence rang like the bells from Chapel Hill…Miss Debbie led the bird choir as they sang in whistles and trills.
“ Well now! That was a beautiful song!” Preacher exclaimed, as they flew back down. “I wager your song of Praise to God was heard clearly across town!”
Chapter Three: The Storm
Suddenly a terrible 'KA-BOOM'! sounded, and thunder shook the ground! The critter congregation began to shout
and jump around!
Preacher thought a storm might come, when he saw red skies this morning. He'd always heard it said that it is nature's early storm warning.
Lightning streaked across the heavens. So bright it rivaled the sun! Then the Rainbow Bridge Church members all began to run!
Little Debbie climbed Preachers back, as if he were a tree! The Opossums little baby cried and the scared little pup went pee!
Some of the animals who lived in the woods knew the safest places to hide. Like the Fox family, running home, giving their kids piggyback rides.
The birds and squirrels went to the trees where they had built their nests. Those close by asked the ones from afar to come in and be their guests.
Still some of the woodland creatures decided to follow the village pets. Their homes in the woods might not be safe or maybe a little too wet.
The animals scrambled out of the woods. They ran to Preacher's home. His doggie door was always open( and shaped just like a bone!)
Preacher said,“Y'all can gather in the parlor till this storm blows by.” (It smelled just as you'd imagine with all those wet animals inside!)
The Storm outside continued to rage as inside they added a log…to the cheerful fire…it was raining cats and dogs!
Little Debbie did a quick head count to ensure they all were safe. That's when they discovered the pup was not in place!
Debbie told Preacher,and Preacher yelled,”quiet down! It seems our little friend, the pup, is nowhere to be found!”
“Oh no!” Croaked Mrs.Wang the bullfrog, “that pup was so afraid! We have to go get her! Is anyone here that brave?”
Tim, the goldfish, raised a fin to volunteer to go. But Mrs.Wang shook her head back and forth, ”Thank you, Tim, but…no.”
“Then I will go!” yelled Little Debbie, but she too was turned down. Preacher put a gentle paw on her and said ,”but Debbie dear, you'd drown!”
“Let us say a prayer…and ask the Lord to protect the pup and whoever goes. Then Preacher had a revelation, “oh wait! I have a bloodhound's nose!”
“Even in the pouring rain a bloodhound like me has been taught…to follow the scent of man or beast till they're as good as got!”
Chapter Four: The Rescue
Out he dashed, into wind and rain, his big ears flying behind! He caught the scent of the little pup, she'd not be hard to find.
Back at the Rainbow Bridge Oak stump, shivered a tiny, brown, wet ball… curled up beneath an old tree limb… as it began to fall!
Then just in the nick of time, Preacher Samuel the dog…snatched up the pup by the nape of her neck, just missing the falling log!
“You're ok little one” Preacher crooned to the weeping pup. I'm sorry you were left behind.” he panted and picked her up.
“Yaaay!”the animals cheered when the bloodhound and pup came back. They all made over the little puppy until the rain began to slack.
Now back to the clearing in the woods where the Rainbow Bridge Church met, sat all the congregation, relieved, if still a little wet.
Chapter Five: Noah and the First Rainbow
“Why look up there!” Cried the rescued pup, “at the colors across the sky!”
“Well now, it's a rainbow my friends!” and Preacher began to cry.
“What a way to end the day, with a remembered promise from our Lord. You see our parents, parents, grandparents, saw the first rainbow ever made before!”
“Many, many years ago lived a good man named Noah”, he taught. “God told Noah to build a really big boat, cause it would rain A LOT!”
“God said to bring the animal's on the ark by 7's and by 2's. For God loved his animals very much, just as he loves me and you!”
“It rained for forty days and nights till they were the only ones left. They waited till God said to get out, for they knew that God knew best.”
“ When the rain had ended, on top of a mountain the big boat stopped. A dove, (related to you Percy?),was sent for dry land to spot.”
“ She brought an olive leaf to Noah, for to dry land she'd been. God made the rainbow to promise to never flood the whole earth again.”
“On that day so long ago, the first Rainbow Bridge Church Was formed. By our animal ancestors, whom God saved from the flood and storm.”
“ Today we've all been reminded how precious each one of us is. To each of us and to God, each one is one of His!”
And now we must depart the Village until next time they meet. I hope all who hear this tale will remember that old dog, Preacher's speech.
God does love animals. He's the creator, that is what he does! And he made you and me too! Each one He dearly loves.
The End
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