«Высшая мера» и другие рассказы на английском языке

Did you happen to be in a similar situation?

What did you learn from the story?

What would you do if you were in the mayor’s place?

The Sign*

(1424 words)

Mom, are you going to church on Sunday?’

Yes, Mark, I am. You know I go to church every Sunday. Why?’

May I come with you?’

Of course, you may. I’ll be happy to take you along. You are a big boy already. You’ll be eight in November.’

‘Mom?’

‘Yes, honey.’

‘Why do you go to church?’

‘Well… perhaps you know why… To thank Him for what He does for me, for you, for other people… To ask Him for guidance, for advice.

‘Do you talk with Him?’

‘In a way, yes, I do.’

‘Does He answer you?’

‘Yes, He does… in a way.’

‘How do you mean? Does He come to you and talk?’

‘Well, honey, it’s not the way you think it is. Of course, He doesn’t come to me in person and talk. Well… you see, there’s some kind of connection between Him and me, and you, and other people… But it’s not material or physical… I’d rather call it a spiritual connection… Okay, Mark.

‘How’s that? What sign?

‘Well, the signs may be different. I may meet someone and that someone may tell me something or show me something and then I know that’s the answer to my prayer. Or it may be a dream. I may see my Granny. She talks to me like she used to when I was a little girl. She warns me about things.

‘Will He send me a sign too, if I go to church and talk to Him?’

‘Why not? He hears every prayer and knows every hidden wish and He knows why things happen. He knows the reason of anything that happens to people.’

‘How’s that?’

‘Well, honey, sometimes people feel sad or upset and don’t know why. Very often they go to church, talk to Him and He sends them an insight or a dream, or some other sign that explains the reason for their sadness.

‘I see.’

Mark talked with his mother on Tuesday. All through that week he thought of nothing but his talk with God. He knew what he would ask Him for. He had long wanted to have a brother. Sometimes he felt sad and lonely though he had quite a few friends at school. A brother was different. Many times Mark tried to imagine how he would feel if he had a brother. But he never succeeded. And he knew why.