Little Ida’s Flowers

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  “MY poor flowers are quite dead!” said little Ida. “They were so pretty yesterday, and now all the leaves hang withered. Why do they do that? . . . Why do the flowers look so faded to-day?” she asked again, and showed him a nosegay, which was quite withered.  “Do you know what’s the matter with them?” said the Student. “The flowers have been at a ball last night, and that’s why they hang their heads.”  “But flowers cannot dance!” cried little Ida. “O yes,” said the Student, “when it grows dark, and we are asleep, they jump about merrily. Almost every night they have a ball.” —Hans Christian Andersen. (1805–1875)

What everyone hears

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At a conference in Tokyo, Japan, a shinto expert from the government center of communication addressed more than 300 Christian representatives from all over the world. His closing comments were, "You Christians claim that you have a message that every man, woman and child should hear. When will you wake up and communicate it in a manner that they will hear and understand it? When and how do you expect to reach the masses of mankind?"

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