Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. One day the little child asked God: "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?" God answered him "Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you." "But tell me," asked the child, "here in Heaven, I don't do anything else but sing and smile, that's enough for me to be happy." "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel's love and be happy." God reassured him. "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?" "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak." "And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you, Lord?" "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray." "I've heard that on earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?" "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life." "But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." "Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you." At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child in a hurry asked softly "Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name." "You will call your angel Grand Ma"

Author Unknown

It was a warm summer day when the gods placed it in her hands. She trembled with emotion as she saw how fragile it appeared. This was a very special gift the gods were entrusting to her. A gift that would one day belong to the world. Until then, they instructed her, she was to be its guardian and protector. The woman said she understood and reverently took it home, determined to live up to the faith the gods had placed in her.

At first she barely let it out of her sight, protecting it from anything she perceived to be harmful to its well- being; watching with fear in her heart when it was exposed to the environment outside of the sheltered cocoon she had formed around it. But the woman began to realize that she could not shelter it forever. It needed to learn to survive the harsh elements in order to grow strong. So with gentle care she gave it more space to grow...enough to allow it to grow wild and untamed.

One day she became aware of how much the gift had changed. It no longer had a look of vulnerability about it. Now it seemed to glow with strength and steadiness, almost as if it were developing a power within. Month after month she watched as it became stronger and more powerful, and the woman remembered her promise. She knew deep within her heart that her time with the gift was nearing an end.

The inevitable day arrived when the gods came to take the gift and present it to the world. The woman felt a deep sadness, for she would miss its constant presence in her life. With heartfelt gratitude she thanked the gods for allowing her the privilege of watching over the precious gift for so many years. Straightening her shoulders, she stood proud, knowing that it was, indeed, a very special gift. One that would add to the beauty and essence of the world around it.

And the mother let her child go.