Johnny walked into the kitchen where his mother was making dinner.
His birthday was approaching and he thought it was a good time to tell his mother what he wanted.
“Mom, I want a bike for my birthday.”
He was a bit of a troublemaker.
He had been in trouble at school and at home.
Johnny’s mother asked him if he thought he deserved to get a bike for his birthday.
Johnny, of course, even though he did.
Johnny’s mother wanted Johnny to think about his behavior over the last year. “Go to your room, Johnny, and think about how you have behaved this year.” Then write a letter to God and tell him why you deserve a bike for your birthday.”
He climbed the steps to his bedroom and sat down to write a letter to God.
Letter 1
Dear God, I have been a very good boy this year and I would like a bike for my birthday. I want a red one.
Your friend, Johnny
Johnny knew that this wasn’t true.
He hadn’t been a very good boy this year, so he tore up the letter and started over.
Letter 2
Dear God,
This is your friend Johnny. I have been a good boy this year and I would like a red bike for my birthday. Thank you very much.
Your friend, Johnny
He knew that this wasn’t true either. So, he tore up the letter and started again.
Letter 3
Dear God,
I have been an OK boy this year. I still would really like a bike for my birthday.
Johnny
He knew he couldn’t send this letter to God either. So, he wrote a fourth letter.
Letter 4
God, I know I haven’t been a good boy this year. I am really sorry. I’ll be a good boy if you just send me a bike for my birthday. Please!
Thank you, Johnny
He knew that, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get him a bike.
Now, Johnny was very upset. He went downstairs and told his mom that he wanted to go to church.
Johnny’s mother thought her plan had worked because Johnny looked very sad. “Just be home in time for dinner”, Johnny’s mother told him.
He walked down the street to the church on the corner.
Johnny went to church and up to the altar. He looked around to see if anyone was there.
He bent down and picked up a statue of Mary.
He slipped the statue under his shirt and ran out of the church, down the street, into the house, and up to his room.
He closed his bedroom door and sat down with a piece of paper and a pen. Johnny began to write his letter to God.
Letter 5
GOD, I’VE K-I.DNAPPED YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND ME THE BIKE!!!
