The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him
into the box.
"There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil,
"Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and
never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.
" -- You will be able to do many great things,
but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.
" -- You will experience a painful sharpening from time
to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.
" -- You will be able to correct any mistakes you
might make.
"-- The most important part of you will always be
what's inside.
"-- On every surface you are used on, you must
leave your mark. No matter what the condition you must continue
to
write."
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into
the box with purpose in his heart.
But now the pencil lay on the dark wood table, feeling
insignificant and rather sad. Beside him on the desk was a
colorful tin can, filled with every kind of beautiful pen to be
had. There were silver fountain pens and a neon felt tip marker.
There was also a classy ballpoint whom everyone called Parker.
"What a loser," they said of the pencil, as they observed his
wooden frame.
"Don't bother with him, he's a nobody," said Parker, "He
doesn't even have a name."
Now the world was at war and their owner was a Soldier who was
tasked to bring peace to the land.
"What we need is a map," the Soldier had said, at the desk
across from his Officer the other night. "If someone can fly me
over the city unseen, I can draw a map from the sky. The map will
tell you where to go and how to win, and soon we'll put an end to
this fight."
The Officer had agreed and now the Soldier would fly, but first
he discussed with his wife. "I'll need something to draw with,
something dependable . . . something that won't fail me
mid-flight."
The Soldier looked at his dark wood desk, and observed all the
pens in the can. He studied each one, their bodies all
shimmering,
and he weighed them all in his hand.
"This one won't work," he said of a pen, "the ink might blot on
the map.
This one needs to be refilled every few hours, and this one
will dry out without a cap."
He looked at each one and always found something wrong, or
anticipated problems if he used it in the sky. "I need something
that would work whatever the conditions, and I need it soon my
dear wife."
"Then take this pencil." his wife finally said, handing him the
frail and battered yellow thing. "It will write no matter what,
it
will write on a plane -- it's the best writing tool you can
bring."
The Soldier smiled, kept the pencil in his pocket, and took it
with him on the plane. He finished the map and the map helped
bring them peace ...and the pencil has never been the same.
The pencil was now nothing more than a stub; what was left of
his lead was now broken. His eraser was gone, his wood frame had
split, and some time ago his metal ring had been stolen.
Now he stood before the Pencil Maker, and waited for him to say
those five words.
"Well done, my faithful pencil," the Pencil Maker said, "You
have written what you were meant to write in the world."
(Unknown Author) -
Please
let me know
if this
author can be identified
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he
has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God
has
promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
