THOUSAND WORD EXCERPT

"Here, I'd like you to hold what you have come to think of as a mistake," Uncle Foster said.

He put into Miles arms the duck that was once little. Looking down at the animal in his arms, Miles found himself looking into the biggest, brightest, brown eyes he thought he'd ever seen.

"Why, Uncle Foster, this is Wisdom," Miles exclaimed.

"Yes, it is. And does he not seem perfect?" Uncle Foster asked.

"Well, yes," Miles said. "But when he tries to walk he isn't very good at it."

"And why would you say that Miles?" Uncle Foster questioned.

"Well, 'cause he can't hold his head right and he sort of stumbles around. I'm sorry Uncle Foster, but it's as you said, he's retarded," Miles said sadly as he looked down at the ground. "Sir?" Uncle Foster questioned. "What happened to just your friend?"

Looking up to Uncle Fosters face Miles said, "Okay, but this isn't easy."

"I know it isn't Miles. But just the fact that you came to me instead of me having to come to you say's a lot. So please, let's just talk, friend to friend," he said reassuringly.

Miles didn't know where to start, so he just started. He reminded Uncle Foster of the time in early spring when babies were being born everywhere. Uncle Foster had invited the kids over. While walking down by the pond, Miles still being the new member, stayed back a distance from all the rest. Coming upon a nest of little baby ducks hatching, Miles had noticed one egg that wouldn't break open. The baby inside worked and worked but just couldn't get out without help.

"I thought the baby duck would die," Miles said as he started to cry. "Uncle Foster, I knelt down and helped break that shell so the baby could get out like all the rest. I didn't want him to get left behind or worse; I didn't want him to die. Uncle Foster, I thought I helped him. He got out. I was so careful. But, I overheard you tell some folks that were visiting you later in the summer that your pet duck was retarded. You said the reason was because someone had tried to help him out of a tough situation and in doing so had harmed him; actually hurt him. You said that our maker knows exactly what it will take for all of us to be our best. And that, in wanting to help, sometimes we can really hurt. The key is to know the difference."

By this time Miles was sobbing hard. Uncle Foster knelt down and held him. After quite some time, Miles regained his composure.

"I didn't want the little animal left behind from the rest of his family," he continued. "It didn't seem to me that anyone even cared that he couldn't get out by himself. But honestly Uncle Foster, I

Waiting for a minute or so, Uncle Foster started to speak very softly and slowly, "I know you overheard me that day earlier this summer Miles. I can't tell you how pleased I am that you came to me."

Interrupting him Miles said, "Yes, but it took me a long time."

"How long it took is not the important thing here," Uncle Foster continued. "When you could, you did. The time element makes no difference. You see Miles, God is pleased when whatever we do comes from our heart and is real. He does not compare you to anyone else. We all have situations that make us unique and different."

Taking Wisdom from Miles and placing him back into his fenced area of safety, they watched as Wisdom walked away.

"Miles, do you think he is walking the very best he can?" Uncle Foster asked.

Nodding while watching Wisdom, Miles replied, "Yes, I do."

"Do you think his father scolds him for not doing it as well as the rest of the ducks? Or could it be his family is just happy they have him and the family is all together?" Uncle Foster inquired.

Thinking about this for a moment, Miles said he didn't think they gave it much thought, except they were all together.

"Miles," Uncle Foster started, "When you bent down to help that baby duckling, your only intention was to help him, right?"

"Right," answered Miles.

"And because you are not a duck, you didn't know what was going on. You didn't know that the shell around Wisdom was exactly what was necessary for him. When he broke loose from his surroundings he would have the necessary muscles strengthened for his lot in this life and be fully able to handle whatever came his way, with his head held high, walking the path he was on," Uncle Foster explained.

Seeing the impact of this truth hit Miles, Uncle Foster continued, "We humans tend to judge things by what has happened to us. Miles, one of your greatest assets is love, and especially love for the unlovely. Acceptance is very important to you. You did not want the baby duck left behind. You didn't want him to be forgotten or rejected because that is what you remember as having happened to you."

Screaming, Miles said, "I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but that is the truth, it's just the plain truth."

"How do you know? Well Miles, how do you know?" Uncle Foster questioned.

Looking around nervously and trying to find an answer Miles replied, "Well, I just guess ---"

"That's the problem here, guessing," Uncle Foster interrupted again. "If I were to set you down and inform you of my life, you would be very surprised. But I won't do that."

By now Uncle Foster seemed at the end of his rope.

"Why not?" Miles asked.

"Because," Uncle Foster continued, "if all you learn about someone is what they tell you, and you don't learn to be led of your inner man, you will be led around by the nose all your life. I try never to know anyone by what I hear. It closes doors. Talk about believing in lies. Most people, Miles, only show the side of themselves they want you to see, and that isn't usually the side that's important. Someone who cares more about you than you can possibly know at this time loves you and has never taken His eyes off you.

In fact He has your name written on the palm of His hand. There will come the day, Miles, that you see how all these circumstances you think of as bad in your life, were actually ordered by Him. The muscles you use are the ones He knows you must have strengthened by exercise to become all you can be. There will come the day when you will thank Him. I promise you that."

Giving this a chance to sink in he waited for Miles to quit crying.

"Hey young man, you best be heading for home. That is enough for one day. Uncle Foster said.

With that Uncle Foster turned to go into his house, as Miles headed out the front gate and home. Heavy in thought Miles was about home before he remembered that he had forgotten to ask Uncle Foster about the 'ground growls.'