Chapter one No More Vegetables
Andy stuck out his tongue and rolled his eyes. "Yuck! Mom made me eat all of those weird looking vegetables for dinner. I thought I was going to gag!"
"I know what you mean," agreed Sarah. "Why do we have to eat the same stuff our rabbits eat?"
Lizzy nodded her head. "Just give me meat and potatoes and I'm happy.
"But don't forget dessert," smiled Andy. "That's the best part!"
Sarah had that look on her face when she was really thinking. "I wonder if there's some place in the world where kids don't have to eat vegetables."
"Well, there's only one way to find out." Andy grabbed Sarah and Lizzy's hands. "Come on!"
The trio headed for Andy's room. He quickly climbed on a chair to the top shelf of his closet. Andy pulled out a shoebox. Inside the box was the Crystal.
The wonderful Crystal. They had found it together while in a creek. It was magic! It could take them to faraway places and faraway times. Together, they had traveled back in time to many adventures.
"Where should we go?" asked Sarah.
"Where nobody makes us eat our vegetables," said Andy. He placed his hand over Sarah's hand.
"Where nobody makes us eat our vegetables," said Sarah.
"Where nobody makes us eat our vegetables," agreed Lizzy and when she placed her hand on Benjamin's there was a flash of light and then darkness. Andy's room blurred.
In a moment they found themselves standing in front of a three-story house on a very narrow city street. Each of them was carrying a large duffel bag with a notebook sticking out. They looked at the people walking by. The women had loose material wrapped around them.
"I think we're in India," state Andy.
Lizzy and Sarah nodded. "Yes," said Lizzy. "It sure looks like the picture books I've seen of India.
"I wonder who we're going to meet here?" said Sarah.
A young girl came out the front door. She smiled sweetly and began to talk to them in another language. The Crystal was working its magic for they were able to understand and speak in this native Indian language!
"Welcome, friends, I'm Mabel Gomes," the girl began. "Mother Teresa is expecting you. Please follow me to her quarters, upstairs."
The trio looked surprised. Andy whispered to Sarah. "You don't think it's THAT Mother Teresa, do you?"
Sarah shrugged her shoulders as they all followed Mabel up the long, winding steps.
They entered a large, barren room with only a bench, some packing crates and a couple wooden chairs. Ahead of them was a short, thin, middle-aged Caucasian woman. She was dressed in a plain white sari with long sleeves. Around her wwere several young Indian girls also dressed the same. They were gathered in a circle praying. After a few minutes the petite, gray haired lady looked at them with a pleasant smile.
"Father Van Exem said he was sending some students to stay with us and write about our work here among the poor," she said. "I'm Mother Teresa and these girls are novices of our Mission of Charity."
"So good to meet you," said Sarah. "I'm Sarah and this is Andy and Lizzy. Where would you like us to stay?"
"I see you have brought your own blankets and clothes. You will need them here," said Mother Teresa. "Follow me and I will show you where you will sleep. We have just enough bed mats for you to use."
They walked into the next room where they found some wash basins and rolled up mats along the wall.
"You can put your bags here," she motioned to the side wall. "Now, let's find a quiet place and I will give you a little time to interview me."
Anna took out her notebook and began to ask some questions. "Have you lived in India all your life?"
"Oh, no, child," laughed Mother Teresa. "I was born forty-two years ago in Skopje, Serbia. My parents named me Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhui."
Andy cut in, "But I thought your name was Teresa?"
"I will tell you a little about how I became a nun. That will explain my new name. Alright?" asked Mother Teresa.
"That would be wonderful," replied Sarah. "I've always wondered why someone becomes a nun."
"My mother and my church were my greatest influences," smiled Mother Teresa. "Even though she was a widow by the time I was eight, she would give wonderful advice. 'My child,' she would say, 'Never eat a single mouthful unless you are sharing it with others."
Lizzy looked puzzled. "What did she mean?"
"Even though we weren't rich," explained Mother Teresa, "she would always feed and take care of people poorer than us. One old alcoholic woman ahd been abandoned by her family. Mother would wash, feed and care for this woman covered with sores. Another time a widow died and Mother took in her six children."
"Wow! Your mother was a wonderful person!" exclaimed Andy.
(This is about half of the first chapter)
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