There was a special place that Isabella always loved to visit. She loved it even more when her mother came with her. Today was one of those days when they both could go and it was bright and sunny with just a hint of chill in the air. Perfect. Her and her mother called this �sweater weather� and they would laugh, autum was their favorite time of the year. The special place was a secluded spot in the park a few miles from their home. There were lots of trees, a little brook and a beautiful flower garden. They would sit on the big rocks by the brook without saying much and enjoy the sights and sounds. Often times they would see some of the animals from the woods come to drink or play in the water. Today was no exception, when they arrived there were already two deer at the waters edge. Isabella thought how beautiful they were standing there side by side. But once they heard Isabella and her mother they quickly ran back into the woods.
Sometimes her mother would bring her painting gear and she would paint while they were there. Today was one of those days. She wanted to paint their little spot with all the autumn colors. Isabelle went to her favorite spot and watched her mother set up her easel and put her painting supplies in order. Her mother was a very good artist; she had a shop in town, �Laurel�s�, and she was always busy. She was positive that what ever her mother painted today would be beautiful. After a quick look around and a little re arranging Laurel announced that she was finished and came and sat by Isabella.
�What are you going to paint?� Isabella asked.
�I�m not sure, I�m going to wait and watch� Laurel replied sounding a little distracted.
�Something told me to bring my supplies.�
It was early October, the new school year just beginning and Isabella was already worried about her new teacher. She was wondering if she should tell her mother about what had happened at school yesterday and about the little �present� all the children in her class had been given. Then there was the announcement yesterday that there would not be any kind of Halloween celebration, instead they would have a �harvest festival.� Some of the parents didn�t want Halloween celebrated at school because they thought it was �bad�. She still couldn�t believe that Halloween had been cancelled.
�What�s on your mind sweetheart?� her mother asked
�Something happened at school yesterday and I think I need to tell you.� Isabella answered.
Laurel didn�t say anything. She knew her daughter had been upset about something when she came home yesterday, she also knew that Isabella would tell her when she was ready.
Finally after a few moments Isabella began.
�Yesterday a few minutes before the final bell rang Mrs. Miller brought out a box and sat it on her desk. She told everyone in the class that she had a gift for each of us, but we didn�t have to take it if we didn�t want to. She also said not to tell anyone where this gift came from. We were told to line up and get our present out of the box on the way out and she told all of us again not to say where it came from. When it was my turn I saw the box was full of little black books, so I took one, put it in my bag and went to my bus.�
Isabella sat quiet for a moment; she was confused and afraid that she had done something wrong.
�When I got on the bus I reached in to my bag and got the book out. It�s a little bible Mother.�
�A bible?� Laurel asked
�Yes, it says Holy Bible on the front.� Isabella answered.
Laurel was speechless; she didn�t know what to say. But she knew she would have to be careful how she responded.
�And the school cancelled Halloween yesterday� Isabella said sadly.
�WHAT?!� Laurel almost yelled.
�I�m sorry Isabella, I didn�t mean to yell or upset you more�but I don�t understand why was Halloween cancelled?�
�They said some of the parents think it is a �bad� holiday. What do they mean Mother, why do they think Halloween is bad?�
Laurel stood up went to her easel and began to paint, all the while thinking how to explain all this to Isabella.