A Different kind of Beautiful
Beni_hime_screamDedication: I got the idea for this story from the stable I volunteered at, where we give riding lessons to people of all disabilities, some of which are autistic. These people really touched me. They’ve taught me a lot, and I have so much fun with them- they really are beautiful people! I dedicate this story to all my autistic friends at Wings of Hope and the instructors who dedicate themselves to helping them.
Disclaimer: Star Wars and all things Jedi belong to uncle George. I do it for love! the song belongs to CCM artist, Bob Carlisle.
You're beautiful in every way!
So beautiful, how I've waited for this day!
If the world was offered to me
I just couldn't make the change,
because you're beautiful!
-
Beautiful, by Bob Carlisle
Psalm 139:14 I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well.
~~~~
A young, black-haired, green-eyed girl zigzagged along the dirt path in the room of the Thousand Fountains, investigating any and every bright colored plant and flower she saw.
Master Jys followed patiently, enjoying her Padawans’ enthusiasm. Evvi was 6 now, and the woman had been training the child for 4 years. It had been trying, raising a child with such a disability, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
She saw Evvi now, sitting cross legged on the side of the path, holding a small brown lump in one hand, petting in with the other, and murmuring to it while rocking back and forth.
Kneeling next to her, Jys realized the ‘brown lump’ was a baby furble, perhaps a few months old. She could also hear what Evvi was saying to it.
“It’s okay! It’s okay! It’s okay! Get better! It’s okay! Get better!”
Bringing the tiny creature up to her cheek, she continued, whispering rather loudly. Apparently the baby furble had injured it’s paw, and got separated from it’s den. Jys could barely hear its mewling cry of pain.
Her heart melted. The small girl had such a beautiful compassion and desire to help, even when she didn’t understand what was wrong. Jys was about to tell Evvi that it was time to go when she felt the Force move in the girl. The baby animal ceased it’s crying and began a strange, rumbling, hic-upping sound indicating it’s pleasure.
Grinning from ear to ear, Evvi looked up at her master, issuing her own squeal of delight as she held the furble up. Gently accepting the tiny thing from the hands of the child, Jys saw that the hurt paw was indeed healthy and whole. Pride for her Padawan swelled up in her chest and shown in her smoky blue eyes as she returned the 8 year olds’ smile.
“You did it, Evvi,” she said, “He doesn’t hurt anymore!”
Evvi laughed and squealed even louder, then exclaimed, “He doesn’t hurt anymore! He doesn’t hurt anymore! Hey, Master, he doesn’t hurt anymore!”
Stifling a grin, Jys put a finger to her lips and in a soft, serious voice, “Shhhh! You don’t want to scare your new friend, do you?”
With wide eyes, Evvi shook her head, and silenced her cries of joy. Leaning toward the furble, putting them at eye level, gently petting its’ little head, she spoke in an almost inaudible voice, “I’m sorry!”
“We have to let him go home, now, Evvi,” Jys said solemnly, steeling herself for an argument.
“No!” Evvi protested. “He’s my friend! He doesn’t hurt anymore, and he’s my friend!” She quickly, but somehow gently snatched the furble from Jys and held him close. The little girl looked up at the woman with a ‘How could you?!’ look in her big green eyes.
Remembering what the healers had told her about disciplining Evvi, she didn’t touch the child. Instead, looking her in the eye, Jys said sternly, “Evvi, open your hand.”
Slowly, Evvi loosened her hold on the furble, and reluctantly lowered her hands, her chin quivering. When her hand reached the ground, the furble tentatively stepped off the child’s palm, licked the tip of Evvi’s finger, and hopped off into the underbrush.
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