A Dark and ‘Story’ Night

It was a dark and stormy night. I curled up in my bed and stared up at the Bible verses written on the underside of the bunk above me. I can't read them in the dim light, but it doesn't matter, since I know them all by heart.

I shivered as the rain poured down the window. I could hear the trees creaking outside in the wind. Lightning flashes and thunder crashes. Suddenly, in the doorway, appeared two small figures.

"Anna! I'm scared!" cried two small voices.

I flipped back the covers and motion them towards me. The twins raced for my bed and climbed in. Curling up against me, they asked me to tell a story. With my arms wrapped around them, I began.

"Once upon a time there was a boy named Matt, and he had a dog named Oliver..."

As I told the story to four listening ears, I thought, "It's easy to be afraid when you're alone, but when those around you are afraid, you must be brave."