Carol Wants a Bike

Little Carol came into the kitchen where her mother was making
dinner. Her birthday was coming up and she thought this was a good
time to tell her mother what she wanted. "Mom, I want a bike for my
birthday."

Now, Little Carol was a bit of a troublemaker. She had gotten into
trouble at school and at home. Carol's mother asked her if she
thought she deserved to get a bike for her birthday. Little Carol, of
course, thought she did.

Carol's mother, being a Christian woman, wanted her to reflect on her
behavior over the last year, and write a letter to God and tell Him
why she deserved a bike for her birthday. Little Carol stomped up
the steps to her room and sat down to write God a letter.

LETTER 1:
Dear God:
I have been a very good girl this year and I would like a bike
for my birthday. I want a red one.
Your friend,
Carol

Carol knew this wasn't true. She had not been a very good girl
this year, so she tore up the letter and started over.

LETTER 2:
Dear God:
This is your friend Carol. I have been a pretty good girl this year,
and I would like a red bike for my birthday.
Thank you,
Carol

Carol knew this wasn't true either. She tore up the letter and
started again.

LETTER 3:
Dear God:
I know I haven't been a good girl this year. I am very sorry. I will
be a good girl if you just send me a red bike for my birthday.
Thank you,
Carol

Carol knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get her
a bike. By now, she was very upset. She went downstairs and told her
mother she wanted to go to church. Carol's mother thought her plan
had worked because Carol looked very sad.

"Just be home in time for dinner," her mother said. Carol walked down
the street to the church and up to the Altar. She looked around to
see if anyone was there. She picked up a statue of the Virgin Mary,
slipped it under her jacket and ran out of the church, down the
street, into her house, and up to her room. She shut the door and
sat down and wrote her letter to God.

LETTER 4:

"I got your Mama. If you want to see her again, send the bike."

Signed,
You Know Who