The Gift of Acabar by Og Mandino

Author:Og Mandino [Mandino, Og]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-78087-4
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2011-02-15T16:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Tuntu Van Gribin, chairman of the Kalvala village council, ushered his apprehensive visitors into a large wallpapered room brilliantly illuminated by eight thick candles, three oil lamps, and a crackling fireplace.

The mayor, a title Van Gribin had assumed unofficially, squeezed his round frame into a wicker chair facing Tulo and Jaana and wheezed. “My, my, this is indeed an honor. To think I have as my guests the only people in the entire world who own their own star. Amazing … amazing! I wish that I could visit with you at length. However, we are holding a council meeting here, within the hour, to explore whatever steps we can take to deal with this terrible crisis which has befallen us. Food and oil supplies in most homes are very low, candles are as rare as diamonds, and the power cables are now buried under tons of snow. We are a life raft in an ocean of terror. Terrible … terrible. However, we shall find a way, never fear, never fear. Now, tell me what you nice children are doing here when you have such a comforting treasure in your meadow?”

Tulo timidly rubbed his wet boots through the giant black bear rug beneath his chair and mumbled, “Sir, we have come to offer our star to the village so that everyone can share its light”

“What?” Van Gribin exclaimed. “I cannot believe my ears. You two are willing to give up your precious star for the good of the village?”

Both children nodded.

“This is amazing, almost as great a miracle as the star’s being here at all! And where would you like your star to be placed?”

Tulo shook his head. “We don’t know, sir. We shall leave that up to you.”

“Oh, no, no, not up to me! Certainly not up to me. But wait.” Van Gribin beamed. “The council members will soon be here. Let them decide. That is the official way—and legal too, I’m sure. Yes, yes, we’ll let the council decide. I still can’t believe it! My, my!”

The other members of the village council were Finn LaVeeg, the store owner, Pastor Erno Bjork, of the church, Arrol Nobis, the schoolmaster, and Hjorta Malni, the only physician within many kilometers of Kalvala.

After everyone was seated around Van Gribin’s long dining table, with Tulo and Jaana huddled close to each other at the far end, the mayor called the meeting to order, dispensed with all other business, and dramatically announced the priceless donation their village had just received from his two young guests.

Loud applause continued until Van Gribin pounded the table for silence and said, in his best chairman’s voice, “The chair is now open for suggestions from the esteemed council as to the most beneficial placement of the star. Pastor Bjork, would you kindly commence the discussion?”

The pastor stood, raised his fleshy arms as if he were still in his pulpit, and directed his remarks toward the children. “Friends, we are supremely blessed, this day, to share in one of the most noble acts ever witnessed on this earth.

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