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

Clara'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 Clara stomped up the steps
to her room and sat down to write God a letter.

LETTER 1:
Dear God:
I have b een a very good girl this year and I would like a bike for my
birthday. I want a red one.

Your friend,
Clara
Clara 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 Clara. I have been a pretty good girl this year, and
I would like a red bike for my birthday.
Thank you,
Clara

Clara 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,
Clara

Clara knew, even if it was true, this letter was n o t 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. Clara's mother thought her plan had
worked because Clara looked very sad.

'Just be home in time for dinner,' her mother said.

Clara 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:Dear God:



GOT YOUR MAMA.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE.

Signed,
YOU KNOW WHO