Little Johnny walked into the kitchen while his mother was making dinner.
His birthday was coming up, so he decided it was the perfect time to ask for a present.
“Mom, I want a bicycle for my birthday.”
Johnny had been a bit of a troublemaker all year, both at home and at school.
His mother looked at him and asked,
“Do you really think you deserve a bike?”
Johnny nodded confidently.
His mother smiled and said,
“Go to your room and think about how you’ve behaved this year. Then write a letter to God explaining why you deserve a bicycle.”
Johnny went upstairs and began writing.
Letter #1
Dear God,
I have been a very good boy this year, and I would like a red bicycle for my birthday.
Your friend,
Johnny
He looked at it, shook his head, and tore it up.
Letter #2
Dear God,
I’ve been a good boy this year, and I’d really like a red bicycle.
Thank you,
Johnny
He frowned.
“That isn’t true either.”
He tore it up.
Letter #3
Dear God,
I’ve been an okay boy this year, and I’d really like a bicycle.
Johnny
“Nope,” he muttered.
That one went into the trash too.
Letter #4
Dear God,
I know I haven’t been very good this year, and I’m sorry.
If you send me a bicycle, I promise I’ll be better.
Johnny
Johnny sighed.
He didn’t think that letter would work either.
Feeling frustrated, he went downstairs and told his mother,
“I want to go to church.”
His mother smiled, thinking he had finally learned his lesson.
“Be home before dinner,” she said.
Johnny walked to the nearby church.
He looked around to make sure no one was watching.
Then he quietly picked up a small statue of Mary, tucked it under his shirt, and hurried back home.
He rushed to his room, closed the door, grabbed another sheet of paper, and wrote:
Dear God,
I’ve kidnapped your mother.
If you ever want to see her again, send me the bicycle!
—Johnny