A Raven Named Marvin
Value: Respect Authority
“Hannah, come outside.” Hannah’s best friend Betty called up to her. Hannah
slipped downstairs.
“What is it? It’s the middle of the night.” Hannah said shivering a bit from the
cool night air..
“Its Lorenzo, he’s run away, we have to help them find him!” Betty said with
deep concern and worry in her voice. Lorenzo was a neighbor of Betty’s who lived
several houses down. Many times when Hannah was over, they found Lorenzo
wandering the streets or in some strange place, just not being home. He told
them things were not good there because his new step dad was mean to him but the
girls didn’t know what to do.
“How do you know he ran away?” Hannah whispered.
“Officer Duncan and Youth Director Cindy came over and told my dad. Dad works at
the youth center and they have been trying to help Lorenzo.” She told her
friend. It was true that Lorenzo had come to Officer Duncan several times. The
kind policeman wanted to help more but Lorenzo would not trust him completely.
Youth Director Cindy had even tried to come over and visit Lorenzo at home but
when she got there, usually Lorenzo was mysteriously “not here.” So all of the
people who could help him most were frustrated because Lorenzo seemed to avoid
them.
“I know where he is.” Hannah suddenly said snapping her fingers. “Sabines woods!
He said he goes there sometimes because other people are afraid of it.” Hannah
remembered as Betty nodded knowing she was right. “Let me get some clothes on
and we can go look for him.”
The girls entered the woods fearfully. It was so dark and their little
flashlights didn’t help much. “Lorenzo,” they tried to call out while whispering
at the same time for fear they would wake up something nasty in the woods.
“Lorenzo, its Hannah and Betty, come on, come home with us.” They huddled
together and whispered.
“I can take you to him.” A voice said firmly and the girls yelped with surprise.
They looked around and didn’t see anyone. “Up here sillies, on the branch.” And
they looked up and there was a very large black bird looking at them and
talking.
“Did you talk?” Betty asked fearfully. “I never heard a crow talk before.”
“Yes I did but don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. You are looking for
Lorenzo I think. I know where he is.” The bird said.
“Oh please help us Mr. Crow, we are sorry we were afraid of you.” The girls said
together.
“I will do it but first of all, I am a raven, not a crow. My name is Marvin the
Raven. Come along then, I think he is with Grimley the groundhog. They were
going to make tea. Marvin flew ahead but low and slowly so the girls could
follow. Somehow a light came up the further into the woods they went so they
could see without their flashlights.
“Hannah, Betty, what are you doing here?” They suddenly heard the happy sound of
Lorenzo’s voice. He came running form a clearing that was just teaming with
animals, many of them walking around on their hind legs, drinking tea and
talking in a most sociable manner. Lorenzo ran to the girls and hugged them.
“Lorenzo, how long have you known about all this?’ Hannah asked hugging him
back.
“Lots of kids come here.” He said with a big grin. “Lots of kids whose parents
don’t love them come here because its safer here than at home. Let me introduce
you to my friends.”
The next hour was amazing. They met Leonard the Llama who could quote
Shakespeare flawlessly which is rare in a Llama. They met Grimley the Groundhog
and his huge family of little baby groundhogs who loved to be petted. Grimley
ideed make very good tea. They met Morris the Unicorn who really liked Betty and
let her ride him.
“I didn’t know there were real unicorns much less in our woods.” Hannah said
with amazement watching Betty hug Morris’s neck as she rode.
“Well they keep pretty quiet and they like to be with other they feel safe
around,” Lorenzo observed.
“Everybody wants that.” Hannah heard herself say under her breath. After the
ride. Lorenzo introduced them to a huge black bear.
“Hannah and Betty, meet Rocco.” He said pointing up. The bear was easily twelve
feet tall, much bigger than any bear the girls had ever seen.
“Pleased to meet you girls.” The bear said and then he bowed. Betty was a little
afraid of him.
“Don’t be afraid of Rocco, Betty.” Marvin the Raven said landing on the big
bears shoulders. Yes, he is very dangerous and anyone who would harm these woods
would meet with a very bad mauling from Rocco. But you are friends of Lorenzo so
you will always be safe with Rocco and with all of us here. Now Lorenzo, Rocco
and I have a special mission to take you to meet the King and Queen of the
Forest.”
So Marvin the Raven lead Rocco, Hanna, Betty on a treacherous mission to the far
side of the forest, where even the most magical and courageous forest animals
went. Their destination, to meet the King and Queen of the forest was by
invitation only. Along the way, they crossed over streams of shimmering flowing
gold only to find nearby terrible dangers from falling poison podsand screaming
monkeys who seem bent on stopping or destroying the party. But one mighty roar
from the mighty Rocco sent the monkey running and screaming back to their lairs
high in the trees.
Finally, they climbed a tall hill to a clearing before a portal that was
surrounded with ivory pillars and majestic although sometimes spooky gargoyles.
Marvin the Raven landed on the head of one such gargoyle and commanded all to
kneel and bow so allow the King and Queen to enter.
“BEHOND THE KING AND QUEEN.” He said with majesty and they entered.
“Hello Lorenzo. Girls you did a good job of saving him.” Said the very familiar
voice of the King of the Forest.
“Officer Duncan? You are the King of the Forest.” Lorenzo said with a gasp.
“Hello Hannah, Hello Betty, Hello Lorenzo.” A soft female voice soothed every
creature there.
“Youth Director Cindy? How can this be?” Betty said rushing to her arms.
“Its true children.” Officer Duncan said lifting Lorenzo lovingly into his
strong arms. “We have known of the magic of this forest for as long as it has
been here. We work in your town to help children like Lorenzo but our roles in
the magical world of Sabines woods is a secret kept in the heart of all of its
citizens. Marvin the Raven, Rocco the bear and all the rest you met last night,
they serve us by loving and caring for children who are running from adults who
hurt them. But you can trust the authorities in your lives kids. The policemen,
the teachers, the church ministers you know, they are as magical as we because
they have been placed on this world by Jesus for the purpose of saving children
that need help, just like Lorenzo here.”
“Now children, we will go to the youth center where your dad is Betty.” Queen
Cindy said taking their hands. “But you must all hold what you have learned here
dear to your heart. You are now part of this magical world and you must help
bring children to us that we can help with their family problems. Do you swear
your alliance to the secret of Sabines woods and its mission to help good
children get the help they need?”
And Lorenzo, Betty and Hannah all swore so their membership in this magical
society was made eternal. And now children, you too have become aware of the
magical secret of Sabines woods. You must swear your allegiance to its secrets
and to the calling God has on it, on you and on you parents, teachers,
policemen, firemen, youth directors and all the rest to rescue children who are
in trouble and bring Gods love and peace to a troubled world. If you agree to be
citizens of Sabines woods, then raise your hand and your teacher will receive
your pledge and the magic will be yours.