Just through the red door lies a mystical place where live the little-known creatures, the ones the world looks upon as myth and legend.  In this realm, they live and breathe, just the same as you and I.  Journey with me through the red door, to the place of imagination and we will find a new dimension of reality.

The new day calls out with an invitation from those beyond the door.  It is they who wish to meet us and share their tales!

I hear Grandpa Ansel, a respected elder, greeting the new day and his wife, Grandma Elena, in his usual fashion.

“Hark, noble ones of the realm!”

Early morning was not a traditional time to pay a visit, yet Grandma and Grandpa’s breakfast was interrupted by insistent knocking.  Exchanging a puzzled look, Grandma rose to answer the door.  Her smile in place, she swung the door wide to greet their unexpected guest.

Imagine Grandma’s surprise to find no one there!

From his seat at the table, Grandpa Ansel asked, “Who is our early morning company, Elena?  Shall I pour another cup of chicory?”

Returning to the table with a cup in her hand, Grandma answered, “It seems someone has made a mysterious delivery,” gingerly setting the cup in front of her husband.

Peering inside, Grandpa saw a baby sparrow, barely fledged.  “You didn’t see the delivery gnome, then, Elena?” he asked.

“No, Ansel.  They either made haste or hid.  This wee thing was on the doorstep,” she answered.  “It’s very odd, don’t you think?”

“Yes, it’s odd, but maybe not as odd as you think.  Everyone knows of my soft spot for the strays and injured creatures.  I guess we have a new one to keep us company for a while.  I’ll see to getting some food and water into the poor thing.  I expect it was blown out of its nest in last night’s wind.”  Shuffling off, his breakfast forgotten, Grandpa gathered what was needed to tend to his new charge.

It’s a known fact that gnomes are gentle folk by nature, most possessing a soft heart for all the creatures, except for the small group of predators with a taste for gnomes!  Grandpa Ansel was no exception to the rule.  With practiced skill, Grandpa ministered to the baby sparrow, satisfied in knowing he had done all that he knew to do.

Grandma Elena came over, bearing some bits of felt that she used to repair her and Grandpa’s red caps.  “Lift the wee thing out, Ansel, and let me feather its nest in the bottom of the cup.  It will be soft and comfortable, and the felt will help to keep it warm.”

Speaking softly and moving slowly, Grandpa did Grandma’s bidding.  Soon enough the frightened bird was nestled into a cloud of red felt, none the worse for being handled.  Shaking out a folded handkerchief, Grandpa made an airy dome over the cup, knowing this would also help the little thing to maintain its body temperature.

“I think I shall take this fellow to garden and see if I can learn who paid us an early visit.”

Grandpa had not been sitting long when Oden materialized quietly.

“Good morning, Grandpa Ansel.”

“Good morning, young Oden.  You wouldn’t happen to know anything about this would you?” Grandpa asked, presenting the cup.

Sheepishly, Oden nodded.

“Why did you run away, Oden?”

“I didn’t want to get in trouble.  Mum won’t let me bring any more animals home and I couldn’t leave it laying on the ground for the barn cats to find,” Oden explained, with a shudder.  Gnomes held a healthy respect and a strong dose of fear of the barn cats.  “Mum got pretty mad the last time I brought home a field mouse, and I thought you might get mad like Mum.”

“Do you rescue a lot of animals, Oden?”

“I seem to find enough.  Some seem lost, some have had wounds and some, like the little sparrow are just too young to survive alone.  I take them home and take care of them.  The critters seem to be good company to me.”

It was a long speech for a young gnome who said little most of the time.  Grandpa Ansel nodded and before he could reply, the spell of the moment was broken by greetings from many of the youngsters.

This is what I witnessed as I entered Rehoboth through the red door.

“What’s in the cup, Grandpa?” asked Mathilda.

“Wait for everyone to sit down and I shall show you,” Grandpa answered.  “Draw near dear ones.  Gather close and hear the wisdom of age, for you are just beginning and have much to learn.

Oden, would you like to show everyone your new friend?” Grandpa asked, placing the cup into Oden’s hands.

Carefully, Oden removed the handkerchief and sat on the ground at Grandpa’s feet.  A half dozen sets of eyes peered at the baby sparrow.

“It hardly has any feathers,” stated Svend.

“That’s why we had a cover on the cup.  It is to help hold in the sparrow’s body heat.  It’s only just beginning to fledge,” explained Oden.

“What does fledge mean?” asked Peder.

“Fledge is the process of growing feathers.  Sparrows hatch with fuzz, not feathers.  You can still see lots of patches of fuzz,” Oden explained.

“How do you know about baby birds?” asked Lisbet.

“I don’t know.  I just have had a few experiences, and I ask questions about what I don’t know.  Sometimes I read about animals in books,” Oden answered.

Grandpa had remained silent throughout the exchange.  The baby sparrow was building a bridge between Oden and the other children, who were willing to overlook the past.  This warmed Grandpa Ansel’s heart.

“Whose sparrow is it?” Tobias asked.  Oden looked up at Grandpa Ansel.

“The creatures belong to themselves, Tobias,” answered Grandpa.  “We share their existence, and we can show care and kindness in their time of need.  We have the privilege of enjoying their company.  This young sparrow shall remain with Grandma Elena and myself for a time, but Oden found it and is in charge of its care.”

“May we help with the bird?” asked Peder.

“Would you appreciate some help, Oden?” Grandpa asked.

“I guess so.”

Addressing the group once again, Grandpa said, “You may all help Oden, then.  Oden has an opportunity to give this little sparrow a second chance at life.  He found it on the ground, likely having been blown out of its nest last night.  If you’re all willing to give Oden a second chance, working with him to feed and raise up this fledgling, you may learn a few things.  I ask that you follow Oden’s instructions, as he has some skill and experience.  I believe Oden can share his knowledge well.”

Turning to Oden, Grandpa said, “Oden, teaching requires patience and gentleness.  Be as careful with your helpers as you are with the fledgling. Can you do that?”  Oden nodded his willingness.

“Today, my children, we are building bridges.  A bridge goes over a bit of hard terrain or water, so we can reach the other side.  This bridge will allow all of you to move away from past hurts and misunderstandings toward a new friendship.  The second chance I have spoken of earlier is your willingness to cross the bridge.  We have all made mistakes in our past and we have all needed the grace of a second chance.

You will never know the possibilities and opportunities to be found on the other side until you begin the journey with a first step.”  This final statement, directed at Oden, hit its mark.

Haltingly at first, Oden spoke to Mathilda.  “I’m sorry I was mean to you and made you cry.  I won’t do it again.”

“Does that mean I can pick a name for the bird?” asked Mathilda.

“I’d like that.”

And so began a brand-new journey.