Erica
Page 1)
Once there were two neighbors. One built a brick wall. One built a white picket
fence.
(Page 2)
The one with the brick wall said, “No one can hurt me now. No one can come in.
I am safe.”
(Page 3)
But soon he was lonely. He could not see the flowers next door. He could not
hear the laughter. He sat behind his wall and wondered why no one came to
visit.
(Page 4)
The one with the picket fence said, “My gate has a latch. I open it for
kindness. I close it for hurt. But I do not build a wall.”
(Page 5)
People came to her gate. Some were gentle. They walked in and sat in her
garden. She made them tea.
(Page 6)
Some were not gentle. They yelled and pushed. She closed the gate. “I still see
you,” she said. “But you cannot come in until you remember how to be kind.”
(Page 7)
The neighbor behind the brick wall watched through a tiny crack. He saw her
gate open and close. He saw her garden full of friends.
(Page 8)
“How do you do it?” he asked. “Are you not afraid?”
(Page 9)
She smiled. “I am afraid sometimes. But a gate is not a wall. I can open it
wide and close it gently. I do not chase anyone. I do not lock everyone out. I
just protect my heart while letting good people in.”
(Page 10)
The man with the brick wall sat for a long time. Then he took down one brick.
Then another. He was not building a gate yet. But he was learning.
(Final page)
“You do not have to live behind a wall,” she whispered. “You can build a gate
too. It takes practice. But it is never too late to let a little light in.”