Once upon a time, there were three little girls named Sharon, Cindy, and Katie. One day, they decided to build a dollhouse together. After discussing at length what size and shape they wanted, each girl added her own special skill and talent to the job. Katie would design the frame, Cindy would create the furniture, and Sharon would crochet tiny little rugs to add to the floors. They got busy over the next six weeks gathering materials, collaborating over color, and giggling over their plans. Slowly the dollhouse took shape upon their little blue table, and when it was done, they sat back and declared, “Wow! We did a good job!”

It was then that they realized something was missing. What good is a dollhouse without Little People (LP) to go in it? And so, after collaborating for a week, they fashioned a mommy and a daddy, just the right size to fit their furniture. Carefully they positioned them in the living room, one on the recliner, the other on the sofa. And they sat back and exclaimed, “We’re done! Let’s go take a break!” And they did.

A week later, when they got tired of shifting the LP from room to room, Cindy said, “Wouldn’t it be fun if our people were alive?” So, the three girls held hands and made a wish, and when they opened their eyes, the LP sat up and looked around. Fascinated, the girls watched as the Daddy picked up his briefcase and walked out the door. The Mommy began to stir around the house, cooking, cleaning, and straightening.

Later that day, while the girls were playing in the living room, they thought they heard a commotion in their bedroom. They rushed in to find the Daddy and Mommy arguing. The girls looked at each other in dismay! What had happened to their perfect creation? They were throwing things around and destroying the beautiful furniture. “Stop it!” they cried. But the LP did not listen. Soon the Daddy stomped out of the house, and the Mommy flung herself down on the bed sobbing.

Pretty soon the Mommy sat up and noticed the sad girls looking down at her. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to make you sad, but that man you gave me is driving me crazy!” That’s when Cindy smiled gently and said, “You need to forgive him.”

“I don’t know how!” the Mommy answered.

“Give me your anger,” replied Cindy.

And she did. Pretty soon the Daddy came back and apologized for his behavior, and they kissed and made up.

It wasn’t long before they had a baby on their hands, and then life in the dollhouse got even more fun to watch.

To be continued . . .