Bonus Post! Theme Story Contest Winner

Last month I wrote a blog post on how to write powerful and impactful themes in our stories, and to give my readers an opportunity to apply what they learned and receive feedback, I opened a short story contest revolving around theme! Every submission was amazing and I truly enjoyed reading them, but one stood out to me as a wonderful example of theme in stories!

“Tales from Glorious Heights” by Rachel Grace is a lovely story about finding your purpose and recognizing our God-given gifts. You can read it below as well as learn more about Rachel and her books!

As always, thank you to all of my readers for your support, and thank you to those who submitted to the contest! It’s because of you that I am able to host events like this for my audience. If you know someone who might enjoy a writing contest run by a young author, I would be so grateful if you could share a link with them!

Now, onto “Tales from Glorious Heights”!

. . .

Tales from Glorious Heights

Abby Wood loved days she spent with her grandfather in his cabin in the woods. He knew how to make the best chocolate chip cookies, had a contagious laugh, and a sparkle in his eye like he knew a secret she didn't. The cabin sat in a glade surrounded by tall maple trees, their branches reaching up toward the blue sky above. A gentle creek bubbled along on the back of the property, and Abby loved to walk down to it, skip stones, and chase minnows. This trip she planned on playing outside, climbing trees, and swinging on the swing her grandfather had hung for her when she was a toddler.

Dark clouds and ominous thunder brought an end to her sun-shiney dreams that first morning, drenching them like a soggy newspaper. Abby sighed and sat at the window seat at the front of the house, lips pressed together in disappointment.

Grandfather walked over, two cups of steaming hot coco in hand. He gave one to Abby, and settled down across from her on the long seat. "Just because the rains running downward doesn't mean your smile has to," he commented, eyes twinkling as he raised the mug to his lips.

Abby let out a little giggle, but then pointed out to the dripping landscape. "I wanted to spend all day outdoors, and instead I'm having to watch the rain have all the fun."

Grandfather chuckled, leaning against the wooden beam behind him. "Well, I know I'm not the outside, but how about a story?"

Abby's eyes immediately lit up. "A story from Glorious Heights?" she questioned, grinning.

Grandfather nodded. "I do believe I have one from there."

Abby squealed in excitement and scooted closer, the warmth from the mug spreading through her hands.

Grandfather smiled and stared out the rain-streaked window, stroking his mustache in thought. After a moment, he began.

~ o ~

The Story of the Forgotten Gift:

It was Princess Emily's birthday in the Land of Glorious Heights, and nothing in the world could have made her more excited. This wasn't just any old birthday. This was the day exactly four years earlier when she had joined the King's family. No celebration was ever as incredible as her adoption day. She had seen her many brothers and sisters rejoice over their adoption days, many much older than she was. But no matter how many children He had, the King always treated each person like they meant the world to Him.

Princess Emily watched with shining eyes as a banner was hung in the courtyard of the castle, proclaiming the special day. Streamers and balloons lined the stone walls. Presents sat piled high on a table in the center of the courtyard, and Emily crept over to it, eagerly inspecting each label.

"Looking for something particular?" a deep, joyful voice boomed from behind her.

Emily turned to see the King smiling down on her. "No, sir ... well, yes, sir, actually," she admitted shyly. "I was hoping to find a present from you."

"Were you, now? Why?" the King asked.

"Well," Emily began, "lots of my older brothers and sisters are always talking about their gifts from you, but I haven't ever gotten any. I thought maybe you forgot."

"Hm, that's a problem, isn't it?" The King's eyes twinkled, and He sat on the ground, then motioned for Emily to do the same. She did, cuddling up against His arm, the warm smell of velvet from his robes filling her with a deep sense of safety.

The King glanced around at the decorations, the presents, and the hustle and bustle, then down at the little princess at His side. "I think it's time you heard the story of Wistful."

"What sort of name is that?" Emily questioned. "I've never heard such a one before."

The King laughed. "Indeed, you haven't. But nevertheless, I think you will enjoy his tale." He sat back, gazed up at the tree above them, and said, "Once upon a time, long before you came to Glorious Heights, there lived a man named Wistful. Wistful loved to build things with his hands, always thinking up new ways to create a toy or a tool. He was a son of the King and had been for a very long time, and he loved the King very much. But there was one thing that always disappointed him. He thought the King must not love him as much as He did others because he did not have anything that made him special.

"A friend called Imagination could scheme up amazing tales that kept everyone on the edges of their seats for hours on end. A girl called Encourage always knew what to say when someone was feeling sad. Another man named Strength could lift nearly anything, and had saved people from mortal danger. And a young man called Bold traveled far outside of Glorious Heights' borders, telling others about the King who loved them.

" 'I am nothing compared to them,' Wistful would sigh as he stood in his workshop, hammering away. 'I am quiet, not very strong, and I don't write very good stories. I love my King very much, but I cannot be of much service to Him, I'm sure.'

"And so, every day Wistful would shake his head as he labored at his craft. 'Maybe the King forgot to give me a gift on my adoption day. I wish He wouldn't have. Then I would be special to Him.' And away he would saw. He stayed inside his workshop constantly, giving away everything he made, from toy trains to bedframes to tables. Everyone always thanked him for the good work he did, but he never thought he was worthy of their praise.

"So it was to his surprise one day that the King walked into his workshop and greeted him with a smile. 'Wistful,' He said, 'I heard you think I forgot to give you something.'

"Wistful's eyes lit up in excitement. 'Why, yes, my Lord!' he exclaimed. 'I believe you forgot to give me a gift!'

" 'Did I?' asked the King. 'Why do you think that?'

" 'Well, because I cannot write stories like Imagination, or say the right thing like Encourage, or lift heavy things like Strength, or tell thousands of people about you like Bold. I do not have gifts like they do.'

" 'I know that, Wistful,' the King said gently. 'You aren't meant to have any of their gifts.'

" 'I knew you must've forgotten,' Wistful began, but the King wasn't finished.

" 'I gave you the gifts I meant for you to have.'

" 'I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand,' Wistful said, frowning in confusion.

"The King picked up the shelf that Wistful had been sanding while they talked. He admired the detail with a smile, then set it down and said, 'Wistful, why do you think you are so good at building things with your hands?'

" 'I don't know. I thought everyone was because it's so easy,' Wistful admitted.

"The King shook His head. 'Strength is not a good builder, and neither are Encourage, Bold, or Imagination. But you are. I gave you the ability to build, to work with wood, to figure out the strongest way to make a home that will last through the greatest storm. This is your gift, Wistful—Or should I say Craftsman? I didn't forget you. I gave you what I've always had planned for you. It just took you a while to see.'

"Wistful, now to be called Craftsman, cried happy tears because he realized the King had made him able to build; He hadn't forgotten him after all. Craftsman went on to build many, many more things, including homes which withstood the strongest hurricanes. And he did it with great joy instead of sighing because the King had given him a gift. He just hadn't known it."

The King finished His tale and looked at Emily with a smile. "Well? What did you think of Wistful's story?"

Emily frowned in thought. "Those aren't real names," she said slowly, "so they must represent different things people are good at, like how some people are really good at painting, or storytelling, right?"

"Right."

"And so that means I have a gift from you, too," Emily concluded. "It just might take me a while to figure out what it is."

"Exactly."

Emily smiled and took the King's hand. "I can't wait to find out what it is!" Then, she sighed and snuggled into His embrace. "But for now I'm okay with just being your daughter."

The King patted her on the head, and together they watched the final touches be put on the decorations. But no matter how grand the celebration would be, nothing would be able to surpass the feeling Emily had now, safe in her King's arms.

The End.

~ o ~

Abby leaned her head against the cool windowpane as Grandfather's voice faded and the only sound in the cabin was the drumming of the rain on the roof. "I liked that story," she said softly. "Only, I wish that Glorious Heights was real, and the King, especially."

Grandfather chuckled and took in a deep breath. "Well, Abby, we both know there is a real Glorious Heights, and there is a real King who brings us into His family when we put our trust in Him."

Abby gave a little smile and traced the lines the raindrops were making on the glass. "I know. I can't wait to meet Him in person one day."

Grandfather shut his eyes and nodded. "I can't wait as well, Abby. I can't wait as well."

. . .

Rachel Grace is a seventeen year old homeschooler who fell in love with writing at an early age. Now, she is using her gift of story-telling to create exciting, fun, and clean adventures that everyone in the family can enjoy. She has three additional Ross Family Adventures books and a thrilling fantasy/adventure novel lined up and ready to go through the editing process. Make sure to follow her author page to be the first to know when they will be released!

You can find Rachel’s four-book series on Amazon here!

See you among the shelves,

Emma G. McKee

Leave a Comment!

Related Posts