"Quit shoving, Monkey Face!" shouted Jenny to her friend Kelli as they neared the intersection of Pine and First Streets.

"What's the matter?" asked Kelli. "Can't you take it?"

"Now, listen you!" responded Jenny. "I got something real important to tell you. I had a strange dream last night."

"So what!" said Kelli.

"I've had some strange dreams."

"Not like this one," returned Jenny.

"I'm all ears," said Kelli.

"Well," began Jenny, "in my dream I was walking on the hillside at Grandpa's farm and I looked up into the sky. It was all bright with rainbow-colored lights and there walking in the clouds, coming towards me, was a king - a real king! He was the best-looking person I have ever seen and his eyes seemed to look down inside of me. This king was so handsome, not like a beautiful man, but something wonderful and special."

"Awesome!" remarked Kelli, "That's great! Cool! He really is coming! And it must be soon for you to see him in your dream."

"Hey!" Jenny said, "You weren't in my dream. Tell me what you are talking about."

"No matter," said Jenny's friend, "I know who you saw in that dream. It was King Jesus, the greatest of all kings."

"Where did you learn about King Jesus?" asked Jenny.

"I heard about this king when I was visiting Cousin Joey in Atlanta," Kelli replied. "We went to Sunday school and the teacher told the class that Jesus is coming in the clouds and that he is a great king who will sit on a throne and rule the world."

"My!" exclaimed Jenny. "I never heard of this Jesus who is coming to rule the world. The only time I've heard of that name is when Daddy swears."

"We could go to a Sunday school here in Fernville and learn about this King Jesus," suggested Kelli.

"I'd like that," said Jenny. "Where is a Sunday school?"

"Come over and do homework tonight," invited Kelli. "We'll ask Mom. She will know where we can go. Before she was married she went to Sunday school every week."

Kelli turned onto the walk at the red house trimmed in white and Jenny went four houses down the street. Jenny opened the gate in front of a white bungalow.

Once inside the gate she took the green ribbon, which held the house key, from her neck. The girl turned the key in the lock on the light brown door and pushed the door open.

"Oo-oo-oo," she muttered, looking at Tweet in his cage. "This joint stinks."

Quickly Jenny went to the window and turned the crank to let a fresh breeze in. The girl removed two beer cans from the drainboard and dropped them into the garbage container.

"Tweet," said Jenny. "Daddy came in for lunch, right?" The bird had no answer, he just kept digging his beak into his feathers.

I hate coming into this smelly, empty house, thought Jenny. I wish Mama and Jason were here. Anyway, why does a three year old have to be hauled to Wee-Day-Care-Center everyday? Jason should be here playing with his own toys.

While she continued grumbling to herself, a knock was heard at the door. The girl opened it and saw Webster, a small child who wanted to come in and play.

"Nope!" Jenny said loudly, slamming the door. "I can't play with anyone until Mama gets home."

Disappointed, Webster dragged his feet down the street looking for someone to play with him.

Jenny felt ashamed for acting so badly. She and the little boy did have fun sometimes when he wasn't being a nuisance.

A latch-key child, Jenny watched television until her mother and Jason arrived at 5:30 p.m.

"Jenny, dear," her mother said, sounding a bit tired, "I hope you had a good day."

"It wasn't bad," returned the daughter.

"Take Jason outside while I prepare supper," Mrs. Spruce said.

The sister and brother played in the yard, tumbling about in the grass. Jenny enjoyed the fresh outdoor air and her little brother.

When their father came through the gate, Jason ran to meet him. He tried to tell the man about his day at the Wee-Day-Care Center, but Mr. Spruce did not listen. He just said, "Hey, kid."

"Hi, Daddy," Jenny greeted her father.

"Hello, Punk," he returned and went guickly into the house to get his beer from the refrigerator. Then he sat down to watch television.

"I'm here in the kitchen," Jenny's mother said because it seemed her husband had not noticed her.

"Yep, woman, so you are," he quipped.

Mr. Spruce relaxed in his recliner, drinking his beer, while his wife prepared supper .

When the meal was on the table, Mama called everyone in the kitchen and the family sat down.

Jason reached for the bowl of mashed potatoes.

"Hold on!" said his daddy, slapping him. "You'll burn your fingers." Then the man proceeded to fill his son's plate with food.

"Pass the carrots," said Jenny softly. She was quite hungry.

Mrs. Spruce sat silently as one who was too tired to waste her energy on speaking. After the others had full plates she slowly filled hers.

Supper time was quiet except for Jason banging his fork against his glass of milk.

"Mama, may I go to Kelli's house to do homework?" Jenny asked, lifting a spoon of ice cream to her mouth.

"Do your own homework!" said her father.

"It's easier to work together, Daddy," explained the girl. "Please, may I go?"

Mrs. Spruce was so tired. She left the decision up to her husband.

"Clear the table first, Jenny!" ordered her father. "Your mother needs to rest. Wash the dishes when you come home."

"Thanks, Daddy," returned Jenny.

The girl removed the plates, glasses and flat ware from the table. After depositing them in the sink, she grabbed her textbooks and headed for Kelli's house.

Kelli's mother was shaking out the tablecloth over the porch banister when Jenny arrived.

"Hi, dear," she said to Jenny. "Come right in."

Kelli opened her school book quickly. "We must get our work done, Jenny," she said. "Then we can talk about that wonderful dream you had. It was all she could think of since Jenny had related her dream.

"Oh, yes!" returned her friend. "I want to learn everything I can about the king. You know I wanted to tell Mama about my dream, but she looked so tired and even sad. I will tell her maybe tomorrow."

Kelli's mother heard the girls' conversation. She was interested in hearing more, but did not interrupt them. Getting the homework done was more important for now. She went into the living room to rearrange the books on the shelves.

The girls worked quietly, now and then checking their answers to see that the lessons were done correctly.

"What a relief!" Jenny exclaimed after an hour and fifteen minutes.

"I have one more question to answer," said Kelli, "then I will be finished."

Soon Kelli's mother entered the kitchen where the girls had been studying. Seeing that the girls had stopped, she spoke, "Jenny, I want to hear about your special dream."

"Mrs. Mostly," began Jenny, "it was so wonderful and beautiful! I dreamed that I was at Grandpa's farm, walking on top of the hill and I looked upwards to the sky. The sky was changing colors, the blue became brighter, the white clouds looked whiter and there were pink, lavender and green colors in beautiful patterns. Then a large cloud appeared and in the center of the cloud there stood a king. He was wearing a robe of white with gold and red colors on it."

"Imagine! A king!" said Kelli's mother.

"Sure was!" Jenny continued. "He was different from the kings that I have seen in pictures. Oh! Was he ever different!"

"Tell me more, Jenny," said Mrs. Mostly." I am interested in this dream."

Jenny told the rest of her dream.

"Isn't it exciting, Mom!" said Kelli.

Jenny's words touched Mrs. Mostly and there were tears in her eyes.

"Girls, I must learn more about Jesus," she said with a shaky voice. "Perhaps He is coming soon."

"Could we go to Sunday school, Mom?" asked Kelli. "You went to Sunday school a long time ago. You told me that."

"Yes, dear," agreed Kelli's mother nervously. "A visit to the Lord's house is long overdue. It has been foolish of me to stay away so long. I'll ask your father to go with us."

"May Jenny come with us, Mom?" asked the Mostly girl.

"Why yes, she may come," replied the woman.

It was a warm feeling the three had at that moment.

"Friends are nice," remarked Jenny, picking up her school books to go home. It was getting dark outside.

When Jenny reached the house, she found Mr. Spruce asleep on the sofa. Jason was sleeping on the carpet. Her mother was in the big bedroom upstairs.

Jenny tip-toed through the dimly-lit living room, trying not to disturb her father but her math book slipped from her arms and landed on his toes.

"Confound it! girl!" he shouted with a jerk, then threw out his fist to hit her. Fortunately only the edge of his knuckles touched her arm.

He used a few swear words then he settled down. Jenny hoped his brawling would not awaken her mother.

The girl went upstairs ever so quietly, wondering how Jason could sleep with the noise. Jenny turned on the light in Mama's room. She wanted so much to tell her about the dream. Mrs. Spruce looked tired even in her sleep. Jenny covered Mama's arms and left the room.

Jason had awakened and was looking for his mother.

"Honey, Mama is tired," whispered Jenny. She put pajamas on her brother and tucked him in bed.

Quietly she came downstairs and into the kitchen. It took some scrubbing to get the dishes clean. She worked slowly trying not to make the least noise. Oops! The girl dropped a saucer and it broke.

Oh, no! Jenny thought, If Daddy is awake, he'll kill me!

Hearing no word from Mr. Spruce, she peeped in the living room and saw he had not moved. She knew he was still sleeping.

With a broom and dust pan she carefully gathered the pieces and dropped them in the garbage can.

Knowing that her father was totally conked by now from the beer he drank, she hurried to finish the dishes. Then she gave the stove a quick wipe.

Everything is O.K. now, thought Jenny.

Jenny took a shower and slipped into her light green gown. She was ready for a good night's sleep.

Next morning the girl found Mama in the kitchen and her mother looked well.

"You will have to eat cereal and hurry," Mrs. Spruce said. "While you eat I'll get Jason dressed and take him to the center. I'll drive you to school."

"Thanks, Mama," returned Jenny. "But I would like to walk with Kelli. We have things to talk about. And say, may I go to Sunday school next Sunday with her and her parents."

"Sure, dear," replied Mrs. Spruce. "I didn"t know the Mostly family went to church."

"Well, they are going to attend church," said Jenny.

The girl longed to tell her mother about the dream but there was no time for that this morning. Maybe tonight will be a good time, thought Jenny.

When evening came she found Mama alone in the kitchen and she related everything that she remembered about her dream.

"That is an interesting and unusual dream," said her mother.

Mrs. Spruce had a puzzled expression on her face as if she wondered about there being a hidden message or meaning in the dream.

The daughter explained that the dream was about a king named Jesus. That was why she wanted to go to Sunday school and learn everything she could about him.

"I see," returned Mrs. Spruce, taking cookies from the oven. "Be sure you do your lessons right away."

"We don't have homework tonight," said Jenny.

"Help Jason put away his toys," suggested her mother.

It was Sunday morning and Jenny went to Sunday school and church for the first time with Mrs. Mostly and her daughter Kelli.

In the Sunday school classroom, the girls asked the teacher many questions about Jesus.

Jenny related her dream about the king in the clouds. Everyone listened in amazement.

After class time Jenny and Kelli joined many people in the sanctuary for the worship service.

Pastor Goodman, a pleasant-faced man, spoke to the people in a most pleasing voice. He told how Jesus left his heavenly home and came into the world as a baby. He grew to be a man and died on a cross so that all could be forgiven of their sins. After being in the grave, Jesus arose on the third day. This proved his power as the Son of God. He went up to Heaven and one day He would come for all God's children. Jesus would come in clouds of glory for those who knew Him. They would rise to meet Him in the air.

Jenny began to understand her dream as she listened to every word the preacher had to say. Jesus really is the King in the clouds, thought the child.

"Are there those here today who are not ready to meet the King?" the pastor asked. "Won't you come to the altar and ask Jesus to come into your heart."

Jenny noticed no one went forward and she wondered why. She really wanted to know Jesus but the people around her were strangers except for Kelli and her mother. She hesitated.

The congregation sang another song _ "Come into my heart, Lord Jesus."

Jenny began to shiver. What if she left this church today and never had another chance to know Jesus. Thoughts were pounding in her head. She had to make a decision quickly.

I will love Jesus, she thought, no matter what Daddy does to me. She was remembering Jesus and how he told her that he loved her in the dream.

Jenny was the first person to leave her seat, followed by Kelli.

Seeing the girls' determination, Mrs. Mostly went forward, also, and knelt at the altar.

Smiles broke through the tears that streamed down the faces of the three. They had done a wonderful thing - asking Jesus for forgiveness of sin.

The Spruce girl wanted to tell her family about this experience when she got home. She believed Mama would be glad but what would Daddy say. Maybe it is best not to tell him, she thought. He might get angry.

When Jenny arrived home, her mother was cleaning the oven. Because the woman worked hard at the bakery on weekdays, she spent Saturday and Sunday cleaning the house.

Daddy and Jason had gone to the supermarket, Mother and daughter were alone and it was a good time to tell Mama what had happened in church.

Mrs. Spruce could see there was a change taking place inside her child. She did not understand, but believed it was all good.

Then Jenny told Mama how she gave her heart to Jesus, who was the king she had seen in her dream. She told how Jesus had died so all could be forgiven of their sins and go to Heaven.

"Dear, would King Jesus accept me?" asked Mrs. Spruce.

"Sure, He will," said Jenny. "Jesus loves you very much and I do, too."

"I'm glad," said Mama, " I think of the wrong things I have done in my life, like telling lies sometimes and such. It leaves a cloud of guilt hanging over me."

"Let's go to church tonight, Mama," said Jenny. "The pastor will lead you to Jesus."

"I don't know, dear, if I should go even though I want to know Jesus," returned Mama. "You know it might cause trouble with your father."

Daddy and Jason came in and nothing more was said about Jesus.

But when evening came, Mrs. Spruce said to her husband, "Jenny and I are going to church. Do you want to come along?"

"Church!" he said surprised, "Whatever for? Church is for hypocrites!"

"Jenny and I want to go," his wife answered. "That's it - we just want to go."

"Go!" said Mr. Spruce crossly. "Danged if I care."

At church that night an altar call was given for sinners to repent. Jenny's mother felt a tug at her heart to respond but she couldn't go public with her desire for Jesus. Mama clung with her hands to the seat in front of her. It would be too much if someone told her husband what she did in church.

Jenny was disappointed because Mama didn't go to the altar.

"Dear," said Mama. "Don't fret. I gave Jesus my heart right there at my seat. And I am O.K. now. Everything is fine with me and Jesus." She cried and smiled on the way home.

"I am happy for you, Mama," said Jenny.

The days that followed brought about a change in Mama. She didn't seem to be tired anymore and was a very happy person.

Daddy was often grouchy and was at a loss to understand the change in his wife. Sometimes he seemed to be angry because his wife was so happy.

Mrs. Spruce tried to persuade him to go to church with her.

"Not on your life," he responded.

Jenny and her mother went often to church with the Mostlys. They made many new friends.