The Last Snow Day

David sat in front of the window of his room, gazing at the sky. A full moon cast a lurid glow on the street. David sighed and laid on his bed. he stared at the ceiling and said a brief prayer. “Lord, everyone has left you because of the plague that happened a while ago. But I still believe. Please send a sign to show you have not left us. Amen.”

David was roused from sleep by a knock on the door. His mother, Lilly, opened it and there stood the tax collector. “The king just doubled the weekly tax,” he said.

Lilly frowned and shook her head. “Typical. Fine then.” She walked to a small chest and pulled out four gold coins. “Here,” she said as she gave them to the man.

“Good day, mam.”

Lilly shut the door. “I hate that cursed king!”

“Mother, are we poor?”

“No, but we soon may be!”

“God will take care of us mother.”

“Where was God during the plague? Why would God afflict us with something when the whole kingdom honored Him?”

“Please be happy.”

Lilly rolled her eyes. “You are too young to understand.” Lilly looked at the clock on a small table. “Time to walk to school.”

“Alright, mother.”

Lilly gave David a satchel and he was on his way to school. He passed the blacksmith and waved at him with a smile. The man sneered.

Next, he went by a woman tending a garden.

“Hello, Angella!” David said.

“Good morning, David!”

“Are your flowers growing alright?”

“They are, David.”

Angella plucked a rose from her garden and gave it to David. “Thank you!” he said. “Why is everyone so mad at God?”

“Some people only expect good things to happen. Sometimes He wants people to love him no matter what.”

“So, God isn’t mad?”

“No. God allowed this to happen to test our faith. So far, we have failed.”

“What can we do?”

“God will bless us again if we turn back to Him.”

David nodded.

“Off to school, now.”

David arrived at school and took a seat in the building. One thing that David did not like was that the Bible was not taught anymore. He so loved to hear the stories and to hear about heaven and angels and God.

Mrs. Thatch addressed the class. “Today we will recite the alphabet. When I tell you, start you will Begin!”

The students stood and spoke in unison. They sat back down.

“Open your books to page eleven.” Mrs. Thatch called on David. “Would you start reading the first paragraph?”

David read about the history of Nethaal and then sat back down.

“Very good.”

David raised his hand.

“Yes, David?”

“May we read out of the Bible?”

Mrs. Thatch frowned. “Most parents have forbidden that.”

“Is it because they are mad at God?”

“David! This is inappropriate! Please stay silent.”

David hung his head. His bad feelings continued.

Afterwards David went straight home and went to his room then laid on his bed. Suddenly, he heard Lilly speak to a man David did not know. He became still as he listened to their conversation.

“If you think it will change things, fine.”

“Very good, madam. Be at the abandoned cathedral at seven O’ clock.”

David heard the man leave the house.

“David!”

David ran to his mother. Yes, mother?”

“I want you to stay at the Merrill house for an hour. I must go somewhere.”

“Alright.”

Lilly paced around for about thirty minutes until she tired herself out and laid on their couch then soon fell asleep. She awoke at about six O’ clock.

She stood and checked the clock. “David, it’s time to go to the Merril’s.”

David ran out of his room and followed his mother outside. After a short walk, David was brought to John and Doriss Merril’s house. Angella rapped the door and John came out.

“Good evening, Lilly! What can I help you with?”

“Would you watch David for an hour?”

“Of course. Where are going?”

“To a prayer vigil at the old cathedral.”

John widened his eyes. “You can’t be serious.”

“Someone close to me, is insisting. I am not too thrilled myself.”

“Very well, then. Come in David.”

David entered and Lilly bid them goodbye.

The child was entertained by a top that John had owned when he was child. When an hour had passed, Lilly came for David. There was something different about her. Her eyes were sparkling and she had a warm smile.

John seemed to notice her. “You look changed, Lilly.”

“Something amazing happened. I can’t explain it. It was like…God had spoken to us.”

“What?”

“We prayed for a sign from God that he is still with us.”

“And this feeling is a sign?”

Lilly shook her head. “No…I feel-we feel like God is going to give a sign.”

“You are beside yourself! You speak gibberish!”

“We shall see.” Lilly took David by the hand and took him home.

“You were right, son. God has not abandoned us.”

“What will happen?”

“I don’t know son. But it will be special. Now off to bed, David.”

David went to his room and quickly fell asleep.

He was roused by a loud shout. He jumped out of bed and ran out and was in awe at what he saw through the open door.

“It’s snow, David! In the entire history of Nethaal, it has never snowed. I have only seen some in the kingdom of Dume to the east.”

John Merril was gleeful as he ran to Lilly. “You were right! It’s a miracle!”

The street was full of people shouting and saying thanks to God. Such a thing had never happened, and the snow went on. The third day was the last snow day. On that day the cathedral, once again was full of people and every Sunday following. And the king ordained a holiday on that date to remember the day it all changed.