P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E
"Wow, that's a big word, I said. "I wonder what it means."
"I know. I know." Said Benji Bear.
"It's smiling and smiling, even when you're eating spinach!" he said, smiling.
"No, No, said Frog, who was hopping by. "Patience is waiting all day to catch a fly on your tongue."
"Who asked you two, anyway? I said.
Just then Squirrel came by. "I know what patience is," he said. "It's telling your Mom to give you a bath and not trying to run away!"
"That's not it at all, interrupted Rabbit. "It's helping Snail get to your birthday party...on time!"
"Oh yeah?" said Snail (she was under the mushroom). "Well, I say patience is listening to Rabbit say bad things about you and not stepping on her fat foot!"
"Now hold everything," I yelled. "I'm trying to learn about patience! I can't even think with all this hooting and squawking going on! Why don't you all go away?" I screamed.
Just then the Dove flew down (he is the wisest and kindest animal in the forest.)
"Wait, he said. "You are all right, but you're not patient enough to listen to each other. Patience is...
Smiling (like Bear said)
Waiting (like Frog said)
Helping friends who are slow (like Rabbit said)
Letting others help you (like Squirrel said)
Forgiving (like Snail said)
Listening (like Bird meant to!)
But let patience have her perfect work, so you may be perfect and whole, lacking nothing. (James 1:4)
Be like God's chosen, holy and beloved with hearts of mercy. Kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, patience; (Col. 3:12)
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers