Lily Bell Read online

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  The Master’s Hands

  Scout gently laid the fragile and frightened dove in his master’s hands and gave Lily Bell a sweet and sloppy lick on her cheek.

  The master’s fingers were gentle and delicate, yet rugged and strong.

  He spoke softly to Lily Bell while gently smoothing her trembling, yet lifeless feathers. He had a peaceful face and touches of silver in his hair—just like Lily Bell’s wings. His eyes were kind and seemed to look beyond her brokenness right into her tender heart.

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  The master’s touch felt as if warm

  honey was being poured all over her.

  She had never felt so at peace.

  This was the feeling she had been

  searching for all of her life. In his

  hands, she felt safe, she felt loved,

  and she felt unbroken.

  The master carefully carried Lily Bell

  inside the log cabin and held her close to

  his heart near the warmth of the fire until morning had broken. As the sun’s warmth

  began to kiss the ground, the master fed

  her seeds and berries from the garden. With each touch of his healing hands, Lily Bell felt refreshed and restored. With each tender

  word he whispered, she found comfort and

  rest for her soul.

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  Her longing for friendship and adventure

  had been fulfilled, yet now she longed

  for the familiar comfort of her own

  nest shared with her family. Somehow,

  the master keenly knew this. Without

  hesitation, he glanced at his clumsy

  copper-colored hound sitting faithfully

  at his feet and gave him a commanding

  whistle.

  Scout delicately sniffed the little squab

  to collect her scent, and with that the

  threesome forged ahead. Leaving the log

  cabin behind, they paddled across the

  pond, waded up the stream, and walked

  through the woods until they halted at

  the base of a weathered old pine tree.

  Finally, Scout looked up at his master and

  barked with complete certainty.

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  Home

  “Well done, my good and faithful friend,” said the master as he proudly patted Scout on the head. It felt good to help. The master carefully climbed the old pine tree, keeping Lily Bell close to his heart inside the warmth of his coat. There sat her mother and father faithfully perched in their nest awaiting their daughter’s safe return. The master gently lifted Lily Bell’s head, gazed deeply into her blue shadowed eyes, and said, “You are a masterpiece.” He then carefully set Lily Bell down by her parents and smiled. Strangely, Lily Bell’s parents did not seem surprised or afraid. They seemed to already know the master and trust him.

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  At last, Lily Bell was back home. It had been a wearisome journey, and her body longed for the stillness and warmth of her nest.

  Although tired, she also felt stronger, healthier, and hoping to do more on her own. She was thankful for the master’s love and protection and her new friends. Lily Bell realized that it felt good to help and that she COULD do all of the things her friends could do after all, just in a different way.

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  She could climb, swim, fly, dance, run, and stand brave WITH the help of friends and family. Lily Bell had found what she was searching for on her journey. She had found her worth. Lily Bell now knew deep inside her heart that she was created for an important purpose and there was a special plan for her life. By overcoming her own struggles and fears, she could help others overcome. Through love and kindness, the weak hearted could be made strong and the lost could be found. This gave Lily Bell hope for her future. At peace, Lily Bell finally drifted off to sleep cuddled under the shadow of her father’s wings.

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  Document Outline

  Front Cover

  Half Title Page

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter 1: Silver Lining

  Chapter 2: Brotherly Love

  Chapter 3: The Journey

  Chapter 4: Cracked, but Not Broken

  Chapter 5: Words of Venom

  Chapter 6: The Master's Hands

  Chapter 7: Home