The Quilt Makers Gift

I have a collection of children's books that I absolutely love. Each and every book has been selected with special care, either for the story or the pictures, and sometimes both. It has always been an idea of mine that children's books were really written because adults had to be reminded of the simpler things in life. The wonderfully designed pictures and simplicity of the story is a perfect way to do that. Unless we have children to read to, we don't get the opportunity to be around children's books.

I want to share one of my favorite books with you called, The QuiltMakers Gift. It is beautifully written and illustrated and I believe it won a Caldecott Medal for the illustrations. The story goes like this...

There was a elderly woman who lived alone in the mountains. She made the most beautiful and sought after quilts in all the land. Because she put all her effort into designing and picking out the fabric for her quilts, she lived a contended life on the mountain never straying much from home. The exception to this was once a quilt was finished, she would sneak into town at night, finding someone who was homeless and sleeping in the street. She would cover them with the beautiful quilt she made, careful not to wake them. Quietly she would leave to return to her mountain home. Some how word spread about her craftsmanship and beauty of the fabric she used. People started coming to her door and asking to buy them. She always refused, stating that they were not for sale. The king of the village, a man of great wealth and many possessions, made his way up the mountain to purchase one of her lovely quilts, certain she would not say no to him. After several visits from him, she finally tired of telling him no and made a deal with him. She told the king that if he gave away all of his wealth and possessions she would then give him a quilt. He agreed and went about the painful process of giving away his great fortune. When he had emptied his bank and his castle, he proceeded up the mountain to get his quilt. The woman gave him his quilt and asked him to accompany her to the village. When he saw her take one of her lovely quilts and very gently cover a homeless man with it, he was taken back that she would give such a exquisite gift to a man who was sleeping in the street. She very quietly said, he needs it too. In that moment the king had a change of heart and together they made beautiful quilts and gave them to those who needed them.

I love this story so much because of the great care and love that went into each quilt. They could have been sold for a lot of money, but instead she gave them away to those in need, making no judgement. It is a powerful message for all of us to think about. It also makes me wonder what gifts I have that could be given each day just for the sake of humanity. Will you wonder with me? Blessings~
Sandy