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Aloni Gabriel and Butterfly by Elena Iglesias Illustrated by Noelvis Diaz ISBN: 0-7443-1843-2 Copyright 2009 by Elena Iglesias All Rights Reserved Published by SynergEbooks http://www.synergebooks.com 2
The Blue Country Aloni Gabriel was a very intelligent boy who didn t like his middle name: Gabriel. He would say it was an ugly name and he would throw a tantrum any time the G word was mentioned. One day, while playing in his garden, he discovered a white butterfly. Good morning, said Butterfly. Hello Butterfly, answered Aloni Gabriel puzzled. I ve come to take you on a trip with me. Me? But my mommy won t know where I ve gone. Don t worry, laughed the butterfly. She knows me from her childhood when we used to travel with Peter Pan. I know she wouldn t mind if you came with me for a while. Aloni Gabriel, who was always up for an adventure, decided to trust the white butterfly. I m first going to bathe you with Mrs. Flower s magic pollen so you will become small like Tom Thumb and be able to hop on my back. So it came to be. Aloni Gabriel then jumped high and made himself comfortable on the butterfly s back. Where are we going now? he asked. To the Blue Country, answered Butterfly, as she took off. When they arrived in the Blue Country, Aloni Gabriel noticed that the white butterfly had turned blue. Even his pants were no longer white but blue as well. Strangely enough, he looked down at his shirt, which had white and black stripes. They had not changed color. Why are you now blue like my pants? he asked Butterfly. So that we can understand Mr. Michael, who speaks in blue language, answered Butterfly. But I m only half blue. That doesn t matter. That s enough for you to be able to hear him. When we leave his kingdom, he will give you some kind of sign if you ve understood him. Aloni Gabriel stared at Butterfly for a few seconds without really understanding her words. In fact, he wasn t paying much attention to her since he was fascinated by the Blue Country s surroundings. Everything was blue: the trees, the grass, the rocks, the animals, and the clothing of people that he saw walking back and forth on the streets, with no apparent rush. The sky well the sky has always been blue. Let s go Aloni to meet Mr. Michael, said Butterfly without daring to mention the G word for fear that he d throw a tantrum. Mr. Michael lived on top of a mountain in a round castle with a dome of blue light that rested on a base of precious stones. Aloni Gabriel had never seen anything so beautiful in his life, not even in his dreams. As he entered, the boy s jaw dropped in amazement. Right before him was the very Archangel Michael, with a sword of flames in his hand. Butterfly, he said as he hid behind her, he looks like a giant with the wings of a bird. 6
Mr. Michael, Butterfly dared to say, I want you to meet my little friend Aloni. Mr. Michael, smiling brightly, sat the boy next to him on his throne. Welcome, Aloni Gabriel, to the Country of Will. Aloni didn t even move. He was stunned at hearing Gabriel, but he didn t dare complain in front of this powerful giant. Aloni, Mr. Michael is the first angel in Heaven, the one who sustains and defends the universe so that Darkness doesn t overcome Light, explained Butterfly. The boy felt like they were speaking Chinese to him. Mr. Michael realizing this, tried to clarify Aloni s confusion with an example. Aloni Gabriel, when you re scared at night from the things you cannot see, you can always call on me wherever you are. I will bring my sword of light to show you that there is nothing to be afraid of. Really! Wow! Then I m never going to be scared again! exclaimed Aloni Gabriel. Butterfly leaned over in front of Mr. Michael and signaled for Aloni Gabriel to hop on her back. She wanted to give him a tour of the Blue Country and just like that they flew from the castle as the boy waved good-bye to the archangel. Butterfly, why is everyone in this kingdom dressed in blue? the boy observed looking at the people below. Because it s a symbol of their powers, explained the wise butterfly. And what s a symbol? It s something that tells you what things are without words, like a triangle reminds us of a pyramid. Now every time you see the color blue you can use it as a symbol to remember this kingdom. And what powers do the people of the Blue Country have? They have the power to train the leaders of the world, those that guide and direct others. Like my mom? Listen, that s a good suggestion for Mr. Michael, said Butterfly with a smile Why don t we ask that gentleman standing by the fountain about their powers? He must be a friend of the archangel like everyone else in this country, suggested Butterfly. So they swooped to the ground close to the fountain. Without hesitation, Aloni Gabriel ran toward the gentleman dressed in an icy blue suit who had stopped momentarily to have a drink of water. Sir, what powers do you have? asked the boy bluntly. The gentleman, whose name was Effe-Po, answered: Strength and courage, dear boy. And what good are those? They can protect you, so nothing that you dislike can hurt you. Well, when I don t like something, I fight, answered Aloni Gabriel. And if you lose? I get angry and feel bad. And if you win? I feel glad, but I remain angry. All right, said Mr. Effe-Po, if you were truly strong, you wouldn t get angry. You would know that anger has the power to tire you inside and out and it will always defeat you. So what should I do then? 7
Magic! Like the great wizard Merlin? Something like that, Aloni Gabriel, but this magic is much easier to use. Next time you find yourself in an angry moment, simply sit in your room and think about why things happened the way they did. Then ask your heart how you should have behaved. The heart speaks? Of course! It always speaks but few people listen to it. Well as soon as I get home, I m going to sit down and speak with my heart, said the boy. Mr. Effe-Po laughed out loud. First, remember your last fight. Then listen quietly. Your heart will tell you the cause of it and you will discover how to behave lovingly and avoid all fights. Like a blue gentleman: strong and courageous. Right? Yes! You must be strong not to blame others and courageous in order to accept responsibility for your behavior. Oh! And try leaving your room singing for you have learned that nothing can bother you from now on. Simple enough; I will apply the magic formula to everything, Aloni Gabriel reasoned. Sure! Observe, understand and laugh, advised Effe-Po. It seems easy. It s easier than you think; you just need a little training. Like when I exercise? Exactly; the first day you feel very tired. Later on you start getting used to it and you just keep getting stronger. Thank you for everything blue gentleman. You re welcome, Aloni Gabriel. By the way, my name is Effe-Po. If you ever forget how to be strong and courageous call me by simply chanting: Effe-yes, Po-plus. Effective and Positive I ll go to your side to help you. But before you go, take these dark glasses. You will need them later on. Aloni Gabriel tucked away his gift and left in search of Butterfly. Come to think of it, how did everyone in this kingdom know his name? And why did they insist on calling him Aloni Gabriel? Though oddly enough, he noticed the mention of the G word upset him less each time. It may be that you re becoming strong, said Butterfly, who had arrived undetected. Can you read my mind too, Butterfly? Yes, well, all animals can, but very few know it. What about the people in this kingdom. Can they read minds? Of course; although they use something more powerful: the intelligence of the heart. So besides having the ability to speak, the heart is also intelligent? It speaks because it s intelligent, Aloni. Gabriel. You too, Butterfly? Me too Now climb up; we re leaving. And as they left the Blue Country, Aloni Gabriel noticed that one of the stripes on his shirt had turned sky blue. Thank you Mr. Michael, he said in a very low voice. 8
Wisdom is that which makes you free when you quietly pay attention to yourself. It s listening joyfully to the birds sing for the first time ever. 9