He remembered the scorching sun no more. The weary pathway through the valley, the evil wood, the lion's fierce face, the storm: all these seemed as nothing compared to the splendid home that was awaiting him now. His only thought was to thank the king and his son who had brought him safely through. As he lifted up his eyes, he saw a sign over the door, which said, "Knock, the door will be opened."
Edward knocked with all his strength. The golden door swung wide and he entered the palace gardens.
* * *
Rachel, meanwhile, was entering the forest. As she came among the dark trees, the sun had already set. The branches shut out what little moonlight there was, making the path almost impossible to see. But Rachel feared nothing. She played constantly on her reed flute and gained strength and courage.
At times her feet tangled in traps set by the side of the path, but they did not hold her for long. Then Rachel heard the dreadful roaring from the lion that had terrified Edward.
Throwing her reed flute to the ground in panic, she ran for the safety of the open ground that she could see dimly in front. But it seemed that the king's son was holding her back. Quickly she retrieved her flute and played on it once more. Then there was no need to run, for Rachel knew that for the moment she was safe from all danger.
Once outside the wood, it was too dark to see the leafy shelter where Edward had rested during the storm. Indeed, there was no time to be lost in reaching her new home. Rachel pressed on wearily, sometimes remembering to play on her reed flute and be helped, and at other times trying to get through the difficulties in her own way. But always the king's son walked with her in the darkness.
At last she drew near the shining golden door in the high wall surrounding the palace gardens. The soft and gentle sounds of music from within gave her fresh hope. With a fast-beating heart she seized the golden knocker and -- oh, joy of joys! -- the door swung open into a beautiful garden where the sun shone day and night. Then poor, wavering Rachel entered the heavenly palace.
* * *
But what had Charlotte and Oliver been doing? Had they begun their journey? Perhaps they were soon to reach the golden door.
After Rachel had slipped away, to start once more on her journey, Charlotte and Oliver sat a while longer on the grassy bank beside the river.
There seemed to be so little to do, and anyway the sun was still high in the sky. Charlotte fell asleep in the shade while Oliver wandered away, searching for fresh fruit from the many trees and bushes.
The evening darkness came suddenly. Oliver had been sitting with the fruit he had picked, idly throwing stones into the river. The first sign of danger came without warning. The growl of some large and savage beast frightened him. He looked round for Charlotte and saw her still sleeping on the grassy bank.
The reed flute fell from Oliver's pocket, and he would have picked it up but the beast was coming closer. It seemed that the flute would be of little use now. Far better, he decided, to use his own fast legs and run from the garden. Was there not a path to the new home? If he tried, could he not get there in time? He was proud of the way he could deal with problems.
* * *
Charlotte woke suddenly. She had heard a cry. The garden was now silent. Oliver had gone. Darkness was all around her. As she stood up, she realised her flute had rolled down the hill while she was sleeping. It was now bent and damaged, and she doubted it would play music any more.
But as she retrieved it and placed it to her lips, blowing a long, sad note, the king's son appeared before her.
"You must take me from here," she begged in tears. "Only you can save me now. Take me to the new home you've prepared for me." She asked for forgiveness as Rachel had done, and this was freely given.
Then the prince lifted Charlotte onto his strong shoulders and carried her safely through the raging torrent and the dark wood. For her, too, the shining door swung open to let her into the heavenly home.
As Charlotte blinked in the bright sunlight, Edward and Rachel came forward to greet her, and exchange stories of their journeys. Charlotte began to cry.
"What's the matter?" Rachel asked. "This new home is the happiest place there could ever be."
"You deserve to be here," Charlotte told her. "I am only here because the king's son carried me."
Edward smiled. "There is not one person here who can boast that they deserve this beautiful home. Come on, let's go and meet the king. He will receive you, because his son brought you here in love. Without him, none of us could have made the journey."
As Edward spoke, a feeling of power and perfect peace filled the palace gardens. The king appeared, smiling.
"Come," he said, as they looked up at him in wonder. "Come, Charlotte, I will dry your tears. Come, Edward; come, Rachel."
And the three stepped forward.
Epilogue
It took a long time for Rachel to realise there was no way she could work their own way to the safety of the king's palace. She seemed to think that if only she tried harder, she would get there in the end. But as the king's son says in this story, his love and forgiveness are gifts Rachel could not earn. And Charlotte too could not get there in her own strength, nor could Edward. So, the real King's Son, Jesus, takes us to Heaven not because of how well we're doing in life, but because we tell Him we cannot possibly get there on our own. But we have to ask Him to take us there, something that Oliver failed to do. And this is His reply:
Some Bible verses
[Jesus said] "For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (Luke 11:10).
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
THE ORIGINAL WRITERS
MARGARET GATTY
Margaret Gatty was born in England in 1809. Her father, the Reverend AJ Scott, was chaplain to Admiral Nelson, and at the battle of Trafalgar it was claimed by the family at the time that as Nelson died, Scott was holding him.
Margaret married the Reverend Alfred Gatty in Ecclesfield, Yorkshire in 1839, and they shared a great interest in natural history. Not only did Margaret edit and write stories for Aunt Judy's Tales for children, she wrote academic books on natural history that earned her much respect in the scientific world.
Children's stories based on natural history are probably Margaret Gatty's best known writings. Some were first published in 1855 as Parables from Nature Series 1, combining her love of science and nature with her love of God. Three other series of short stories followed, and later editions combined all four books.
Margaret Gatty gave birth to six sons and four daughters, although some died in infancy. Margaret died in 1873. In St. Mary's Church in Ecclesfield there is a memorial window to her, known as the Parable Window, paid for by more than one thousand children: as a token of love and gratitude for the many books she wrote for them.
SAMUEL WILBERFORCE
Samuel Wilberforce was born in England in 1805, and was ordained as a Church of England clergyman in 1828. He later became Bishop of Oxford and then Winchester. He was the son of William Wilberforce, the MP who is remembered today for leading the anti slave-trade movement.
In 1840 Samuel Wilberforce published a book called Agathos and Other Sunday Stories, and later a companion to it called The Rocky Island and Other Similitudes. The stories were later published in a single volume called Agathos and The Rocky Island and Other Sunday Stories. The allegories in this book come from this larger volume.
In the foreword of an early edition, Wilberforce writes: The following allegories and stories have been actually related by the Author to his children on successive Sunday evenings. The stories were so popular that by 1900 over fifty editions had been printed.
Samuel Wilberforc
e died in July 1873, near Leatherhead in Surrey, after a fall from his horse.
More Christian books from White Tree Publishing are on the next pages, some of which are available as both eBooks and paperbacks. More Christian books than those shown here are available in non-fiction and fiction, for adults and younger readers. The full list of published and forthcoming books is on our website www.whitetreepublishing.com. Please visit there regularly for updates.
White Tree Publishing publishes mainstream evangelical Christian literature in paperback and eBook formats, for people of all ages. We aim to make our eBooks available free for all eBook devices, but some distributors will only list our books free at their discretion, and may make a small charge for some titles -- but they are still great value!
We rely on our readers to tell their families, friends and churches about our books. Social media is a great way of doing this. Take a look at our range of fiction and non-fiction books and pass the word on. You can even contact your Christian TV or radio station to let them know about these books. Also, please write a positive review if you are able.
Chris Wright has three grownup children, and lives in the West Country of England where he is a home group leader with his local church. More books by Chris Wright for young readers are on the next pages. His personal website is www.rocky-island.com
Books for Younger Readers
(and older readers too!)
The Merlin Adventure
Chris Wright
The day Daniel Talbot brought home a stuffed duck in a glass case, everyone thought he'd gone out of his mind. Even he had his doubts at times. "Fancy spending your money on that," his mother scolded him. "You needn't think it's coming into this house, because it isn't!"
When Daniel, Emma, Charlie and Julia, the Four Merlins, set out to sail their model paddle steamer on the old canal, strange and dangerous things start to happen. Then Daniel and Julia make a discovery they want to share with the others.
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9954549-2-7
Paperback ISBN: 9785-203447-7-5
5x8 inches 182 pages
Available from major internet stores
The Hijack Adventure
Chris Wright
Anna's mother has opened a transport café, but why do the truck drivers avoid stopping there? An accident in the road outside brings Anna a new friend, Matthew. When they get trapped in a broken down truck with Matthew's dog, Chip, their adventure begins.
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9954549-6-5
Available now in paperback
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-5203448-0-5
5x8 inches 140 pages
Available from major internet stores
eBook coming soon
paperback available now
The Seventeen Steps Adventure
Chris Wright
When Ryan's American cousin, Natalie, comes to stay with him in England, a film from their Gran's old camera holds some surprise photographs, and they discover there's more to photography than taking selfies! But where are the Seventeen Steps, and has a robbery been planned to take place there?
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9954549-7-2
Available now in paperback
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-5203448-6-7
5x8 inches 132 pages
Available from major internet stores
eBook coming June 2017
paperback available now
The Two Jays Adventure
Chris Wright
James and Jessica, the Two Jays, are on holiday in the West Country in England where they set out to make some exciting discoveries. Have they found the true site of an ancient holy well? Is the water in it dangerous? Why does an angry man with a bicycle tell them to keep away from the deserted stone quarry?
A serious accident on the hillside has unexpected consequences, and an old Latin document may contain a secret that's connected to the two strange stone heads in the village church -- if James and Jessica can solve the puzzle. An adventure awaits!
eBook ISBN: eBook ISBN: 978-0-9954549-8-9
Available now in paperback
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-5203448-8-1
5x8 inches 196 pages
Available from major internet stores
eBook and paperback
coming summer 2017
The Dark Tunnel Adventure
A Two Jays Story
Chris Wright
James and Jessica, the Two Jays, are on holiday in the Derbyshire Peak District in England, staying near Dakedale Manor, which has been completely destroyed in a fire. Did young Sam Stirling burn his family home down? Miss Parkin, the housekeeper, says he did, and she can prove it. Sam says he didn't, and he can't prove it. But Sam has gone missing. James and Jessica believe the truth lies behind one of the old iron doors inside the disused railway tunnel.
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9957594-0-4
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-5206386-3-8
5x8 inches
Available from major internet stores
eBook and paperback coming late 2017
The Cliff Edge Adventure
A Two Jays Story
Chris Wright
James and Jessica's Aunt Judy lives in a lonely guest house perched on top of a crumbling cliff on the west coast of Wales. She is moving out with her dog for her own safety, because she has been warned that the waves from the next big storm could bring down a large part of the cliff -- and her house with it. Cousins James and Jessica, the Two Jays, are helping her sort through her possessions, and they find an old papyrus page they think could be from an ancient copy of one of the Gospels. Two people are extremely interested in having it, but can either of them be trusted? James and Jessica are alone in the house. It's dark, the electricity is off, and the worst storm in living memory is already battering the coast. Is there someone downstairs?
eBook and paperback coming late 2017
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9957594-4-2
Paperback ISBN: 9781-5-211370-3-1
$5.99 £4.95
Mary Jones and Her Bible
An Adventure Book
Chris Wright
The true story of Mary Jones's and her Bible
with a clear Christian message and optional puzzles
(Some are easy, some tricky, and some amusing)
Mary Jones saved for six years to buy a Bible of her own. In 1800, when she was 15, she thought she had saved enough, so she walked barefoot for 26 miles (more than 40km) over a mountain pass and through deep valleys in Wales to get one. That's when she discovered there were none for sale!
You can travel with Mary Jones today in this book by following clues, or just reading the story. Either way, you will get to Bala where Mary went, and if you're really quick you may be able to discover a Bible just like Mary's in the market!
The true story of Mary Jones has captured the imagination for more than 200 years. For this book, Chris Wright has looked into the old records and discovered even more of the story, which is now in this unforgettable account of Mary Jones and her Bible. Solving puzzles is part of the fun, but the whole story is in here to read and enjoy whether you try the puzzles or not. Just turn the page, and the adventure continues. It's time to get on the trail of Mary Jones!
eBook ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-9933941-5-7
Paperback ISBN 978-0-9525956-2-5
5.5 x 8.5 inches
156 pages of story, photographs, line drawings and puzzles
Pilgrim's Progress
An Adventure Book
Chris Wright
Travel with young Christian as he sets out on a difficult and perilous journey to find the King. Solve the puzzles and riddles along the way, and help Christian reach the Celestial City. Then travel with his friend Christiana. She has four young brothers who can sometimes be a bit of a problem.
Be warned, you will meet giants and lions -- and even dragons! There are people who don't want Christian and Christiana to reach the city of the King and his Son. But not everyone is an enemy. There are plenty of friendly people. It's just a matter of
finding them.
Are you prepared to help? Are you sure? The journey can be very dangerous! As with our book Mary Jones and Her Bible, you can enjoy the story even if you don't want to try the puzzles.
This is a simplified and abridged version of Pilgrim's Progress -- Special Edition, containing illustrations and a mix of puzzles. The suggested reading age is up to perhaps ten. Older readers will find the same story told in much greater detail in Pilgrim's Progress -- Special Edition on the next page.
eBook ISBN 13: 978-0-9933941-6-4
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9525956-6-3
5.5 x 8.5 inches 174 pages £6.95
Available from major internet stores
Pilgrim's Progress
Special Edition
Chris Wright
This book for all ages is a great choice for young readers, as well as for families, Sunday school teachers, and anyone who wants to read John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress in a clear form.
All the old favourites are here: Christian, Christiana, the Wicket Gate, Interpreter, Hill Difficulty with the lions, the four sisters at the House Beautiful, Vanity Fair, Giant Despair, Faithful and Talkative -- and, of course, Greatheart. The list is almost endless.
The first part of the story is told by Christian himself, as he leaves the City of Destruction to reach the Celestial City, and becomes trapped in the Slough of Despond near the Wicket Gate. On his journey he will encounter lions, giants, and a creature called the Destroyer.