'Grandpa, you said we could go to the seaside again. When are we going? Thomas asked over the breakfast table.
Before Grandpa could answer there was a knock at the door, and in came Uncle David. 'Are you ready?' he asked.
The children looked at him puzzled, then turned to Grandpa who had a big smile on his face.
'This is the surprise I told you about last night' he said. 'We are all going to the seaside in Uncle David's car.'
There was a great cheer from the children as they scrambled from the table. 'Yes, we are ready' they shouted. 'Can we go now?'
'Just give me a few minutes to finish packing the lunch' Grandma smiled at them 'Then we can go.'
Very soon they were on their way, and it wasn't long before they were on the beach and the picnic was being unpacked. Uncle David was great fun, playing games with them, collecting shells, looking for crabs, and pointing out the Seagulls wheeling and calling overhead. It was a brilliant day and they were very sorry when it was time to go home.
'What did you like best about today?' Uncle David asked them in the car going home.
'The ice creams you bought us' said Thomas as they all laughed.
'Greedy boy' grinned Bethan. 'I liked collecting shells best' she said. 'I found some really pretty ones to add to my collection.'
Safely home again, and supper over, the children took hold of Grandpa's hands and pulled him towards his 'story' chair.
'It has to be another Seagull story, Grandpa, nothing else will fit in with what we have been doing today' Thomas said.
'And Seagull did say he would bring his cousin, didn't he?' put in Bethan.
'Well let us see if he has brought him then' said Grandpa.

'Hello, everyone' said a voice.
The animals turned, they had been looking out of the window at Farmer Ben ploughing his field.
'Hello' they answered delightedly, big welcoming smiles on their faces, for it was Seagull who had spoken.
'I've brought my cousin as I promised' he said. 'He can tell us his story tonight, if you like' and he looked at the others.
'That would be lovely' said Donkey. 'We were wondering who was going to be storyteller tonight, you couldn't have come at a better time' and he beamed at them both.
'How have you all been since I last saw you?' Seagull asked.
'Fine. We've been fine, thank-you, and you?' they replied.
'Oh, we've been enjoying ourselves, it has been a super summer hasn't it?'
And so the animals chatted pleasantly with one another, as friends do.
'I suppose I have missed a lot of your stories' Seagull said.
'Yes, quite a few' a Kingfisher agreed. 'But if you can stay for a while 1 know they will all be pleased to tell them again.'
So it was agreed that Seagull would tell his story first, and then they would both stay to hear the other stories.
Everyone was pleased with this arrangement and they smiled happily at one another.
'I believe we are all ready, if you are, Seagull' said Donkey.
'Yes, I'm ready' Seagull replied.
'My story, of course, takes place on the Lake, and like my cousin's story, it also happened in a storm. The disciples were out in their boat when a fierce storm arose, and it was taking them all their time to battle against the heavy seas. The waves were huge. The disciples were getting exhausted, I know, because I was in the boat with them! I was clinging on to the nets in the bottom of the boat where I had been ever since the storm started.'
'Couldn't you have flown to land?' asked Owl
'No' answered Seagull. 'We were about four miles from land, and no-one could have battled against that storm for four miles.'
'No, not that distance' agreed Owl.
'It was very dark' Seagull carried on. 'About 4-o-clock in the morning, with everyone weary and the storm still raging, we all got the fright of our lives. Someone seemed to be walking on the water!! The disciples shouted out in fear, they thought they were seeing a ghost. It was terrifying, until ......
'Walking on the tossing waves in the middle of a storm? asked Crow unbelievingly.
'Yes' Seagull answered. 'It was Jesus walking towards us, and He said "Don't be afraid" so we weren't terrified any longer once we knew who it was - just amazed!'
He looked at his new friends, and they looked at him. Their Master constantly surprised them, and they were delighted to hear of this latest wonder.
Seagull continued his story. 'I expect you all know what Peter is like?'
The animals smiled.
'What has he done now?' chuckled rabbit who had limped in earlier.
'He said to Jesus "If it is really you, tell me to come over to you walking on the water" Seagull told them.
The animals all laughed.
'He never did - did he?' It was Mr. Dog who had often followed Peter, and knew him well, but even he was astonished at this latest adventure.
'Yes' laughed Seagull. 'Jesus told him to come, so he climbed over the side of the boat and walked on the water!'
He laughed again. 'Peter was doing very well at first' he said 'Until he took his eyes off Jesus, and looked at the high waves instead, then he became terrified and started to sink.'
'Oh dear' broke in the dove. 'How dreadful.'
'It was all right' Seagull said gently. 'Peter asked Jesus to save him and, of course, He did. He reached out His hand and together they walked back to the boat.'
A sigh of relief was heard as all the animals relaxed.
'What an adventure for you all ~ especially Peter' laughed Mr. Dog.
'It certainly was' nodded Donkey. 'But doesn't it show us what a wonderful Lord and Master we have?'
Elizabeth Aynsley ©

Matthew CH.14 Vs. 22 to 33.