Merry-go-round
When I was little, I used to think the sun rose in the morning. Like God held onto a puppet string. Up in the morning, down at night, on and on for all eternity.
But Miss Carbo says the sun stays still and the planets go around it like ponies on the merry-go-round and the sun is the bit in the middle with all the mirrors and the music player.
So where is God if He doesn’t pull on a string? Maybe He’s the man who sits in the middle and shouts if you don’t stay sitting till it stops.
elmowrites 
Good question. Leave it to science to discredit God. I would answer this questioning with “Well, who do you think made the sun? Who do you think put it ALL into motion?” I think you know the answer to that. 🙂 ❤ Love this story!
If not, go read the book of Job…
I don’t think Melanie has given up on God’s existence, she’s just trying to understand where he is and her child’s-eye picture’s been given a jolt. My husband and eldest are reading through the Bible at the moment, I must ask if they have reached Job yet.
I’m taking an Old Testament survey class right now. I’m in the middle of Joshua… learning so many interactions that I never considered before… even with a lifetime of study.
Truly fascinating world.
There is so much that we believe & continue doing so even after Science tells us otherwise!
Our language is hard to change too – the sun still ‘rises’ even 100s of years after we realised it did no such thing.
Science can’t figure out everything, and in fact is guessing at a lot of things.
I loved your comparisons and descriptions. Made it easy to visualize.
Thanks! I love writing Melanie, she has a lovely way of looking at things.
Lovely supposition and perfectly logical
Indeed, especially when God has been presented to you in the fire and brimstone style of Melanie’s local preacher. God’s bound to be the angry man stamping out fun, I’m afriad.
Excellent! What an innocent viewpoint. A pleasure to read.
Thank you! Melanie is a pleasure to write too, which is why I come back to her so often.
It’s fascinating (and fun) to see how a child’s view of the world develops as they grow up. One of the big privileges of being a granny!
Aw, yes indeed. I ‘m amazed to hear my boys sometimes when they talk about something and I realise they’ve got it totally wrapped around their heads, through no fault of their own.
Great story. Cute ending. After all, she was right up until about 500 years ago when Copernicus and Galileo messed it all up. 🙂
Haha, I don’t think Melanie was around for that, but yes!
Love Melanie’s whimsical attempts to understand her world! And I love the way you’re developing her character, Jen.
pax,
dora
Thanks Dora, I do love this character. It’s plot I’m struggling with!!
Science doesn’t hold all the answers. Neither does religion. You just have to pick and mix, I guess. Nicely done, Jen.
How true.
Maybe God is the person who shines the brass ring . . . Though, I must admit I’ve never actually seen the proverbial brass ring on a merry-go-round.
As children, we do see the world in a way that is magical, whimsical and makes extraordinary sense in many ways. I was sent off to Sunday school after I told my parents that God and Mother Nature were married, and Jesus was their son . . . I like the way Melanie’s mind works.
I had to google the ring, Lorraine, but yes, God could be the ticket-taker, the ringmaster or even the person who built the whole carousel. I think your idea as a child was a pretty logical one myself, but I imagine the Sunday school teachers had other ideas!
I don’t remember the classes, only that I somehow “graduated” and got a certificate complete with the classic image of Jesus as the shepherd. I suspect my mother cautioned me against sharing my explanation, lol.
I love this, Jen. From a child’s perspective on trying to understand their world and place within it.
Thanks Dale! Her perspective is definitely fun to write.
I bet!
Dear Jen,
I echo what’s been said. The child’s view of the solar system is innocent and sweet. Personally I like the merry-go-round analogy. It works. Not sure about her view of God. 😉 Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Unfortunately, Melanie’s view of God is formed against the backdrop of her particular preacher. I’m glad most aren’t like him.
I like the thought of God being the man in the center yelling for riders to remain sitting until the ride stops.
The God she’s been taught about is definitely the yelling kind.
A lovely tale about a clever child. Wait until she learns about spiral galaxies…
I’m pretty sure she’d have a theory cute about those too, GH! Thanks for the compliment and for stopping by.
the innocent interpretation is humbling and perhaps she is right. God is the man in the middle who shouts. But no one listens.
Thanks James! I wonder whether it would help if we listened… Or would it just spoil our enjoyment of the ride?
Beautiful story for a child’s point of view. I love it!
Thanks Brenda!
Maybe God’s shout is what keeps me from breaking my fool neck. Maybe I should listen when he shouts. Maybe?
Maybe. I’m rather hoping he could do something nicer than shouting
This is delightful!
Cheers!
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