A Tale of Two Sisters
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24
A Note
One of the slogans I use frequently with our three girls, whether it is to do with choosing friends or being a friend, I tell them, “Always choose kindness over cool.” I wrote the children’s story below several years ago to share during our church’s AWANA program, but in actuality, this was a story I primarily wrote with for our three daughters (Elizabeth, Kendra & Jenna).
The Story — Meet Brittany & Abigail
Once upon a time there were two sisters. The oldest sister’s name was Brittany and the younger sister’s name was Abigail.
First, let me first tell you a little about Brittany:
Brittany was beautiful, and I am not just talking pretty, she was truly breath-taking, at least on the outside. When Brittany walked by, every head in town would turn. She was pretty, and she knew she was pretty, and so did everyone else. However, looks were not the only thing Brittany had going for her. She also had all the talent in the world to go with her looks; there was very little she could not do. She could dance like no one else could; she could sing like an angel; she played the piano exquisitely; and she could compete in every sport extremely well. When it came to being smart, she was the top in her class no matter the subject. There was only one problem with Brittany: Yes, she was prettier, she was more talented, and she was smarter than anyone else her age, and she knew it, and she also knew everyone else knew it too. As a result, Brittany was by far the most popular girl in school and quite possibly the most popular girl in her small town. Brittany knew everyone wanted to be her friend, and she never thought twice about using people for her own advantage.
Now let me tell you about Abigail, Brittany’s younger sister:
Abigail was two years younger than Brittany, and as you can expect, lived in Brittany’s shadow. Abigail did not have the looks of her older sister, and in comparison looked pretty common. Abigail couldn’t really dance, she had two left feet. She couldn’t sing, she couldn’t even carry a tune. She tried playing instruments, but music was not her thing. Abigail was terrible in sports and always the last one picked for teams in gym class. Abigail was by no means a standout student; she would worker twice as hard as her sister, and at best, end up with mediocre grades. Finally, Abigail was not very popular, and any friends she had seemed more interested in her big sister than in her. Abigail’s struggle, at least in her mind, was that she did not stack-up in any way to her superstar sister. However, there was one thing Abigail had that Brittany lacked. Abigail had a big heart. Brittany was beautiful on the outside, but Abigail was truly beautiful on the inside.
Brittany’s Sweet 16
According to Brittany it was to be an event like no other. She was turning “sweet 16,” and she didn’t want a party, she demanded a celebration. Everybody in town knew Brittany, and in her opinion everyone liked her, so Brittany believed it only made sense her party be a big deal. Britney convinced her parents to rent the local banquet hall so it could accommodate all the people she was planning to invite. And this was just the beginning of all the ideas she expected for her party. She told her family what the invitations were to look like, how the hall was to be decorated, and what food to serve. There was no extravagant detail she didn’t have an idea for, and since it was Brittany’s birthday, she did not feel it was her responsibility to do any of the work. So instead, her mom, her dad, and especially her younger sister were the ones who spent months putting together all the party details.
As much as Abigail lived in the shadow of her older sister, she still loved her very, very, much and was determined to give her big sister the best 16th birthday ever! Abigail made all the invitations by hand and delivered each one. She worked tirelessly on the decorations. Abigail helped make the arrangements for every other conceivable party detail, including baking most of the delicious desserts for her sister’s big day.
An Abigail Aside
Before we continue there is one more thing you need to know about Abigail. Abigail was one of those people who would do just about anything for anyone, and would do so without ever being asked.
One time she went to the town baker to buy some bread, but when she got there, she noticed the baker was in a panic because he was nearly out of flour. On hearing the news she offered to run down the street and purshase more flour for him, which she then wheeled the fifty pound bag back to the bakery. Another time she was picking-up flowers on Valentines from the local florist. Noticing the florist was stressed, because she had no way of getting all her orders assembled on her busiest day of the year. So without being asked, Abigail stayed and worked with the florist until the last flower arrangement was completed. In fact, everyone in town from the postman, the doctor, the pharmacist, the mechanic, her teachers and all of her neighbours had similar stories of when they were in a bind, it was Abigail who came to the rescue, helping them without ever being asked.
Back To Brittany’s Sweet 16
The big day finally arrived for Brittany’s 16th Birthday Party — and what a birthday party it was! Everyone who was invited showed up; the hall was packed to capacity and Brittany was treated like royalty. Speeches were made in her honour, and she received more gifts than could be counted. The party went long into the night, and no one left disappointed — well, no one left disappointed with one possible exception, Brittany the birthday girl.
To make the party as perfect as possible, Brittany’s parents and especially Brittany’s sister Abigail had worked tirelessly. Despite all the the effort, Brittany never even said, “thank you.” To add insult, the next day, the only things Brittany could comment on were the little details she was disapointed in: She spoke of which gifts she didn’t like; she complained about those who came and were not dressed-up enough to her liking; she even commented on how the icing on two of the cupcakes were a little smudged. It was hard to believe after such an amazing night, held in her own honour, she could still find fault in the silliest little things — but this was Brittany. Because Brittany knew she was the best, she expected the best, and tragically was never ever truly happy.
Abigail’s Not-So-Sweet 16
Nearly two years went by and it was coming on the time of Abigail’s “sweet sixteenth” birthday. Abigail’s mom and dad asked, because they thought they should, if she would like them to rent out the hall and throw a big celebration like they did for Brittany’s party? Upon asking, Brittany let out a chuckle and quickly spoke up for her little sister, “I think it is nice idea, but pleeeeease — do you really think many people would ever come to Abigail’s party?”
Abigail’s head and heart sank, she knew her sister was right. Abigail was well aware she was not nearly as popular as her big sister, nor was she into all the glitz and glam like her sister was. So shyly Abigail responded, “Brittany’s right, there is no point going to go to all the fuss for me. I think I would just like a nice quiet dinner at home with family.” Abigail’s parents politely conceeded to her request and began making plans for her simple birthday party at home.
Soon came the evening of Abigail’s birthday. Abigail was a little subdued the whole day. She remembered, how nearly two years earlier there was such a fuss for her big sister when she turned sixteen, and all the work she did for it. Now it was her sixteenth birthday, and nobody seemed to be making any fuss for her; not that she really expected it or wanted it anyway.
For the birthday dinner, her mom made Abigail her favourite meal and baked a beautiful little chocolate cake. The dining room was decorated sweetly, and there was a small table containing a few presents, but that was about it. It was just as they were sitting down for dinner, when the first of many surprises happened.
First, came an unexpected knock at the front door. Abigail’s dad left to answer and quickly called Abigail to come. There at the door was the town baker with a giant birthday cake. He heard it was Abigail’s sixteenth birthday and was so thankful for all her help, he thought he would say thank you by baking a special cake for Abigail. Abigail was very grateful, but worried as to how they would ever eat such a large cake. As they returned to the table to enjoy their quiet meal there came another knock on the door, this time it was the town florist. She also remembered Abigail’s birthday, and because of the help Abigail had given her, she came with the most beautiful birthday bouquet imaginable.
Again they returned to sit down, but before they even made it to the table there came another knock on the door. This time it wasn’t one person, but a number of people. There were neighbours, teachers, schoolmates, the town doctor, pharmacist, mechanic, and postman. They all came bearing gifts and big Birthday wishes for Abigail. Abigail’s family invited the people in, and began serving them the cake from the baker. Before long there was hardly enough room in the house to fit all the people — they even ran out of cake. By the end of the night, even if Brittany was to wager a guess, she would have reluctantly admitted there were probably more people who showed up to wish her sister a happy Birthday than she had at her own party. None of this was planned, this was just what the town’s people did on their own to show their appreciation to the girl who did so much for each of them.
That night after everyone had left, Abigail’s mom came in to wish her daughter a happy birthday one last time. Abigail looked up at her mom with tears of joy in her eyes, still in disbelief as to what had happened, and reflected quietly, “I just don’t understand mom, I didn’t think anybody even cared or noticed me.”
Her mom put her arm around her daughter, never more proud, and kissing her on the forehead said, “Abigail, when you are pretty on the outside, you get people’s attention, but when you are pretty on the inside you get their respect. You are loved my girl, you are loved! Happy Sweet 16!”
