The Scarecrow

 

There once was a scarecrow who stood very tall and proud.  His look was ferocious and he could scare any crowd.

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I always saw him standing in a field that I passed by.  One day I plucked up the courage to approach him to say hi.

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I slowly walked towards him, trying to ignore my fears - but as I drew closer to him I saw that in fact, he was in tears.

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I asked the scarecrow why he cried and why he was so sad.  He said to judge someone by the way they looked was very, very bad.

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He explained to me his love of the birds as they were the only ones who came near.  That through his cruel fate he scared away those he held most dear.

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I offered to change his appearance and give him a new face.  He said to hide one's true identity was a total and utter disgrace.

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Feeling unable to help him I said farewell and walked away.  I told him I'd return soon and that for him I'd pray.

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That night there was an almighty storm of thunder, rain and lightening.  I imagined the scarecrow outside, alone in it, oh! how terrifying and frightening!

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The next day to the field I ran, worried about what I would find.  So it was with much surprise to see that to the scarecrow - nature had been kind.

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The storm had blown away the scary features of his face, and his mass of straw hair had become for the birds the only truly safe place.

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Much time has passed now since this funny little story.  The scarecrow continues to flourish and blossom and birds love him like a tree.

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I learnt an important lesson from my friend the scarecrow that I now know to be true; never judge a book by it's cover, for one day, the book being judged may just be ...

You.

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