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"GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY"
The sound of the gavel sounded
through the courtroom.
She stood there, a feature of a
pathetic worn out person stamped
upon her face.
A form to small for a woman, a
look to old for a child.
Long years of suffering, must
have left their silent trace.
The gavel sounded again, "all
rise", as the Judge took his place.
He announced, "you may be seated".
"Your name"? asked the Judge.
As he laid his eyes upon her, with
kindness, yet a keen look.
"Is------"Crystaline Alexxia, if you
please, sir".
"And your age?" he asked in a
rather gruff voice.
"I am but fourteen".
"Crystaline,----you are charged with
stealing three loafs of bread."
He firmly asked,"are you guilty of
this crime or no?"
She passionately began weeping.
Then quickly dried her tears, and
looked in the Judge's eye.
She began to speak, sir, my father
and mother are dead.
My brothers and sisters hungry.
At first I earned it for them, working
hard all day.
Then work fell away, for the times
were hard.
The weather was bitter cold.
The young ones cried and shivered.
Little, Johnnie's but four years old.
What was I to do, sir? I am guilty,
but do not condemn; I took--Oh!
was it stealing?--The bread to give
to them."
Everyone in the courtroom, as they
looked upon her, tears sprang from
their eyes.
The prisoner spoke the truth.
And out of their pockets, taking
out old faded wallets, they made
a miracle come true.
The judge cleared his throat.
With the strangest look on his
face you ever saw.
Then murmured something about
the law.
The Judge so wise with dealing
with men.
Was now puzzled by what happened
just then.
The sound of the gavel one last
time echoed through out the room.
As the sentence pronounced for
this young prisoner was dropped
for reason of food.
Humbly he rose and went to her.
He said,"forgive us, for we did not
know you were in need of bread."
He smiled and tenderly lead her
from the courtroom.
This here little child, found guilty,
for stealing three loafs of bread.
He looked into her eyes, as a
tear fell from his eyes.
He held her little hand so tight
and said, "God is very wise".
written by: Paula aka Angel Of Love
October 20, 2003
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