The Doll Maker

Once upon a time in a far-away place lived a kindly old dollmaker. He had spent his goodly long life creating dolls of all sorts, making all the little girls in the world happy.

He had kept up in the trends of the world and made dolls that say "mama", that cry, that stand up by themselves, and that even wink at you. But our dollmaker was very wise. He knew that his time for special contribution was growing short. So, with special resolve in his heart, he made his most beautiful creation. He gave her brown curls, which he personally felt had the most beauty in their long tresses. He gave her the bluest of blue eyes, into which he put the promises of eternity and into which one could gaze forever.

This special doll was given long legs with which she could dance, run and play, and occasionally even walk a second mile. He gave her beautiful hands to work and serve with and teach all the other dolls. Her fingers were long and slender. With these, the old man hoped she would comfort those around her. She had a beautiful face and he planned this so that she could see the beauty in others. He dressed her in a gown as shimmery as gossamer, and on the last day when she was completed, he lifted her up with great care and set her gently in front of a large mirror.

"What do you think little doll?" he asked "Are you not the most beautiful doll in the world?" The doll looked through her long lashes full of excited anticipation. Suddenly her pretty face clouded up and then stormed over. "Oh dollmaker, I hate brown hair and I have always longed for green eyes. These are not the colors I'd have chosen for myself. And look how gangly and long my legs are! How large my feet are! How unfashionable they will seem to the world. My gown is really very ordinary. Oh dollmaker, I am not a beautiful doll at all!"

We have been created with the most beautiful qualities. Don't look into life's mirrors and wish you were something you're not. May we thank the great Dollmaker for what we have been given.