Chapter 1 : A normal morning in France
Chapter One: A Normal Morning in France
The sun was shining gently through the curtains of Elly’s bedroom.
Birds were singing outside, and the morning breeze made the white curtains move like they were dancing. It was a peaceful morning in the small town of Lyon, France.
Elly opened her eyes slowly and smiled.
She loved mornings like this — quiet, calm, and full of light. Her room was painted light pink, with tiny fairy lights glowing above her bed. Her favorite teddy bear lay beside her. She hugged it and whispered, “Good morning, Mr. Bear.”
Above her bed, there was a small cross. She looked at it and smiled again.
“Thank you, Jesus, for this beautiful morning,” she said softly, folding her hands in prayer.
Elly was 13 years old. She had light brown hair that fell to her shoulders and big hazel eyes that sparkled when she smiled. She was kind, gentle, and full of love. She lived with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Laurent, in a white house with blue windows and a garden full of red, yellow, and purple flowers.
Downstairs, her mom called out,
“Elly! Breakfast is ready, darling!”
“I’m coming, Mum!” Elly called back with a happy voice.
She brushed her hair quickly, put on her yellow dress with white flowers, and went downstairs.
The kitchen smelled like warm pancakes and hot chocolate. Her dad was reading the newspaper, and her mom was placing apples and grapes in a bowl.
“Good morning, sweet Elly,” her mom said with a soft hug.
“Good morning, Mum! Morning, Dad!” Elly replied as she sat down at the table.
They ate breakfast together, smiling and chatting.
Her dad asked about school. Her mom reminded her to take her lunchbox. Elly laughed when her mom put an extra pancake on her plate and called it “a love pancake.”
After breakfast, Elly put on her schoolbag and walked to school. The street was quiet and bright.
She waved at the old flower lady who sold tulips. She smiled at the baker who always gave her a free cookie. She loved her town. It was small, but it felt like home.
At school, her best friend Clara ran to her.
“Elly! Look what I drew!” Clara showed her a drawing of a cat with a crown.
“It’s so cute!” Elly giggled.
They walked into the classroom together. The day was filled with normal things — Math, French, Art, and her favorite, Religion class. In Religion, they talked about love, kindness, and Jesus. Elly listened carefully. She believed every word.
She didn’t feel any confusion.
She didn’t feel lost.
She believed in her Christian faith with her whole heart.
When the school day ended, Elly walked home with Clara. They talked about their dreams, laughed about silly jokes, and stopped to buy chocolate from a tiny shop.
That evening, Elly sat by her window, looking at the stars.
She held her teddy bear close and whispered,
“Thank you, God, for a perfect day.”
Her world was simple.
Her heart was at peace.
And her journey... had not yet begun.
