THE LIVING FLAME 

By Tessa Harvey


    After all the students, chattering like sparrows, had gone home by car, school bus, walking or cycling, Helga was busy checking her students' work.
    There were two quick taps on her closed classroom door. Helga's heart beat fast. This had been happening more lately and the young teacher had no idea why.
    "Come in," she called, bravely, assuming it was a student and a parent as one tap was lower than the other. The door opened and Gamsiz' head peeped around, his lovely wide smile erasing her nervousness.     
    A very pretty lady followed him, dressed in lovely vibrant colours. Like her son she was dark-haired with milky coffee coloured skin. Immediately she smiled exactly as her boy did and Helga happily beamed back at her visitors.
   "This is..." began Gamsiz, but gently his mother tapped his shoulder. "I do this, Gamsiz, okay!" He smiled up at her with so much love, and nodded.
    "Elif," she announced, holding out her hand. Surprising them both, Helga held out her arms and hugged her lightly. "Thank you," Elif said, tears brimming "I am Christian. Here this is not good, but I am living flame for God. Is my life!"


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