Monday, July 30, 2007

Venture and Valour

A collection of stories by different authors
Available from Lamplighter Publishing
*****

This book contains four very different stories by separate authors. Each story features individuals who display great courage to do what is right. There is a Scripture passage at the conclusion of each tale articulating the message the reader has just perused. The variety of the stories helps to illustrate the valor of the characters. Originally of British publication, some of the spellings, such as “valour” will be spelled the English way.


The first story is of an ordinary American railroad man who performs a heroic rescue.


The second is a legend of a princess in a far away country of which nothing but this record remains, as is often the case in legends. She was noble, and lived for her people after her father the king was killed. Although her father’s hateful murderer assumes the kingship and demands her marriage to him, the princess Sylvia surrenders her way of life and happiness by choosing not to escape his clutches. She understood it was right to live, and to find ways to strengthen her people. I cried at the happy ending.


The third tale is more of a mystery, told by a rather selfish man. This man witnesses the self-denial and vigilance of two people. These people had given up their own lives for one of much more difficulty and danger because of their love and respect.


The last account is of a chemist. His assistant had accidentally switched two people’s prescriptions, which was a matter of life and death. The poor chemist battles human indolence, a fierce storm on the sea, and his own limitations to set the matter right, and to save a life. He accomplishes this but only by giving the ultimate sacrifice.


These four stories of people whose lives demonstrate heroic bravery and sacrifice make this book an excellent little collection. The reading level is for teens and adults, although younger children would enjoy hearing it read aloud.

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