SPECIAL FRIENDS, TALES OF SAINTS AND ANIMALS was originally created as an episode of LAMP UNTO MY FEET, part of CBS television's Sunday morning spiritual programming. CBS later asked me to adapt this into a Christmas Eve special, which I did. Bantam Skylark then asked me to turn the material into a children's book, which was published in 1981. The book is now out of print, but the introduction sums up what it is about:
"There was a time when man was especially aware of the world around him and spoke a silent language with the living things that make up our planet. This was a silent language of love and respect and it made all living things equal in the story of Life.
"Some of the people who could do this were called Saints, a title that means they shared a deep love for God and for the Beauty of the Universe and found in their animal friends companionship, understanding and love.
"This silent language is not a secret one - nor do only saints know how to speak it. Silent means inside ourselves, within our thoughts and emotions, and because everyone has an inside and has thoughts and emotions, we can all speak it. All we have to do is listen and learn from our animal friends and the growing things around us."
Words & Pictures © by Arlene Graston
All Rights Reserved
