517- The little Train’s Journey to the Moon

The little train used to go fast from a village to another. The peasants thus rejoiced and greeted him together with the birds and the trees. Wherever he went, all greeted him and he greeted them. After years of enjoyment, two peasants caught the little train. They were talking about the space and the planets. He heard them talking about the spaceships which went to the space, that some of the spacemen landed on the Moon and that all mass media cared much for their news. Almost all people even children desired to land on the Moon.

The train decided to leave Earth and go for a journey to the Moon. He actually left the trees, the peasants and the birds. Instead of walking among the villages, he left for the Moon. He tried to go as fast as he could to go out of the Earth to the Moon. He was looking at the Moon where he saw a shining face with two eyes looking at him and a smiling mouth. This sight was pushing him more and more towards the Moon. He was dreaming of the moments during which he would reach his new place.

He actually approached the Moon for, the gravity, which kept his balance, no longer controlled him. There, he found no one to greet him, no beautiful trees to bow to him and no birds to fly around him. He found himself alone. Life was flavorless. Grief filled his heart for he left the Earth over which he used to walk joyfully. He decided to return quickly. There, he found the peasants waiting for him. Being glad, they applauded asking him not to leave them. Tears went down his cheeks and he said, “I’ll not leave the Earth again.”

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: رحلة القطار الصغير إلى القمر.

For my sake, You created the Moon and the planets.

You created the Earth so that I may enjoy its blessings

And enjoy the beautiful world.

You created the Moon to light by night.

I will not complain again.

With joy, I will live on my earth

And with pleasure, I will pass to the Heavens which You prepare for me.

The Lord is my Portion, says my Soul

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Young Men Serving