A Teaching Scene from Household Saints by Francine Prose*

"Theresa, when I was a little girl, much younger than you, I heard a story about the Virgin and the Angel Gabriel."

Theresa put down the dish towel and stared. Since when did her mother know stories like that?

"It was just after the Annunciation," said Catherine. "Gabriel had finished his speech, 'Fear not, the Lord art with thee, et cetera et cetera.' He was just about to fly out the window when Mary grabbed the tip of his wing and held him back.

"'Sir,' Mary said, 'Can you tell me something? This thing that's happening to me — is this what you would call a miracle?'

"'I would,' said the angel.

"'And the baby's birth? Will that be a miracle too?'

"'That is always a miracle. But this birth will be the greatest one of all.'

"'And the child's life?'

"That too. Miracle after miracle.' Again the angel turned and shook his wings to fly off. But now he stopped on his own, and looked at Mary. And you know what he said?" Catherine was stalling till she was sure she had the punchline right.

"What?"

"'Madonna,' he said, 'there are plenty of miracles in this world. But life is too short to sit around waiting for them.'"

*pubished in paperback by Ivy, $4.99, ISBN 0-8041-1165-0)

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