Sharon Larsen - The Parable of the Chocolate Chips

Illustrations 2008 Howard Fullmer

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All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Larsen, Sharon G.

The parable of the chocolate chips / Sharon Larsen.

p. cm.

ISBN 9781590389126 (hardbound : alk. paper)

[1. Conduct of lifeFiction. 2. Peer pressureFiction. 3. PrincessesFiction. 4. Parables.] I. Title.

PZ7.L323954Par 2008

[Fic]dc22 2007053018

Printed in the United States of America

Phoenix Color, Hagerstown, MD

10987654321

About This Book

About twenty years ago, as I was preparing a talk for a youth conference, I came across the following scripture:... and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell (2 Nephi 28:21).

I wanted to find a way to show the young people how Satan dupes his victims and grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance (2 Nephi 28:22). The parable I wrote was originally called The Tragedy at Rayad, but through time and retelling it became known as The Chocolate Chip Story. (No reflection on chocolate chips!)

This book is yet another adaptation of my original story.

To my amazing grandsons,

Jake, Josh, Trevor, and Zachary

SL

To Reid, Sandra, David, and Malia.

With love.

HF

The Parable of the Chocolate Chips

In a smallish kingdom called Rayad lived a noble, kindhearted king who had one child, a daughter named Cerine. Because he loved her so very much, the king taught his daughter many wise and extraordinary truths.

One day, the king called the princess to his side. My daughter, he said, it is time for you to leave the palace and learn to choose for yourself. When you choose wisely, you will one day have a kingdom of your own.

The princess was eager for adventures. She waited restlessly as her father shared instructions and counsel for her journey. At last he was finished except for one final warning:

You may have noticed, my dear, that in Rayad, we dont eat chocolate cake. Do you know why?

Because chocolate cake tastes bad?

The king smiled. No. Actually, chocolate cake is delicious, very delicious. But eating it is very dangerous to us. If any Rayadites ever eat chocolate cake, their spirits become weakened. They care less and less about others and about the rules of the kingdom, and eventually they become trapped by Zynock.

Cerine was curious. She had never seen chocolate cake. Trapped how, Father? she asked. And who is Zynock?

Before you were born, said the king, a wicked sorcerer named Zynock promised the people of Rayad that if they would follow him, they could eat all the chocolate cake they wanted. That sounded like freedom to them. They did not stop to think about the consequences.

What were the consequences? asked the princess, listening intently.

Many people followed Zynock deep into the woods. What could be so wrong with eating chocolate cake? he taught them to question. But that was Zynocks trick to make them his captives. Now, Zynock is jealous of the peace and joy we have here in the kingdom, and he wants to destroy Rayad and everyone who lives here. So I had to banish him and everyone who followed him.

But, Father, probed the princess, why wont you let them come home?

The king looked sad. Only they can choose to come back. Their habits and desires have changed so much that they no longer feel comfortable at home, so they choose to stay away. Always remember, Cerine, Zynock is a liar. The things he promises do not bring happiness. If you stay away from chocolate cake, you will be safe. Please be careful.

I will be careful, Father. I promise I wont eat chocolate cake. Why would I want to do something that would weaken my spirit and make me unhappy?

The king smiled at his beloved daughter. Then he pulled something out of his pocket and placed it in her hand. It was a perfect little star that glowed with a brilliant inner light.

This star will help you remember not only how much I love you but the promises you have made, said the king. If you need me, throw it into the air, and I will always come for you.

You worry too much, Father, said the princess a little impatiently. She tucked the star in her pocket, quickly hugged her father, and left the palace.

From his tower at the edge of the woods, Zynock watched the young princess, envying her happiness and her many friends. He had to think of a plan. He planted a seed in his magic thinking box, and up grew a terrible idea.

Hobdob! he croaked excitedly to his servant. Ive got it! All we have to do is get the princess to eat chocolate cakeand I know just how to do it! Zynock whirled around and ran to his shop.

Hobdob did not move. He sat very still, holding his head in his hands. He had once been a happy child, with friends to laugh and play with. Now he was only a weak shadow living on nothing but chocolate cake. He felt sick all the timeand he was lonely, so very lonely.

Zynock dashed back to get his servant. Hobdob, he said, poking the sad little creature, if we can get the princess to eat chocolate cake, all the children in the kingdom will follow her into the woods with us and you will have many, many friends! But we must be very shrewd about this. These Rayadites want to be good. They wont eat chocolate cake immediately. We must first create a taste and then a longing for chocolate.

The next morning, ten shiny bakery trucks drove into Rayad from the woods. Hobdobs truck led the way.

What is that heavenly smell? the Rayadites asked each other, sniffing the air.

Chocolate chip cookies, said the cheerful-looking bakers as they unloaded their wares. You have never tasted anything as good as these cookies.

That day, the bakers didnt sell a single cookie. At the end of the day, they dutifully packed up their cookies and drove back into the woods.

The following morning, the ten shiny trucks returned. This time, some of the younger Rayadites dared each other to try one of the delicious-smelling cookies.