Hello my name is Tubby, I live here in this wonderful library and I love to eat books. I live here with my friends Gumbo and Freckles.

Gumbo! Freckles! Come out come out wherever you are.

Over there on that great book is Grand Old Holy.

She is really old and wise and tells us wonderful stories, when she is awake that is.

Oh and we love to sing!

"I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in my heart - Where, Down in my heart - Where, Down in my heart, I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in my heart - Where, Down in my heart to stay!"

Holy, what is today's story about?

Today's story is about how a fish saved Jonah and spit him out.

What! A fish spit him out?

Stop it Tubby. Just listen to the story.

Okay children, a long long time ago, God had given a man called Jonah a job to do.

Instead of listening to God, Jonah set off in another direction.

Suddenly, there was a dangerous storm and the waves were running very high. The boat was tossing and turning in the middle of the sea.

Everyone on the boat was really scared. They did not know what to do.

They try to lighten the boat but throwing stuff overboard but it did not help. They ask Jonah to pray to his god to rescue them.

Jonah in his heart knew that it was because of him, that the lives of others were in danger.

He told his fellow sailors, "Throw me into the water." Jonah knew that God was with him and he would rescue Jonah.

The sailors tried hard to row to the shore but they were very tired and could not row any longer.

Praying for forgiveness to God, they threw Jonah into the water. To everyone's amazement the sea stopped raging at once.

God hears Jonah's prayers and sent a huge fish to rescue him.

Jonah was inside the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Jonah prayed to God for help from inside the fish's belly.

God spoke to the fish. When the time came and it was safe for Jonah to come out into the world, the fish spit him out.

And now here is a question for you. What did Jonah do when he was inside the fish's belly?

I think he ate up the fish from inside.

No silly. He prayed to God so that God would rescue him.

You are absolutely right Gumbo!

"I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in my heart - Where, Down in my heart - Where, Down in my heart, I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in my heart...!"

The Holy Tales