The Bluestone Review 2025

Prose

the attack and took even less time to be flung on top of Mommy by Jimbo’s huge paw. The referee stepped in to stop the match just as Sadie got a bear nose in the bottom. While they didn’t win the $100 in groceries, as a thank you for a record day in sales, Mr. Tiller did present them with a container of honey shaped like a bear. A sweet treat that Daddy and us kids enjoyed, but Mommy refused to touch.

The Legend of the Dogwood Tree Amy Presley

Long ago when the world was younger, there was a dogwood tree growing on a grassy hill near the town of Jerusalem. Every year the tree would grow taller and stronger, its limbs reaching toward heaven. Its trunk was sturdy and under its leaves was an excellent spot for travelers to rest. The dogwood tree was happy to share its shade. Many people would gather beneath it, talking, sharing stories, and speaking of hope for better days. Around that time, a man came to the town of Jerusalem. He was unlike any other man the dogwood tree had seen before. People gathered around him, eager to hear what he had to say. The dogwood tree was curious. Who was this man? Why did so many come to listen to him? Many people, old and young, would come sit on the dogwood tree’s hill and listen to the teacher. He spoke with kindness and wisdom, telling them wonderful things about the kingdom of God. He told everyone to love one another and to love God with their whole heart. The dogwood tree listened carefully. There was something special about this man. Sometimes he told stories—stories about lost sheep and sons who went far from home. The tree didn’t understand everything, but it could tell that the teacher was good, and what he said was true. The dogwood tree grew to love hearing him teach the crowds on the hill. It admired the man, longing to understand more.

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