Nastia the Bookworm

Tars is a literature evangelist. He sells Christian books to people as a way to tell them about God's love. One day he knocked on an apartment door, and a man opened the door. When Tars told the man why he was there, the man invited him in. He said that his wife was at work, and he was taking care of their daughter, Nastia [NAHS-tya]. Tars sat down and started talking with the man about grown-up things, for example, how to help families teach children to say no to bad things such as drugs and crime.

Soon a little girl appeared at her father's side. Nastia had heard her father talking to someone and came to see who it was. She saw the stranger holding a book. It was a Bible storybook for children.

Little Bookworm

When Tars saw Nastia watching, he gave her a copy of the book to look at. Nastia climbed onto the couch and opened the book. She was just learning how to read, so she turned the pages, looking at the interesting pictures and reading the words she knew.

Nastia sat very quietly looking at the book in her lap as Tars told her father about another book he was holding. Tars described some of the stories in the book. "This story teaches children the importance of staying quiet when Mother or Father is tired," he said. "And this story talks about how children can help their parents around the house."

The two men talked for a long time while Nastia read the book in her lap. Then Tars asked her if she would like to have some books like these.

"Oh yes," she said. "I would like to have these and many more like them!" Papa smiled. He could not remember the last time Nastia had been so quiet and so interested in reading. He bought a Bible storybook and a health book for Nastia and one book for his son.

Tars wanted Papa to buy a book for himself and his wife that told more about God's love for them, but the man was not interested. However, he invited Tars to return when his wife was home. Maybe she would want other books. Tars thanked the man and arranged to come back in a week.

Nastia Shares her Books

A week later Tars returned to visit the family. Father greeted him and invited him in. Tars saw Nastia and asked her, "Do you remember me?" She nodded shyly.

"Nastia really likes her new books," Papa said. "She has read several things to us from them. She is even trying to change our eating habits!" Then Papa told Tars that after she read the book on health, Nastia began asking questions about the food they were eating. "At lunch one day Nastia asked me how much cholesterol was in the food we were eating," Papa said. "I did not even know that she knew what cholesterol is. Other times she told me, 'Papa, this food has too much fat or too much sugar.'"

Father looked at Nastia sitting in the corner reading her Bible storybook. He told Tars that she read from it every day. "I guess that was money well spent!"

Nastia's mother came into the room and greeted Tars. Tars showed her some books about the Bible that are especially for adults. Nastia's mother decided to buy them. The books cost a lot of money-almost a month's wages-but she wanted them so much that they asked Tars if he could bring them that same day.

The Good News in Print

Tars is sure that when these two grown-ups saw how much Nastia loved the books they had bought for her, they decided that they needed to learn more about God.

Nastia's family does not attend church regularly, so the books they bought for their little bookworm and the books Mama bought may be the only way they have to learn that Jesus loves them. Pray that Nastia and her family will want to know more about Jesus.

This story originally appeared in the children's edition of Mission, 3rd quarter 2001, edited by Charlotte Ishkanian. Used by permission.