Story and Photo Illustrations by Wendy Francisco
Story and Illustratons
c2005 Wendy Francisco
Wendy's Music
and Art

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Once there was a girl whose name was Servanthood. She rode a pony stallion named Freedom.

The girl and the pony were like one. God led them all over the countryside together. Everyday they helped poor country families. Freedom would pull the plows or take the children for rides, while Servanthood would help with the washing, harvesting or cooking. At night the townspeople would light the fires and eat and sing and tell stories. Freedom and Servanthood were happy. Their faces reflected the fullness of their hearts.

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One day, as they were traveling on a lonely road between towns, a large wolf stepped into their path. The wolf ignored the pony but stared intently at the girl. "You say you love God, yet you ride high on your Freedom. If you really want to serve your God, you must give up what you love, follow me on foot, and learn your role. After all, we both know that the pony's real name is not Freedom, but Rebellion."

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Freedom laid his ears back and said, "He lies, Servanthood. My name is not Rebellion unless you leave me." But the dart had been well aimed. Servanthood hung her head, dismounted, and was led away.

Servanthood continued to work among the people. Every day the wolf would tell her where to go, and give her a long list of things to do. One day, as she was scrubbing a floor, the wolf said to her, "Now you have a new name, 'Slave'. Nobody can serve God enough to please Him fully, but His grace makes up for your pitiful lack." Slave felt proud of her advancement, but guilty for her imperfections. She continued to scrub.
Rebellion raced across the mountains alone to a far country. He went deeper and deeper into the wilderness. Years went by and his coat became stained and filled with burrs. His hooves grew long and cracked and his ribs began to show. He was consumed with emptiness.
Rebellion came to a stream bubbling over the rocks. He knelt over the water exhausted. Big horse tears spilled from his eyes. Suddenly he heard his old name, "Freedom", spoken in a deep voice. He looked up and saw a man with gentle eyes smiling at him. "Follow me, Freedom", He said, "I will bring you back to Servanthood."

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Instantly Freedom was standing on a hill in his own country. His coat was white and shiny. The man was standing beside him. "Servanthood is down below in the town." He said. "She will not have you back just yet. She has taken a name which I did not give her. She is working to gain something which I have already given her. She feels the emptiness of her labors, but is trapped in pride and anger. She will die without you, Freedom. Wait here. I will call you soon." The man disappeared and Freedom stood alone on the hillside and waited.
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Slave was covered with soot. She had been cleaning a chimney. It was her last chore for the day. As she beat out a brush, a child went riding by on a little white pony. Slave yelled at the child, "It is wrong to ride ponies!" The child hung his head and climbed off the pony. Self-satisfied, Slave continued to beat out the brush, sending clouds of black dust everywhere.

Slave was very tired. She had been working for days - for years. She thought about Freedom and wondered where he was. Suddenly Slave dropped the brush and fell sobbing into the ashes. At once the wolf appeared and snarled, "Why have you stopped? How dare you stop?!" But Slave only cried harder, "I am through with you, and with God!" She wailed, "Leave me!" The wolf faded away and Slave was left angry, broken, and alone.
"Servanthood!" Slave heard her old name spoken in a deep smiling voice. She turned to see a man in a glowing robe. At once she realized it was God, and that she had been deceived by the wolf. God took her hand and lifted her out of the ashes. "Servanthood", He said, "The wolf tricked you. Don't you know that I did not come to call you slave, but friend? When you serve from obligation, your love is hollow, and your efforts strengthen the wolf's domain rather than my Kingdom."
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Suddenly Freedom stepped out from behind God. Servanthood ran and threw her arms around Freedom's neck. Freedom bowed, and Servanthood slipped onto her back.
"You are each my gift to the other," said God, with a big smile, " Without each other, neither of you can exist. Stay together and carry my joy to this world."
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The Credits
"Servanthood and Freedom" is written and illustrated by Wendy Francisco. Wendy has illustrated 8 published children's books and is an award winning fine artist.

Wendy is also a songwriter and recording artist. You can listen to her music on our
MP3 Sample Page.
Story and Illustratons
c2005 Wendy Francisco.
For permission to use, please email us at,
crackonoon@earthlink.net
Servanthood is played by Wendy's daughter, Annie Brooks. She is wearing a Renaissance prom dress sewn by Lisa Espinoza. You can listen to Annie's wonderful music on our
MP3 Page.
Danny and Pat
Photo by Kitty Currier
About The Illustrations
These illustrations were done by combining photos in Photoshop. The photos were "morphed" together, a process of sizing, adjusting color balances and contrast, and other blending techniques.
Freedom is Orton Hall Danny, the amazing white Fell Pony stallion who stands in Livermore, Colorado. (Wendy did not give either Danny or Annie any more mane than they really have!)

You can visit Danny's site and see the original photos which Wendy used for this project HERE. Danny is owned, trained, and exhibited by Patricia Burge. Thank you, Pat! :-)
God is played by Wendy's husband, Don Francisco who is dressed in jeans, a white shirt, and Wal-Mart panel curtains. Don is an international recording artist. You can listen to his music on our MP3 Sample Page.
Photo Credits
The photos of Annie, Don, the backgrounds, trees and skies were taken by Wendy.
The rain forest in the last photo was taken by Don Francisco in Alaska.
The original photos of Danny were taken by Kitty Currier.
The wolf photography is by Monty Sloan at www.wolfphotography.com.
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