Excerpt from-The Gifts-

...Mary waved good-bye to all the kind Villagers and began to walk. 
She had no sense of direction or any real plan to follow, but there was hope in her heart 
and she somehow knew she would find the right way-
As Mary walked along she thought to herself of just how she would ask the Mother
 about her Gift, or NO Gift, as it would seem~
 Maybe the Mother would be too busy to think about her missing Gift after all this time.

 In truth, Mary was just a little nervous about this whole Gift thing! 
In her heart she knew it was unfair to have been the only thing
 left out~ and that made Mary very determined.
 She just knew, even after all this time, the Mother would want 
to put things right! (She hoped.)

Later on in the story.

As the molten Summer sun set, sharing its unique and special Gift 
with all the land and sky, the air began to grow chill. 
Mary looked up longingly and wondered all again about the Ancient One who lived there. 
Mary wasn't afraid, 
All things nestled around her murmuring softly of  welcome and peace. 

 But Mary didn't sleep. She summoned  up her up her courage 
For after all it was the Mother who at the Beginning (or so she had always assumed) 
 had carefully selected and bestowed each of the uniquely special Gifts!
...And she alone, did not have one!

With that last thought, Mary stood up (Real cold she was.) 
and started determinedly up the last velvet rise towards the glowing lights
of the Mother's Home. It was time for action!
(Besides as I said Mary was real cold...and hungry.) 

Mary marched right up across the dewy, emerald lawn. 
She stepped boldly out onto the burnished stone pathway~ 
Then stepped up upon each glowing stair~
Right on up to the front door where 
Mary reached out and knocked! (Ever so lightly.)
  

Bright, tinkling bells chimed, "Come in Mary" 
She was just sure that's what they said and so she did. 
Pushing the huge front door gently open-
 Mary found herself standing before a blazing hearth 
where bubbled a gleaming copper pot with a most delicious smell. 
 Nervous and not really knowing what to expect, 
Mary decided to wait right there. 

She could hear trickling water and feel the breath of Spring in the air. 
The cheery fire flickered and crackled. 
The dancing flames were so bright and hot and inviting,
And the only chair in the room was so huge and so soft-
And Mary was so cold and so, so very tired...
That she climbed up upon it 
and closed her heavy eyes for just a moment. 
And Mary had another dream...

  Story to be continued...