A mother took her children to a restaurant. Her eight-year-old son asked if he could say grace. They all bowed their heads and he said, "God is good, God is great, let us thank You for the food and I would even thank You more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert and Liberty and justice for all, Amen!"
Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, the mother heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream, why, I never!"
Hearing this the eight year old little boy burst into tears and asked his mother, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"
As the mother held her son and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at the little boy and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."
"Really?" the little boy asked.
"Cross my heart." Then in a theatrical whisper he added, indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing, "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."
Naturally, the mother bought ice cream at the end of the meal. The little boy stared at his for a moment and then did something the mother will remember the rest of her life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman that had made the comment about his prayer and with a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."
