The Thirteenth Gift
Ever since she wrote The Twelve Gifts of Birth, Charlene mused about a scene in its opening. What might have happened when:
“The wise women came to understand that the twelve royal gifts of birth belong to every child, born anywhere at any time. They yearned to proclaim the gifts to all children, but the customs of the land did not allow that.”
The Thirteenth Gift novella visits that fabled time and reveals what happened while it tells the story of a contemporary woman named Claire.
While on assignment in Eastern Europe, Claire, a U.S. journalist, learns of a local legend when she stoops for a stone. The deceptively simple story about “the thirteenth gift” has a profound effect on Claire, which soon transforms her marriage, her work, and the way she sees the world. The Thirteenth Gift is both a cautionary tale and an inspirational fable as it shows a way through the perilous consequences of greed, arrogance, and abuse of power to an uplifted state of consciousness and community. The Thirteenth Giftinvites readers to renew their sense of wonderment, which can lead to freedom from fear and to a greater experience of hope, beauty, and joy in daily life.
“A beautiful, engaging, and hopeful book. It reminds us that every child is gifted.”
– Linda Kavelin Popov, co-founder of The Virtues Project, author The Family Virtues Guide
“A heartfelt story about the transformation available to us all.”
– Susanne M. Alexander, Character Specialist, Author Pure Gold
