January 15, 2013. (Romereports.com) This storybook includes a tale about two red fish that live in a pond, and what happens when they discover that a man dressed in white visits them every day.

It was written and illustrated by Russian painter Natalia Tsarkova. In addition to being an original story, the book also stands out because it's based on two fishes that actually live in a pond at papal gardens at Castel Gandolfo. The person that feeds them is none other than Benedict XVI.

NATALIA TSARKOVA
Painter
 “When I went for a walk around the enchanting gardens at Castel Gandolfo, I was impressed by the intense spirituality of the garden. So, out of my heart there was born a fable, a fable that speaks about love, faith and hope. I really hope that his book is read by children all over the world. And that this message gets to the heart of the children.”

Since the Pope was unable to attend the book's presentation, he sent his personal secretary, Georg Gaenswein, who wrote the story's prologue.

MSGR. GEORG GAENSWEIN
Personal Secretary, Benedict XVI
“I wrote the preface, first off, in an ecumenical aspect because she is not Catholic, but Orthodox. But I also did it willingly, because I think the book is important and delightful, I suggest people read this small book. Read it and love it.”

Georg Gaenswein said that when he started his ecclesiastical career in a small church in Germany's Black Forest, what he found most difficult was preparing the homilies for children.

MSGR. GEORG GAENSWEIN
Personal Secretary, Benedict XVI
 “It's never easy to prepare a homily, sometimes it turns out great, others time not. It depends on many things. But preparing a homily for children is very difficult because they are very unforgiving. Theological holes, they can trap you. Superficiality, they will point it out right way, and they won't like it or forgive you if you're not sincere. If you are sincere, they forgive everything, but if you're not sincere, you have lost them once and for all.”
 
Natalia Tsarkova gave this tale to the Pope as a gift in April of 2012. It is now available to all the children in the world.


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