Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born.

The child asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth today, but how am I going to live there, being so small and helpless?"

God said, "My child, from all my many angels, I chose a special one just for you. She will be waiting for you and take care of you.

The child said, "But God, here in heaven, I don't do anything else but sing and smile, and it makes me happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and smile for you, and you will feel your angel's love, and that will make you happy."

The child said, "And how will I understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk on Earth?"

God replied, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And God," said the child, "What am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray, and I will hear you."

The child said, "I've heard that on earth there are bad people and many evil things. Who will protect me?"

"Your angel will defend you," said God, "Even if it means risking her life. You are more precious than anything to her.

The child said, "But I will always be sad, because I will not see you anymore."

God smiled and said, "Your angel will teach you the way for you to be good and come back to me, and through her you will know that I am always watching over you."

Then they heard voices calling from Earth, and the child knew it was time to go. "God," the child asked softly, "If I am about to leave now, could you please tell me my angel's name, so I will know her?"

And God said, "Your angel's real name is of no importance. You will call your angel "Mommy".