Object: A mechanical rabbit.

Lesson: Hope; prayer; faith.

"What is this?" I ask the assembled children as I hold up a small mechanical rabbit.

"A bunny!" several of the kids reply.

"Well now, since I brought a bunny rabbit today ..." I pause as if I'm uncertain of something "... is this Easter?"

"NO!" the children emphatically assure me.

"Well, if today isn't Easter, why did I bring a rabbit? I wonder ... Maybe you can help me figure this out. Is today any sort of holiday?"

"Yes," the children reply, "it's Father's Day."

"Oh, that's right. Now I remember. That's why I brought the rabbit." This elicits looks ranging from surprise to consternation. "I guess I'd better explain," I continue.

"When I was in the second grade, my father, who was in the army, got sent to a place called Ko…