There once was a great Teacher, who did many amazing things. Jesus! He was talking with the people who were about to go around the world and tell about loving God, loving neighbors, and taking good care of themselves. These people, Jesus' disciples, were worried. This is what Jesus told them:
"Stop and think about some living thing you see every day, that isn't worth much (maybe 5 cents, if you had to guess a price). Some ordinary little thing that isn't particularly important to anyone." Jesus said, "How about sparrows?"
(At my house, my garden is full of sparrows, lots of little birds that flit around, eating bugs, I guess, and chattering. In one of the languages of the Bible, Hebrew, sparrows are called this: "tsippors" - it means something like "chirpers" or "hoppers"! I like those little tsippors, but I don't really pay any attention to them.)
Jesus said, "Well, God pays attention to them. God watches every move they make, and knows all about each little bird. God has his eye on everything, even a tsippor."
And then he told his friends (and us!) this: "God knows all about YOU, too - even how many hairs are on your head!"
Jesus comforted his friends, saying, "So - do not be afraid. Know this: you are even more valuable than flocks of sparrows!"
