bedtime stories on the radio and a prayer for peace

headlights move along a lonely stretch of 3 am highway somewhere in the western United States.  behind the wheel of a vehicle that burns gasoline to propel it forward a girl listens to the radio.  she hears stories told by men and women with strong BBC accents of a fight for democracy in Burma, disputed territory in the West Bank, election speculation in Ireland, an exhibit about the evolving English language at the National Library in London, and also a story about the President of Uganda rapping a children's story.  snow falls softly on the frozen highway, not enough to need the windshield wipers.  the individual flakes sparkle in the headlight beams.  the girl marvels at the strange beauty of the world and prays for peace.