Once upon a time, there was a lady named Hannah. She really, really wanted to become a mom and have a child of her own. Every year, she and her husband would go to a special place called Shiloh.

When they reached Shiloh, everyone would have a huge celebration. They thanked God for the good things in their lives, like their crops and everything else they had. They even gave special presents to God to show how thankful they were.

However, this made Hannah feel a little bit sad sometimes. She wanted to be happy and thankful like everyone else, but she felt sad because she couldn't have a baby. Hannah didn't just sit around feeling sad, though. She tried her best to stay positive, even though deep inside, she was still sad. Her husband loved her a lot and tried to make her feel better, but nothing seemed to work.

Then, one day, Hannah decided to do something that she thought might help. One evening, after they had finished eating and drinking, Hannah went to the temple and started to pray.

When she prayed, she was really open about how she felt. Sometimes, she cried a lot and probably felt like God had forgotten her. While she was praying, she made a promise to God. She said, "Dear God, if you can see how sad I am and remember me, please give me a son. And if you do that, I promise I'll dedicate my son to you for his whole life."

While Hannah was praying, a man named Eli, who was a priest, was sitting nearby and saw her. When she prayed, she didn't say her words out loud. Her lips moved, but Eli couldn't hear what she was saying.

He told her, "Go in peace, and may God answer your prayer." After that, Hannah felt much better because she had shared her feelings with God. The next morning, she even went to worship God before she went home.

After some time passed, something wonderful happened. God, who never forgets any of us, remembered Hannah. He gave her a special gift—a son, and she named him Samuel.

Hannah had waited a really long time for this baby, and she loved him a lot. But she also remembered that she had made a promise to God. Hannah was a very honest person, and when she made a promise, she meant it. Even though she loved Samuel so much, she remembered her promise to God. She didn't change her mind or get mad at herself. She kept her promise.

When Samuel grew a little older, Hannah went back to the place where she had prayed before. She talked to Eli, who was a priest, and said, "Do you remember me? I'm the lady who cried and prayed for this child, and God answered my prayer. Now, I'm giving him to the Lord. I want him to learn and work with you."

Samuel stayed with Eli, and every year, Hannah would pack her things and go visit Samuel. She would bring him new clothes. It might have been a bit sad for Hannah to see Samuel only once a year, but she wanted to keep the promise she had made. God blessed Hannah again. He gave her and her husband even more sons and daughters.

Samuel did really well while he was with Eli. Then, one night, something really unusual happened. Eli and Samuel were both sleeping soundly when suddenly, Samuel woke up. Someone was calling his name, "Samuel."

Thinking it was Eli, Samuel rushed to Eli's bed and asked, "Did you call me?" But Eli said, "No, I didn't call you. Go back to sleep."

So Samuel went back to his bed. He didn't know it yet, but it was God calling him. Just as Samuel was getting comfortable, God called again, "Samuel!" Startled, Samuel got up and went back to Eli, saying, "I'm here. Did you call me?"

Once again, Eli said, "No, I didn't call you. Go back to bed."

But God called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli again and said, "I'm here. You called me."

Eli couldn't figure out who could be calling Samuel since they were the only ones there. Suddenly, Eli understood that it must be God trying to talk to Samuel. So, Eli told Samuel, "Go back to bed, and if you hear the voice again, say, 'Yes, Lord, I'm listening.'"

And that's exactly what Samuel did. He lay down again, and when God called once more, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel replied, "Speak, Lord. I'm listening."

From that moment on, Samuel knew when God wanted to talk to him, and he always listened. God blessed Samuel, and as he grew up, he became a great prophet, someone who spoke for God.

Hannah did the right thing by keeping her promise to God. Her son Samuel helped many people get to know God better.