Rusty the pup came dashing over to the woods and waited underneath a tree, looking up with breathless excitement. What was that strange thing climbing down out of the tree? It looked like a cat, so he would have some fun teasing it.
But it wasn’t a cat, and it didn’t try to run away. It just curled itself into a ball, and those little dark beady eyes looked out on Rusty all the while.
Rusty made a rush at him, barking loudly and fiercely, but he did not move, though the little eyes watched him steadily. When nothing happened, Rusty began to get vexed; he rushed in again to give him a nip, but with a surprised yelp of pain Rusty leaped back suddenly!
What happened? Though the little creature had not moved, something hurt Rusty terribly. Rusty was angry now; he would punish him for that, and so he dashed in again, but again he felt stabs of pain and bounded away. Now Rusty was really mad, and in fury he rushed in from one side to the other, barking in rage. But it only resulted in more stabs of pain, till Rusty could stand it no longer. Yelping with pain, he ran for home.
Uncurling himself, Porky the Porcupine went slowly on his way!
Rusty was in misery as he lay under the porch. His nose, his tongue, his mouth—his whole head was stinging with what felt like fiery needles. When Father came home, he called Rusty out and took in the situation at a glance. He brought a pair of pliers and soon removed the quills, and poor Rusty crawled under the porch again-a sadder but wiser pup.
Rusty had chosen his own playmate. He was like many boys and girls who choose to play with sin! They like to do many things that are wrong, go places they should not go, keep company with friends they should not be with, and listen to things that are not clean. Like the porcupine quills, those poisonous needles of sin enter into hearts and minds, and bring only great pain and sorrow!
Oh, how much better it is to choose the Lord Jesus for our Friend, and to have as our playmates those that love His name as Saviour. He will cleanse away our sins in His precious blood, and heal the sore spots that sin has left. Those that trust Him find that He gives peace and joy and happiness forever!
M.J.T.
ML-07/16/1978