Anati was a tiny African baby. When she was born her mother, Nagusi, was so happy to have a little girl of her own.
The same day that Anati was born, another little baby girl, the daughter of the king of the tribe, was also born, and they called her Bangalla.
Bangalla’s mother then told Nagusi that she must be nursemaid to Bangalla, and that she must always remember that she is a king’s daughter. Now Nagusi had two babies to care for.
When they got older, the two little girls played together. But if they both wanted the same toy, Bangalla always got it. If Bangalla slapped Anati or pulled her hair, Anati must let her do it. She must not slap her back. Nor could she even run away. Bangalla, the king’s daughter, could do whatever she liked. Anati must go where Bangalla wanted her to. Often did poor Anati long to be free.
Bangalla and Anati liked market day, when many people would gather to sell or trade their goats, their corn, their eggs, and their beads. They liked to watch the native dancers whirl about with their feathers and bright costumes. It was at the market one day that the young girls saw a white man for the first time. He had come from a long distance and as he held to his mouth a big hornlike thing, his voice carried over the whole market so that everyone heard what he was saying.
The white man told of how he had come from across the sea to bring a message from the God of heaven and earth. He told them of how this God loved them, and that He had sent His only Son into this world to die for sinful men. Bangalla’s father, the king, was very much interested in what the white man had to say. Day after day he and the missionary would sit in front of the king’s hut talking together.
Bangalla and Anati heard the white man tell of how all had sinned and that God must punish sin because He is holy. But God’s dear Son had taken the sinner’s place in judgment and His precious blood washes away all sin. The missionary told the king that if he or any of his people would come to God and accept His Son as his or their Saviour, God would forgive them and they would go to heaven when they left this world.
The king would not believe the missionary’s message, nor would Bangalla. But little Anati heard; she believed, and she was saved. She became a happy follower of the Lord Jesus, and everyone, including Bangalla, noticed the difference in her life.
Not long after this, the king and men of the village had gone away to celebrate a feast. The women and children were left alone in the village. Out of the jungles came a band of fierce warriors with spears and clubs. They said they were going to carry off Bangalla because some of her father’s men had stolen their cattle. Bangalla’s mother pleaded with them not to take her little girl away, but they would not listen.
Inside the hut Bangalla trembled with fear, while Anati sought to comfort her. “I will pray for you,” said Anati, “and God will help you.”
“Oh, He will not help me because I have not loved Him, like you,” sobbed Bangalla. “God does not love me.”
“But God does love you,” said Anati, “and so do I.”
“How can you love me when I have been so mean and selfish, Anati,” said Bangalla.
Then Anati proceeded to show Bangalla how much she loved her. Said she: “If they take you and you die, you will be lost forever. But I know Jesus and if they take me I’ll go to be with Him. Let me put your clothes on and your jewels, while you lie down here on the floor. When the men come into the hut they will take me instead, thinking it is you.”
Quickly the girls exchanged their clothes and Anati soon looked like an African princess while Bangalla looked like a little servant girl.
In came the fierce warriors. They snatched up Anati and carried her down the village street. Bangalla’s mother screamed in terror.
As they came to the edge of the village a powerful voice sounded out from a tall palm tree. They heard in their own language the words, “STOP! PUT THAT GIRL DOWN!” The warriors were so taken by surprise that they stopped at once. They put Anati down, saying, “The palm tree talked. We must obey.” Then they fled into the jungle.
Anati came running back and told what had happened. When Bangalla saw her, she said, “Oh, Anati, I never understood the love of Jesus until you were willing to take my place—until you were willing to die for me. I have been mean to you. Now I know that Jesus took my place and died on the cross for me. I take Him as my Saviour.”
How happy Anati was then. When the king and all the men came back they heard what had happened. The missionary had rigged up his loud speaker in the palm tree only the day before, and though he had actually spoken from his hut, his voice had sounded from the palm tree. Everyone laughed when they heard what had happened, but it broke the hard heart of the heathen king. He too received the message of the gospel and became a follower of the Lord Jesus. Then the Saviour’s praise was sung in the village by many after that.
How about you, dear reader? Have you, too, learned to sing the song of praise to Jesus? Is He your Saviour?
“And they sung a new song, sang Thou are worthy..., for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Revelation 5:99And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9).
ML 05/30/1965