Happy and pleasant though the life was that these five friends led together, Palko had the feeling that something was lacking. At times there came to him such a pressing desire to be with Father Malina that he would go down on his knees to pray to his Savior: “Lord Jesus, I do wish to accept and bear my cross, but although I have not the whip-mangled shoulders that you had, still the cross is so heavy to bear! I do so want to be with my beloved friend.”
Palko felt that none understood him like Father Malina, and so he longed to be off to the village for a visit to his dear friend, but no opportunity came his way for some time. The first Sunday the rain put an end to any thought of going, and the Sunday following his grandfather had gone to church with Liska and Uncle Lesina. When they returned in the afternoon, Palko asked permission to go to the forest guard’s house to take the goodwife there some strawberries, as an expression of gratitude for her wonderful gifts to them. Taking Dunaj with him, Palko started to run. He felt as if he had escaped from a cage, and Dunaj was delighted to find himself alone with his young companion.
“At last I shall be able to find out all the news about Father Malina. In Palko’s happiness he made the hills echo with his shouts, while Dunaj also added to the noise. Very quickly they arrived at the forest guard’s home. The goodwife was alone in the house.
“A thousand remembrances from my grandfather,” said Palko breathlessly, “and here are some strawberries and mushrooms with his compliments and thanks for all your kindness to us.”
“My! my! what wonderful mushrooms! Where did you get them?” exclaimed the goodwife. “Please thank him heartily for such a lovely gift, and such strawberries, too! They’ll make a fine pie for my man today. Just sit down while I get you a cup of tea,” and she bustled about and soon had a splendid feast spread out before Palko, such being her idea of a cup of tea for a hungry boy.
After a while Palko said, “If you please, ma’am, can you give me any news of Father Malina?”
“I think he’s all right, except that there’s been something so strange about him lately,” and the goodwife shook her head.
“Something strange about him, ma’am?”
“Yes! For the last two Sundays, he has preached as never before.” The good woman seemed to forget that she was talking with a mere child, because of the eagerness and attention that he gave to every word.
“That’s it!” cried the boy, nodding his head with approval. “That’s what he told me that last Sunday morning I saw him. He said he was going to preach as he had never preached before, for he had found the way to the land where the sun never, never goes down.”
“He told you that, did he? Well, that’s what he said to us, for he used those very same words in his sermon. If you had not been with him day and night for two whole weeks, I would not speak of this to you, for you are so young, but he said that up until now he had not been a very good priest to us, because he had never been born again from above by God’s Holy Spirit, and that he had had no assurance that his sins were all pardoned. He also said that he had told us all he knew about the Lord Jesus, but that he had never really possessed Him in his heart. Finally, he added that neither had we possessed Him, but that he would teach us the way that would lead us to Him, because God had received him, Father Malina, at last in grace, and that He had accepted him as one of His children. I can’t tell it very well, for I’m only a poor woman, but I shall never forget that talk, nor the one he gave this morning. I could hardly wait for Sunday to come, so eager was I to know how he was going to show us the way. He has made us all see how good and holy God is and what great sinners we are, and that we should be lost forever if we did not repent and come to God by faith in what His Son did, when He died on the Cross for our sins.
“I can’t tell you the impression he seemed to make, but it was so quiet in the church, you could have heard a pin drop, and one would have said that it was not Father Malina, who occupied the pulpit, but some other one, so magnificently did he preach. After the service we all remained in the churchyard, for we didn’t seem to be able to move from the place; we were as astounded as if the day of judgment had already come of which he had spoken to us. And he told us about some Book he had read whereby he found the way that leads to God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and he said that on the first page of the Book was written something that I do not remember very clearly, but it was about reading it line after line.”
“Here’s the Book,” said Palko, “and here is what it says in the front of it!” He took from his pocket his precious treasure and read to her the opening lines.
“You have the Book!” exclaimed the good wife, excitedly, taking it in her hands, “and how did you come by it, boy? Did Father Malina give it to you?”
“No,” said Palko. “I was the one who loaned it to him.” Then he had to tell again the story of his great find which increased the good woman’s surprise and delight. He told her how he and the priest had read the book together, and how together they had received the Lord Jesus, just as Martha and Mary had, and also the Holy Spirit, as the drop of dew received the Sun.
“But, my little Palko, you talk like one of the saints, or like the Lord Jesus, when He was twelve years old, in the Temple,” she said. “Would you mind lending me the Book?”
Palko hesitated. “I would be glad to, but I have not read it through yet, and the Book says, you remember: ‘line after line’! To be sure, Uncle Lesina has brought the whole Bible with him from the city, and we read from it every day, but I read from this alone, especially when I go to the Sunshine Valley on the hill up yonder, and when Auntie and I go out for a walk or to gather strawberries. I couldn’t take the Bible with me, it is too big and heavy, and also it is quite difficult to find in the big Book the stories and verses that I want.”
The boy looked ahead of him, as if trying to find a solution to the problem.
“Now I have it!” he exclaimed suddenly. “Father Malina, when he returned the Book, said that he was sending for other copies, so I suppose there must be many books like it in the world.”
“Did he say that?” exclaimed the good wife joyously. “Listen, Palko, your grandfather won’t be worried if you get back a little late today. I have some things here to send to Father Malina. Would you mind taking them for me, and ask him at the same time if he could let me have one of these books? I would be glad to pay him for it if the price is not beyond me.”
“Good!” exclaimed Palko. “Now I’ve got my chance to see Father Malina.”
Palko helped to pack the basket containing two wild pigeons neatly cleaned and dressed, the mushrooms he had just brought from home, a fine fresh sheep cheese, and some golden butter.
“Take it,” said his hostess, “and give him my best regards. Tell him I shall never forget his sermon, and ask also that he will pray for me that I, too, may find the way that leads to God. Tell him I wish to do whatever may be expected of me, to make pilgrimages or pay masses, or anything else so long as I am not condemned for eternity.”
These words started a train of thought in Palko’s mind, as he started down the hill with his basket.
“What did she say? The Lord Jesus simply said: ‘Come unto Me,’ and Martha and Mary never went on a pilgrimage before they received Him into their house, or paid for any masses. They contented themselves with just ‘receiving’ Him, that’s all I know. I’m sure the forest guard’s wife doesn’t know (any more than I did before) the story of the serpent of brass, or about the Israelites in Egypt who escaped death and punishment, because the lamb was killed for them and its blood put upon their houses. You, Lord Jesus, are the Lamb of God who died for us upon the cross, that we, too, might not be brought to judgment for our sins! Why didn’t I tell her so? I will when I get back if I don’t forget it. When she has the Book she will understand it better, and besides, she has mine which I’ve left with her in the meantime. She’ll be reading some of it just now. What a shame that it doesn’t tell all about this in the beginning. However, line after line, that’s the way to come at the truth.”
In next to no time Palko was at the chapel-house. In the hall, he met the old servant.
“Father Malina has been resting, and I would not let anybody disturb him,” she said, “but he gave me orders never to send you away. Go in and show him what you have in the basket before taking it to the housekeeper.”
Letting himself into the room quietly, Palko looked around for the priest, and finally, in the dim light, discovered him on the sofa. He had his eyes closed, but immediately opened them.
“Well, Palko, you are indeed welcome! At last, you are here!” and the priest stretched out a thin hand. “I thought you were never coming, and I began to ask myself if you had forgotten me. There, now, don’t look like that. I well knew how you have wanted to come and see me.”
“You can be sure of that,” said poor Palko, trying hard to keep back the tears. Putting his basket on the table, and kneeling by the sofa he did a thing he had never done before. He kissed his friend tenderly on the cheek just as he would have kissed Lesina’s wife. This unexpected outburst of affection caused the lonely priest the most profound emotion. He gathered the boy in his arms and returned his kiss with interest.
“Why are you lying down at this time of day?” asked Palko, with great tenderness. “Are you very tired or sick?”
“I am a bit tired, and also I have sharp pains that come in my side which make it difficult to breathe as soon as I start to walk. I have not spoken of this to anybody, and only tell you now that you might pray for me to the Saviour, and perhaps He might be pleased to heal me.”
“Let us pray to Him now, and then I will tell what I have come for. Lord Jesus, my beloved Lord Jesus, here we are with You, for You have promised to be with us, is it not so? I do ask You, please, to heal Father Malina. You know that he cannot preach when he’s sick, and how necessary it is that he should teach the people the Way. The forest guard’s wife wants to know all about it. Amen.”
“Yes, Son of God,” added the priest himself. “Thou who didst carry our infirmities, including mine. Thou knowest how much I would like to do for Thee to help Thy people who still walk in darkness. How many years have I been but a poor blind guide for these blind ones, a mere hireling, and I did not lead the sheep. Please let me repair the result of my blind carelessness. I did not know the Way or Thy Book and now this dear lad has brought me into the light, for Thou hast revealed unto babes what Thou hast hidden from the wise and prudent. Now, Lord, I am so young yet, and have almost the whole of life before me; if Thou wilt heal me, I shall have but one desire, to be used in Thy service. Amen.”
A solemn silence reigned in the room, as in the church itself. Then Palko broke it exclaiming: “I believe, sir, that He will do what we have asked.”
“Well, Palko, I believe He will let me complete my duty at least. Only I ask that you continue to pray for me. You know that we are both serving the same Master, and so we should help one another.”
“You’re feeling a bit better already, sir; are you not?” said Palko.
“Yes, I am better! As soon as you entered the room, I felt relieved. You see, Palko, no one has come to take your place, and on finding myself alone, and with this weight upon me, I have indeed been sore afflicted.”
“You have no father or mother like me?”
“They died some time ago.”
“But have you no grandfather or brothers or sisters?”
“I had them, but all my relatives have gone, except my sister, who was here with me a short time ago, but she could not stay, and lives a long way from here.”
“Who, then, is the elderly lady that keeps house for you?”
“She is a distant relative of my father’s. Just before your arrival I felt so lonely, I knew not what to do, but now the dear Lord has sent you to me, blessed be His Name! What is in the basket you have brought?”
“Oh, I forgot. These things are from the forest guard’s wife, and they will help to make you better. Just look! Wild pigeons,” and Palko sighed. “Poor little things. It’s a shame they had to die. Eggs. Then that special sheep cheese you’re so fond of. And here’s some lovely rye bread, and just look at this butter!”
“Such a host of good things” and even the priest’s eyes sparkled like Palko’s, in spite of himself. “I have hardly eaten a mouthful today. I have preached twice, and held a funeral service, and done a few other things. Now I’m beginning to feel a bit hungry. There’s a knife over there on the table. Cut a piece of bread for each of us, and we’ll try the butter and cheese with it.” So they set to work, but the priest did not make much headway. Nevertheless, he urged Palko to eat plenty, and Dunaj, who lingered near the door, was not forgotten.
“There is one other thing I’ve forgotten, and that is the message from the forest guard’s goodwife to you. She said she could never forget your sermon, and also she wishes to buy a Bible if it does not cost too much. She said she wanted with all her heart to find the Way that leads to God, and if it’s necessary to find Him by making long pilgrimages, or paying for masses, she’s willing to go to any length, only that she may find the way to God.”
Palko had not thought that his message from the good woman would cause the priest so much joy. On hearing these words, he rose painfully from the couch, searched for a pile of shining new books arranged on a desk nearby, and taking one down, he exclaimed: “Blessed be God! I sent immediately for a good number, but I had no idea that I would need them so quickly.” Seating himself at the table, he wrote on the first page the same words that had been found in Palko’s Book. Then, looking at Palko, he said: “So she wishes to make long pilgrimages and pay for many masses for her soul’s sake if necessary?
Tell her to read the words that I now write here. She’ll find them also written in the Book.” And the priest began to write anew.
Palko looked over his shoulder, and this is what he read: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost...through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7). “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13).
At this moment the old housekeeper entered. “Here are some things for Palko and his grandfather,” she said. “But, sir, how pale your face is! You should go to bed at once.” Full of anxiety, she threw back the covers of the bed.
“Yes, yes, a little later, my dear. Just now I shall go with Palko a little way through the garden. We should not keep him longer, for he has a long road home.”
Never had it cost Palko so much as it did now to leave his friend. “If you would but let me, I should prefer to stay with you until tomorrow at least,” he said, when they were in the garden. “You are so lonely, dear sir.”
“No, no, Palko, that cannot be! Your grandfather, who does not know where you are, would be greatly worried, and the forest guard’s wife likewise. Go home now. I am much better, and I have the Lord with me. Tell your grandfather to come to see me tomorrow. I have something of great importance to tell him.” Before taking leave of Palko the priest asked about Lesina’s wife, and if Palko was waiting on her faithfully; but the telling of all this took some little time, so that the priest found himself at the foot of the mountain, where they sat down together to rest. So, when Palko finally arrived at the hut, he found his grandfather and Lesina anxiously waiting, having gone out several times to look for him. He had had to go by the forest guard’s house to deliver the Bible so that, although he had stopped there only long enough to change his baskets, and to see the happiness of the good wife on receiving the Book, it was indeed late when, tired out, he tapped on Juriga’s door. When he had explained all that had happened, they could not be angry with him, and Palko soon fell asleep in his chair by the fire.
“I wonder what the priest can want with me,” growled Juriga, after Palko fell asleep. “What do you think it can be, Martin?” he said to Lesina. “Perhaps he wants to persuade you to return Palko,” Lesina said, as angrily as Juriga. “Gentlemen like him often have their fancies. Palko has told me that the priest exacted a promise from him to serve no one but him, if anything should happen to you. Perhaps he wants to ask you to give Palko to him now, for he would have difficulty in finding another like him. I pray you do nothing of the kind. The boy is no relation to me, but I could hardly bear to see him go. At times, it seems as if I could not love a son of my own any more than I do that child.”
“Don’t be frightened,” growled Juriga, clearing his throat a bit. “I’ll not give him up, you may be sure of that. What would become of me without him? Is he not the one who has been leading me to God? Perhaps that may be the reward that Rasga said God would give me if I took care of him.”
Lesina would have liked more details regarding Juriga’s relations with Palko, and his original grandfather, Rasga, but it was late, and so they all turned in for the night, and were soon lost in the land of dreams.