A poor old mother was going to visit her daughter in the city one evening, just about dark. She was carrying a bundle which was rather heavy for her. As she went on, a little boy came up to her and said, “Please, ma’am, may I carry that bundle for a nickel? I’m trying to earn some money, for we have nothing to eat at home.”
She let him carry it, and when they reached her daughter’s house it was quite dark. All the money she had in her pocket was a quarter and two nickels. By mistake the old mother gave the boy the quarter instead of the nickel.
Going into the house, she found that her daughter had nothing for themselves or the children to eat. She gave her daughter the two nickels to get some bread for the children, and went to bed herself without any supper, but praying that God would send them something for the morrow.
Early the next morning there was a knock at the door. The daughter opened the door, and found a little boy standing there, who asked, “Didn’t I bring a bundle here last night for an old lady?”
“Yes, you did.”
“Where is she?”
“Upstairs.”
“Please ask her to come down, for I want to see her.”
The old mother soon made her appearance, and the boy said, “Please, ma’am, do you know that you gave me a quarter last night instead of a nickel? Because you did, and here it is.”
“Well, my boy, I did just as you say; and I am very much obliged to you for bringing it back. But I would like to know how you came to do this, for I thought you had nothing to eat at home.”
“Yes, we are hard up,” said the boy brightening as he spoke; “but you see, I go to Sunday school, and I love Jesus, and am trying to follow Him, so you see I can’t be dishonest.”
That dear boy had really heard the voice of the Good Shepherd, and was trying to follow Him. And may you, dear reader, hear His gentle voice calling you to trust Him as your Saviour; and then seek to follow Him who “leadeth... in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalms 23:33He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:3).
ML 05/26/1968