The desert dog

Rhoda Merle Ford

The desert was miles of sandy ground with patches of cactus, some wildflowers, and a few trees. It was surrounded by rugged mountains, which seemed to change color when the sun set. There were a few scattered towns and long stretches of road where you'd see an occasional jack rabbit.

Toward dusk one evening three children were riding their bicycles along the road that cut through the desert. Lee, Angie, and Billy all knew each other from their Christian Science Sunday School class, and they were good friends.

"Hey! Look who's following me!" said Lee, pointing to a little dog who was running along behind his bike.

"He's got salt all over him," said Billy. "Maybe he was playing in one of those dry lakes back there."

Lee scooped up the little dog in his arms. "Let's take him home." And the three friends pedaled away.

When the children got back to Lee's house and had cleaned up the little dog, Angie noticed that he had no tags or collar.

"I wonder who owns him. He's so cute," said Angie, as she stroked the pup's fur.

Meanwhile, Lee's mother had been listening to the children talk about the dog, and she gently reminded them that before going to sleep they could pray the way they had learned in Sunday School and listen for the healing thoughts God is always providing. And they could know that God was always caring for His creatures.

As Angie snuggled under the covers later that evening, she remembered a sentence their Sunday School teacher had read to them from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, about the voice of Truth. "It is heard in the desert and in dark places of fear." ^{Science and Health, p. 559} She knew none of them were afraid, and that they'd already heard the voice of Truth telling them to express love because God is Love.

"Well, I know that we're still going to be obedient to the same voice of Truth," thought Angie, and then she fell asleep.

The next afternoon Lee's mother was chatting with a neighbor, whose friend had lost a dog in the desert just the night before. Within minutes, and after a few phone calls, the dog's owner arrived at Lee's house to claim the pup!

The three children smiled at each other. Lee, Angie, and Billy had really seen how God cares for all His creatures. They were obedient to the voice of Truth, which they heard in the desert, and they knew it!

Off they went on their bikes into the warm desert air, ready for new adventures. And were they happy!

tery dueland

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