Billy was walking his dog after dark one evening. As Billy and Spot rounded the corner at the end of their block Mr. Franklin’s cat ran out of the hedges and across the street.
Spot ran after the cat so fast Billy didn’t have time to react. The small beagle was now half a block away weaving in and out of cars parked on the street. The animals were moving too fast for Billy to keep pace. It was just a matter of a few seconds before he lost sight of them.
“Spot! Here Boy!” Billy bellowed over and over as he chased them from behind.
The screeching of car brakes gave new life to Billy’s tired legs.
After running another block and a half he could see something lying in the street. He didn’t know what it was but tears began to roll down his face as he thought it might be Spot.
As he got closer he could see that it was his precious little dog. He ran up to the limp body and fell to his knees sobbing.
Billy was scared and didn’t know what to do. He had run so far in the dark he was having trouble trying to determine where he was. Everything looked so different at night.
A whimper from the dog brought a smile to the boy’s face.
“It’s going to be okay spot. I’ll get help.”
Billy still wasn’t sure where he was but he could see lights on in a house one block over. He gently scooped up his furry friend and held him against his chest. He began walking at a brisk pace towards the well lit house. As he got closer he recognized the house. It was Mr. Cooper’s house. He was a veterinarian. He just knew that Mr. Cooper could help Spot.
When the boy arrived at the gate it would not open. It was too dark to tell if it was locked or stuck on something. Both neighboring fences connected to this fence which meant he would have to walk around the block to get to the back door.
Billy was growing more frantic. He could now see someone moving in the house. He yelled but there was no response.
There were more people moving around. It looked like a party.
Billy was determined to get someone’s attention. He reached over the fence and took a rock from a wheel barrow close to the fence.
The shattering of glass brought several people out into the front lawn. Someone inside flipped the switch for the front porch light. Everyone’s eyes fixed on Billy standing at the gate with his wounded dog in his arms.
“Hey kid,” yelled someone from the crowd.
“It’s okay,” interrupted Mr. Cooper.
Mr. Cooper released a lever on the gate then reached down and took the dog from Billy’s arms. “What happened,” he asked.
The young boy was crying too hard to respond.
The kind young man turned towards the house and asked Billy to follow him.
“Hey everyone, the party is over. I have work to do.”
Billy followed Mr. Cooper into the kitchen. After placing the dog on the table he asked Billy for his phone number.
Mr. Cooper explained the situation to Billy’s parents then walked around the table and put his hand on Billy’s shoulder.
“It took a lot of courage to do what you did tonight son. I want you to know that you did the right thing. When your parents get here I am going to take your dog to my office so I can run some tests and get a good picture of what I am dealing with. Your beagle friend is in good hands. I will take care of him.
Based on Mark 2:1-12.
What do you need to see through as a priority regardless of the circumstances?
Written by Larry Westfall. Copyright © Finding Wonder 2013.
