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There was a child who went forth every day;
And the first object he looked upon, that object he became.
And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain part of the day, or for many years, or stretching cycles of years:
The early lilacs became part of this child....
And the apple-trees covered with blossoms, and the fruit afterward, and wood-berries, and the commonest weeds by the road;
And the schoolmistress that passed on her way to the school....

The blow, the quick loud word, the tight bargain, the crafty lure, The family usages, the language, the company, the furniture--the yearning and swelling heart.
The doubts of day-time and the doubts of night-time--the curious whether and how,
Whether that which appears is so, or is it all flashes and specks?
Men and women crowding fast in the streets--if they are not flashes and specks, what are they?
These became part of that child who went forth every day, and who now goes, and will always go forth every day.
--Walt Whitman

Dr. Schweitzer, who was known as the Jungle Doctor, used to give music recitals in order to raise money to pay for the hospital he built in the African jungle. Someone decided to include a story about him in a book of hero stories, and asked if he would write a special message to go with it. This is what he wrote:
"Tell the boys and girls that the truths they feel deep down in their hearts are the real truths. God's love speaks to us in our hearts and tries to work through us in the World. We must listen to this voice. We must listen to it as to a pure and distant melody that comes across the noise of the World's doing.s Some say, 'When we are grown up, we will listen. Now while we are young, we would rather think of other things.' But with the voice of Love, with which God speaks to us in the secret places of the heart, God speaks to us when we are young so that our youth may be really youth, and that we may become the children of God. Happy are those who listen."

During a blistering hot day, a family was entertaining guests for dinner. When all were seated, the man of the house turned to his six-year-old son and asked him to say the blessing.
"But daddy, I don't know what to say," he protested.
"Oh, just say what you've heard me say," the mother chimed in.
Obediently, he bowed his little head and said, "Oh, Lord, why did I invite these people here on a hot day like this!"

A young father was pushing a baby buggy down the street. He seemed to be unruffled by the bawling of the baby and softly said, "Easy, Albert! Control yourself! Keep calm!" The baby bawled more loudly. "Now, now, Albert, keep your temper!" the father went on. A mother, passing by, said, "I must congratulate you on your self-control. You surely know how to speak to a baby--calmly and gently!" She patted the crying baby on the head, and asked soothingly, "What's wrong, Albert?" "No, no!" exclaimed the father, "the baby's name is Johnny. I'm Albert!"

Lost! A boy!

Not kidnapped by bandits and hidden in a cave to weep and starve and raise a nation to frenzied searching.

No, his father lost him. Too busy to sit with him at the fireside and answer his trivial questions during the years when Dad is the only great hero to a boy, he let go his hold. His mother lost him too. Engrossed in worthwhile programs, clubs with high aims, she let the babysitter hear his prayers and abdicated her place of influence.

My day-old child lay in my arms
And I held his pudgy hand;
I whispered softly, "How I wish,
That you could understand.

I've oh so much to say to you.
(He gave a cough and a nod)
Hurry, hurry, hurry and grow
So I can tell you of God!"

My newborn's little mouth was still
As though he didn't hear,
But a kind of light passed thru' his eyes
And I saw this thought appear:

"How I wish that I could speak,
I've a hundred things to say;
Before I forget, I'd tell YOU of God--
I was with Him yesterday."

My music is the patter
Of happy little feet,
Exploring house and attic
And scampering down the street.

My art is crayon scribbling
On table, door and wall
In classic style and modern--
I treasure one and all.

My literature comprises
The books my children know
And old tales I remember;
From childhood long ago.

The kind of culture I acquire
No college impart,
Yet wisdom only life can teach
I cherish in my heart.
--Kathrine Kelly Woodley

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