THIS. is wonderful.

::A Parable of Prayer::

"A Father and His Son, traveling together in a wagon,

came to the edge of a forest.

Some bushes, thick with berries caught the child's eye.

"Father," he asked, "may we stop a while so that I can pick some berries?"

The Father was anxious to complete His journey,

but He did not have the heart to refuse the boy's request.

The wagon was called to a halt,

and the son alighted to pick the berries.

After a while,

the Father wanted to continue on His way.

But His son had become so engrossed

in berry-picking that he could not bring himself to leave the forest.

"Son!" cried the father, "we cannot stay here all day!

We must continue our journey!"

Even the Father's pleas were not enough to lure the boy away.

What could the Father do?

Surely He loved his son no less for acting childishly.

He would not think of leaving him behind--

but he really did have to get going on his journey.

Finally He called out:

"You may pick your berries for a while longer, but be sure you are still able

to find me, for I shall start moving slowly along the road,

As you work, call out "Father! Father!"

every few minutes, and I shall answer you.

As long as you can hear my voice, know that I am still nearby.

But as soon as you can no longer hear my answer, know that you are lost

and run with all your strength to find me!"