Some fish are very large. We read in the Bible of a man named Jonah.
He was trying to run away from the Lord, who had called him to a work.
While on a ship, during a storm he was thrown into the water. But he did not drown, for a great fish swallowed him, and carried him ash.o.r.e. He then knew that G.o.d meant what he said, and so did as G.o.d had commanded.
There are hundreds of different kinds of fishes, and many, many men earn their living by catching and selling them for food.
Some of Christ"s disciples were fishermen when he called them. He told them that he would make them fishers of men. This meant that he would prepare them to help other people to become Christians.
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Our Tame Animals
There are some kinds of animals that are tame, as the sheep, hog, cow, horse, dog, and cat.
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The horse is a faithful beast and does much work for man. He draws the heavy loads on the road and works in the fields. We hitch him to a wagon or a carriage and enjoy a ride, or we can put a saddle upon his back and ride there also.
The cow gives us milk for our food, and from the milk we get cream, b.u.t.ter, and cheese.
The flesh of the hog is valuable for food.
The dogs are useful to guard our homes, and cats catch mice and rats.
Both dogs and cats make good pets.
Sheep have long wool all over their bodies, and men cut it off and use it to make clothes to keep us warm.
Young sheep are called lambs. They like to run and play very much. In the picture we see a lamb that has fallen into the water. The mother sheep stands close by and watches the man trying to pull the lamb out.
I suppose the man had missed these two from the flock. He was in search of the lost ones, and seeing the mother standing near the water, he came and found the lamb nearly drowned. The mother would not leave her babe, but waited a long time until help came.
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Lambs are innocent-looking animals, and do not make a noise when hurt. Jesus said that children are his lambs.
Little Foxes
Foxes are wild animals. They live in the woods and swamps, in places where not many people live.
They are very cunning and sly, and catch young chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese whenever they can.
Night is the time when they slip around and catch these barnyard fowls. They carry the fowls off to their holes in the ground, and eat them there.
Little foxes are very destructive, and often spoil grape-vines. In the Bible we read that it is the little foxes that spoil the vines.
This also means that our little unkind words and actions spoil the peace in our lives and make us feel bad.
Let us be careful that our words and deeds do not make ourselves or others unhappy. If we live to please G.o.d, we shall please G.o.d"s people, and we shall not have to feel sorry on account of some bad words said or deeds done.
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE PET PONY]
The Squirrels
When the frosts have colored the leaves of the trees of the woods with many hues, and the nuts have ripened and fallen to the ground, it is then that the squirrels gather a good supply of the different kinds of nuts and acorns into their little homes in the hollow trees, to be eaten during the many long days of winter.
Have you ever seen a squirrel? They love to play in the woods, and run among the branches of the trees, and jump from one limb to another.
G.o.d made the squirrels to enjoy the woods, and he has provided the nuts for them to eat.
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The Shepherds
A shepherd is a man who takes care of sheep. During the day he watches them while they are eating gra.s.s, and in the evening he takes them to their fold or barn.
Now, we read in the Bible that an angel of the Lord appeared to some shepherds in the night. The shepherds were very much afraid, but the angel said to them:
"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger."
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"And suddenly there was with the angel a mult.i.tude of the heavenly host praising G.o.d, and saying, Glory to G.o.d in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men."
The babe"s name was Jesus, who came as a Savior to all the world.
Jesus As a Child