The little dog’s name was Jack. The lady he lived with put him outside to get a little exercise. Later she went to call him to come back in the house, but instead she called her husband. “Come quick!” she said. “There’s something wrong with Jack! He can’t walk straight or sit up, and he just staggers around.”
“There’s a 24-hour animal doctor listed in the phone book. I’ll call him,” said her husband. So he did, and they took poor Jack right over.
The animal doctor said, “I know what’s wrong with Jack ... he’s been eating mushrooms!”
Sure enough, there were many little mushrooms growing in the yard. They looked like cute, little, white umbrellas. But instead of being good to eat, the mushrooms were poisonous! Eating them had made the little dog very sick. Poor Jack had to stay in the animal hospital all night. He looked so unhappy.
The man and lady went home, and the next day the lady pulled up every one of those poisonous mushrooms. She also told her neighbor about the problem. “I know just what you are talking about,” said the neighbor. “I saw three squirrels flopping around in my yard the other day. They couldn’t even climb the trees anymore. I think those squirrels had been eating those poisonous mushrooms too.”
The man and lady thanked the Lord Jesus that none of the neighborhood children had tried to eat the mushrooms. We must not eat strange things that we find growing outside. I’m sure that the Lord Jesus is teaching us to eat only what we know is good for food. Some strange plants or fungus could cause us to become very sick. Boys and girls, you should always check with your parents before you eat anything growing wild outside and follow what they say. “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:2020Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)).
There are other unfamiliar things that you should stay away from too. Your school friends or neighborhood buddies might want you to play a video game that is violent or evil. Sometimes they watch movies that are sinful and harmful and invite you to watch them too. Learn to say, “No thanks.” Don’t be tempted to play the game or watch the movie “just this once.”
Here is a good verse to remember: “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Proverbs 4:14-1514Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. (Proverbs 4:14‑15)).
ML-10/12/2008