SPECKLE had been Jack’s pet for two years. His uncle had given her to Jack as a little chicken. How proud he was when she laid her first egg!
One day Jack missed Speckle. He could not find her, and she did not come when he called. He looked and looked, but no Speckle.
He was about to go home again when he heard the faintest noise. Peering carefully through the tall grass, he saw some speckled feathers! Stepping closer, he said, in surprise: “Oh, Speckle! What a hunt I’ve had for you!”
She had made her nest in the tall grass where she would not be disturbed. In the nest were ten snowy white eggs. For three weeks she would have to sit there.
Near the end of the three weeks Jack went to see if the eggs were hatching. He carefully lifted her off the nest to see what was happening underneath. He gave a squeal of dight! Already there was one fluffy yellow ball! And most of the other shells were pipped, too.
The next morning a neighbor, not knowing she was there, set fire to the grass. Poor little hen! She clucked wildly to her brood, but they were too small to run away from danger. Should she run herself, and leave her babies to die? Not Speckle! She hid them under her wings—and none too soon. The fire passed over, leaving her body black and burned, but not a chick was touched by the fire.
How that mother loved her children! Either Speckle or the chicks could be saved, but one or the other had to die.
Like the mother hen, Someone had to give His life in order that you and I might be saved. The only Person who can save us is God’s Son, the Lord Jesus. If you ask Him to take away your sin and be your own Saviour, you can live in Heaven with Him when you die, and you can be happy here in this world. He suffered in your place because He loved you so very much.
ML-05/20/1962