In the early days of our country a Christian man came with his wife and little girl in a big covered wagon and settled on what was then the fringes of civilization. He built a one-roomed log cabin with a big fireplace on the edge of the forest and began to farm the land.
Little Gwen was happy in their new forest home; she had a little stuffed cornhusk doll, besides two pet pigeons which slept in a wooden cage beside her bed and cooed her to sleep at night. Hover, as Gwen grew older she began to long for a playmate, but there was no other little boy or girl for many miles around.
One day their calf wandered off into the woods, and Father and Mother went to search for it. They left Gwen sitting on the front step for they did not expect to be gone long.
As she sat there alone an Indian chief rode up on his horse. Little Gwen was not afraid for the Indians nearby had been quite friendly.
“Where is your father and mother?” he asked.
“They’re gone into the woods to look for our calf,” she replied.
“I have a little girl like you,” said the chief. “Same size as you, and real pretty. I’ll take you to see my little girl.”
Little Gwen’s face flushed with happiness at the thought, and without another thought she foolishly picked up her dolly and the cage with her two pet pigeons in it and went off with the stranger. He lifted her onto his pony, along with her pets. Then leaping up behind her, they galloped off.
After a short ride they arrived at the Indian camp. Little Gwen was fascinated at the sight. The brightly colored wigwams were so pretty, the Indian women were busy everywhere, while the braves were making canoes and bows and arrows. But what thrilled Gwen above all was the chief’s little daughter with her dark eyes and long black hair. The two little girls fell in love with each other at once and they ran and played together in and out among the trees for the rest of the day. At sundown they both sat before the camp fire and ate corn for supper.
Gwen told the chief she must go home before dark, but he lied to her saying he had sent a brave to tell her father and mother where their little girl was. He told her they said she could stay and play with his little girl for three days and then they would come and fetch her home. With this false assurance Gwen lay down with her playmate, her two pigeons alongside, and soon fell asleep.
But there was great sorrow in the cabin at home, for when Gwen’s father and mother came back and found their little girl was gone, they were in great distress. They did not sleep that night, but cried and prayed to God to help them find her again. They searched the woods round about, but could find no trace of her. Had some big bear killed her, or had she been carried off by the Indians? Their only comfort was in God, and taking down the big Bible her father read some portions from its sacred pages. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.” Isa. 41:1010Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10).
Heartbroken, they searched for three days more, but could find no trace of their little girl.
In the meantime Gwen was growing very homesick. She longed to go back to her dear daddy and mother. She did not enjoy playing games with the Indian children any more; she hoped her parents would come and get her.
One day the children got some of the braves’ war paint and began to paint their bodies and faces. They painted one of their dogs, and then one suggested it would be fun to paint Gwen’s two pigeons. How they laughed when they saw the two birds in their bright new colors. Then Gwen said to her pets, “You don’t have to stay in that cage,” and she set them both at liberty.
A few minutes later one of the pigeons took to its wings and the other followed suit. They both circled the Indian camp for a few moments, and then rising higher in the sky, they both disappeared over the tops of the trees. Which way do you think they went? Why, they flew straight home!
Next morning when Gwen’s father and mother got up, they read from the old Bible and again prayed asking God to watch over the dear little girl and bring her back to them. As they sat at breakfast they heard a tapping on the window, and looking out saw two strangely colored birds. Even as they cooed and came closer Gwen’s father recognized their two pet pigeons. He saw the war paint, and from the colors and stripes he at once identified the Indian tribe. Now he knew where Gwen was.
Immediately, Gwen’s father set out in search of the Indian camp. It was almost a week before he found them, and there, sure enough, was little Gwen playing games with her Indian friends. She ran to him at once and taking her up in his arms he hugged and kissed her, all the while thanking God for His mercy in helping him find her again.
The chief looked very sheepish when he met Gwen’s father, and invited him to his tepee, saying, “We will have a big feast.” But Gwen’s father courteously declined with thanks saying they must be going. Instead he told the chief, “You come to my cabin; we will make you a feast, and will read from the Book of God. We will tell you true stories about Him and His dear Son, Jesus Christ.” So they parted.
There was great rejoicing in the little cabin that night, and many were the thanks and praises that went up to God from grateful hearts for all His goodness towards them. Happy to be home with her dear daddy and mother, little Gwen went to bed that night with her little cornhusk doll, and her two pet pigeons cooed her to sleep.
Dear Reader, are you like little Gwen. She was lost from her parents, kidnapped by the wicked Indian chief. But, are you lost from God, kidnapped by sin, and deceived by Satan.
Gwen sent out “homing pigeons” that told her father where she was. Have you ever told God where you are? Have you acknowledged to Him that you are lost in sin?
ML-02/24/1980