A MAN and a little boy about five years old, ―possessing the self-importance and self-will which are often seen in childhood, ―were walking homeward from a certain town; the former carrying a parcel. Presently, his little companion said, “Please let me carry the parcel?”
“Oh, no; you are not strong enough.”
“I can carry it very well, I’m sure,” said the child, too eager to play the man.
My dear child, ‘tis too large for you.”
“No, no; please to let me have it?”
“I tell you it is too large and too heavy for you!”
“Oh, no; I can carry it. Please let me have it?” using his best endeavor to lay hold on the parcel.
“Very well; you have determined it. The parcel is no burden to me, but I tell you again―it is too large and heavy for you; but as you will have it, here it is!”
For about a minute he carried it most manfully.
“Ah,” said his friend, “you don’t mind what the people at the windows say of me! For aught you know, they may say: ‘What a shame! see―that little, weak boy is carrying a large parcel, and the strong man’s hand is empty!’ but you would have your own will.”
The little boy turned the too heavy burden over to the other arm. His friend appeared not to notice this, but said: “Nothing short of your own will, you know, would satisfy you!”
He then turned the conversation. Back went the burden to the other arm again; but pride made no complaint. His friend talked of this and that, the relatives and friends of the child, the weather, and so on; while the little wearied one changed perpetually the self-imposed load from arm to arm. At last he said:
“It is very heavy.”
“I told you so before you took it.”
“It is very heavy indeed!”
“I told you it was too heavy, and yet you would have it.”
“It is very―heavy―too heavy; will you―please―carry it?”
“Surely I will! Why did you not ask me before?”
This occurred nearly twenty years ago. To this day the story serves to discipline the man who had the burdened child for his companion. It has helped him for these years to consider that it is better to roll the lightest burdens at once on God, who is the willing, the gracious, burden-bearer, than carry heavy burdens one’s self to God’s dishonor.
It is one thing to be a ready servant of our heavenly Master; another, to carry burdens which “devour our strength,” and which He never puts upon us.