The Swan and the Crane
There
is an old legend of a swan and a crane. A beautiful swan alighted on the banks
of the water in which a crane was wading about seeking snails. For a few
moments the crane viewed the swan in stupid wonder, and then inquired—
"Where
do you come from?"
"I
come from heaven!" replied the swan.
"And
where is heaven?" asked the crane.
"Heaven!"
said the swan, "heaven! have you never heard of heaven?" And the
beautiful bird went on to describe the grandeur of the eternal city. She told
of streets of gold, and the gates and walls made of precious stones; of the
river of life pure as crystal, upon whose banks is the tree whose leaves shall
be for the healing of the nations. In eloquent terms the swan sought to
describe the hosts who live in the other world, but without arousing the
slightest interest on the part of the crane.
Finally
the crane asked, "Are there any snails there?"
"Snails!"
repeated the swan; "no!—of course there are not."
"Then,"
said the crane as it continued its search along the slimy banks of the pool,
"you can have your heaven. I want snails!"
This
fable has a deep truth underlying it. How many a young person to whom God has
granted the advantages of a Christian home, has turned his back upon it and
searched for snails! How many a man will sacrifice his wife, his family, his
all, for the snails of sin! How many a girl has deliberately turned from the
love of parents and home to learn too late that heaven has been forfeited for snails![1]
What more needs to be said!
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