THE THIRD GIFT

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 73, Issue 6, 16 December 1946, Page 605

THE THIRD GIFT

CLIPPETY-CLOP, clip-clop, sounded the feet of three camels making their way along the stony road-down from Jerusalem. It would not have been so had it been but a short time before; in the trackless desert their tread had been almost noiseless—just a soft “'plufE” in the sand as they kept their steady pace under the starlit sky. Now, at a bend of the road, the riders of two of them., who had been in earnest conversation, paused to wait for their companion, who rode a little to the rear.

“Caspar, my friend, I have been thinking of our quest and am doubtful, after all, if it is worth pursuing. These many nights have we travelled, bearing our gifts—brought. by nothing stronger than our faith in the leading of the Star. And before we have found the baby King we have seen King Herod, a cruel and suspicious man. ' “Would it not be better to return, to Jerusalem, give him the golden gift, and : reach. our own country while we are safe?” Melchior ceased, and nodded to Caspar to speak. “I too, am no longer as hopeful as I was,” he said. “My. gift is frankincense — desire to worship. Is it not . foolish, grown men as we are, with all our wealth and power, to kneel to a Babe, however great the Scriptures say his life will be? Would it not be better to turn our backs upon the Star altogether?” Balthazar’s camel drew near, and before he replied he bade it kneel while he dismounted. Bewilderment,

and then grief, showed in his eyes as he gathered the purport of their words. ' “My brothers,” he said,'“while these thoughts were in your minds, and .my camel walked because of its slight lameness, my heart - was warm with the thought that soon we should see the baby King and give Him our gifts. You are tired, I know. Yonder is a well, close to the village of Bethlehem. Will .you not come and rest beside it, while I draw water for the camels?”,

He led the way, followed by his two r companions. “He has been thoughtful a and . kind throughout this long and f dangerous journey,” Melchior mused < aloud.. “His steady eyes betoken a 1 quiet heart. .Nothing, I am certain, 1 could shake his faith in. the leading 1 of the Star. He has no fears of Herod, and his heart is as simple , and stead- 5 fast as a child’s. Perhaps he is right . and - we are wrong.” ■ Caspar, as he listened, had been .1 looking down, into the still, dark depths of the well. ..“See, oh see!” he cried suddenly, 'pointing down. “The Star! ■lt is mirrored here — as indeed it should be in my own heart. My brother, let ,us tell Balthazar, and hasten to Bethlehem to seek and find the King! Melchior needed no second bidding. Quickly they remounted, and set off at once, their eyes fixed once more upon the Star. ■ Clippety-clop, clip-clop, went the camels’ feet once more, until they reached the inn. . J. . And when Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar knelt before the baby King, lying so happily in his gentle mother’s arms, who shall say that the third gift —an understanding heart—was not most precious of them all. “London Lass,” Wellington. THE SKYLARK ' THE peace, beauty, and solitude ‘ of ’ 1 the open spaces will ever have a ■ strong hold upon me. I have found the greatest satisfaction and contentment there and have no desire to spend my days in crowded areas. It often happens that if I care to listen I hear the skylark’s song. This prose poem, written by George Johnstone, may appeal to some of you: “When the little skylark soars aloft • towards ■ the skies': of blue; . when it sings its cheery song as comes the ' dawn, its melodious, joyous: carolling , is sung for me and - you, and it brings ’ new cheer to those whose hopes have ’.- gone. For it nears the gates of heaven, where it seems to intercede for-, the lonely, and the weary ones on earth, J and the tiny skylark’s- plea, be sure, is. heard on high, indeed, by the great ’ Creator there, who gave it birth.

~ r '.!■■■ “As it swiftly drops down earth wards / to its lowly, humble nest, i anticipates the rest and joy of home It has sung its hymn, of gladness;. I has given us of its best, as its joyfu strains reached earth from heaven dome. ' “When the morning sun is shining when we walk the busy street, thei should be a song of gladness in eac heart; we should welcome with • :

genial smile each well-known friend we meet, so that we, too, like t, ; lark, may do our part. There are

many who are lonely; there are those whose hearts are sad; and they love to see our smile and hear our song. Smiling eyes will give them courage;; kindly words will make them glad as they face life’s road arid bravely trudge along. “And at evening, when home returning to the mansion or the cot, like the little skylark, keep on singing still. Though the home be poor, you can still be contented with . your lot; every soul can still be happy if it will. “Keep on counting up your blessings, and a song your heart will know. They outnumber all your ills, though , they are great. And the lark’s song will be blended with your praises from below, and your carol will be heard at heaven’s gate.” “Skylark,” Ohakune Junction. “The Sign of the Takahe” WHILE I was on holiday in Christchurch I was taken for a de- ; lightful drive to the Cashmere Hills and up the Summit'Road, 624 ft. .above v. sea-level. The 'late Hon. H. G. Ell. wished to secure this very- beautiful road “'as a permanent asset for' the common good and pleasure . of; the people of the city for all time; to ensure the preservation of the. native bush through which the Summit Road passes; to protect the native bird life; and, last, that the people using the road may have the pleasure of Journeying in stages, to build up the roadside houses for the refreshment and accommodation of travellers. ~ The road itself is 53 miles in length, rising to a height of 2,800 ft. above sea- ' level, and reaches to Akaroa. The 1 Christchurch starting point is the • ■ roadside house named “The Sign o ’ the Takahe.” Built of stone it resembles an English castle. Coats of t . arms and heraldic designs adorned the t walls of the room where we had tea 1 and -there was a handsome stone fire- ? place. From the quaint diamonds - shaped windows we had a wonderful 3 view of the Canterbury Plains, . the i, Southern Alps, the Waimakariri River, e and the city of Christchurch itself. i, ' -—“Cheerio,” Te Bore Bridge. •. . - t MORNING PICTURE I- A FLOWERING cherry and a magit xs nolia tree are in bloom in the i. front lawn of the garden opposite ours, it Add to this loveliness the clearcut ti magnificence of Mount Egmont, which ’s can be seen between the two trees from the angle of ' my bed, and you a- • share my perfect morning picture— -a delicate study in white against the pale h blue sky of early spring. - ._L •? „ ' —“Bry»” Eltham.