The Clueless Froggie - A Story written by Carol Werner - Member at First Presbyterian Church of Kent, Washington

THE CLUELESS FROGGIE

Once upon a time, on a ridge by the placid brook,
Sat a clueless little froggie who had never read a book,
Who never opened a Bible, vowed he'd go to church "sometime,"
Had a sad and tragic ending, for indifference was his crime..

The little froggie, sad to say, was very fond of flies,
And thought, on this unlucky day, that he had found a prize.
"Up, up, I go," said froggie, " I can climb as well as hop.
"Perhaps he'll stay there, on this reed, until I reach the top."

"I hope this reed won't bend too much," said froggie jumping higher.
"If flies would close their eyes it'd make them easier to acquire.
"This one is such a fat one, and he looks so very fine.
"I think that I must have him, for it's time for me to dine."

So up he went, regardless of the danger just below.
The devil, looking like a duck, became his wiley foe.
Unfortified, he panicked when that reed began to crack.
Not knowing where to turn for help, the last he heard was, "Quack."

Carol Werner

Going through some things I discovered from my pre-teen years, I came upon the above poem. I was not surprised, because my first memory of writing poetry was during elementary school. Even in those early years, I was aware of the Lord's presence in our lives in time of need. I edited the poem a bit, but basically the truth it contains was there from the beginning.

It made me think of the story of a young boy whose faith in God's help was so vividly demonstrated. It is the story of David and Goliath. Found in 1 Samuel 17: The Philistines had gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah. They occupied a mountain ridge overlooking a valley. Saul and the Israelites occupied the ridge across from them.

For forty days, Goliath, a Philistine from Gath who stood 9 feet tall, taunted the Israelites. He challenged them to send one man to fight him. Whoever won, the losing side would become subjects of the tribe of the person who won and would serve them.

David, a sheepherder and the youngest of many sons, told his father that he would take provisions to his brothers and find out what was going on. His brothers chastised him, for he was too young to fight,
maintaining that curiosity was the only thing that brought him to the fighting ridges.

When David heard Goliath's challenge and saw that no Israelite responded, he wanted to know why any army would think they could beat an army who had God on their side. In fact, David said to Saul, in verse 32, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." Saul replied, "You are only a boy and he has been a fighting man from his youth..." Then in verse 37, David, relating how God had delivered him from the lion and the bear, replies, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver
me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you."

We all know the outcome of this story - that is, those who have been to Sunday School or who have had the Bible read to them as children. God's help was so vividly demonstrated in this story. David, using only the implements of his trade as a sheepherder, a slingshot and small, round stones, killed a giant who was protected with heavy armor carrying huge weapons of war.

Having read all this, how better can I demonstrate to you the importance of early religious training for our children and young people. If you missed out as a child, it is never too late to start. I invite you to come and join us and find out what it is all about. See you in Church!

Carol Werner (send-email)
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