A Good Christian

A hunter boy born to God fearing parents Was taught from his very childhood Not to fail going to church on Sundays To make God happy, avowing His parenthood But his fad for hunting grew so irresistible That brazenly, he skipped church on one Sunday And roamed through the jungle looking for a prey Like one on a treasure hunt, excited and gay In wild enthusiasm, he clambered up the mountains Exploring every cranny through bush and brake But as he turned a corner along the ridge There stood a lion and no doubt, his valour did shake On an impulse, the boy turned backwards to run Alas, he slipped off and rolled down the peak With the lion following him in hot pursuit, Crashing on a boulder, his ribs broke with a creak Unable to run or even move, he writhed in pain. Trembling from the crown of his head, To the soles of his feet, as the animal closed in, He realized with a shock, he would soon be dead! In great desperation, he cried out with all his heart “Lord, I am so sorry for my willful omission Please forgive me Oh Merciful, and save me, Make this lion a good Christian with all compassion” Lo, the clouds parted in the heavens And a beam of light shone down on the aggressor The lion instantaneously skidded to a halt Fell on its knees and clasped its paws together In thankfulness, like a good Christian It drew the sign of the cross for God’s grace to overpower And recited in a tone of great reverence “Father in Heaven, bless this food that I am about to devour! ”