“Mikey’s First ‘For Real’ Camp-out!”
Mikey was
seven years old, well, he had just turned seven a week ago. He lived on a ranch with his mom and dad, and
his baby sister Ella.
Mikey was SO
excited, because his Dad was taking him out to their pond for a “guys only”
camp-out. They were going to sleep out
under the stars by the campfire, and they did go prepared, they had brought a
tent along, just in case, it rained.
It was Mikey’s
very first “for real” camp-out. It was a
cool, fall evening so they built a nice big, warm campfire and roasted hot
dogs, with all the trimmings, and then they roasted big, plump, soft,
marshmallows. YUM! YUM! They were mouthwatering, GOOD and STICKY. They unrolled their sleeping bags close enough
to the campfire to stay warm and far enough to be safe.
Dad had
brought his rifle, just in case they had a run-in with any coyotes. They had also brought along their German
Shepherd Dog, Bruno, after all it was a “guys only” camp-out. When they were all settled into their sleeping
bags. Mikey was gazing up at all the
hundreds of stars twinkling above their heads.
“Wow! Dad, I
didn’t know there were so many stars.”
He said.
“Yep there
is a sky full of them.” His Dad replied
with a chuckle. Mikey was trying to
get sleepy, but it wasn’t easy, with all the different kinds of noises;
crickets chirping, frogs singing, and all of a sudden he heard what sounded to
him like a big dog howling , at that same moment, Bruno began to growl and bark.
“Wow, was
that a dog?” Mikey asked
“No, Son, it
was a coyote, and that’s why I brought the rifle along to keep us safe. I think we should put Bruno on his chain and
keep him close by.” His Dad replied.
“Will the
coyote come here?” Mikey asked.
“He might!” His Dad replied.
Then they
heard the howl again, this time it sounded a little closer. Bruno was lunging and barking a lot, but
finally Mikey’s Dad got him calmed down a little.
“Dad is that
coyote, what killed our newborn calves?”
Mikey asked.
“I believe
it sure could be.” His Dad replied
“Dad, what
makes animals attack other animals and eat them?” Mikey asked.
“Well,
Mikey, when God created this world, everything was perfect. All of the animal, ALL of them, even the big
ferocious bears, and dinosaurs were all plant eating animals. Then when Adam and Eve sinned, killing and
death came into the hearts and minds of ALL of God’s creation even
mankind. So a lot of animals turned from
eating plants to eating meat.” His Dad
explained.
About that
time Bruno started barking and lunging a lot.
Mikey and his Dad both took their flashlights, and started looking at
the edge of the pond and there stood a BIG coyote, teeth blared and growling ,
Mikey’s Dad slowly picked up his rifle took careful aim and just as the coyote
jumped towards Bruno he pulled the trigger and shot the coyote.
Mikey was
somewhat shaken by what had just taken place.
He knew his Dad had to kill the coyote to protect Bruno, but Mikey loved
animals and it upset him to see the coyote die.
They cut their camp-out short and headed back to the house.
“You see,
Mikey, sin changes things and not for the good, but it only brings about bad
things.” His Dad told him.
When they
got back home, Mom fixed them big, steaming mugs of hot chocolate with big,
plump, sweet soft, white, melt-in-your-mouth marshmallows. This helped Mikey relax and soon he fell
asleep. It had been a true, ‘for real’
camping trip.
Now the
earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with wickedness.
God saw how
corrupt the earth was for every creature had corrupted its way on the
earth. Genesis 6:11-12
