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The
Legend of Grace
An Old Indian Legend
There is an old, old legend of how
it came to be,
that dog forsook the wild to dwell
with folks like you and me.
Now man and beast they lived on a
common bit of earth. Each specie thought
the other of very little worth.
One day there was a rumble, the earth
began to quake.
It gave a mighty shudder, and then
began to break.
A crack began to widen between the
beasts and man. Some watched the crevasse
deepen,
but most just turned and ran.
Now dog surveyed the distance, and
man beheld it too. Between them sprang
a yearning, a feeling strange and
new.
Then each one begged the other to
make the fateful leap. Yet each one
dreaded jumping a crack so wide and
deep.
So dog compelled his courage, and
told man he would try. He eyed the
fatal distance, for if he failed,
he'd die.
Then dog prepared to jump across,
his courage had decided. That if he
could but make the jump, they'd no
more be divided.
His muscles bunched beneath him;
his body left the ground. The wind
raced past his muzzle; his heart began
to pound.
His senses sought the purchase of
land beneath his feet. At last-his
forepaws met the ground, his mission
was complete!
No! His hind feet have slipped and
he's falling off the side! His gallant
farewell look said, "At least,
new friend, I tried."
With disbelieving glance, man beheld
his falling friend. He wouldn't let
it happen; it couldn't be the end!
Then flesh smote air in searching
and hand met paw and fur. Then man
pulled dog to safety as heart to heart
they were.
Man called and dog responded, and
though the gulf was wide. Man gained
the loyal canine, forever by his side.
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