It had been a hard...
Illustration
It had been a hard winter in the Appalachian backcountry. Blizzards had deposited snow
in huge drifts, blocking many roads. The rivers were all frozen solid. The Red Cross
became alarmed that some of the backcountry families might be running out of food, so
they brought in helicopters to fly in supplies.
One relief crew had been working long hours, day after day. They were on their way home late one day, when they saw a little cabin all but submerged in the snow. A thin whisper of smoke trailed up from the top of the chimney, indicating someone was still at home.
Because of the trees, they had to land their helicopter a mile away. The Red Cross workers donned heavy packs with emergency supplies, and swam as much as walked through the huge snow drifts. When they finally reached the cabin, they were exhausted. They banged on the rough, hand-hewn wooden door.
A thin, gaunt, mountain woman opened the door. The lead man, still breathing hard from his recent exertion, gasped out, "Ma'am, we're from the Red Cross."
The woman was silent for a moment, and then she replied, "It's been a hard winter, Sonny, I just don't think we can give anything this year."
(Adapted from James S. Hewett, ed., Illustrations Unlimited [Wheaton: Tyndale, 1988] pp. 237-238.)
One relief crew had been working long hours, day after day. They were on their way home late one day, when they saw a little cabin all but submerged in the snow. A thin whisper of smoke trailed up from the top of the chimney, indicating someone was still at home.
Because of the trees, they had to land their helicopter a mile away. The Red Cross workers donned heavy packs with emergency supplies, and swam as much as walked through the huge snow drifts. When they finally reached the cabin, they were exhausted. They banged on the rough, hand-hewn wooden door.
A thin, gaunt, mountain woman opened the door. The lead man, still breathing hard from his recent exertion, gasped out, "Ma'am, we're from the Red Cross."
The woman was silent for a moment, and then she replied, "It's been a hard winter, Sonny, I just don't think we can give anything this year."
(Adapted from James S. Hewett, ed., Illustrations Unlimited [Wheaton: Tyndale, 1988] pp. 237-238.)
