Scamp yawned and scratched himself, then sat up and looked at his friends.
‘I’m bored’ he said, and he went round nudging them to wake up.
Dougy growled. ‘It’s too hot to play, Scamp. Lie down and rest.’
But Scamp, who was wide awake and always full of fun, took no notice. He bounded around barking and snapping at the others’ tails. That woke them!
‘What a nuisance you are’ said Jamie as he stretched and stretched. Then he leaped up and pounced on Scamp.
The others soon joined in, and in no time at all there was a bundle of legs and tails and an excited happy barking as they rolled in the dust, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
‘I told you it was too hot to play’ said Dougy some time later as they lay panting on the ground.
‘But it was fun, wasn’t it?’ answered Scamp, his tongue lolling out, and his eyes dancing with mischief.
‘Yes’ the others agreed as they smiled happily at each other. Even Dougy agreed. He was a little older than the others and felt he had to keep an eye on some of their more mischievous ways.
‘I think we all need a drink’ Dougy said, and he led the way to the stream which ran down the mountain on which they lived. The cool clear water soon refreshed them, but it was still very hot. The sun shone down, and Scamp blinked as he looked up into the clear blue sky.
‘Let’s swim’ he suggested.
‘It’s not deep enough’ pointed out Tiny, the smallest in the group.
‘Not here’ agreed Scamp. ‘I mean let’s swim in the pool further up.’
‘Oh, yes’ remembered Tiny. ‘I’d forgotten about the pool.’
‘Then it’s a good job you have me to look after you’ laughed Scamp as he poked at Tiny with his nose. ‘Come on, let’s go!’
Dougy cast his eyes around to make sure everyone was there, then trotted off after Scamp who was hurrying towards the pool.
The pool was formed by a circle of very large stones which allowed only a small stream of water to flow through. It was both deep and wide, and the friends had a lovely time cooling themselves as they swam. They also had great fun jumping off the rocks into the pool, barking as they leaped to let the others know they were coming. When they were tired of jumping, swimming, splashing and playing they climbed on to the rocks to dry off in the sun.
It was Scamp, again, who was first up. He gave himself a good shake to make sure he was dry, then announced ‘I’m hungry!’
The others looked at each other. ‘Well! What a surprise, Scamp is hungry!’ laughed Jamie.
The others all laughed too. Scamp was well known for always being hungry.
‘Don’t tell me you aren’t hungry too’ he said as he joined in their laughter.
‘Well, come to think of it, Yes! I could just eat my tea now’ agreed Dougy.
‘Me, too’ the others said as they got up and shook themselves.
‘Off we go then’ said Scamp, and he jumped down and started making his way back down the mountain.
‘You all right, Tiny?’ asked Dougy as he watched the little one climbing carefully down.
‘Yes, I’m fine, thanks, Dougy’ answered Tiny as he jumped the last few feet.
‘Good’ Dougy nodded, and they set off down the mountain together. When they reached the village gate, however, they couldn’t get through, there was such a crowd. Some were trying to get in, whilst others were trying to get out. The friends stood and watched, no point in trying to squeeze through, they would only be trodden on. Then they saw that some of the crowd were crying.
‘Oh, dear’ said Scamp. ‘I wonder what is the matter?’
Dougy, who was taller than the others, could see more easily and he whispered ‘It’s a funeral.’
Then they all saw a lady crying as she walked beside the coffin. The friends felt very sad.
A few moments later Scamp whispered ‘I think we know her. I’m going nearer’ and he walked quietly towards the procession, closely followed by his friends.
‘It’s her only son’ he heard someone whisper.
‘And so young too’ added another.
‘Yes!’ thought Scamp. ‘We do know her, and her son Caleb.’ He was most upset to find that it was his friend who had died.
The boy’s Mother looked down just then and saw Scamp. ‘He wont be able to play with you any more, Scamp’ she said through her tears. Scamp barked to say how sorry he was, and put his cold nose into her hand. It seemed to comfort her a little, for she gave a tiny smile and stroked him. Noticing the others she smiled at them too, and they whined in sympathy. They all loved Caleb who had often played with them.
So Scamp and his friends walked beside Caleb’s Mother to show their love. But, they hadn’t gone far when - ‘Look!’ said Dougy. ‘It’s Jesus and His disciples.’
They looked, and their hearts filled with happiness as they saw Jesus coming towards them.
‘Do you think He will do a miracle?’ asked Tiny, his little voice almost a squeak as he wriggled in anticipation.
‘Ssh!’ said Scamp who didn’t want to miss a word Jesus might say.
‘Don’t cry’ they heard Jesus say gently to Caleb’s Mother, and they saw His eyes so full of love and tenderness.
Jesus walked to the coffin, and the friends held their breath as He laid His hands on it and said - ‘Son, come back to life again.’
And Caleb sat up!
There was a gasp from everyone as Caleb looked around - ‘Hello!’ he said, smiling at them all.
Jesus smiled too as He held out His hand to Caleb and led him to his Mother.
How happy she was as she hugged him, and how she thanked Jesus for bringing her son back to life.
Then everyone started talking and laughing and praising God. ‘We have seen the Hand of God at work today, what a wonderful man Jesus is.’
Scamp and his friends were laughing and jumping about too - they were so happy.
Scamp stood on his hind legs and put his paws on Caleb. Caleb smiled, and, as he bent down to stroke him, Scamp put out his tongue and gave him a great big lick!
Caleb laughed. ‘I’ll play with you tomorrow, Scamp’ he promised. ‘You, too, Dougy, Jamie and Tiny.’
The friends wagged their tails so hard you would think they were going to fly off!
Then, with one last look at Jesus, who was chuckling at their antics, they bounded off home for their tea.
Elizabeth Aynsley ©

Luke Ch.7 vs. 11 - 17.

Ch.2