Lesson 128: The Duck and The Devil

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

My dearest friend sent me a grand story that triggered within me a memory of my childhood. The story went something like this. There was a young boy and his sister staying on a farm with their grandparents. The grandparents had cows, horses, pigs, chickens, and ducks. The grandmother’s favorite animal was a big ole white duck that she named Fred.

The grandfather took the children fishing on the family pond, taught them how to be safe in the woods and was always making things for them. One day he made a slingshot for his grandson and carved a wooden doll for his granddaughter. While the young girl was playing with her doll, the boy was out gathering stones for his toy and practicing his skills in the woods. Unfortunately he was not very good and missed more than he hit a target. He became upset with his lack of ability and decided to go back through the barn to Grandmother’s home. As he was walking through the barnyard, he noted the ole duck waddling through the yard and thought he would see how close he could get without hitting it. He drew back his slingshot and let the projectile fly. To his horror, he hit the duck square on the head and it fell over dead. Horrified, he hid the duck in the woodpile and as he started towards the house with feelings of guilt for his crime; he was even more distressed in that his sister had witnessed the whole affair. But to his amazement, she said nothing and simply walked back into the house.

Upon entering the old farmhouse, he knew that at any moment his sister would spill the beans and get him into a lot of trouble. But to his amazement, she kept her silence. Time passed and he was beginning to feel better. Grandma went and rang the bell on the porch, which was the signal for grandpa to come in and eat lunch. Well, all went smoothly until it was time to do the dishes. His sister looked at him and said, “Grandma, my brother said he wanted to do the dishes, didn’t you?” She then leaned over and whispered, “Remember the duck?” Knowing that the trap was set, he had no other choice than to say that he would do the dreaded dishes. Later that afternoon, Grandpa asked his grandchildren if they wanted to go fishing and maybe even swimming afterwards before supper. His wife spoke up and said that she needed help fixing supper and that the girl needed to stay. Well, the young boy’s sister stared at him and stated, “Grandma, my brother said that he wanted to help with the chores this evening, didn’t you?” She paused for a moment and mouthed the word, “Quack” under her breath and the boy just bowed his head and said that the really wanted to stay and learn the chores of the kitchen.

This went on until he was convicted of his conscious and decided to tell his grandmother the truth. With tears streaming down his face, he told his grandmother that he had accidentally killed her duck. With the Wisdom of Solomon, the grandmother embraced her grandson and told him, “Dear child, I know. You see, I was looking out my window and saw everything. I forgave you before you even came in the door but wanted to see if you would tell me what happened and then when your sister made a slave of your sin, I waited anxiously on your confession in order to let you know that all is forgiven and forgotten.”

What a delightful story. I reminded me of the time in my childhood when I was given a Bear bow by Fred Bear himself and was out practicing my art in the front yard. It was spring and the beautiful robins were bobbing and hopping in the yard. My aunt Mabel lived on a hill in the lodge (Pine Haven Lodge) overlooking our cabin. I knew it was wrong but I chose to aim my arrow at a big red-breasted robin in order to see how close I could get without hitting him. To my shock, my arrow went straight through him and I had the task of removing it from my arrow. I discarded the fallen creature and was relieved that my mother was busy working at the lodge and didn’t see my deed.

At lunch I went up to the lodge and set down for my favorite peanut butter sandwich and vegetable soap. Aunt Mable, Uncle Pug and my mother set down. We offered up the blessing and after eating sit at the table for our usual family caucus. I noted that Aunt Mable was quieter than usual and just before removing the dishes from the table she looked at me and softly said, “Will you help me with the dishes?” As we placed the dishes in the sink, she turned to me, pointed to the window, and with the saddest of expressions said, “How was your hunting?” I could not contain my emotions and burst out crying, confessing my sin and asking her to forgive me. She embraced me and said, “It is our little secret; mine, yours and God’s.” She talked to me lovingly of the sacredness of life and that all creatures have a purpose. She kept her word and the secret belongs to we three. I remember her lesson on life to this day.

Is it not strange how we can be tortured by our sins when all we really have to do is ask our loving God to forgive us and to release us from our burdens. I recall how good it felt to confess my sin and to beg for forgiveness. That devil will use whatever is in your way to being free to keep you from growing in the Lord. Have you ever lied, hated, cheated, been angered, been bitter, been guilty, or envious about something? What is in your path as an obstacle? How long will you be a slave to that sin of yesteryear? Whatever it may be, know that God is standing at the window watching, waiting for you to come to Him, asking for His forgiveness. And once you earnestly ask for his forgiving grace, He forgets. Don’t let the ducks of this life drive you to serve the devil. I remain your obedient servant, the Old General