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The Lightbearer. A Free Short Story

 



The Lightbearer





The Lightbearer kissed his wife and two young children goodbye. He held the little ones and their mother for a long moment, as he whispered softly in their ears. Then he shouldered his pack and headed into the jungle.

At first, the trails he followed were well worn by the many feet that had followed them to the river, or to mango or banana groves. But after a while, the paths, though still there, became overgrown in places and harder to find. These trails were used infrequently, and the Lightbearer often had to make use of his machete, as he walked deeper into the jungle.

And as he walked, he hummed a little, or sang, or whispered, and seemed to talk to himself. After walking for an hour, he stopped for a short rest. He checked the branches of the tree above him for tree snakes or pythons before sitting at its base, then he took a sip from his canteen and smiled. Life was good.

The sun was directly above him as he reached the clearing. Huts encircled its perimeter, and at the center was a communal cooking fire: a gathering place. 

The Lightbearer quickened his step. They were all waiting for him, it seemed: the village elders, and the ordinary folk, both young and old.

He bowed low as he stood before the waiting elders. Then, from his pack, he brought forth treasure: Gospel papers printed in their own language, as well as picture books, and a Bible for the head elder. And he would bring more Bibles on his next trip.

The elder opened the Bible with great care, marveling to see his own language on the pages before him.
He bowed to the young man before him, with the now empty bag. “You have brought light to us.” He lifted up the Bible, his face alight. The other villagers all murmured their agreement. “Please read a message of light to us from this Book.”

The Lightbearer nodded. “Gladly.” He turned gently the pages carefully, then read:

“God loved the world this way: He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not die, but will have eternal life.”

***
(John 3:16) God’s Word Translation

***

Story copyright: Alison Lawrence




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