The boy walked along the ocean shore… trying not to stray. He looked up to his Father, saying, “Dad, I want to play.”

His Father looked towards him, love showing in his eyes. “Do what you want, my son… but do not leave my side.”

“I would never leave you daddy, I love you far too much.”

But the boy took one step, away from his father’s touch. Walking through the surf, the waves tickled his toe.

“If I take one more step… ” he thought “Father will never know.”

His father then called out to him, “Son, remain true.”

But the boy thought with delight… “Hey, I don’t need you.”

Despite the feeling of sadness, his Father held his tongue. Sometimes lessons need to be learned… even when so young. The boy stepped out a little further… the water covered his waist. His Father spoke with urgency… and called to him with haste.

“My Son come back to me,” he said, ” The day is almost done.”

“Not yet, Dad,” the boy replied, ” I’m having too much fun!”

But the Boy did not have his father’s sight… he could not yet tell… The Tide was coming in fast… There would be no time to yell.

“Father!” He tried to scream, as the water covered his head. “I need you now daddy!” Was what the boy said.

And in a single instant his father was by his side.

“I thought you left me daddy… I thought you went to hide.”

The Father looked down at his son… a tear streaming down his cheek. The Boy looked up at his father, while the tears fell to his feet. “I could never leave you son… my love will never change.” “I was only waiting for you, to call upon my name.”

Jordan A Bangs

Contributed by Daren Bullock http://www.youthpages.org