LongBeard and Pippo were walking along the footpath. Pippo was unusually quiet. “What’s wrong, my young friend?” LongBeard enquired. “I had a disturbing dream last night,” Pippo said. “I wonder if you can help me understand it.” “Well,” said LongBeard, “what were the most important words from the dream?” “Four words come to mind,” Pippo said. “They were: take, fly, sadness and leave.” “Hmmm,” murmured LongBeard and puffed on his herbacco pipe. After a few minutes of quiet reflection, he said, “Pippo, here is the story which will help you understand your dream:
“Quickly! Take my hand,” yelled the soldier to the little girl.
She tentatively reached out to him but he missed getting a firm hold on her and the helicopter turned to fly past once more. The little girl looked distressed. She was standing on the top of a house, surrounded by raging flood waters. Sadness and compassion filled the hearts of the determined soldiers as they circled over the area and saw the extent of the devastation that had occurred in such a short period of time.
The soldier that was hanging suspended from the rope attached to the helicopter leaned forward as they approached the house again. It seemed as if this was the last surviving occupant and she was desperately clinging to the chimney. The rescue was difficult, as timing was of the utmost importance. The little girl had to be brave enough to let go of the chimney and reach out to the soldier at the exact time he came passed. They had tried this several times already, and each time she had been too afraid to do what was required of her. At the same time the soldier had to be careful not to collide with the chimney.
The water was rising fast and was only a meter away from her feet. The helicopter pilot was grinding his teeth in frustration as the strong wind made his task more difficult. He said a prayer for the little girl and wished that the wind would quieten down. He knew they would be successful if the soldier could get closer to his target without swinging so wildly.
Suddenly and miraculously his prayers were answered. There was a lull in the wind just as the helicop
ter approached the little girl. The soldier who was suspended in the harness called to her: “You can do it! When I say ‘NOW’, just grab my hand and you will be safe!” The little girl nodded, her eyes huge in her pale face. As they got closer he could see her knuckles whitening as she held on to the chimney more tightly. “Please God,” whispered the soldier, “just let her trust me. Help her to take my hand.” It was indeed a day of miracles, for as he got to her and shouted, “NOW!” she let go of the chimney and bravely reached out to him.
He gripped her little hand firmly and quickly gathered her close. She was as light as a feather and he could easily hold her with one hand while he clipped the safety harness around her body. He gave the thumbs up sign to the pilot and heard his mates in the chopper let out a cheer of joy.
At last they were ready to leave the area of devastation. Cradling the little girl safely to his chest, he whispered a relieved “Thank You” to God for answering his prayers."
“Quickly! Take my hand,” yelled the soldier to the little girl.
She tentatively reached out to him but he missed getting a firm hold on her and the helicopter turned to fly past once more. The little girl looked distressed. She was standing on the top of a house, surrounded by raging flood waters. Sadness and compassion filled the hearts of the determined soldiers as they circled over the area and saw the extent of the devastation that had occurred in such a short period of time.
The soldier that was hanging suspended from the rope attached to the helicopter leaned forward as they approached the house again. It seemed as if this was the last surviving occupant and she was desperately clinging to the chimney. The rescue was difficult, as timing was of the utmost importance. The little girl had to be brave enough to let go of the chimney and reach out to the soldier at the exact time he came passed. They had tried this several times already, and each time she had been too afraid to do what was required of her. At the same time the soldier had to be careful not to collide with the chimney.
The water was rising fast and was only a meter away from her feet. The helicopter pilot was grinding his teeth in frustration as the strong wind made his task more difficult. He said a prayer for the little girl and wished that the wind would quieten down. He knew they would be successful if the soldier could get closer to his target without swinging so wildly.
Suddenly and miraculously his prayers were answered. There was a lull in the wind just as the helicop
ter approached the little girl. The soldier who was suspended in the harness called to her: “You can do it! When I say ‘NOW’, just grab my hand and you will be safe!” The little girl nodded, her eyes huge in her pale face. As they got closer he could see her knuckles whitening as she held on to the chimney more tightly. “Please God,” whispered the soldier, “just let her trust me. Help her to take my hand.” It was indeed a day of miracles, for as he got to her and shouted, “NOW!” she let go of the chimney and bravely reached out to him.He gripped her little hand firmly and quickly gathered her close. She was as light as a feather and he could easily hold her with one hand while he clipped the safety harness around her body. He gave the thumbs up sign to the pilot and heard his mates in the chopper let out a cheer of joy.
At last they were ready to leave the area of devastation. Cradling the little girl safely to his chest, he whispered a relieved “Thank You” to God for answering his prayers."
2010 Copyright LongBeard stories Susan Bellingan Fourie
Acknowledgements: blazelightaround.co.uk, civildefence.govt.nz, devoncoast.info, nss.ga.ca, randi.org
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