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 upon him, with love showing in his eyes. "Do what you want
to, my son . . . but do not leave my side."

"I would never leave you Daddy, I love you way too much." But the boy took a
step away, out of his father's range of touch. He walked through the surf,
the waves tickling one toe. "If I take one more step in . . ." he thought,
"Father will never know."

His father called out to him, "Son, to me remain true!" The boy thought with
glee . . . "At the moment I don't need you!"

His father felt a sadness, but he held his tongue. Sometimes lessons need
to be learned . . . even when so young.

The boy stepped out a little further . . . the water covering his waist.
His father spoke with urgency . . . his father spoke with haste. "My son, come
back to me," he said, "The day is almost done!"

"Not yet, Dad," the boy yelled, "I'm having too much fun!" But the boy did
not have his father's insight . . . so 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 had 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 upon his son . . . a tear streaming down his cheek. The
boy looked upon his father . . . and cried the sobs of the meek. "I would
never leave you son . . . for I love you just the same."

"I was only waiting . . . for you to call upon my name."


Author Unknown