While walking through the park today,

hand in hand with my little girl,

we saw some children poking fun

at a man by the name of Earl.

We didn't know his name at first,

but soon we found this out

when my little girl rushed over

to see what this was about.

The man was sitting on the bench,

looking battered and so grim,

but my little girl didn't think twice,

when she sat down next to him.

I ran over to pull her away

from this dirty looking man,

but before I could get to her,

she reached out and took his hand.

I stood there in amazement

as my child began to say…

"Mr., why do you look so sad,

on this beautiful sunny day?"

The man looked at my daughter

and I could see him start to smile.

He said, "My name is Earl,

and I've been here quite awhile."

"The children poke fun at me,

for no clean clothes I have to wear."

"So everyone that passes,

laughs at me and starts to stare."

Then I heard her tell this man

that Jesus was dirty too,

and how people made fun of Him

and the pain that He went through.

She gave this man her picnic lunch,

then kissed him on the cheek.

She said goodbye to Earl …

said she’d look for him next week.

I couldn't help but shed a tear,

for I'm not sure I would have done

what my daughter did that very day …

we adults would have surely shunned.

~Author~

Ruth Ann Mahaffey

©Copyright October, 2003