The night was eerie and still. A thick layer of clouds had blocked all moon and starlight. Jesse could tell something was not right. His horse sensed something in the darkness. The horse’s long ears flicked back and forth, a sign that danger was lurking in the night.
“What is it Buck?” Jesse asked his companion.
Buck answered with a sharp snort.
“Take it easy buddy. We have to keep going. We have to get to Doc Willis as soon as we can.” Jesse stroked his horse’s neck to reassure him.
The reason for Buck’s uneasiness became clear when a distant flash lit up the sky. A storm was rolling in.
The next flash was brighter, and a deep rumble of thunder followed. Jesse did his best to keep Buck calm, but it wasn’t easy. When Jesse reached the bank of the river, the storm was nearly on top of him.
Bolts of lightning lit up the countryside like daylight, and deafening thunder had both Jesse and Buck on edge.
The young rider coaxed his horse down the riverbank and into the rushing flow. At the deepest point, the water reached Buck’s shoulders. Jesse’s sure-footed friend was doing well until a blinding bolt of lightning struck a tree on the far side of the river. The sharp crack of thunder sent Buck into a panic. He reared up, flipped Jesse into the dark water, and dashed away into the night.
Jesse bobbed to the surface, coughing up water. The river tried to carry him away, but he half swam and half crawled his way to the water’s edge.
“Buck! Buck!” he shouted, but it was no use. He horse was gone. Now, all alone far from help, Jesse was terrified. With a sick father at home, Jesse had no choice. He had to fight his fears and press on.
Powerful gusts of wind, and driving rain now battered the brave young boy.
Jesse’s only option was to make the rest of the journey on foot. He struggled to keep his imagination from running wild as he walked along. Not only did he fear the fierce thunderstorm, but he pictured a bear or cougar appearing out of the darkness and attacking him.
After a mile trek, Jesse came to old Jed Adams’ farm. Because he was a loner, Adams was shunned by the locals. Rumors had spread that Adams was insane. Jesse had seen Adams in town, purchasing supplies from the general store. He donned a long gray beard and wore a wide brim cowboy hat.
Jesse had no reason to doubt the rumors, so he just believed that Adams was a crazy man. But now, Jesse could sure use some help.
“What if the rumors were false?” he asked himself. Old Jed might help him get to Doc Willis, and get the medicine that his father needed.
Jesse decide to take his chances. He approached the dark cabin with caution. When he reached the door, he paused, and then knocked three times. No one answered. He knocked a second time, and again, no one came to the door. Jesse went to the window and pressed his face to the glass.
To his surprise, and terror, a huge growling dog lunged at the window from the inside. Jesse stumbled backward as the dog barked at the unexpected visitor. Jesse was about to turn and run when a voice called out from inside the cabin.
“Who’s there?” demanded Adams.
“My name is Jesse Robin. I need help,” the frightened boy answered.
Old Jed called off the dog, and then opened the door.
“What are you doing out on a night like this?” Adams asked.
“My pa is home, sick with fever. I was on my way to Doc Willis for some medicine.
“Are you alone?” Adams’ tone softened.
“Yes sir, my horse got spooked by the lightnin’, and he ran off on me,” Jesse explained.
“I see,” said the old man. “Well, come on in side, out of the rain now.”
Adams lit an oil lamp while the dog watched Jesse’s every movement.
“Yes, I know the Robin farm. You live about a mile on the other side of the river.” Adams said.
“Yes sir. That’s right,” Jesse’s eyes roamed around the inside of the cabin. The furnishings were sparse, and everything seemed to be in order. For the first time Jesse began to doubt the rumor that Adams was insane. From what he could see, Jed Adams was just a simple man who lived alone and kept to himself.
“Let’s get you to town,” Adams said as he wrapped himself in a long overcoat, and planted his well-worn hat on his head.
Jesse follow Adams to his barn. The storm was beginning to blow over. The lightning had moved to the east, but a heavy rain continued to pound the barn roof. In minutes, Adam had one of his horses saddled up. He handed the reins to Jesse, and prepared the second horse.
“Let’s ride,” Adams said as he fastened the last buckle.
For an old man, he had no trouble leaping up into the saddle. Jesse mounted his horse, and followed Adams out to the road. Together they rode toward town.
It was after midnight when the two soaking-wet riders reached the muddy streets of the tiny town. There, they came to a stop at the doctor’s house. Jesse leapt from the saddle and pounded on the door.
Doc Willis came to the door in his night clothes. “What is it?” he tried to shake off his sleepiness.
“My father has come down with the fever,” Jesse explained.
“There sure has been a lot of it going around,” Doc Willis said.
He went on to ask several question about his father’s health. Then, the doctor poured a brown liquid into a small medicine bottle, and pushed a cork into the top.
“Give your father half of this when you get home, and the other half in the morning. I will be by in the afternoon to check on him,” the doctor instructed.
“Yes sir, thank you,” Jesse tipped his hat, turned, and closed the door behind him.
Jed Adams led the way to Jesse’s farm. Glowing light from the window meant that Jesse’s mother, brothers and sisters were awake, and tending to the sick man.
Jesse burst through the door with the medicine in hand, but his family’s attention turned to the man who entered behind him.
“This is Jed Adams. He helped me get to Doc Willis after Buck got scared by the storm, and took off on me,” he explained.
“That was very kind of you. Please come in,” Jesse’s mother said to old Jed.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help,” said Adams.
Jesse’s mother woke her ailing husband and managed to get him to swallow the medicine. After that, there was nothing left to do but wait. Jesse found some dry clothes, and sat by his father bedside. The sick man breathed heavily, and coughed every little while.
Tired from his adventure, Jesse fought to keep his eyes open, but sleep eventually won the battle.
The next thing he knew; Jesse woke to a bright ray of sunlight warming his face. He jumped up and was greeted by his mother’s smiling face.
“Good morning Jesse. Your pa’s fever broke early this morning. I think he will be all right,” his mother said.
Jesse looked around. “Where is Mr. Adams?” he asked.
“He slipped out while you were asleep. He is a very nice man.”
Jesse got up and looked down at his father, who was breathing easier, and his face was no longer drenched in sweat. Next, he turned and trotted out the door. Jed Adams and his horses were gone. What Jesse saw next amazed him. Tied to the hitching, Buck stood watching his owner. Adams must have found him, and returned him home.
Jesse couldn’t wait to take a ride to his new friend’s farm and thank him.
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In the story, why was Jesse afraid to ask Jed Adams for help?
Read Mathew 7:7-12
Have you ever been afraid to ask for help?
Why were you afraid?
Besides fear, what do you think keeps people from asking, seeking, knocking?