2010 Catalog Essay Contest

WINNER
Anna Francis

The Protection of Provision

It was the summer of 1326. At this time of year, Ireland’s beauty was at its peak. The green grass, blue sky, and clear lake in front of the castle Unity not only offered a panorama of color, but also was a place where one could enjoy its tranquility. The royal family inhabiting the castle often took walks together around the lake and the beauty of their surroundings enhanced their enjoyment of these special times.

The castle Unity had been given its name by the present king’s grandfather. His love for the Lord had led him to calling the castle by its name Unity because of the Scripture’s exclamation, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
ethren to dwell together in Unity!” (Psalm 133:1). He desired his family to live out this verse and therefore called the castle by this name as a reminder to practice this portion of Scripture. The present king also loved the Lord, and his family did as well. The king and queen also desired to live out this verse.

There were four children in the royal family. The queen had given birth to two sons and two daughters; the oldest son and daughter were twins. The twins names were Prince Protection and Princess Provision. The prince was the elder by one hour. They were now twelve years old. The other children were Prince Preservation, who was three years old, and the two-month old baby was Princess Prayer.

The older children, Protection and Provision, were given many responsibilities by their parents, because although the royal family had servants, the king and queen realized how important the development of their character was and did not want their children to grow up and develop laziness.

One particular day, Protection was just completing his job of grooming his horse, Preparation. He remembered the day the king had given Preparation to him. It had been on his twelfth birthday. Provision had also been given a horse. Protection could picture the birthday cele
ation in his mind. The king had quoted from the Scripture after giving Protection his horse: “The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but safety is of the LORD” (Prov. 21:31). The king had encouraged his son to trust in the Lord and not in his own strength.

On this particular day, Provision and Protection had been given permission to go riding around the lake, but had been cautioned as they had been before to be careful. The children knew that this warning given by their parents was a worthy command to be heeded, for in Ireland, the dreaded beast Corruption had been a threat to the people living near the castle for many years.

Provision and Protection mounted their horses and followed the well-ridden path that circled the lake. The children were not only siblings but were also good friends.

“What a beautiful day!” exclaimed Provision. “I am so glad that the Lord filled the earth with such beauty.”

To this comment, Protection agreed. They rode on, taking in the scenery, but watchful for Corruption. They were reminded of the verse, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). They knew that Corruption was not the only one about whom they must be careful.

As they rode, the prince and princess came to a smooth bank on which the family often enjoyed picnics. Here the two children stopped and surveyed the lake. A few ripples could be seen, but otherwise the water was smooth. Protection and Provision dismounted and went up to the water’s edge. Once again they had
ought a picnic. Protection grabbed the horses’ reins and turned to Provision.

“Would you like to set out the picnic while I tie the horses?”

Provision nodded, “Oh, yes!”

Provision took the picnic basket and pulled out the various items she had baked that morning. She glanced again at the water and noticed that the few ripples seemed to have increased. She stared at the water for the ripples were moving right towards her! Her heart began to beat faster. Could the ripples be caused by the dreaded beast Corruption?

She looked back towards Protection. He had just finished tying the horses. Suddenly Provision heard a splash and caught a glimpse of a huge beast. It was still mostly hidden by the water, but the top of its head showed.

“Protection,” she cried. “Come here quickly!”

As Protection raced towards Provision, Provision backed away from the water. By the time he reached his sister, Protection had observed the cause of his sister’s anxiety. He grabbed her hand and started up the slope.

A tremendous splash came from the water and the children looked back. For the first time, they saw the whole of Corruption. Corruption was huge and his tail reminded Protection of the tail of a snake, only twenty times thicker.

Protection drew his sword and called to his sister, “Run, Provision, and get Father.”

Provision ran, but she was worried. What about Protection? Protection knew that Corruption’s eyes were on his sister, and he feared the great danger his sister might face even in running because there was great risk that Corruption would chase her.

Protection was right; Corruption, still staring at Provision, growled and started to move towards her. Protection was not about to let this dreaded beast chase his sister. He prayed, and gripping his sword, jabbed Corruption. He ran towards the beast at the same time, hoping to kill the beast by plunging the sword in by the force of his weight, but it was not to be that easy. Corruption fought fiercely. Protection gave a final thrust, running towards the beast again. Finally he had stabbed the beast in the right place, and Corruption fell to the ground.

Protection was reminded of David and Goliath as he stood by the fallen beast, and knew that, as David had said in a psalm, his “help” was “in the name of the LORD” (Ps. 124:8).

It was not long before Provision arrived with the king. Protection showed him the dead beast, giving the praise to God.

“Protection, I am so pleased with you. Kneel here on the bank,” the king proclaimed.

The king drew his own sword and laid the blade across Protection’s shoulder.

“Today, I knight you not only because you have killed the dreaded beast Corruption, but also because of the way you have pleased the Lord in protecting your sister and giving all the praise to God.”

The knighted prince arose and was reminded again of the Scripture that the king had told him on his twelfth birthday. Because of what had happened, he knew even more that indeed, “safety is of the LORD” (Prov. 21:31).

The king, princess, and knighted prince remounted their horses and rode back to the castle Unity. Now the family would not have to worry about the beast any longer, but could have their picnics and walks without fear of the dreaded beast because Protection had lived up to his name.

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