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WHO KILLED COCK
ROBIN?
According to a well known
childhood ditty, Cock Robin was slain. In fact it
appears that he was murdered in cold blood because there is no
evidence of a feud or revenge being the motive. An
investigation was held and the sparrow was questioned in
connection with carrying concealed weapons and he readily
boasted about having committed the crime. Some
unidentified ubiquitous fly was the only witness to the
dastardly deed. Evidence points to the crime
having taken place by the edge of a laughing brook that
rippled through the woodland. Apparently Cock
Robin had just gone there for a drink when he was struck
without warning because a fish just happened to be passing by
and he regarded the occasion with ghoulish pleasure as he took
advantage of the tragedy to obtain some blood.
Everything points to the owl as having been an accomplice to
the crime because he volunteered to cover up every trace of
evidence. The little song goes like
this:
“Who killed Cock Robin?
I said the
sparrow, with my bow and arrow,
I killed Cock Robin.
Who
saw him die? I said the fly,
With my little
eye, I saw him die.
Who caught his blood? I said the
fish
With my little dish, I caught his blood.
Who’ll dig
his grave? I said the Owl
With my spade and trowel,
I’ll dig his grave.”
Although a grave wrong had
been committed things were supposed to be hushed up but rumors
of the scandal could not be silenced. Public
opinion in the woodlands is reflected in the chorus: “All the
birds of the air were a-sighing and a-sobbing, when they heard
of the death of poor Cock Robin.”
Just who was
this jaunty little songster whose untimely death by
assassination aroused so much commotion?
At the
funeral Pastor Meadow Lark who was a cousin of Cock Robin read
the obituary. It stated that Cock Robin was born
in Nature’s Wonderland. He was only two years
old. He was known as a gay and courageous
harbinger of spring. His throaty melodies
acclaimed him as one of the most welcome
songsters. He was a tireless optimist as he
continually harped on the subject of Cheer-up, cheer-up,
cheer-ee.
Cock Robin always lived on good terms
with his neighbors and seemed to trust everyone.
Much sorrow is experienced both in the woodlands and also by
many little boys and girls who will greatly miss his
calls. Pastor Meadow Lark gave some of the
hitherto unknown details surrounding his death. He
said Cock Robin was struck with out warning just as he was
lifting his head in thanksgiving for the cool water that was
to quench his thirst. When the gangster sparrow
unleashed the fatal arrow it found its feathery target and
Cock Robin’s crumbled form fell right where the rippling brook
was lapping the shore as it hurried by. Of course,
his song died with him. All his faith and optimism
in a kind world ceased when this game little champion of fair
play became the victim of the nameless sparrow’s wanton
act. Needless to say, one immediate result of the
tragedy will be: fewer robins and more
sparrows.
As we reflect on the foregoing episode
one wonders if there are not a few Cock Robins in the church
too. And could it be that the church is harboring
a few sparrows as well? Sometimes one of the young
people has a strong desire to do something for the
Lord. A surge of daring challenges his
imagination. He is dauntless and resolute, despite
a hostile world. With a song in his heart and a
determination in his soul he is ready to obey and do battle
for the Lord. But, sad to say, there are some
sparrows in the ranks. They do not mean to be
cruel or thoughtless. They would never think of
planning to maim or cripple anyone in the church.
Perish the thought! They only want Cock Robin to
“get the point.” They have no idea that points
from hostile bows often go much farther than is
intended. As a result, a dream dies.
Arrows
are not always shot from bows by an archer.
Sometimes a sharp word speeds to its target from unguarded
lips and carries much venom, which has a very deadly
effect. Wrong words can kill a man’s influence and
ruin his reputation. Sometimes they can terminate
one’s usefulness or perhaps discourage someone from starting
out on a career of service. Perhaps a person would
like to sing for the Lord. A little encouragement
might cause it to be a reality, but an arrow of criticism
shoot by some hidden sparrow, could ambush the beginner and
silence the music forever.
Sometimes the minister
is Cock Robin. He breathes confidence, but the
sparrow says he is just after the money. There are
Cock Robins among the laymen in the church too.
Some hearts beat with the new song that is born of a vision of
reaching out to the lost. They long to help the
church produce results farther and faster. They
just want to be involved. The sparrow often views
such attitudes as independence, possible rivalry and even as
eventual loss of finances. The arrow hits the
mark. The result is a mortal wound to a dream,
which might have blessed the world, had it not succumbed to
some misdirected criticism. This is a tragedy that
has been repeated too frequently. Meanwhile, the
church is sighing and wailing because of the lack of more Cock
Robins? Could it be possible that some are busy
digging graves in which to bury the talents of their crushed
victims. Does some spiritual cemetery conceal the
person you “might have been,” if it were not for the
circumstances that squelched your ideals and lofty
goals?
The call of the Church is for Cock
Robins. The call of the Mission fields, the
ministry, the professional careers such as: teaching and
medicine and others are all open for the skills and talents of
those who want to render a lifetime of service for the
Master. There are gangster sparrows, lurking about
intent upon destroying your goals, often with little more than
a barbed sneer or a sharp retort. Your gifts,
talents and eventual achievements will be determined by your
walk with God, and your practice of the presence of God in all
your choices. It’s better to be a Cock Robin that
spreads cheer and optimism and son, rather than to be a
“kill-joy” archer with an aim to snuff out and to bury the
hopes and dreams of others. God is on the side of
the Cock Robins. Take heart! The world
needs you! It’s waiting for what only you can
give---yourself! Turn your life over to God and it
becomes “the abundant life.” Paul summed it up
thus: “I am crucified jointly with Christ: I no
longer live as I, but Christ lives within me. So
the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of
God.” Gal. 2:29
(Berkley)
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