WEBVTT 1 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:06.480 Hey, says dead mam. 2 00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:08.880 Come on your story. 3 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:15.320 Hours are presenting your story, hour building for a better 4 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:18.440 tomorrow to day's story. 5 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:26.039 Come here to the window, Jim. I want to show 6 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:26.679 you something. 7 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:27.480 Yes, ma'am. 8 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:31.440 Look out there, Jim. Some people call this the slums. 9 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:35.759 The neighborhood is tough. I'm told. Our new house maybe 10 00:00:35.799 --> 00:00:38.840 isn't just what we'd like, and three rooms can be 11 00:00:38.920 --> 00:00:43.320 awfully cramped, but it's ours. It's clean and neat inside 12 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:46.280 our home. And we can be happy here if we try, Jim. 13 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:50.000 When people try to be happy, they can be That's 14 00:00:50.039 --> 00:00:53.399 what your dad always told me. He was a brave man, 15 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:57.600 very brave, all during the long, hard years when he 16 00:00:57.719 --> 00:01:01.560 was so sick and in such terrible, aizing pain. I 17 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:04.560 know if you can grow up to be like Fred, 18 00:01:04.599 --> 00:01:08.599 I'll feel rewarded. Jim. He was a fine man, a 19 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:09.480 good husband. 20 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:13.280 I won't disappoint you, Mom, like you said yesterday, I 21 00:01:13.319 --> 00:01:15.439 even look like that now that I'm growing taller. 22 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:18.760 Oh, off to bed with you. You've got a busy 23 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:21.680 program ahead of you. Tomorrow. It'll be your first day 24 00:01:21.719 --> 00:01:24.079 at the new school. You'll have a lot of catching 25 00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:28.359 up to do. Okay, Mom, good night, Oh Jim, Yes, 26 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:33.799 don't don't worry about those school supplies. Tell your teachers 27 00:01:33.799 --> 00:01:35.879 if they can give me just a week, I'll have 28 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:39.719 enough money to buy them all right, mam my purse, 29 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:47.480 Oh yes, here it is four dollars and thirty five cents. 30 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:52.000 It's got to last us until next Friday. Oh, dear 31 00:01:52.159 --> 00:01:55.239 God in heaven, please help me to keep my boy 32 00:01:55.280 --> 00:02:00.439 from knowing how poor we really are. I I I'm 33 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:02.840 trying so hard to make a home for him, but 34 00:02:04.519 --> 00:02:08.400 I'm alone, all alone. 35 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:14.680 Hello Uncle Dan, Hello to you, Aunt Carol, And hello 36 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:15.759 to all you boys. 37 00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:17.560 And girls, teens, moms and dads. 38 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:20.759 Grandma's and grandpa's, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and neighbors. 39 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:21.719 Welcome one and all. 40 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:23.280 We're so glad to be with you again. 41 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:25.599 Now we have a question for all you adults listening in. 42 00:02:25.879 --> 00:02:28.159 Have you ever attended your high school or college reunion. 43 00:02:28.280 --> 00:02:30.560 If you have, you've probably been surprised by how some 44 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:32.319 of your former classmates have changed. 45 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:35.800 Of course, there are physical differences, but while everyone grows older, 46 00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:38.199 some get thinner, others heavier. 47 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:40.039 And some grow beards while others go ball. 48 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:44.199 You're surprised that the class clown became a successful pediatrician. 49 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:46.520 And that shy little wallflower of a girl blossomed into 50 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:47.840 a beautiful fashion model. 51 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:50.520 Then perhaps you sadly learned that the boy voted most 52 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:53.360 likely to succeed didn't make it to the reunion. He 53 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:55.319 died a few years back from a drug overdose. 54 00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:58.360 Though you're all classmates at one time, the choices each 55 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:00.960 individual made let many directions. 56 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:03.639 Some made good choices, some made bad ones. 57 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:07.120 Even children from the same family make very different choices. 58 00:03:07.680 --> 00:03:09.960 For example, just think of Jacob and Esau, the twin 59 00:03:10.039 --> 00:03:12.080 sons of Isaac and Bible Times. 60 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:14.000 Or what about the sons of Adam and Eve canaan Abel. 61 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:16.080 Their choices let in opposite directions. 62 00:03:16.199 --> 00:03:19.120 What we're saying is we need to think carefully about 63 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:21.840 the choices we make in life and how those choices 64 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:23.120 will influence our future. 65 00:03:23.319 --> 00:03:26.400 That's certainly true, Uncle Dan, and I think this classic 66 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:28.159 O Henry story will make that apparent. 67 00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:30.879 Well, time is marching right along, so I think we'd 68 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:31.680 better get right to it. 69 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:40.599 Good idea we call this story after twenty years. The 70 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:44.879 policeman on the beat moved briskly up the avenue. The 71 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:49.439 time was barely ten o'clock at night, but chilly gusts 72 00:03:49.479 --> 00:03:51.479 of wind with a taste of rain in them. It 73 00:03:51.560 --> 00:03:56.639 almost emptied the streets, trying doors as he went, twirling 74 00:03:56.680 --> 00:03:59.960 his club, he now and then turned to cast his water, 75 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:05.120 watchful on the quiet neighborhood The vicinity kept early hours. 76 00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:07.639 Now and then you might see the lights of a 77 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:10.960 store or of an all night lunch counter, but the 78 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:14.639 majority of the business places had long since been closed. 79 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:19.639 When he was about midway along a certain block, the 80 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:23.920 policeman suddenly slowed his walk. In the doorway of a 81 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.759 darkened hardware store, a man leaned his hands thrust deep 82 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:32.560 into his pockets, his coat collar turned up. As the 83 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:34.240 policeman walked up to him. 84 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:35.480 The man spoke. 85 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:39.399 Quickly, Oh it's it's all right, off, sir, I'm just 86 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:41.079 waiting here for her friend friend day. 87 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:44.519 Well, we don't allow loitering. Maybe you'd better move along. 88 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:47.519 No, no, honest officer, I won't cause any trouble. I'm 89 00:04:47.519 --> 00:04:50.319 back here in town to keep an appointment, an appointment 90 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:52.759 made out of this very spot twenty years ago. 91 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:56.040 Twenty years that's a long time. 92 00:04:56.160 --> 00:04:58.959 Oh you bet it is. It sounds a little funny, 93 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:01.279 doesn't it. Well, well, i'll explain if you like. 94 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:04.519 You see, twenty years ago, there used to be a 95 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:06.759 restaurant where you and I are standing right now, Big 96 00:05:06.839 --> 00:05:07.759 Joe Brady's Restaurant. 97 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:12.000 Yeah, I remember. Big Joe's dead. Now some new owners 98 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:14.120 bought the restaurant, tore it down, put up this modern 99 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:17.279 hardware store that was about ten years ago. 100 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:19.079 Oh it's a big Joe died. 101 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:22.439 Well, look at that sky. 102 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:26.160 We're gonna have rain, mister, and hear it. 103 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:28.879 Come were here, obviously step up in the doorway. You'll 104 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:29.639 get dreaded. 105 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:34.000 Thanks. I should have worn my raincoat out tonight. 106 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:34.839 How I was lucky. 107 00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:36.759 I got the weather forecast early in the day, so 108 00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:38.319 I was ready for the bad weather. 109 00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:40.759 Hey, come on you, that's y room. Oh careful, it's dark. 110 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:45.319 Drop my billy club. Wait, I gott imagine it's dragging up. 111 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:46.560 Locate your club in a jiffy. 112 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:51.399 The man in the doorway struck a match, stooped, and 113 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:55.319 retrieved the billy club. His figure, which had been shrouded 114 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:59.439 in darkness, was suddenly illuminated, and the police officer looked 115 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:03.879 at him cure the match flame revealed a short, stocky 116 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:07.240 looking man with his hat brim pulled low over his face, 117 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:11.240 but there was just enough light for the officer momentarily 118 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:15.279 to see a pale, square jawed face with keen eyes 119 00:06:15.800 --> 00:06:19.839 and a little white telltale scar near his right eyebrow. 120 00:06:20.279 --> 00:06:22.879 In the handsome scarf worn round his neck to keep 121 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:26.759 out the brisk fall wind was an expensive diamond pin. 122 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:31.160 Did you say you were waiting for a friend. 123 00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:33.720 Oh, not just a friend, Officer, I'm waiting for my 124 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:36.920 best friend. His name is Jim, Jimmy Wells as the 125 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:37.959 finest chap in the world. 126 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:40.800 You seem eager to see him. 127 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:41.199 I am. 128 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:41.920 I am. 129 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:45.800 You know, exactly twenty years ago tonight, Jim and I 130 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:48.480 had dinner together at Big Joe Brady's restaurant, the last 131 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:51.279 time I saw him. You see, Officer, Jimmy Wells and 132 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:53.600 now are both reared here in New York, same neighborhood. 133 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:56.480 Were just like brothers. Jim was twenty and I was 134 00:06:56.519 --> 00:07:01.120 eighteen when we parted. Oh say, you couldn't have dragged 135 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:03.079 him out of New York. He thought it was the 136 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:06.639 only place on earth. But me, Well, I was ambitious 137 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:09.399 and wrestless. I wanted to go out into the big, wide, 138 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:13.000 wonderful world and find excitement. Wanted to pit my brains 139 00:07:13.040 --> 00:07:17.439 against other men see if I could survive. Jimmy hated 140 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:19.720 to see me go, but I promised to meet him 141 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:22.680 here exactly twenty years later. Then we both see how 142 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:25.560 life had treated us and find out whether either or 143 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:26.639 well both. 144 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:29.240 Of us had found success real success. 145 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:32.240 So we struck the bargain, and that's why I'm here 146 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:35.480 tonight in this doorway, Oh good old Jimmy. 147 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:38.079 The next morning, the next morning. 148 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:40.800 After we had dinner together, I left for the West coast, 149 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:45.040 chasing that elusive phantom men call success. 150 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:49.600 Did you find it success? I mean find it? 151 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:50.399 Listen. 152 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:53.519 I matched my wits against some of the best brains 153 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:54.720 afloat came out of winter. 154 00:07:55.079 --> 00:08:00.319 Every time, Yes, siree, every time. Success. 155 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:03.519 Success isn't an elusive phantom, not if you're tough and 156 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:06.120 you got the neck and they know how why I 157 00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:08.279 caught success and swawk it. 158 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:08.879 By the table. 159 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:14.759 Well, I see you're your friend. He may not show up, 160 00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:16.199 not in a soaking rain like this. 161 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:20.240 Hey, now there's where you're wrong, dead wrong, my pell 162 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:23.360 Jimmy Wells wouldn't let fire or flood keep him from 163 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:24.800 meeting his old buddy tonight. 164 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:26.759 Not to mention a little drism like this. 165 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:28.199 No, you just wait, you'll see. 166 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:32.720 Besides, it's it's only ten o'clock. He's got another thirty minutes. 167 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:33.000 Yet. 168 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:35.200 You have a lot of confidence in your friend, mister. 169 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:39.240 But in twenty years, people change change a lot. Often 170 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:42.320 they they forget promises. 171 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:43.000 Not a chance. 172 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:47.440 Oh some people, yes, But Jimmy Wells forget Jimmy Wells changed. 173 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:48.879 Ah. Never. 174 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:51.480 Well, we're waiting for the rain to stop. 175 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:53.399 Now, I'll tell you about jim home. 176 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:55.399 By that time, he should be here, and you can 177 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:58.440 see for yourself what a true blue fellow he is. 178 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:03.279 I first met Jimmy Wells when I was twelve years old, 179 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:05.200 about three days. 180 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:18.159 After he moved into our old East Down neighborhood. 181 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:24.080 Mam, mam, is that you? 182 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:28.039 Yes, Jimmy, what are you doing out of bed? It's 183 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:29.399 four o'clock in the morning. 184 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.720 I know. I woke up when was worried. Ma'm you're 185 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:35.320 a getting home, and I've thought maybe something that happened 186 00:09:35.320 --> 00:09:35.519 to you. 187 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:38.519 I am a little late, Jimmy, I'd admit, but we 188 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:40.639 had a lot of extra work to do. It made 189 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:43.799 me miss the two o'clock bus, so I stood for 190 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:47.759 an hour waiting for the next one. I think I'll 191 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:52.879 just sit, just sit here for half an hour without moving. Tonight, 192 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:55.000 I feel as though I'd scrubbed every inch of the 193 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:56.480 Empire State Building. 194 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:00.000 Mom, I made some breakfast for you. I thought maybe 195 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:02.879 you be hungry, and you got in. The eggs are fine, 196 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:04.519 but I saw to burn the tolls. 197 00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:09.679 Well, now that makes us even yesterday I burned your toast. 198 00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:15.279 Remember never mind, Darling. I'm sure your breakfast will taste marvelous, 199 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:19.279 maybe even better than mine. You're a thoughtful boy, Jim. 200 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:22.440 Any mother would be proud to have a son like you. 201 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:25.519 I wish you didn't have to work so hard, especially 202 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:25.960 at night. 203 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:29.960 Now, Jim, we must be grateful. This job as a 204 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:32.960 scrub woman at the Caston Building was all I could find. 205 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:35.200 I wish we were back in Allenville, Ma. 206 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:38.240 So do I Jim. But there was no way for 207 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:41.720 me to make money there, and we're so desperately poor 208 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:44.720 since your father died, we simply had to come to 209 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:48.519 the city. Come here to the window, Jim. I want 210 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:51.919 to show you something, Yes, ma'am. Look out there, Jim. 211 00:10:52.559 --> 00:10:56.240 Some people call this the slums. The neighborhood is tough. 212 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:59.639 I'm told our new home maybe isn't just what we'd like. 213 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:04.080 And three rooms can be awfully crowded, but it's ours. 214 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:08.440 It's clean and neat inside our home, and we can 215 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:12.120 be happy here if we try, Jim, When people try 216 00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:15.440 hard to be happy, they can be That's what your 217 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:19.720 dad always told me. He was a brave man, very brave, 218 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:23.840 all during those long, hard years when he was so 219 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:28.120 sick and in such terrible, agonizing pain. I know, ma'am, 220 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:31.080 if you can grow up to be like Fred, I'll 221 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:35.919 feel rewarded. Jim, he was a fine man, a good husband. 222 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:40.000 I won't disappoint you, ma'am. Like you said yesterday, I 223 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:42.600 even look like Dad now that I'm growing taller. 224 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:47.679 Yes, you do resemble him, son, especially with those blue 225 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:52.519 eyes and that unruly mop of sandy here tumbling down 226 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:58.240 over your forehead. But now off with you, back to bed, 227 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:01.120 you scamp. You've got a bite program ahead of you. 228 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:04.000 Tomorrow it'll be your first day at the new school. 229 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:06.799 Mother wants you to be arrested. You'll have a lot 230 00:12:06.799 --> 00:12:09.480 of catching up to do. You missed a whole year 231 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:10.879 when you had scarlet fever. 232 00:12:11.440 --> 00:12:13.159 Okay, mam, good night. 233 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:19.759 Oh Jim, Yes, don't don't worry about those school supplies. 234 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:23.519 Tell your teachers if they can just give me a week, 235 00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:27.240 I'll have enough money to buy them all right, mam, 236 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:35.559 Oh my purse. Oh yes, here it is four dollars 237 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:39.960 and thirty five cents. Oh it's got to last us 238 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:44.399 until next Friday. Oh, Dear God in heaven, please help 239 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:46.559 me to keep my boy from knowing how poor we 240 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:51.480 really are. I I'm trying so hard to make a 241 00:12:51.559 --> 00:13:00.039 home for him, but I'm alone, all alone. 242 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:03.120 Say we'll find out if Jimmy tangles with the toughest 243 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:05.960 boy in the sixth grade in just a moment. But first, 244 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:08.480 please listen to this letter from a thirteen year old 245 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:10.000 girl who lives in Tennessee. 246 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:12.600 Dear Aunt Carroll and Uncle Dan, I just wanted you 247 00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:15.159 to know that the Adventures are one hundred percent helpful 248 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:17.440 to me. I try to read the Bible every night, 249 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:20.519 and sometimes I don't understand it. The Adventures explained the 250 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:22.600 Bible so good that you're bound to understand it. 251 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:26.159 Thanks so much, and thank you for writing. We're glad 252 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:28.679 the Adventures are a help. Now here's another letter. 253 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:31.159 Dear Uncle Dan and Aunt Carrol, thank you for sending 254 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:33.360 me the first two lessons. I had them finished in 255 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:35.759 one hour. I'd love to work on them so much 256 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:37.759 that i couldn't put them down. My mother and I 257 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:39.919 listened to your story are every chance we get. The 258 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:43.039 stories are always interesting. I've wanted to receive the lessons 259 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:45.919 and stories for a long time. I'm glad I finally 260 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:48.399 contacted you on the web. We pray that God will 261 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:51.440 continue to bless your ministry. I love your programs. 262 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:54.159 It sounds like these two listeners have discovered just how 263 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:57.039 much fun and how helpful the Adventures can be. 264 00:13:57.240 --> 00:14:00.399 True, Uncle Dan, You see, the Adventures contain stories, puzzles, 265 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:03.879 and quizzes that everyone, it seems, really enjoys. Plus, as 266 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:06.399 you complete the quizzes, you'll also receive all twenty six 267 00:14:06.440 --> 00:14:08.919 audio stories from our Life of Jesus album, and. 268 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:11.679 The first two stories you'll receive are Mary of Nazareth 269 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:14.480 and Born under a Star, two special favorites. 270 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:17.320 Yes, and here's a very important point. The Adventures are 271 00:14:17.320 --> 00:14:20.600 absolutely free, stories, quizzes, audio recordings, everything. 272 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:23.759 So what about you? Would you like help understanding the 273 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:26.080 Bible and have a great time in the process. 274 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:28.519 Perhaps you've been intending to sign up for the Adventures, 275 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:31.200 but just haven't gotten around to it yet, and there's. 276 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:34.080 No time like the present. Why not make a good choice. 277 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:37.440 Get a pen, paper ready to take down our address 278 00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:40.399 and website. We'll give them to you right after our story. 279 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:43.240 Speaking of which, let's find out what's happening to Jimmy 280 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:53.120 in after twenty years. 281 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:57.720 Hey you you what a funny face? Me? 282 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:58.480 Yeah? 283 00:14:58.679 --> 00:14:58.720 You? 284 00:14:59.519 --> 00:14:59.720 Yeah? 285 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:01.759 No Ah? Here ain't you? What's your name? 286 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:04.240 Her name is Jim jim Au. 287 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:08.000 Well listen, Jim. You may be a little taller than me, 288 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:10.440 but I'm the toughest boy in the sixth grade. How'd 289 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.159 you like to fight? 290 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:11.840 Fight? 291 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:12.360 Yeah? 292 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:15.879 Fight, you heard me? Maybe on the playground at recess. 293 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:19.480 I'll whip you to you can't stand up? Funny face? 294 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:21.440 I guess you're right. 295 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:23.159 Huh. 296 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:24.799 My face is sort of funny, isn't it. 297 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.919 Huh huh. 298 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:29.360 But if you whip me and rearrange my face, I 299 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:31.559 look even worse. So you have to take the blame 300 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:33.919 from my face then not me, right. 301 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:39.279 Boy, you're a strange one. I like you. You got 302 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:43.200 a sense of humor. Let's be POWs. My name is Bob, 303 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:48.200 Shake Bob. Since you're new here, I'll school you on everything. 304 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:49.200 Now. 305 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:54.080 If you need your arithmetic homework done. Mary Jenkins, that redhaired, 306 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:57.360 skinny girl over there, she's the best in the whole school. 307 00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:59.759 Just say, you'll beat up her little brother and then 308 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:04.600 she'll do your arithmetic every night. Honest, honest, how do 309 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:08.279 you think I got my arithmetic work done? In fact, 310 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:13.559 I get better homework greats than she does. But that's cheating, cheatin'. 311 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:14.720 Say. 312 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:19.840 Listen, my pop says that in this world everybody cheats, 313 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:23.600 specially big shots. That's how they get to the top. 314 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:25.279 My dad never told me that. 315 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:30.039 Maybe that's cause your dad ain't smart. But my pop 316 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:34.360 is our teacher. Miss Johnson, that old dragon. You know 317 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:38.600 what she says, children do unto others as you would 318 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.799 have others doin' to you. 319 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:43.679 I know that that's the golden rule. I learned it 320 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:45.679 in church back home in Allenville. 321 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:50.799 Golden huh. Well, I told my pop what Miss Johnson said, 322 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:55.000 and you know what he told me. No, what he said, boy, 323 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:58.440 you doin to others before they do un to you. 324 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:02.440 Oh, oh, it's almost time for class to start. 325 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:05.759 Yeah, and here comes ugly old missus Johnson. I better 326 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:09.200 lay loon until after class meets you at recess Okay, okay, 327 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.319 where do you live. 328 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.200 On East third Street? 329 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:15.440 Swell, that's just around the corner from my house. Maybe 330 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:17.000 I'll come by your house sometime. 331 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:23.200 Okay, children, silence, We're about to begin on lessons now, 332 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.559 silence please. 333 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:38.200 And that's how I met Jimmy Wells. We became the 334 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.000 best of buddies. 335 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:42.880 The fact is, I'm sort of glad he didn't take 336 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:45.799 me up on that fist fight. Jimmy was skinny and gawky, 337 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:47.400 but I found out later it hit. 338 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:50.279 Like a mule, is he? His father had been a high. 339 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:52.400 School athletic coach before he got that rare blood as 340 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:55.480 he's killed him. He knew a lot about boxing, and 341 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:57.799 Jimmy absorbed a good deal of it from him. Why 342 00:17:57.839 --> 00:18:00.599 he coulda trampled me and when I challenged him to 343 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:03.359 fight that first day at school, but instead he took 344 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:06.720 low to peace love. And that's what Jimmy was, a 345 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:08.480 good hearted, peace loving kid. 346 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:10.400 Sounds as though you liked him, Oh I did. 347 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:10.960 I did. 348 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:14.440 It's a funny thing, though I always knew jim wasn't 349 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:17.319 destined to get anywhere, particularly in life. He had too 350 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:22.119 many well, he had too many scruples inherited from that 351 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:25.720 male of his, and she died later, but Jim promised 352 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:30.759 her that he'd work hard turn out to be something respectable. Yeah, 353 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:32.680 I wonder how I did he? 354 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:39.480 Oh that old phantom success. Yes, sir, we're both after it. 355 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:43.079 That night we parted here twenty years ago, Jimmy Wells 356 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:44.319 and I well. 357 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:47.440 Oh, mister rain slacked a bit. I guess I'll be 358 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:50.440 on my way. Sure, hope your friend comes around. All right, 359 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:53.400 you are going to give up and leave? If he 360 00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:54.680 doesn't show up right on the dot. 361 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:56.759 Why I should say not. I'll give him another half 362 00:18:56.759 --> 00:19:00.680 hour at least. If Jimmy Wells is alive on this earth, 363 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:04.559 you'll be here by that time. Well, here, you've been 364 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:06.200 good company. So long, officer. 365 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:13.039 Good night, sir, And stepping out into the rain, the 366 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:16.759 policeman passed along his beat, trying doors as he went. 367 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:21.640 There was now a fine, cold drizzle falling, and the 368 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:25.240 wind had risen from uncertain puffs into a steady blow. 369 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:30.119 The few pedestrians astir in that quarter hurried dismally and silently, 370 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:34.920 along with coat collars turned high, hands burrowed deep into 371 00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:38.599 their pockets, and in the doorway of the hardware store, 372 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:41.319 the man who had come a thousand miles to keep 373 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:46.759 an appointment, an appointment uncertain, almost absurd with the friend 374 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:51.720 of his youth, stood and waited. About twenty minutes he waited, 375 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:54.599 and then a tall man in a long overcoat with 376 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:57.480 collar turned up to his ears, hurried across from the 377 00:19:57.519 --> 00:20:00.839 opposite side of the street. He went directly to the 378 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:06.319 waiting figure. Approaching the dark doorway, he asked softly. 379 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:12.799 Is that you, Bob, Yes? Is that you Jimmy wells? Oh, well, well, well, 380 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:15.440 bless my heart. Oh, it's great to see you, buddy. 381 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:17.960 Great here shake hands with your old pal. 382 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.480 It's been a long time, Bob. 383 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:24.319 You bet it has too long? Oh much, much, too long? 384 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.880 Hey you married? 385 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:29.799 Yes, Margie and I have three fine youngsters, two boys 386 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.319 and a girl. 387 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.920 How about you gone? 388 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:34.319 Ye, never can find a girl for me, So I'm 389 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:38.400 still single. Jimmy boy, still a lovable oven bachelor. Come on, 390 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.200 come on, let's get out of this dark doorway and 391 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:42.319 go somewhere where we can get something warm to drink, 392 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:44.720 chat about old time, sure thing, Bob? 393 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:59.279 What's so amusing, Bob? 394 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.359 Oh? 395 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:05.640 I was just wishing that big dumb cop was still here. 396 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:07.599 Oh, he realized how wrong he was? 397 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.160 Cop? 398 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:10.839 Oh yeah, policeman stopped and chatting with me a few 399 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:13.799 minutes in the rain. While I waited for you, he 400 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:18.759 dropped his club and I had to find it for him. 401 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:23.680