Danger In The Blue Lagoon
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
An adventure story that teaches about obedience and wisdom.
Description
Twelve year old Mali and his father went fishing on a small island in the Pacific Ocean. He is excited when he spears a large fish. He calls to his father on shore and shows him the fish. His father tells him to swim to shore. There are sharks in the water.
Instead of obeying his father, Mali makes one more dive. He spears another large fish. Suddenly a shadow blocks the sunlight. A large shark took his fish. As Mali swims toward shore, the shark follows him.
Mali's father pulled him safely into an outrigger canoe. Suddenly, an ocean swell swept his father overboard. The shark attacked him and hurt his arm. In this time of great danger and terror, Mali prayed asking Jesus to protect his father. Mali then grabbed an iron fishing spear and leaped into the water. He threw his spear into the shark's head and killed it.
The two paddled their canoe toward shore. They prepared for an approaching storm. Mali's father tells him that he is proud of Mali's bravery. It saved his father's life. But his father was also sad because Mali had disobeyed him. He was also unhappy that Mali remembers to pray, only in times of danger.
His father explained that before the island people heard about Jesus their lives were like salty water in their mouths. They thought that a sacrifice or cutting their bodies would appease the anger of the gods. But even after these things were done, their spirits felt sick. The people were still spiritually thirsty.
When the island people learned about the sacrifice Jesus made for them, they decided to believe in Jesus. Their lives began to change. When they allowed Jesus to navigate (guide and direct) their lives, they learned it was only Jesus who could truly help them. Believing in Jesus removed the salty water from their mouths. Instead Jesus replaced it with fresh, living spiritual water.
Mali's father ended his wise instruction by saying,"Remember, Mali, the truly wise man is the one who not only obeys the laws of the sea, but also God's laws. God's laws are not just words. They are your life. When you obey them, your life will be long and fruitful."
Huddled next to his father in the shelter of the outrigger canoe, while the storm raged around them, Mali fell asleep. He dreamed of fat fish and blue-green lagoons.
Considerations
- This is a thirty-five page story. Many black and white drawings are included.
- This story is in the same book as Din Be Still.
Limitations
- Two paragraphs on page seven are for children who may not know how fishing is down in Micronesia. This page is not needed where the audience knows how to fish in this manner.
- The second paragraph on page fifteen is more explanation for those unfamiliar with the fishing in Micronesia.
Guidelines for Use
- This would be a good story to record on audio-cassette. The drawings could be used as a flipchart with the story.
- The story might also be used as a radio drama.
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
About $3.00 (USD) when ordered from Wycliffe in Orlando
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Author: Hugh Steven
Current copyright owner
Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc. 1979
Other Information
If you are interested in translating this story into a minority language you will need to contact Wycliffe Bible Translators. Together with them you can work out a Creative Commons License agreement.
Reviewed by
Vida, VMS Children's Resources
Date
March 24, 2008]]
