Nyla and the White Crocodile

by Norma R. Youngberg

Gripping story of how the gospel came to the river people of northern Borneo and transformed the fear-ridden primitives of the Dyak longhouses into God-trusting, industrious, clean-living citizens.

Poojee, a young Christian teacher, braved the elements, the jungle, and native witchcraft to tell his fellow tribesmen what he had learned from the little black Book and what he heard "the drums of God" telling him.

The story of how it all happened focuses on Nyla, the daughter of a Dyak chief, and her terrifying encounter with a mysterious white crocodile.

Author's Note:
I wanted to write this story a long time before I did. I wanted to show the wild beauty of Borneo's deep Jungle, the cruel superstition that meets the Christian teacher, and the courage that such a teacher must have to carry the gospel to such a place.....
Nyla's father came to the United States for a short visit in 1968. He appeared on several TV broadcasts, and millions of people heard from him much of what I have recounted in this book. He told how he became a Christian and helped to build the School on the banks of the very river where so much of the content of this story took place.

Genres: Christian, Biography, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Alice Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nyla's father was the chief of a village along a river in Borneo.The people believed Malik the evil witch doctor in the tribe about evil sprits after them. One day a Christian teacher came to teach them about the God of Heaven who was far greater than evil spirits sent from Satan. Shortly thereafter, Nyla the chiefs daughter disappeared.She was believed to be eaten by a white crocodile whom the Borneo people believed was an evil spirit. But Nyla was not eaten by anything .She fell in the water and floated down river. She was about 3 miles downriver from her village.Her village men came looking but not on the side of the river where she was because they believed it to be cursed by evil spirits. One day the missionary Poojee and Nyla's father the chief went across the river to see Chief Sawa, a new convert to Jesus. Sawa said i hear the drums of god in my head so did Poojee and so they and the chief Nyla's dad went down river and they found Nyla waiting up in a big tree.She too, was a new believer and God had wrapped a huge python snake in bamboo so it could not escape and eat Nyla. Soon the site where Nyla had stayed for 10 days became a Christian village where Nyla and 100 village children went to school and learned to read and write.

[Candida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this story more than once and loved it.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of those weekend reads, hence the length of time to read it. I never got around to reading it when I was younger.

The book is about a tribe in the Borneo jungle. The story follows the tribal chief's daughter and a mysterious white crocodile. The daughter goes missing and it's blame on the white crocodile. This is a good read if you get a chance to read it.

[Rachel Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book that shows God has got it together and still works!

[may ๑ · Rating 5 out of 5]

mi imaginación voló, de las mejores experiencias que me pudo regalar un libro.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was such a fixture in my childhood

[Wayfaring Stranger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formative to my childhood

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have loved this story since it was published in Junior Guide magazine in 1963 as a continued story. It was published in a hardcover book in 1965. One of my younger sisters received one for Christmas that year. My husband and I purchased a paperback when it came out. It is totally worn out from reading it to our children and grandchildren. I bought this copy from Amazon and was thrilled to find it. Just finished reading it again. Excellent book.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have listened to it being read when I was in grade school. Purchased the book for our personal Library in the early 80's. Have read it to our children and grandchildren several times. It is still a very good book. A true story written by one of the missionaries who helped to bring Jesus to the people of Borneo.

[Eldon]

I was sure I read this prior to 1978!

[Seth Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic, just finished it for family worship.