Heidi

by Johanna Spyri

"Be off with you this instant, and get back as quickly as you can to the place whence you came, and do not let me see your face again in a hurry."

The morning breaks, And warm and bright The earth lies still In the golden light— For Dawn has scattered the clouds of night. God's handiwork Is seen around, Things great and small To His praise abound— Where are the signs of His love not found? All things must pass, But God shall still With steadfast power His will fulfil— Sure and unshaken is His will. His saving grace Will never fail,

Though grief and fear The heart assail— O'er life's wild seas He will prevail. Joy shall be ours In that garden blest, Where after storm We find our rest— I wait in peace—God's time is best.

At last he too folded his hands, and with bowed head said in a low voice, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am not worthy to be called thy son." And two large tears rolled down the old man's cheeks.

God was good to me when He sent you to my hut."

"Heidi, it's just as if we were in a high carriage and were going to drive straight into heaven."