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A CHILD OF HOPE (8 OF 8)

by Wyman Richardson

Scripture: Ruth 4:13-22
This content is part of a series.


A Child of Hope (8 of 8)
Series: Ruth: The Far Reach of the Love of God
Wyman Richardson
Ruth 4:13-22


Read Ruth 4:13-22

In 1962, Roald Dahl, the beloved author of works like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach, published a short story entitled ''Genesis and Catastrophe: A True Story.'' The story begins with the delivery of a baby boy in an inn some years ago. The doctor seeks to comfort the wife with the news that she has had a boy and that the baby is perfectly healthy. The mother, however, is worried, for, as she explains to the doctor, she had lost three children already and was fearful she would lose this one as well. The doctor assured her that such a thing would not happen in this case, that the baby was perfectly healthy if somewhat small. After some moments, Dahl describes the husband coming into the inn where his wife has just delivered.

Slowly, the mother turned her head and looked at the small, incredibly serene face that lay on the pillow beside her.

''Is this my baby?''?
''Of course.''?
''Oh..., oh...but he is beautiful.''?
The doctor turned away and went over to the table and began putting his things
into his bag. The mother lay on the bed gazing at the child and smiling and touching him and making little noises of pleasure. ''Hello, Adolfus,'' she whispered. ''Hello, my little Adolf.''

''Ssshh!'' said the innkeeper's wife. ''Listen! I think your husband is coming.''

The doctor walked over to the door and opened it and looked out into the corridor.

''Herr Hitler?''?
''Yes.''?
''Come in, please.''?
A small man in a dark-green uniform stepped softly into the room and looked
around him.?
''Congratulations,'' the doctor said. ''You have a son.''

The story ends with the woman repeating her deep desire for her newborn son to live after her rather callous husband expressed real pessimism about that prospect.

The doctor walked over to the husband and put a hand on his shoulde ...

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