THE CATERPILLAR AND THE ENGINEER by Christian Endeavor World

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · May 24, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 21.

THE CATERPILLAR AND THE ENGINEER.

By Christian Endeavor World

As a business man was walking with a young locomotive engineer, a chance acquaintance, he saw a caterpillar on the walk near them—one of those fuzzy, velvety brown creatures that are so numerous on sunny autumn days—and touched it gently with the edge of his shoe to see it roll itself into a circle.

The young engineer noticed the movement, and said to his companion: "I had an odd little experience with one of those caterpillars the other day. I was at a station with my engine, all ready to pull out, but waiting for my orders, which were a little delayed.

"While I waited, I looked down at the track ahead of the engine, and caught sight of a caterpillar crawling on one of the ties. He soon reached the rail, and tried to climb it, but failed time after time. I thought of Bruce and the spider, and grew fascinated in watching him. Again and again he tried to mount the smooth steel, and after each attempt he failed.

"But at last his patience and persistence were rewarded, and he gained the top of the rail right in front of the engine, and—just then my orders came! But do you think I could start her up then? No, sir," and his tanned cheek took on a tinge of red, and his voice held a note of embarrassment as he continued, "I had to jump down and help that little fellow off the rail, and then I let her go."