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The Home of the Sparrow
The Home of the Sparrow
There is a Great City, and there runneth a Street through the midst thereof, and on this side of the Street and on that are High Buildings. And some of them are like unto the Tower of Babel. And one of those buildings is named for the man who Discovered America. And upon the front of the building, even above the Main Entrance, and High above the Sidewalk, is a Graven Image of Christopher Columbus.
And I sat in that Building, beside a Window that looketh out as if Christopher Columbus had stepped through it to where his Image standeth.
And it was Winter. And the wind was Cold, and the snow Blew down the street.
And under the garment of Christopher Columbus, and hard by one of his legs, was a Sparrow. And he had found for himself a place About as Snug and Comfortable as any bird could find out of doors on That Kind of a day. And he was sheltered from the Wind and from the Snow.
And the Sparrow was nigh unto the Window, so that I might almost have put forth my hand and taken him inside, but he was better off where he was. And the Sparrow saw me, and I saw the Sparrow, and we looked long at each other, and neither of us was afraid of the other.
And the Sparrow said within his heart, It is for Me that this building hath been erected, and this Statue lifted high, with this cozy place for a Shelter from the Storm. To this end did Christopher Columbus cross the Ocean, that he might have this building named for him, and that I might have shelter.
Now when the bird spake thus in his heart, and I saw and understood the intent thereof, I did not chide the Sparrow, for I myself have had Just as Little Thoughts of the Providence of God and the Answer of my Prayers as the Sparrow. And while it was all Very Foolish, I am not so sure that it was as Foolish as it would have been to Stay out in the Storm until the Sparrow had learned for What Other Purpose Christopher Columbus crossed the Ocean, or for me to question too curiously What Larger Meaning there may be in the Providence of God.
Then said I, Oh my God, I am of more value than many Sparrows, but I do not know much more than they, and some men know less. The Sparrow hath found her an House, and the Swallow a Nest in the Protecting Shelter of Thine Altars, and they know no that those Altars have any Other Use. I do not know much more about thy Providences than that Sparrow knoweth about Christopher Columbus, but I know that when the Blast of the Terrible ones is as a Storm Against the Wall, Thou dost keep him in Perfect Peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.
From “The Wit and Wisdom of Safed the Sage”, by William E. Barton
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.” Mk. 10:29-33
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