Emedinews:Inspiration:Rescue at the Sea

Several years ago in a small fisherman village of the Netherlands, a young man has taught the world about a reward that a person can get from putting aside one's own needs.

All of the people in the young man's village earned a living in fishing industry; therefore, volunteers for rescues were so much needed in emergency situations.

One night, the wind blew strongly, the clouds moved so quickly and a great storm almost drowned a fisherman's boat. In panic and fear, the ship's crew sent an S.O.S.

The captain of the rescue team sounded the alarm and the villagers gathered looking at the harbor. When the rescue team ran their boat and tried to pass through the wild wave, the villagers waited at the shore while feeling worried, with lanterns on their hands to give light to the way back. An hour later, the rescue boat returned and the villagers cheered happily to welcome them.

As they exhaustedly fell on the sand, the volunteers reported that the rescue boat was not capable of taking more passengers with them and they have left one person back there. If they had taken the person, the rescue boat must have drowned. Even though it was only one person, he could endanger the lives of all of the passengers. The captain asked one more group of volunteers to save the person who was left behind.

Hans, a young man of 16 years of age stepped forward. However, his mother held his arm and begged, "Don't go. Your father died in a shipwreck 10 years ago and your older brother Paul has been missing in the sea for 3 weeks. Hans, you're the only one I've got."

Hans replied, "Mother, I have to go. What would happen if all people say, I can't go, let others do it? Mother, this time I've to do my duty. When there's a calling for serving, we all have to join and play our role."

Hans kissed his mother, joined the rescue team, and soon disappeared in the darkness of the night. A few hours have passed, but for Han's mother it felt like forever. Finally, the rescue team's boat returned with Hans standing at the edge of it.

Clasping his two palms, the captain shouted, "Have you find the person?"

Not being able to restrain himself, Hans shouted excitedly, "Yes, we've found him. Tell my mother he's my brother Paul!"

Source: http://www.heartnsouls.com/str_compassion.shtml