Sing, Daddy, Sing

Book excerpt: His first consciousness was pain. His second the ceaseless commotion of a myna bird. Gradually he knew he'd crashed his plane in Irian Jaya, and was completey helpless in the war with Japan. He also the recognized the danger from the strange faces approaching through the jungle. They were clothed in almost nothing except beads, grotesquely painted bodies, feathers, and flambuoyant headgear. But through the danger, his grand-mother's Christian lullaby came throbbing through his brain. And it was through that lullaby that the Lord gave him freedom. The tribe rescued him because they suspected he was a god with white skin. And their motives were to expect supernatural help against their enemies. Wesley's injuries required much time to heal, and he was bored. In desparation he resorted to reading a New Testament, his only book. He only carried it because it was from his deceased father. His wife, supposing he'd died, came close to marrying again. But their little son learned about God in Sunday School and insisted Daddy was alive. Wesley, having only the New Testament, turned to Jesus and found forgiveness for his sins. And he shared his peace far and wide.. Tokuda, a Japanese who also survived a plane crash; Oparota, a cunning fake Christian; and the second-chief's daughter whom Wesley was expected to marry for saving her from kidnapping; all have parts in this drama. In the end the lullaby has a dramatic role to play.