“I meant to take good care of your book, Mr. Crawford,” said the boy, “but I’ve damaged it without intending to. What shall I do to make it right?” Who do you think this young boy might have been?

The boy was Abe Lincoln. “Why, what happened to the book Abe?” asked the rich farmer, as he looked at the stained leaves and warped binding. “It looks as if it had been out in last night’s storm. How came you to leave it out?”

“It was this way, Mr. Crawford,” replied Abe. “I sat up late to read it, and when I went to bed, I put it away carefully in a little opening between two logs in the wall of our cabin. The mud-daubing had got out of that crack, and the rain must have dripped on it. I’m sorry, Mr. Crawford, and want to fix it, if you can tell me how, for I have not got money to pay for it.”

“Well,” said Mr. Crawford, “come and shuck corn three days, and the book’s yours.” After he had read the book, Abe said, “I don’t intend to shuck corn and split rails always, Mr. Crawford. I’m going to fit myself for a profession.”

“Why, what do you want to be?” asked Mr. Crawford. “Oh, I’ll be President!” said Abe. “I’ll study and get ready, and maybe the chance will come.” Well, the chance came, and he was ready. Are you ready for what God wants to do through your life?

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