Johnny and the Grumpy Neighbor

It was Sunday afternoon. Johnny and Mother were reading the Bible and talking about Jesus. One of the main ideas of he afternoon was, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

“But, Mother,” Johnny asked, “old Mr. Crosspatch next door is our neighbor, isn’t he?”

“That’s right, Son,” Mother answered.

“Well, I can’t love him! He’s so mean! He screams at us children and he won’t give us our ball when it gets over in his yard,” Johnny said.

“Maybe you haven’t tried to love him, Johnny. Why not try this week? When you pass his house, treat him kindly. You know Jesus said, ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you’” Mother spoke quietly to Johnny.

Johnny thought a long time, but right away he made up his mind that he would really try to love his mean old neighbor. He would do his best!

Monday morning as Johnny was walking to school, he noticed old Mr. Crosspatch coming toward him. At first he started to go over to the other side of the street so he would not have to meet him, but something inside checked him. “Love…them which despitefully use you” came into his mind. So Johnny walked right up to his neighbor and spoke to him.

“Good morning,” he said pleasantly. Mr. Crosspatch merely grunted.

At noon as Johnny passed Mr. Crosspatch’s house, there stood the old man just inside the gate holding a large bundle in his arms. Suddenly the bundle fell and like a flash Johnny ran, stooped and picked it up. Mr. Crosspatch gruffly thanked him. But Johnny’s heart felt so happy, for he had really done a kind deed.

Two days passed and Johnny again passed by Mr. Crosspatch’s house. When he saw his neighbor, he stopped and asked him how he was feeling.

“Oh, good enough,” was the answer. Then the old man reached into his pocket and brought out a big red apple. He silently gave the apple to Johnny. Johnny thanked him and ran along.

It was the very next day that Johnny caught sight of his neighbor a block away going in the same direction as he was. Quickly Johnny caught up with Mr. Crosspatch and then slowed his steps to those of his neighbor.

“Good afternoon,” said Johnny as he came alongside his neighbor.

“Yes, it is a fine afternoon,” Mr. Crosspatch answered. Then he looked down at Johnny and smiled. “Johnny,” he asked, “why have you stopped running away from me?”

“Oh,” Johnny timidly answered, “last Sunday Mother and I were reading in the Bible were Jesus told us to love our neighbors. I didn’t think I had acted like I loved my neighbors much, and I did want to be like Jesus. After I got to thinking about it, I decided that Jesus wouldn’t treat you like I did, so I began to act like I thought Jesus would act.”

Mr. Crosspatch seriously looked down at Johnny, “Son,” he answered, “I would like to know more about your Jesus. To think He could change you like He has! I would like to try following Him, too. Do you think He could make me over?”

“O yes, sir. I know He could. It is easy to love your neighbors when you let Jesus come into your heart and He takes your sins away. I will pray for you, sir,” and then Johnny said goodbye for he had to go into the school building which they had just reached.