McNamara's Blog
Christopher Columbus
It was a very cold evening in the month of February. Mr. Long and his happy family were seated around the fire. Baby Long had climbed upon her father’s knee. The oldest boy was wishing that his father would tell them a story. Just then one of the girls said: “Will you please tell us a story, papa?” “Why, children, I think I have told you every story I know. Hid I ever tell you about the great man who found America?”
“No, papa; but we should like to hear about him.” Mr. Long then told this story: —A great many years ago, a little boy was born in Italy.His name was Christopher Columbus, and he lived near the sea. His good father had to work every dav to o-et food and clothes for his family. When little Christopher was old enough, he was sent to school. He was very fond of drawing. He would spend hours at a time, studying the map of the world. After school, he used to work in his father’s shop.
When Christopher grew older, he liked to watch the big ships coming in and going out. A few years later, he left his home in Italy, and went to Portugal. Here he became a sailor. At this time, every sailor was trying to find a new way to India. India was a rich country many miles away. Columbus said that he could reach India by sailing to the west. Many people laughed at him; and some said that he was foolish.
But the great Columbus did not seem to mind what they said about him. He felt that he was right. Columbus asked many rich people to help him to buy ships, but one after another refused to do anything for him. At last, the king and the queen of Spain gave him money to buy three ships. Before leaving Spain, Columbus and all his sailors went to Mass. These Catholic men asked our dear Lord to guide them in their dangerous journey over the sea.
With a happy heart, the great Columbus started on his way to India. Soon, those on the ships could see nothing but the wide ocean. After sailing for many days, the sailors wanted to turn back. They felt that the journey was too dangerous. But the brave Columbus was not afraid. He said to his sailors: “Don’t fear, my men. We shall get to India.”
A few days later, the sailors again asked Columbus to return to Spain. They even planned to throw him into the sea, if he did not turn back. Columbus said to them: “Let us sail three days more, and if we do not see land in that time, I will return.” Not long after this, one of the sailors saw land away off. He ran to Columbus and told him. Then the great Columbus went on his knees and thanked God.
When the ships reached land, Columbus and some of his men went ashore. Here again, he thanked (rod for having brought him safely to land, after seven long; weeks on the ocean. Then he placed a large cross in the ground, to show to the world that he was a Catholic.The place where Columbus landed is an island not far from our country.Now, when you are a little older, my dears, I will tell you some more about the great Christopher Columbus who found America.
The Ideal Catholic Readers (Second Reader), By a Sister of St. Joseph (New York: Macmillan, 1915), 85-90.
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