빌려준 작은 배

The Long, Empty Night

Peter was a fisherman. He lived by a wide blue lake. All night, he fished with his friends. The stars watched them work. They threw their nets again and again. Each time, the nets came up empty. No fish at all. Peter's hands were cold and wet. His heart felt heavy too.

The sun came up over the water. Peter sat down on the shore. He washed his nets slowly. His boat rocked by the sand. It was an old wooden boat. The paint was chipped and faded. But Peter loved that little boat.

The Crowd by the Water

Then Peter heard many voices. A big crowd walked toward the lake. A man named Jesus walked in front. He told wonderful stories about God. People wanted to hear every word. So they pushed closer and closer. Soon Jesus stood right at the edge. One more step meant wet feet!

The people in the back called out. "We cannot hear you!" they cried. Jesus looked up and down the shore. Then he saw Peter's little boat.

A Small Favor

Jesus smiled at Peter. "May I borrow your boat?" he asked. Peter looked at his old boat. It was not big or fancy. It smelled like fish and rope. "It is only a small boat," Peter said. "It is just right," said Jesus.

So Peter pushed the boat out. Jesus sat down inside it. Peter rowed a little way from shore. Then he held the boat very still.

Now everyone could see Jesus. His voice moved across the calm water. Even the people in the back heard him. Peter listened from his seat. The stories filled his tired heart. He forgot about the empty nets.

Out to the Deep

When the stories ended, Jesus turned to Peter. "Row out to the deep water," he said. "Let down your nets there." Peter shook his head slowly. "We fished all night," he said. "We caught nothing at all." Then he looked at Jesus. "But I will try," Peter said.

Peter rowed out to the deep water. He let the nets sink down. At first, nothing happened. Then the ropes pulled tight! Peter pulled with all his strength. The nets were full of fish! Silver fish jumped and flipped everywhere. The nets even started to rip.

Peter shouted for his friends. They hurried over in another boat. Both boats filled up with fish. The boats sat low in the water. Peter's mouth fell wide open. He had never seen so many fish. Not in his whole life!

A Small Gift, a Big Day

That night, Peter looked at his boat. It was still small and old. The paint was still chipped. But what a day it had! First, it became a floating stage. Hundreds of people heard about God's love. Then it carried home a great catch.

Peter smiled as he tied the rope. A gift does not need to be big. It only needs to be shared. A small boat held a great day. Small hands can hold great things too. You just have to open them.

(Retold from Luke 5.)