And yet a two days' fast,
coupled with a faith I have seldom seen equalled, has been rewarded by
the complete recovery of the boy, who is now thoroughly well and strong.
Such a concrete illustration is one possibility for arousing interest.
Or, I might proceed with a few definite, pointed questions:
"How many of you eighteen boys and girls fasted this month?"
The answers show that seven have fasted; eleven have not.
I proceed then to inquire why the eleven have failed to fast. Various
explanations are offered:
"Oh, I forgot."
"We don't fast in our home."
"Father has to work all day Sunday; and so, because mother has to get
breakfast for him, we all eat."
"I have a headache if I fast, so I think it is better not to."
"I don't see any use in fasting. Going around with a long, hungry face
can't help anyone."
"It's easy to fast when they won't give you anything to eat."
"I like to fast just to show myself that I don't live to be eating all
the time."
"I believe it's a good thing to give the body a little rest once in a
while."
"I feel different when I fast--more spiritual or something."
"It must be right to fast. The Church wouldn't ask us to if it wasn't a
good thing."
The definiteness of these replies, coupled with the suspense of
wondering what the next answer will be, keeps up a lively interest.
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