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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: HOME (02/07/19)
‘To market, to market, to buy a fat pig
Home again, home again, jiggety jig’ *

I liked it when we played horsey. Grandpa Ford sang while bouncing me on his crossed legs.

What was my age?

Well, I was old enough that I remember; yet, small enough to rest my body on Grandpa’s foot. I can see him now… He’s clad in his usual long sleeved checkered flannel shirt, gray trousers (held up by black suspenders) and black house shoes with white socks.

To a far country, to a far country, to live with the pigs
Home again, home again jiggety jig

Returning home, the wayward son had no right to ask for his father’s forgiveness. He had squandered his inheritance. He hoped only of finding shelter and work on his father’s estate. He was desperate.

Did the prodigal sing as he made his way back home?

I can only speculate. If so, it would have been a song of lament. In rebellion, he had left home as proud young man. He returned broken and penitent.

Heartbroken over the loss of his youngest son; the father hoped (to one day) see the lad come down the road toward home.

‘To home, to home, to get a fatted calf
Home again, home again, jiggety jig’

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” '

‘And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

‘But the father said to his servants,‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.

And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry (Luke 15:17-24 NKJV).”

Mercy led to merriment. A black sheep was welcomed back into the family fold.

Jiggety jig!

* To market, To market Public Domain
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This article has been read 526 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
02/14/19
I loved it!
Great story with a wonderful message...Nicely done.

Blessings~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/14/19
I enjoyed how this started. I could picture a little one on Grandpa's knee, giggling and bouncing, surrounded by love and safe at Grandpa's knee. You did a fantastic job of drawing me in. I never connected that nursery rhyme with the parable. I wish you had gone on more about why you remember this or maybe why it was so important to the grandfather. The transition from the little tot to retelling the parable felt a bit sudden to me. Of the approximately 400 or so words, only about half of them were original words. Well, I love the Scripture, I'd have liked to see you transition it more to the beginning, to have more from the MC's speculation and memories. You started out spectacularly, and made me stop and think of both the nursery rhyme and the Scripture in New ways, which is always great. I like the way your mind works, I just wanted more of your words, with the Scripture cited at the end. You've a great way of telling the story, and I can feel your passion to spread the Word.
Dannie Hawley 
02/16/19
Talk about stirring ancient memories...I recited the familiar childhood verse as I read. Grandpa had farmer's bib overalls and Daddy had those familiar khakis. I can smell the fabric on each beloved man right now. It's an interesting way to connect with a favorite Bible passage. Thanks for sharing!
Francie Snell 
02/17/19
I thought it interesting and unique combining the nursery rhyme and the Scripture. Made me think of both in a new way.
Barbara Culler 
02/19/19
I like the unique way you used the rhyme to tell the story. Perhaps less scripture, and more showing the story. The title made me think of "The jig is up."