WHEN THE RED CROSS CAME
In 1918 an American soldier was wounded in the Great War. As soon as he was able, he opened his first-aid kit and poured iodine into his wound.
“Oh, how I wish I had a drink of water,” he moaned. He lifted his canteen to his lips, but it was empty.
He lay back and closed his eyes. Quite soon he was roused by the touch of something cold and soft against his face.
He knew what it was.
Yes, it was a Red Cross army dog, which had been sent out to search for the wounded.
To the dog’s neck was tied a canteen full of water, and from his collar hung a short strap.
While the soldier loosened the bottle the dog stood still. Then he grasped the end of the strap in his mouth and speeded away.
Like all Red Cross dogs, he had been taught to seize the strap in his mouth whenever he found a wounded man, and to return home with the news.
When the Red Cross workers saw him coming with the strap held in this way, they knew that a man lay out on the battlefield in need of help.
It was not long before the brave dog was again standing by the side of the wounded soldier, this time with the helpers he had led to the spot.
With gentle hands two Red Cross orderlies lifted the rescued man into the Red Cross ambulance which was waiting near by.
Very soon he found himself in a clean hospital bed with an army surgeon using all his knowledge and skill in dressing his wounds.
When his wounds were dressed, he looked up to see a quiet, cheerful Red Cross nurse standing by his bedside with a bowl of warm broth for him to drink.
His life had been saved by the Red Cross.
QUESTIONS
Which soldier would you rather have been?Who was to thank for the comforts of the second soldier?Do you not think that every child in the United States should belong to the Red Cross?What kind of men and women will they grow to be if they try to do the kind things that the Red Cross does?What kind of a country will they have? Why?How can they help do away with wars?What does this mean—“Boys and girls, you are the hope of the world”?
Which soldier would you rather have been?
Who was to thank for the comforts of the second soldier?
Do you not think that every child in the United States should belong to the Red Cross?
What kind of men and women will they grow to be if they try to do the kind things that the Red Cross does?
What kind of a country will they have? Why?
How can they help do away with wars?
What does this mean—“Boys and girls, you are the hope of the world”?