The Squeaky Wheel

Luke's little wagon had a wheel that squeaked. He was using it to carry apples from the garden to the back step. His brother Peter walked beside him, carrying three apples in the front of his shirt.

At the small hill near the shed, Luke pulled harder. The wagon tipped, and several apples rolled into the grass. Peter put down his own apples and began gathering them. Luke told him he could manage without help.

Peter stopped with an apple in each hand. Luke looked at the hill, the scattered fruit, and the wagon handle. Managing alone was taking much longer than he had expected. He asked Peter to hold the back of the wagon steady while he pulled.

They moved slowly up the hill. Peter pushed at the steepest part, and Luke stopped before the wheels reached a stone. At the top they placed the apples back in the wagon and checked that none had been crushed.

Mother brought a second basket when she saw them coming. The boys carried the last apples together. Then Dad looked at the squeaky wheel and showed them where it needed a little care.

Helping someone does not always mean doing the whole job for him. Sometimes it means holding one side steady or stopping to pick up what has fallen. The Bible teaches us to carry one another's burdens. Luke still did his work, but he learned to welcome a brother who was willing to share the weight.