Walker walked for hours down the lane. The sun rose in the sky and the sparkling drops of dew dried as the day warmed. He walked in and out of the dappled shade and the sun shone through the fresh young leaves. He felt good to be out of his house and his heart was light. Sometimes he threw his arms wide and laughed for joy.

As he walked beside a field where sheep were peacefully grazing he became aware he was not alone. The sheep-herder sat in the shade of a maple, watching him curiously. When he saw Walker had noticed him he closed his book and waved Walker over with a smile. Walker climbed the stone wall and plopped down beside the shepherd to rest in the cool grass.

“Hi, my name is Walker,” he said. “What’s yours?”

“I’m Westminster. I was just stopping for lunch,” he said. “Join me!” From his leather bag he pulled a slender loaf of bread, the kind that is chewy on the outside and soft in the middle. He brought out a jar of fresh butter and a hunk of cheddar to go with it. They each tore off a chunk of bread and ate it with a smear of butter and a slice of cheese.

Westminster said, “I see you are traveling the king’s highway. How long have you been on it?”

“I started just this morning,” said Walker.

“Aren’t you the boy called Blind Bill?”

“I was Blind Bill, but now I see, so I have a new name.”

“I see you are carrying the King’s letter. Have you read it?”

“Oh, not all of it, no. Just parts, so far. Enough to get me started on the road.”

“Who opened your eyes?”

“The one who made eyes, I think! He gave me sight so that I was able to understand his letter and believe.”

Westminster handed him another piece of bread and cheese. “What did you read?”

“I read that Maker created the world and the people in it, but the people sinned against him. Maker loved the people so much he came into the world as the King to live among them. He lived, he died in judgment for the sins of his people, and he lives again. He sent the Companion to live in us, guide us, and give us power to obey.”

“Are you one of his people?”

“If I trust in him and obey I am one of his people and he sends the Companion to live in me.”

“Do you trust in him?”

Walker smiled. “Yes, I trust he is who he says he is.”

“Will you obey?”

“Yes, if the Companion helps me.”

Westminster pulled red grapes from his bag with a satisfied sigh. “You do know the King’s message,” he said.

The shepherd offered the cluster to Walker and they each ate juicy grapes that quenched their thirst. Then the shepherd said softly, “He knows your dark secret.”

Walker hung his head. “I know he does,” he said.

“Does he condemn you?”

“No, because he judged my sins too and removed them as far as east is from west.”

“Well, Walker,” said the shepherd with a warm smile as they rose and brushed the crumbs and ants from their clothing, “I have something for you. It is a gift of the King for all travelers.” He reached into a bed of lily-of-the-valley and retrieved a new leather bag.

It was a haversack, a bag with a long leather strap. It was just like the shepherd’s. Westminster helped Walker place it on his left shoulder so the bag hung at his right hip.

“You can carry your letter in there,” the shepherd said.

Walker opened the flap and was about to drop the book in when he saw the bag was not empty.

“Oh!” he said. “What’s in the bag?”