When Algy woke up on Sunday morning, the rain and mist had cleared away for the time being, and – although it was still very windy – it was possible to see much further than before. When he looked all around at the place where he had landed on the rocks, he was astonished and delighted to discover that he recognised the headland and the hills which rose up behind it. The great gale had carried him back to a spot very close to his own home! Algy felt so happy and relieved that he burst into song; now he felt content to linger on the rocks for a wee while longer, to watch the waves playing in the sunshine before making his way back home across the hill. As he gazed at the turbulent sea, still swirling around and around beneath him, he remembered a poem:
Just Home and Love! the words are small
Four little letters unto each;
And yet you will not find in all
The wide and gracious range of speech
Two more so tenderly complete:
When angels talk in Heaven above,
I’m sure they have no words more sweet
Than Home and Love.
Just Home and Love! it’s hard to guess
Which of the two were best to gain;
Home without Love is bitterness;
Love without Home is often pain.
No! each alone will seldom do;
Somehow they travel hand and glove:
If you win one you must have two,
Both Home and Love.
And if you’ve both, well then I’m sure
You ought to sing the whole day long;
It doesn’t matter if you’re poor
With these to make divine your song.
And so I praisefully repeat,
When angels talk in Heaven above,
There are no words more simply sweet
Than Home and Love.
Algy hopes you all have a very happy Sunday xoxo
[Algy is quoting the poem Home and Love by the early 20th century British-Canadian poet Robert William Service.]