He stopped to mop his bedewed brow,
and then proceeded to follow
the circuitous route he had to tread
for the Lord's word which he must spread.

Through the hot, dusty streets of town,
he plodded, growing a puzzled frown.
Not long after he'd lost his way,
he came across some children at play.

"Here lads, if you would be so kind,
to a poor priest and help him find
the church of St. Ives which I know to be near,
where I hasten to shortly appear."

And this boy with a twinkle in his eye
explained that St. Ives was right nearby,
then asked, "Father, if I may
why must you be there today?"

The priest, gently smiling, had ready reply:
"I preach there today, my son, on a world gone awry."
Seeing the boy's unsatisfied nod,
He said, " Come, I'll show you the way to God."

The inscrutable boy broke into hearty laughter,
then smiled benevolent, and said, "Father,
not to dislodge you from your blessed perch,
but you didn't know your way to the church."