The holiday that went wrong - Jennifer Rees Larcombe

The story of the feeding of the five thousand, retold by Jennifer Rees Larcombe and illustrated by Steve Bjorkman for the BEST BIBLE STORIES SERIES.`We all need a holiday,' Jesus said to the disciples. `Let's row over to the other side of the lake.' As they left the crowds behind, they all began to feel better. But they'd hardly built their camp fire when thousands of people came surging along the beach. They must have seen Jesus slipping away and dashed round the lake to catch up with him. Peter wanted Jesus to send them away, but Jesus knew they needed his help. Soon he was talking to everyone and healing the sick.A little boy was there who had been walking for hours to see Jesus. By evening, he was still clutching his picnic basket. The stories Jesus told were so exciting, he had forgotten to eat. As he opened the lid, he wondered if Jesus had anything for his supper. The disciples were complaining that the people were hungry and they could never buy enough food for everyone.Jesus bent down and took the basket from the little boy. `Thank you,' he said, and smiled. He told everyone to sit down, and then he thanked God and opened the basket. He brought out the little boy's five rolls and two fish, but then he kept on bringing out more and more. `Whatever's happening?' thought the little boy. `Jesus has made enough food out of my rolls and fish to feed everyone.' As the happy crowds walked home under the stars that night, the little boy knew all he ever wanted to do was follow Jesus.