The old man took his place in the center of the rock and seemed unfazed by the whipping winds. But the young man began to cry out in despair. He was dashed against the rock, wave after wave. He began to swing wildly at the weather and shake his fists, but still he was beaten and bruised. Finally, the old man came to him saying, “Son, take shelter in the middle of the rock!” The young man shouted, “I am cast down! The breakers and the waves have gone over me!” The old man held out his hand and said, “When you pass through the waters, He will be with you; the waves shall not overwhelm you.”

The old man welcomed the young man to the rock in the middle of the sea. “How long have you been here?” asked the young man. “As long as I can remember,” he replied. “I know that the rock is sound. We are safe in the middle of the sea,” said the young man confidently. “Yes,” said the old man, his eyes glistening.

As they talked, they both marveled at the beauty of the sea. They commented about the perfect sun and the salty air. They spoke of birds and fish and the sky peppered with clouds. They laughed and rejoiced in the bounty that was provided from the sea. They never tired of talking from the safety of the rock. The old man taught the young man to fish and make fire. The young man began to grow strong and confident on the rock in the middle of the sea.

One day the clouds turned a darker shade. The birds slowly began to disappear, and the bright sun became dark. The air began to chill. “Does the weather often turn like this?” “Yes,” said the old man. “But we are on the rock, so we are safe.”

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