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"Where do you go? Whom do you seek?" asked Satan. "I seek Satan," said Offero. "I would have him for my master, for he is the mightiest king on earth." "I am he," answered Satan. "Come with me and you shall have happy and easy days." Offero served Satan for months and was well pleased with his master.
"Henceforth," said the Son of Mary, "thy name shall be, not Offero but Christoffero." Thus it was that Christopher came by his name. Because he was true to his name we always call him St Christopher. Wondering Jack The Brothers set out to seek their Fortunes Once there was a poor farmer who had three sons Peter, Paul, and Jack.
No one was there. "I must have been dreaming," thought Offero as he laid himself down in his bed once more. Again he fell asleep and again the same voice awoke him. How sweet, yet sad it sounded! "Dear, good, kind Offero, carry me across!" He patiently crossed the deep, swift river, but again no one was to be seen. Once more he lay down in his bed and fell asleep.
All his soldiers were poor and weak compared to Offero. In the evening when the soldiers rested, the emperor loved to listen to music. He had with him a harper who would play upon his harp and sing sweetly. Once the harper sang a song in which the name of Satan was heard. At this name the emperor trembled and made the sign of the cross. "Why do you tremble, Lord Emperor?" asked the giant.
All thy sins are forgiven thee. Know that thou hast carried the Son of Mary. That thou mayest be sure of this, fix thy staff in the earth." Offero obeyed, and lo! out of the bare palm-staff sprang leaves and dates. Then Offero knew that it was Christ whom he had borne, and he fell at His feet. A little hand rested in blessing upon the giant's bowed head.
Then Satan said, "Yes, it is true that I fear the cross. Upon it hung the Son of Mary." "Then I leave you straightway," said Offero. "I seek the Son of Mary. He shall be my king, since he is stronger than you." Many days he searched, but alas! few could tell him anything of his new king, the Son of Mary. At last he found an old hermit and asked him the question he had asked so many others.
So he went to him and said, "Lord Emperor, will you have me for your servant?" The emperor was delighted with him. "Promise to serve me for ever, my good fellow," he said. "Ah no," said Offero. "I dare not promise that. But of this be sure, as long as I am your servant, no harm shall come to you." So they journeyed on together. The emperor was delighted with his new servant.
"I do this for the love of the Son of Mary," he said. Many years went by. Offero's hair was now white as snow and his back was a little bent. But his strength was still great. One night, as he lay asleep, he was awakened by a voice, such a gentle, pleading little voice "Dear, good, kind Offero, carry me across!" He sprang to his feet, caught up his staff, and crossed to the farther shore.
If she went to the village pond it was only to tell her comrades of her remarkable way of gaining the beautiful money. St Christopher Once upon a time there lived a great giant. He had mighty arms and legs and could carry tons upon his back. His name was Offero. Offero had one wish. He wished to serve the greatest king on earth. He was told that the emperor was the most powerful.
Why not carry travellers across the stream in the name of the Son of Mary?" "That is just to my mind," cried Offero, overjoyed. So straightway he built a hut by the swift stream, and cut a stout staff to steady his steps when the river roared high. Travellers were glad to be helped on their way by this rough yet kindly giant. Sometimes they offered him money, but he always shook his great head.
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