tle spring where he could quench his thirst. Suddenly there
appeared another boy wearing a camel's-hair cloak and carrying a
wooden stick with a cross carved upon it. He was followed by a lamb.
It was John the Baptist, who, although only a child, was living among
the hills, eating locusts and wild honey, preparing for the great work
he was to do. It is supposed that as the mothers of these two boys
often visited each other, the children must have met before. In the
picture we see them standing near the cool little spring. Jesus has
in his hand a shell which, straightway forgetting his own thirst, he
has filled and now offers to his cousin John.

John the Baptist is bending over to drink from the shell which Jesus
holds for him. The lamb watches them contentedly, while from the sky
above the angels, with clasped hands and smiling faces, look down in
silent adoration. Although he does not look at them, Jesus seems
conscious of their presence, for he points toward them with his little
hand. Light radiates from the clouds and the angels, while deep
shadows at the left and the right serve to heighten the effectiveness
of the central part of the picture. The lamb, as the symbol of
innocence, is the natural playmate of these two healthy, sturdy boys.
The little John drinks eagerly, as if he were indeed thirsty and
weary, while Jesus, although younger in years, has the kind and
thoughtful look of an elder brother caring for a younger.

At this moment they seem to be merely two thirsty boys, little knowing
the great work before them or thinking of anything but to quench their
thirst. Yet some of the coming greatness shows itself in the generous
action of the child Jesus and the gentle acceptance of John the Baptist.

=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= Whom does this
picture represent? For what kind of paintings is Murillo famous? what
subjects? Tell about King Herod. Why was he worried when he heard of the
birth of Jesus? What did he do in order to be sure the child would be
killed? What did the parents of the baby Jesus do? When was it safe for
the boy Jesus to return? How did he happen to meet John at the spring?
How was John dressed? What followed him? For what does the lamb stand?
Who has the shell? What does he do with it? Why do you suppose he did
not drink first? To whom does Jesus point or beckon with his left hand?
Which boy was the younger? For what is this picture famous?

=The story of the a