O F Walton

Saved at Sea - A Lighthouse Story O F Walton

Saved at Sea is a classic work of children's fiction, telling a simple but very moving tale of a young child's rescue at sea and return her to her home.

Alick, the young grandson and his grandfather Sandy Fergusson work as a team in the family lighthouse. They light the lamps leading to and within the lighthouse, which is situated on a small, craggy island. Although their existence is peaceful, the calm is occasionally shattered by the force of a violent storm, the effects of which they bear witness.

Well acquainted with the awesome power of the seas, the characters depicted in this story one day rescue a young girl from a ship which is dashed against the rocks during a storm. There is good fortune to her rescue - the vessel collided with rocks close to the lighthouse itself, and we realize that she might easily have perished.

Taking her into their care while her family is searched for, the grandson and grandfather reflect on the event. The girl's eventual safe delivery to land has a great impact on all their lives; together, they feel that the event is a sign of salvation from God. This awakening of sorts leads the characters to value their lives all the more; symbolically, they feel that their spiritual foundation must be as a lighthouse - built upon the solid rock of Christ.