“Quite safe, good Offero,” said the child, “thanks to your kind care. For you have served me bravely, carrying me and my great burden through the raging river.”
“I saw no burden,” said Offero, wondering; “I only felt it.”
And as he spoke, the sky brightened, the storming of the wind and river ceased, and the rain fell in gentle, shining drops.
“My burden,” said the child gravely, “is the greatest any man has ever borne. For I have taken on my shoulders all the sins and sorrows of the world.”
Offero fell back, dumb with wonder. For before him stood no longer the child, but a stately figure, serene, triumphant, with a crowning light about his head.
“For I,” said the kind, deep voice, “am Christ, the king whom you have served. And because you have borne me faithfully, you shall be called not Offero, the carrier, but Christoffero, the Christ-carrier. So all men shall know that you are my brave and loyal servant.”
The giant dropped on his knees, but for wonder and joy he could not find his voice. He could only gaze with grateful eyes. And as he looked, the King turned, and walked majestically over the hills toward the sunrise.
But Christoffero knelt on, lost in ecstasy. For he knew that he had found the greatest king, who was afraid of nothing, not even the sins and sorrows of the whole world.
So Offero, by serving, became the giant saint,—Christopher.
