There was once in the land of Canaan a giant named Offero, which means
"the bearer." His colossal size and tremendous strength made him an
object of terror to all beholders, and he determined to serve none but
the most powerful being in the world.
He accordingly joined the retinue of a great king, and for a while all
went well. One day while listening to a minstrel's song, the king
trembled and crossed himself every time the singer mentioned the Devil.
"Then," thought Offero, "there is one more powerful than the King; and
he it is whom I should serve." So he went in search of the Devil, and
soon entered the ranks of his army.
One day as they came to a wayside cross he noticed his master tremble
and turn aside. "Then," thought Offero, "there is one more powerful than
the Devil, and he it is whom I should serve." He now learned that this
greater being whom the Devil feared was Jesus, who died on the cross,
and he earnestly sought to know the new Master.
An old hermit undertook to instruct him in the faith. "You must fast,"
said he. "That I will not," said Offero, "lest I lose my strength."
"You must pray," said the hermit. "That I cannot," said Offero. "Then,"
said the hermit, "go to the river side and save those who perish in the
stream." "That I will," said Offero joyfully.
The giant built him a hut on the bank and rooted up a palm tree from the
forest to use as a staff. Day and night he guided strangers across the
ford and carried the weak on his shoulders. He never wearied of his
labor.
One night as he rested in his hut he heard a child's voice calling to
him from the shore, "Offero, come forth, and carry me over." He arose
and went out, but seeing nothing returned and lay down. Again the voice
called, "Offero, come forth and carry me over." Again he went out and
saw no one. A third time the voice came, "Offero, come forth, and carry
me over."
The giant now took a lantern, and by its light found a little child
sitting on the bank, repeating the cry, "Offero, carry me over." Offero
lifted the child to his great shoulders, and taking his staff strode
into the river. The wind blew, the waves roared, and the water rose
higher and higher, yet the giant pushed bravely on. The burden which had
at first seemed so light grew heavier and heavier. Offero's strong knees
bent under him, and it seemed as if he would sink beneath the load. Yet
on he pressed with tottering steps, never complaining, until at last the
farther bank was reached. Here he set his precious burden gently down,
and looking with wonder at the child, asked, "Who art thou, child? The
burden of the world had not been heavier." "Wonder not," said the Child,
"for thou hast borne on thy shoulders him who made the world." Then a
bright light shone about the little face, and in another moment the
mysterious stranger had vanished. Thus was it made known to Offero that
he had been taken into the service of the most powerful being in the
world. From this time forth he was known as Christ-offero, or
Christopher, the Christ-bearer.[11]
[Illustration: D. Anderson, photo.