"I'm not sure," said Dad. He examined colored markings on a tree along the path. "Someone probably cleared away the brush and marked this path many years ago. Then they could follow the markings and wouldn't have to find a new path every time they came here. Maybe it was an explorer."

"Wow!" exclaimed Kendra. "A trail made by some ancient explorer! Maybe like . . . fifty years ago?"

"Maybe," replied Dad, "or maybe even longer ago."

They walked on along the trail, enjoying the colorful leaves and the sounds of various birds and animals. As they wandered deeper into the woods, Kendra and Mom stopped to see some wild flowers. When Dad turned to speak to Alex, he discovered that the little boy was no longer right behind them. "Alex? Alex, where are you?" called Dad. Alex didn't answer.

Mom and Kendra also began calling. They retraced their steps, all the while trying to calm the heavy thumping of their hearts.

Suddenly, Alex burst out of the woods and jumped into Dad's arms. "I was so scared," sobbed Alex.

"Why didn't you stay with us?" asked Mom.

"I followed a pretty bird," said Alex, "but I got lost!"

As Mom and Dad comforted him, they also warned him and Kendra about the dangers of leaving the marked trail and not staying close to them.

"It's nice to have those marks on the trees, but they don't do us much good if we don't follow them," observed Kendra.

Dad nodded. "That's right," he said. After a moment, he added. "I'm glad we have trail markers for our lives as well as for the way around the lake. We need to be sure to follow them, too."

"Trail markers for our lives?" asked Kendra.

Dad nodded. "God gave us the Bible to guide us to Him and away from danger. We need to read it regularly and obey it daily."