Matt Spence stood in his front yard and watched the flames come closer, devouring everything in their path. The world was on fire, and there was nothing Matt or anyone could do to put it out.
Would his home too be consumed and he and his family with it? Could anyone save them from this conflagration? Was there still time to flee?
Then Matt had an idea. He got out his ladder and climbed up on his roof. He called to his wife to grab the garden hose, swing the nozzle end up to him and turn on the water, full blast.
Once she’d done that, Matt began spraying everything within reach: his yard, his house, parts of his next door neighbors’ yards.
His neighbors saw what Matt was doing and decided to climb up on their roofs and begin spraying too. Then their neighbors did the same. Soon the whole neighborhood looked like a fountain. The fire ravaged dry areas but left the wet ones alone.
Word spread to other communities all across the country. With their hoses, everyone drenched everything they could and staved off the fire. It still found plenty of fuel. But amidst the flames, the people had found a way to save themselves and one another.
Would his home too be consumed and he and his family with it? Could anyone save them from this conflagration? Was there still time to flee?
Then Matt had an idea. He got out his ladder and climbed up on his roof. He called to his wife to grab the garden hose, swing the nozzle end up to him and turn on the water, full blast.
Once she’d done that, Matt began spraying everything within reach: his yard, his house, parts of his next door neighbors’ yards.
His neighbors saw what Matt was doing and decided to climb up on their roofs and begin spraying too. Then their neighbors did the same. Soon the whole neighborhood looked like a fountain. The fire ravaged dry areas but left the wet ones alone.
Word spread to other communities all across the country. With their hoses, everyone drenched everything they could and staved off the fire. It still found plenty of fuel. But amidst the flames, the people had found a way to save themselves and one another.
