Bryan Speed, 33°
650 W. S. Service Road, West Memphis, Arkansas 72301–2019

A curious roadside incident teaches a valuable moral lesson.

My daily commuting route covers a 23-mile stretch on a highway that is usually quite busy in the early morning hours. However, one morning last summer, it seemed as if I were the only traveler on the road until I turned a slight curve and spotted another vehicle approximately one-half mile ahead. The van was parked on the left shoulder of the road, and a man, in a stooped position, was moving slowly across the highway.

I immediately guessed he was laying a counting strip across the highway, a common thing in this area. As I drew closer and slowed, he appeared to be pushing or guiding something, but I could not determined what. Reducing my speed still more and arriving near the scene, I finally realized, much to my surprise, that he was guiding a turtle across the road! I also took note that when he got the turtle to the other side, he checked to see if it was headed away from the highway and not back into danger's way.

Then, passing the scene and looking back through my rearview mirror, I noticed he nudged the turtle, as if to say, "Have a good and safe journey." He then turned, crossed the road, got into his van, and drove away. He was shortly out of sight, but the lesson he exemplified still lingers in my mind's eye.

Even today, the impact of this man's actions and his reverence for life grow in my consciousness. The incident left me with an awareness that I was lacking a bit of something in mind, heart, and spirit, something this man possessed, a sincere desire and a plan of action to help God's creatures.

I seriously doubt that many or any of us will ever be faced with the decision to help a turtle across a busy highway. At the same time, I fully believe we are continually being confronted with the choice of helping or not our fellowmen across life's busy highways where we all may be hit by a multitude of setbacks and disappointments.

I can only guess at the present whereabouts of this man and turtle, but I assume the turtle and its offspring are surviving in the swampy bottomlands of this area. The man is, almost surely, traveling over the highways and byways of life, ever attentive to any unexpected event which might need and receive his assistance.

The irony of this simple event is the number of Masons who need guidance and encouragement across the roads of life and the many who are simply basking in the sun of idleness, totally disinterested in the fate of their fellowmen. In contrast, there are those Brothers who do exemplify Masonry's teachings in their daily living and continue to carry forth its light into the dark recesses of our troubled world.

I am convinced that we, as Masons, have been taught the right lessons and equipped with the best tools to help and assist others, as well as ourselves, in becoming what we ought to be and achieving life's goals. We cannot just live in a house by the side of the road and idly watch the race of men go by. Rather, we, as Masons, must strive toward an abundant life for all on this earth and for that life which surely is to follow.

Bryan Speed is a retired school administrator and teacher and is presently General Secretary of the Eastern Arkansas Scottish Rite Bodies. He is a Past Master of Crittenden Lodge No. 607, presently Secretary of the Lodge, a certified Masonic Lecturer, and has served two terms as District Deputy Grand Master of the 17th Masonic District in Arkansas. He is also Director of the Scottish Rite Choir.