One day in 1975, during a brief period of residence in the United Arab Emirates, our family set out to visit a beach that friends had recommended. They had explained how to get there, adding that there were very few landmarks along the way.
The route began on a paved highway, then crossed the desert for a few miles to follow a well-worn, hardened track over the sands. After following the track for quite a distance, we intuitively felt we could not be on the right one and so decided to turn back. Before we were able to do so, however, we ran into an area of soft sand, and the car came to a halt. No amount of controlled engine revving or pushing could budge it forward or backward. The car jack simply sank into the sand, and we could not lift the vehicle sufficiently to place objects between the tires and the ground to obtain the needed grip. Digging sand away was an abortive exercise, as well.
By now it was about 11 a.m., approaching the hottest part of the day. The temperature was in the region of 120 F, with high humidity and no breeze. The interior of the car became extremely hot and stifling. Our two daughters, who were then ages five and three, felt quite uncomfortable. But they sang hymns from the Christian Science Hymnal, mainly those with words by Mrs. Eddy. They had learned these loved hymns in the Christian Science Sunday School.
