|
Some time ago,
there was a king
who lived in a
wonderful
castle... He had
everything he
ever wished for.
There were
slaves around
him, who would
fulfil his
wishes. He wore
luxurious
clothes, had
access to the
best food
available and
wore the best
perfumes...
Musicians played
music as well as
slaves and young
ladies danced
especially for
him to cheer up
his day... Even
though he had
all that, he was
not happy.
One day he
decided to leave
his castle and
get to know his
kingdom. He
dressed up as a
slave and left
without any one
realising he was
gone. He got out
through the main
entrance of his
palace.
He walked around
through the
city. He saw
each one of his
subjects working
in different
areas: some were
merchants,
blacksmiths,
carters, bakers
and farmers. He
observed the
houses that
looked really
poor. He saw
children in the
streets, who
looked dirty and
thin. They were
playing in the
streets, in the
middle of the
dirt.
He felt
uncomfortable
with the smell.
He then decided
to leave the
city and get to
know the
countryside
where the air
would definitely
be cleaner. He
walked for a
long time. He
felt quite tired
and decided to
look for a place
to rest.
 |
He then noticed
a young boy sat
by the shadow of
a big tree. He
decided to ask
him what the
people thought
about their
king.
He asked, as he
came closer to
the young boy:
— My dear boy,
who owns the
land you see
here in front of
you?
|
|
The boy answered
straight away: |
— The king owns
it, my lord.
The king then
took a deep
breath and said,
full of pride:
— Oh! I am sure
this king must
be a very good
man. He allows
his subjects to
work at his land
so nicely. He
must be loved by
his people!
The boy smiled
and answered
back to him:
— Loved? His
subjects are
obliged to work
for the king
without getting
anything in
return. They can
only keep a few
grains they
manage to get
from the soil,
which are not
enough for them
to feed their
entire families.
People are
starving and
going through
lots of
difficulties.
— But, I
thought...
— Everyone hates
our king. He
lives in the
palace, enjoying
his life. He
doesn’t care
about the
well-being of
the people.
The king was
horrified with
what he heard.
He was taken by
surprise with
that comment...
He then said:
— What about the
king’s advisors?
Aren’t they
helping the
people?
The young boy
smiled again and
said:
— The king’s
advisors are
only helping
themselves. They
are not honest
and only aim for
things that are
of their own
interest. This
is the reason
why one share of
the harvest goes
to the king and
goes to the
advisors. This
should actually
go to the
farmers, but
they don’t get
anything! The
poor farmers get
no benefit from
harvest time!
The king was
perplexed with
the news. He
then defended
himself,
conscious of his
privileged
position:
— My young boy,
if the king was
born in a royal
family, he has
the right to
power and
wealth. This was
the Divine Will.
His vassals must
obey him!
The boy thought
for a while and
said:
— I don’t agree
with you, sir.
If God let our
king have access
to wealth and
power, it is for
him to be able
to help his
subjects who
have absolutely
nothing! Aren’t
we all children
of God, after
all? Otherwise,
he could loose
this unique
opportunity
received from
God.
The king thought
for some time
after hearing
the words coming
from a young
person’s mouth.
He felt ashamed
of himself. He
then started to
defend his
position one
more time....
— But I am sure
the king is not
aware of what is
going on!...
— This is
because he never
cared for his
people. He keeps
himself locked
inside the
palace and
trusts people
who don’t
deserve his
trust.
The king looked
down and felt
ashamed one more
time. He knew
the young boy
was right.
— What is your
name?
— Andrew, sir.
— It was good to
speak to you,
Andrew.
The king then
stood up and
left.
On the next day,
Andrew was at
his home when
two guards came
to find him.
They came on
behalf of the
king.
The young boy
started to
tremble. He
remembered
everything he
said to the
stranger the day
before. That
individual had
probably accused
him against the
king.
He was then
taken to the
main area of the
palace. Once he
walked closer to
the throne, he
recognised the
stranger he
spoke to the day
before. He was
dressed with
luxurious
clothes and was
wearing a
beautiful crown.
It was the same
man, he was sure
about it!...
Andrew then
started to cry.
He was expecting
now to be taken
to prison... The
king then smiled
at him and said
to the
frightened young
boy:
|
— Andrew, you
have taught me
an important
lesson
yesterday. I
thought I was
worth more than
other people.
You showed me I
was wrong and
that I need to
help my
subjects. From
now on, you will
help me govern
with wisdom,
justice, work
and love. We
will reach the
people, find out
what they think,
wish and what
their needs are.
Everyone will
have a new life
from now
onwards!
|
 |
The king hugged
Andrew, who
cried of joy. He
knew the lives
of the people
would change
from now
onwards. |
— I need you to
tell me the
truth no one had
the courage to
say it before —
the king said
out loud, so
everyone would
listen to him.
He then said to
Andrew:
— Andrew, you
will be the
Royal Counsellor
from now
on.
Andrew felt
grateful for the
opportunity to
help his people.
He elevated his
thoughts to God,
certain that a
new period of
work and
blessings would
begin in the
kingdom.
Meimei
(Received by
Célia X. de
Camargo, on 18th
October
2010.)
|
