A Kingdom for a Kingdom

 

In a land far away yet near, there lived a very important King. He was never happy or satisfied. Whenever he wanted anything, all he had to do was clap his hands, and it would be given to him.

He thought himself to be very powerful and became very greedy. He had treasures hidden everywhere, and did not care about the sick and less fortunate people.

One day he went for a journey in his carriage. It was pulled by eight white horses. The King was with his new bride and wanted to show her his Kingdom.

Suddenly the coach came to a halt. The King cried, "Why are you stopping here?"

The coachman answered, "There is an old man on the road my Lord, and it appears he is injured."

The King was rapidly losing his temper. He stepped down from the carriage and took the horsewhip from the driver. He walked over to the man, an old beggar, ordering him to get up.

"Don't you know who I am?" shouted the King. The old man looked up and shook his head.

The beggar replied, "Your voice sounds as if you are used to being in command and giving orders. It also is full of anger and fear, telling me you are an unhappy man. Perhaps you are powerful and rich. Did I not hear four houses?"

The King laughed, "four horses! Can't you see or count?" But really the King was shaken by what the old beggar had said.

"No, sir, for I am blind", answered the old man softly.

"Oh, but you can hear, can't you? Why didn't you leave the road when you heard my carriage coming?" shouted the King.

"Because I am lame. Soldiers took my walking stick which my ancestors carved. It is very precious, and as strong as ten oxen," replied the beggar.

"Soldiers, what soldiers? Tell me when this happened", demanded the King in reply. He was hurried and upset. The thought of this ancient walking cane had stirred his greed.

"It happened at sunrise. They said my cane would make a fine present for the King", whispered the old man. "I have been blind since I was a young man. Now I am crippled too because the soldiers broke my legs to get the cane."

"Well", said the King coldly, "I'll see that the soldiers get what they deserve."

Meanwhile the King ordered the coachman to take the old man from the road, and returned to his carriage and excused himself to his young queen for the delay.

The beggar spoke again. "You must be the King! For you they broke my legs, and took my beautiful cane!"

"Yes indeed", snarled the King, "and thank the heavens I had mercy on you."

"Listen to me, sire", said the old man, "do not keep the cane. It will cause you to become blind if you do, and no one in the entire Kingdom will be able to heal you, not even the finest doctors, except for one person."

The King shrugged his shoulders and laughed, "Ha! Ha! Me, blind?" And ordering the driver to move on, the King slapped his knees and said, "Did you hear that field mouse, my dear? I will become blind if I keep the cane, Ha! Ha!"

No sooner had the King returned to his palace when he ordered a lively and spirited feast. Meanwhile, the two soldiers who had stolen the cane from the old man asked for an audience with their ruler.

They presented him with the beautiful walking stick, and as a reward the King gave each man a carafe of wine.

While holding the cane, the King felt a strange sensation. Fine carvings were engraved on the stick like delicate lace. They appeared to be very old.

The beggar had said the cane was stronger than ten oxen, and yet it was light as a feather. The king thought to himself that perhaps for the old beggar the cane was heavy, but to him it was just another object for his treasure collection.

That evening, the feast was merry with much wine and dance. The King ate and drank heavily, and all was frolic and laughter.

Much later, he retired to his quarters. His eyes fell upon the cane. He picked it up and leaned on it. The stick bent only slightly and the King laughed, Ha! Ha! Ten oxen! Now it carries the entire Kingdom."

And the King thought himself more powerful than ever. Nevertheless, he was tempted to test his strength. He lifted the cane and struck the golden candlesticks on the palace wall with great force. The blow was so hard the candles went out. All became dark around him.

"Light the candles! I cannot see in this darkness", shouted the king. "And send for the Queen."

The guard looked very surprised, and said, "But my Lord, there is still light in the chamber. Only five candles have gone out. The others are still burning."

"What nonsense you speak. Light the candles at once. I'll have you whipped if you don't stop this foolishness!", roared the ruler.

"But......but....there is still light", stammered the guard in fear.

"Light? Light? I can't see at all. It's all dark and colourless around me. Could it..... could it..."

Suddenly horrified, the King realized that he was blind.

When the Queen arrived she saw the King was in great distress holding his head between his hands. "Is that you, fair Queen?"

"Yes, my Lord. Shall I put out the candles now?", she inquired innocently.

Oh, but then, it is true! I am blind", cried the King.

He ordered the Queen from his chamber, and told her to remain silent about what had happened. Then he called for the guard and told him to fetch the court physician.

The message went out, and that same hour the doctor came. He was unable to help the King. Then orders were sent to find the best doctors in the land.

Many tried to help the monarch, but all failed. The King had them all thrown into the dungeon. Weeks passed. Soon the time came when people were afraid to even approach the King with a possible cure.

Finally, in great despair, the King ordered the two soldiers who gave him the cane to find the old beggar. They were told not to return without him if they valued their lives.

It was only after many months that the soldiers returned with the old man.

When he was brought before the King, the monarch said, "Tell me , you scoundrel, you were the one who predicted my blindness, and it is your cane that caused it. You told me there is only one person in my Kingdom who can help me. Who is it?

"Yes, your Lordship", softly replied the old beggar, "I am the one who warned you of your blindness. But it was not my cane that caused it. It was your greed, your anger and your lust for power that made you blind.

"No, it was not my cane, for it is stronger than ten oxen. I know the one who can help you, but I cannot tell you who it is until you promise to let me walk again."

The King instantly replied, "I promise! I promise! I will help you."

But the beggar asked, "How can you promise such a thing so quickly, without consulting your doctors?"

The King, now very frustrated and angry, said, "I will see to it that you are given the finest doctor. Will you please help me now?"

"Will he be as qualified as those who have tried to heal you?", asked the old man.

The King knew he was defeated and said, "Tell me then, who can heal me? What are your conditions?"

"What is more precious to you, your Kingdom with all its wealth and power, or your eyesight?", asked the beggar.

"My eyes!", lamented the King.

"Then so it must be done", replied the old man simply, "In order that I may walk and see again, you must depart from your possessions. You must go into the fields and see the treasures of Nature's beauty. You must live amongst your people as a real King. You will see and walk anew and learn to be truly good. You will be strong and healthy, noble and wise."

"Anything, anything at all, as long as I can see again", said the King. But he thought to himself the moment his vision was restored, he would not keep his promise.

"So be it then", said the old man. He asked one soldier to bring him the cane. The guard went to find it and handed it to the old beggar.

"Won't you hurry up and tell me who it is who can help me?", asked the King.

"It is me!", replied the old beggar firmly.

Astonishment and doubt were designed on the face of the King and his court.

"But you are blind yourself!", cried the King in confusion.

"Yes, perhaps I am, but not as blind as you are", said the old man.

Addressing the soldiers and gathering of the court, the old man said, "Keep the doors and gates of these quarters open to the outside gardens. Let no one come near the steps of this chamber until the sun has risen again."

With a nod from the King, the people quickly followed these orders and left the room in bewilderment.

When they were finally alone, the old beggar declared, "Mighty King! Prove yourself worthy of rule. Be noble and glorious in your Kingdom. Be an example of merit to everyone."

And, with these words, the blind beggar gently touched the eyes of the King with the tip of his cane.

And there, the transformation took place. From King of men to King of beasts, the King had become a strong and beautiful lion - full of life and grace.

At that same instant, the blind old beggar turned into a handsome young King, who could walk and see. He ordered the lion in to the forest where he belonged.

The new King of beasts left the chamber in obedience and went out into the wild forest to find his true Kingdom.

The next day, the young King of the place asked to see the soldiers who had taken his cane. When they arrived, they noticed a young man, proud and healthy, noble and in command. Fear and trembling set upon them. "I am the King of men. Your former master is now a King of beasts. Bring me the Queen so that I may show her my true Kingdom."

The new King ordered all the animals that were tied to be set free, and all the slaves to be returned to their homes. He made it known that there was no longer any need for the people to live in fear.

Later in the day, he met again with the Queen. With him the King had his magic cane.

"What a beautiful cane it is", said the Queen. "I never noticed how magnificent it was before. But who could have designed those intricate lace-like patterns - those wonderful designs? It looks almost inhuman."

"It is, it is", smiled the young King.

"They look like the tooth marks of a powerful animal, now that I look at them closely", replied the Queen.

"They are ..... for it was my ancestor who carved these marks, a noble King!".

Copyright 1998 Henri van Bentum