THE KING AND I

One of my favorite stories, the way I remember it, is the perfect representation of the "new world" I now belong to. IF you will read it in its entirety you will understand and if you are like me you may find a tear or two escaping your eyes as you see the truth in the story. It goes something a little like. . . . The king was going through the village one day and saw a boy in tattered clothes and haggard eyes. He had nothing but a coin and looked as though he had cleaned many stalls and fireplaces to earn. He went to the merchants’ tent to buy some bread and saw a little girl and boy in much the same condition as himself and much younger huddled in the alley. The little boy bought the bread, looked at it longingly and gave it to the two youngsters. They looked as though there were terrified at first then ate it with veracity. The little boy with stooped shoulders, turned around, shoved his hands in his pockets and started walking back through the village while his stomach prtested. He had no idea that the king had watched all of this from his vantage point and sat there on his steed with tears in his eyes. He nudged his horse and began walking behind the boy. The little boy felt as though he was being watched and carefully turned around. His eyes became big, his mouth dry and his heart raced. Quickly he looked down to the ground and waited for the king to pass him by. He didn't. “What should I do?” he thought. He became like a statue and tried to hold his breath. The footsteps that met his ears seemed to mock him and speak of his doom. Then, a big warm hand was on his shoulder. He slowly looked up into tear stained and friendly eyes. “Boy, come with me.” Obediently he followed as the village people began to stop and whisper. He walked through the village with the king by his side, his hand still tenderly on his shoulder. He could barely feel that giant hand now it felt like it had become a part of him. He still felt scared but he also felt a surge of confidence as well. They entered the castle gates and he felt like his feet would quit moving. The castle! Of course, the king must need a stable boy but they past the entrance to the stables. Oh, he must need someone to work in the kitchen but they past the servants entrance as well. He was being brought through the main door. No one but royalty enters through there. Even the servants stopped and stared. This little boy with nothing but rags on was being escorted into the palace by the king himself! The King called his personal servant up and told him to bring the best clothes and shoes he could find for the boy. He called to the cook and told her to make her best dishes she has ever served with the finest of ingredients. He called for a warm bath and told the boy to wash and put on the King’s robe while he waited to be dressed. The boy didn't move. He just stood there in confusion staring at his bare, dirty feet. The King started to walk away and realized the boy was still. “What is wrong? Don’t you want a bath and clean clothes? Aren't you hungry?” Still, no answer or movement. The King knelt down in front of the lad and gently put his hand under the boy’s chin and lifted his face so he could look into his dirty face. The boy had tears trying to fall down his face. “Boy, what is the matter?” “I don’t understand sir. I am just an orphan with no home and no food. Why did you bring me here?” The King smiled a smile that lit the room. “I brought you here to live with me. I saw you in the market when you bought the bread and gave it selflessly to those children. I was watching when you thought no one cared. I saw your heart in that deed and knew that you were more than those tattered clothes and matted hair. You had the heart of a King. I have no children of my own. I want you to be my son. You will have the best clothes money can buy and more food than you could ever eat.” The tears began spilling over his cheeks as his listened to the soothing voice of the King. The King WANTED him? “But sir, I have nothing to give you in return.” “All I require is your love and that you will one day be the King I will teach you to be. I have done everything for you. All you need to do is accept my offer.” At first, the boy discretely pinched his own arm just to be sure he wasn't dreaming. Then, he smiled so big it hurt. He almost toppled the King in a hug. The King wiped away the boy’s tears, patted his head and slipped out of the room. After the boy bathed and put on his new clothes he wrapped his old ones in a piece of cloth and hid them in his room.

          The boy lived there for quite some time and was adjusting to his amazing new life. The King was kind and loving and he had never eaten so much in his life! Every morning his servant came to wake him he would be up already ready to start the day. One morning the servant noticed that the boy look as though he had been crying. He puzzled over this. He knew he was an orphan and now he lived with the King. What could be the matter? He took notice every morning for a week and observed the same thing. He decided he would come to his room early enough to see if he could figure out what was wrong. The next morning the servant got up earlier than usual, dressed quickly and hurried to the prince’s room. He heard his bed creak and heard a few footsteps. He carefully cracked the door and stood there with his mouth wide open. There stood the prince in the dirty tattered clothes, that once were too big now were almost too small, that he came to the palace in the day the King brought him home. He saw the prince’s shoulders shake and tears were streaming down his cheeks as he looked in the looking glass. The prince noticed he had company and quickly turned around to see who it was. “Sorry, sir” the servant stuttered. The prince sadly smiled and walked into the other room to change. The servant tried to move but he could not without finding out what he just observed. The prince came through with a smile and a nod and started to walk out the door. “Sir, I must know. Why would you keep those dirty rags and why would you put them on?” The prince looked knowingly at the servant and said, “Good sir, I was chosen to come live at the palace. I have a warm bed, the finest clothes, more food than I could ever eat and a father who loves me. I had nothing before but these filthy rags. I put them on every morning to never forget where I came from and to be thankful of where I am now.” The servant slowly nodded his head and with tears in his own eyes bowed, and left the room with his heart changed forever.
          You cannot tell me you do not love the truth to that story. I had nothing and Jesus gave me everything. If He took everything I have now away from me I would still be better off than I was without Him. I am living in a new world but it is much the same as my old one because Jesus is still with me every step of the way. His hand is on my shoulder and sometimes I may not be able to feel it but it is still there. He gave me the clothes on my back and the food that I eat. I must never forget where I came from and remember it with thankfulness. I must listen to the King’s instruction and immolate His heart. I must always remember who I was and be ready to pass it on to others. I had nothing but Jesus gave me everything.