THE REBELLIOUS KINGDOM
Leaving the royal city and choosing a lower
road, the handsome prince quickly entered the deep passes
which wound through the great mountains surrounding his
homeland. Onward, seemingly ever downward, crossing
deep, swirling rivers, hot deserts and dark forests, he
made his slow but determined way. Then suddenly -
though the sun still shone brightly - it seemed that the
way grew darker. Wearily journeying on, he spied
men of evil visage gliding stealthily through the thorn
bushes and watching him - this stranger who had dared to
enter their forbidden country. Instantly the prince
understood the validity of the rumours: this far away
kingdom had indeed risen in rebellion against his father
- the Great King - and was even now preparing a revolt to
secede from his rulership.
Although warning after warning had been sent from the
royal palace, each one had been ignored. So the
king's son, being a youth of great wealth and of a
peaceable and kind disposition, had resolved to journey
to the kingdom with messages of peace and good will.
Continuing on his journey, he felt that he had gone
deeper than the countries of living men and passed into
the regions of the infernal, so fearful and degraded were
the rude villages through which he was passing. When at
last the goodly prince entered the city of the ruling
chief, his brave heart hesitated in wonder and almost
fear, for truly these wicked ones were a people of the
very lowest culture, of superstitious and darkened minds
whose evil faces revealed the blackest of hearts.
Of them he inquired the way to the dwelling of the chief.
Approaching the chief, the prince introduced himself,
then explained carefully the reason for his visit.
Scarcely appearing any better than his subjects, the
chief welcomed the prince most cooly, that is, until the
latter presented beautiful and costly gifts which the
ruler grabbed with alacrity but with little
gratitude. Because of the gifts, the prince was
given permission to dwell among these people for a time.
In the days that followed, the prince patiently
instructed the villagers in the ways of cleanliness,
peace and prosperity, encouraging them to submit
willingly to the demands of the Great King, and not to
continue with their plans for insurrection.
Unfortunately, word soon reached the chief that his
people were greatly admiring the good-hearted prince
because of his wise teachings and many kindnesses.
In violent anger he began to plot the intruder's death,
finally arriving at the conclusion that in the excitement
of the restless activity of a brilliant festival the
prince's death could easily be enacted. But first
his wicked heart conceived a plan to take from the prince
any remaining gifts. On the feast days - the chief
cunningly explained to him - it was the custom of his
people to exchange gifts. "Surely the prince
would desire to honor his excellency with a royal
remembrance, would he not?"
Unfortunately, the chief had not realized that the prince
had brought no other gifts than those already
given. But, after some thought, the visiting prince
wrote a few words on a slip of paper, pricked his finger,
then signed the note in his own blood. Handing it
to the chief, he remarked that this was the greatest gift
in his power to give.
Hastily and greedily the chief read: "THE BEARER, OR
BEARERS, PRESENTING THIS NOTE TO THE KING WILL RECEIVE
WHATSOEVER THEY REQUIRE." In horror and lack
of understanding, and deeply dreading even the thought of
a confrontation with the monarch whose rulership he
deeply hated and resented, the chief - whose eyes had
been blinded by hatred and jealousy - completely
underestimated the value of the note. Probably he
would be killed as he neared the palace grounds.
Why, then, should he go? This all must surely be a
scurvy trick, he thought.
Feeling cheated and mocked, in his frustration he hastily
crumpled the note and cast it under the table, making
awkward attempts at being grateful. Without fail he must
begin immediately to set in motion his plan for the
riddance of this hated prince. But even as they
were shifting each man to his assigned task, a strange
thing happened. Almost as though having received a
silent warning, the goodly prince suddenly
disappeared. Escaping from the vile kingdom, he
vowed that if he ever returned it would be to utterly
destroy all its evil inhabitants.
When the chief discovered his intended victim's escape,
he was even more angry. Terrible were his ravings
and denunciations as he blamed everyone but himself for
the failure of his plan. Meanwhile the little
crumpled note - now forgotten - was swept away into the
streets and disappeared into the abundance of the city's
trash.
SCAVENGERS
Early the next morning three old and ugly
beggar women came searching for bits of food and rags
among the newly dumped trash, seeking for anything
to help prolong their already miserable existence.
How they scratched, shoved and searched - these pitiful
examples of humanity! Miserable and wretched, they had
banded together in a pitiful friendship of mutual pain
and misery. Friendless, lonely, embittered by
life's tragedies, perverted in mind, disillusioned and
vengeful, they were nothing but loathsome lepers.
Two were haggard and disfigured old widows, but the
eldest of the trio was the worst. Without even the
pitiful rags of widowhood to hide her fallen soul, she
disclosed by her very bearing her impossible-to-keep
secret; she had been a woman of the streets. It was
difficult to look upon her without nausea, so far had the
dread disease progressed. Surely she was nought but
a repulsive old hag - a miserable piece of wreckage
vomited up by life's seas and now lying helpless and
putrifying on the sands of time. For her, death
would be a merciful release - and the tomb a shroud of
decency in which to hide her shame.
As the three were searching, fighting and snarling over
bits of food, the eldest discovered the crumpled
note. Clutching the paper with claw-like fingers,
it was she - the vilest of them all - who discovered the
crumpled note then excitedly shared its message with her
wretched cronies. Suddenly her voice dropped, and
she hesitated as though remembering something. It
had been late evening when she had seen the prince
walking alone through the dirty lanes near the burial
grounds where the lepers always slept. The
villagers always avoided this path, but the goodly prince
had traversed it. And he had stopped and looked at
HER! His eyes contemplated her strangely. Could it
have been a look of tenderness, of compassion? Then
he moved slowly away and she had never seen him again.
Shaken from her reverie, she glanced again at the now
grimy slip of paper in her hand. Surging up from
the depths of her being came the conviction that what she
held in her hands was of supreme value. These were
HIS words; this was HIS signature! This was the
name everyone had called him before his
disappearance. This note surely meant riches, food,
clothing, respectability, health!
Hastily the three set out on the long and difficult
journey to the palace of the king. Although the
trail was long and arduous and the younger widows were
often tempted to turn back, the eagerness and conviction
of the eldest one pushed them forward. Finally,
they saw far off in the distance the outline of the lofty
spires of the castle. The glowing lights of the
royal city seemed like myriads of tiny stars twinkling
far away. Soon, oh, so soon their lives would
change and they would be possessors of a vast
fortune. With this thought they almost ran the
remaining miles which separated them from the royal city.
THE ROYAL CITY
Ignoring the cold, disdainful reception of
the wealthy and cultured populace, the three lepers,
desperate now lest they be frustrated so near their
destination, hastened on towards the palace grounds.
At the insistent knocking of the vilest one
the guards opened the gates. Their shock and
astonishment at the daring of these miserable creatures
sent the heavy iron doors clanging shut. But having
anticipated such rejection, the eldest quickly thrust
herself forward waving the note. As they read it the
shocked guards wondered what such loathsome creatures
were doing with a letter signed by the prince.
Then, even though it was against their better judgement
and trembling in fear lest there be some mistake, they
allowed the foul creatures to come in, warning them to
stay near the portals until the king could be consulted.
One servant called another by ringing a gong-like bell
until the Great King himself drew near. Trembling
with fear and imploring mercy and pardon, the three old
beggars threw themselves at the Great King's feet, then
showed him the paper.
Had he not been a gracious King he would have thrown the
three old ones to the executioner immediately. But
his kindness, overcoming his amazement and disgust,
caused him to consider the note. He was utterly
astonished as he beheld the loved signature made
irrevocable in blood. Only then did he remember the
prince's visit to the hostile country, the miserable
reception, and the note. But surely he hadn't left
the note in the hands of such loathsome creatures as
these! There was only one conclusion to the matter:
speedily give these miserable old women what they
requested and send them on their way.
THEIR REQUESTS
The youngest quickly made known her desire:
"Give me many changes of raiment, healing ointments,
a choice from the King's treasury and citizenship in the
royal city." Somewhat relieved, the king
ordered that her demands be met immediately.
The requirements of the second were similar to those of
the first: healing ointments, clothing, a diamond studded
crown and permission to live on the palace grounds.
The latter request caused serious reflection on the part
of the king, but he finally granted it on the condition
that she wash daily in the courtyard fountain and never
leave the royal grounds. With such requests the
king had no misgivings. Evidently these ignorant
creatures hadn't understood the limitless scope of the
terms of the signed note. What were a few rubies,
changes of raiment, dwelling places or even citizenship
to such a wealthy king?
Finally forcing himself to look upon the vilest of the
three, he ordered these same gifts to be given to her as
well. But even as he was speaking, she interrupted
him to refuse the gifts. Then the heart of the kind
king began to know fear. Did this vile bit of human
misery somehow realize the limitless scope of the
note? What more could she possibly want? He bade
her look in the treasury room, but even as she longingly
contemplated the beautiful treasure it contained, she
chose nothing.
"Well, tell me, what DO you want?" insisted the
King. "Name it and my servants will bring it
to you."
Out of the depths of her misery and life-long regret, out
of the hurt of an unwanted soul, out of a deep, hidden
longing she burst out, "Oh, King, I want a
companion. I want a husband!"
Hearing this the King laughed in
relief. Was it a husband she wanted? Easy
enough. He would choose an eligible youth from his
kingdom and command him to marry her. With that
this entire matter could be concluded. Then the old
beggar woman went on to say that only once in her life
had any man ever showed her any kindness, and it was this
one that she desired to marry.
"Tell me, then," replied the King, "who
that one is and I will have him brought to you," now
intensely relieved that the Old One had not understood
the true value of the note.
"Oh, kind King, the one by whom the kindness was
shown to me is your own son - the prince. I desire
to marry him." Speechless and appalled, the
King watched her in utmost dismay as she continued,
"This note says WHATSOEVER... Your son, sir, is my
only desire. I will take nothing less."
Horrified, the King sent immediately for his son.
What would the prince's answer be to such a preposterous
request?
Silence filled the palace grounds as the handsome prince
looked searchingly into the heart of the Vilest One
seeing there all the misery, the privation and the
filth. But suddenly he saw something else which was
strangely out of place - a brightly burning love.
Turning slowly to his father he said, "I have given
my word and that word I must keep. I will accept
her as my bride if she will agree to fulfill two
conditions: first to bathe in the courtyard fountain,
then to follow me on a journey into the wilderness."
THE CRYSTAL POOL
Thinking the prince's terms easy to fulfill,
the Eldest One eagerly assented. Then followed the
King's servants to his private courtyard.
Happily she plunged into the depths of the
crystal pool which was surrounded by elaborately
landscaped gardens. As her body touched the waters
she experienced a strange feeling, an exhilaration as
though these waters were cleansing her whole being.
Something seemed to elevate her into another sphere.
After a long time - too long it seemed to her - she
slowly rose from the pool. As her hand grasped the
edge of the fountain she caught her breath at what she
saw. Her hands were no longer twisted and gnarled,
they were smooth and unblemished. Suddenly she
cried out, startled that her hair which fell softly over
her shoulders was no longer a drab gray but was a
beautiful golden color. How strange she felt!
Was this feeling the absolute absence of pain? How
still the waters were! And who was the beautiful
young maiden reflected in those waters? Looking
around she saw no one standing at her side.
Suddenly the truth broke upon her, enveloping her in
ecstasy - the beautiful one was she herself! She
had been changed.
Sleep was impossible that night. Oh, the wonder of
it all! What magic was in those waters of the
courtyard fountain? With great anticipation she
thought of the proposed journey into the wilderness
- the final step to the fulfillment of her life's
desire. Before she realized it, morning had come.
Her journey must begin.
THE WILDERNESS
The majesty of the rising sun found her
waiting for the prince at the palace gates. Looking
upon him in all his princely beauty, then looking at
herself now spotless, clean and young, she felt a fervent
love surge up in her heart for him. Looking
lovingly upon her, the prince sprang upon his charge
without a word and beckoned her to follow him down the
path which led out into the desert. But, how
strange! Where was HER mount? Was she to go
on foot? Perhaps a horse awaited her in the desert.
Obediently she followed him out through the
city gates and eastward towards the rising sun. On
and on she followed him into the deep wilderness.
She walked rapidly to keep him in sight. On and on
without stopping. On through the sandy wastes and
through thorny thickets. On while the sun climbed
higher and higher heating the desert sands. On she
continued, for the prince neither waited nor
slackened his pace.
Soon the heaviness of noonday descended upon her tired
body. Hunger and thirst called and still there was
no lessening of the pace. Breathing became
difficult and she had to force her weary feet to
run. Still the prince sped on ever deeper into the
wilderness.
Without looking back she gathered every remaining bit of
energy and struggled on under the friendless sun, gulping
in great draughts of super-heated air. Her tongue
began to swell rapidly as thirst ravaged her being.
"Wait! Please wait", she called out.
Seemingly not hearing, he neither stopped nor turned to
acknowledge her call. Slowing down and faltering
she desperately called once again for him to wait.
But what were these weird visions that played upon her
mind? Was it true that he did stop and look back
only to spur his horse on and flee even faster and
further into the wilderness? Now she was alone in
the solitude of the vastness of the desert; she could see
him no longer.
The gentle young princess who had been so gloriously
transformed from her former miserable state had struggled
valiantly to prove herself worthy. She had failed!
Her weary feet would no longer obey her determined will;
she could continue no further. Stumbling, then
falling, she lay prostrate on the searing sands where
weary, torn and bleeding, with heart broken and soul in
agony she groaned in despair because of her
failure. Life ebbed swiftly away.
Had she been mocked by her love? Was there no eye
to pity? Was there no help? Had hope
fled? Must she die alone in this dreary
desert? Her only answer was the low sighing of the
drying winds. Surely NOW she would curse the day
she believed this deceitful prince! Surely NOW her soul
would die in bitterness! The love she believed to
have found seemed to disappear as a mirage in the lonely
and silent desert. Death was near.
Circles of tiny whirlwinds danced around her listening to
her final words. Her lips moved slowly forming the
words of a song:
I've loved thee in life; I love thee in death.
I've loved thee as long as thou gavest me breath.
And now, while the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I've loved thee, Prince Jesus, 'tis now.
Was all but the empty hallucination of a mystic
love? Tiny whirlwinds continued to dance around the
form of the dead princess as over the distant sands the
prince returned in haste to where she lay motionless and
silent.
As the roseate sun of the dying day kissed her face and
lit its beauty in rest, the prince looked tenderly down
at her as he bade the tiny winds repeat her last
words. As he listened, a mysterious smile spread
over his face and his garments began to shine with a
glorious light until his form and face were transfigured
by a heavenly glory. A beautiful radiance surrounded him
and he began to speak:
"Dear sister of mine, my dove, my undefiled, my
spouse, you thought you had failed. Not so! I
find your love true and worthy. You have followed
me into this wilderness, even unto death, not once
turning back nor denying my love. Surely you knew
my earthly name, sung throughout all the land, but you
did not know my other name. I am the Resurrection and the
Life. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come
away!"
And even as he was speaking, the radiant glory light
began to move out and enfold the form of the motionless
princess, shining around her, and like a living flame
kindling within her the same resurrection glory that
enveloped him. She arose and beheld her beloved,
her earthly beauty now swallowed up in heavenly light and
glory. Before, she had been made beautiful; now she
was all glorious within and without. Tenderly
placing the gentle princess beside him on the horse, he
returned with her to the palace...
"And I heard as it were the
voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many
waters, saying, Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent
reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor
to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his
wife hath made herself ready. And to her was
granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, of the
saints. And he saith unto me, WRITE. Blessed
are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the
Lamb." (Rev. 19:6-9).
|
