The Prince
A great, wise king ruled a vast and prosperous kingdom. He had a
beautiful queen, and many children. While each child was still very
young, they were sent to a neighboring kingdom to grow up and be
educated. This kingdom was very poor. Though the castle was nothing
like the soaring palace where the children had been born, it was
beautiful in it's own way.
Some of the children lived in the castle, while others were sent to live on farms, and in small villages. All were told that they were a prince or princess of a grand kingdom, and their father loved them dearly.
Having been very young when they were sent away, none of the children remembered their true home and family. Many of them believed, and many did not.
The children were told that to return home, they had to earn the money for the return trip. The children who believed in their royal heritage worked hard to complete their studies, become apprentices, and earn the money they needed.
Sadly, because the kingdom was so poor, there were heavy taxes, many people who needed donations, and many who could not pay the children for their services. No matter how hard or long they worked, the children could not save enough money to return home.
The wise king knew this, so he asked his eldest son, who had long known who he was and regularly sent and received letters from his father, to help the other children.
The son had lived and worked in the poor kingdom for a long time, and had nearly enough money to go home. The eldest son loved his father, and all his brothers and sisters, both those who knew him and those who didn't, so he gave it all, and when it was not enough for everyone, he worked day and night, he gave his all, his whole self so his brothers and sisters could go home. It took everything he had to give, and at times he wanted to quit, and he asked his father if there was any other way. But he didn't quit, because he knew his brothers and sisters were counting on him. And eventually, finally, there was enough money to send everyone home.
The son sent word to all the other children that he had saved enough money for them all to go home.
The children gathered, and with tears of gratitude they asked "How can we possibly repay you?"
With the perfect love he had for them, he answered "You cannot. So all I ask is that you believe that I can help you. Love each other, as I love you. Be kind, and keep working hard."
Some of the children lived in the castle, while others were sent to live on farms, and in small villages. All were told that they were a prince or princess of a grand kingdom, and their father loved them dearly.
Having been very young when they were sent away, none of the children remembered their true home and family. Many of them believed, and many did not.
The children were told that to return home, they had to earn the money for the return trip. The children who believed in their royal heritage worked hard to complete their studies, become apprentices, and earn the money they needed.
Sadly, because the kingdom was so poor, there were heavy taxes, many people who needed donations, and many who could not pay the children for their services. No matter how hard or long they worked, the children could not save enough money to return home.
The wise king knew this, so he asked his eldest son, who had long known who he was and regularly sent and received letters from his father, to help the other children.
The son had lived and worked in the poor kingdom for a long time, and had nearly enough money to go home. The eldest son loved his father, and all his brothers and sisters, both those who knew him and those who didn't, so he gave it all, and when it was not enough for everyone, he worked day and night, he gave his all, his whole self so his brothers and sisters could go home. It took everything he had to give, and at times he wanted to quit, and he asked his father if there was any other way. But he didn't quit, because he knew his brothers and sisters were counting on him. And eventually, finally, there was enough money to send everyone home.
The son sent word to all the other children that he had saved enough money for them all to go home.
The children gathered, and with tears of gratitude they asked "How can we possibly repay you?"
With the perfect love he had for them, he answered "You cannot. So all I ask is that you believe that I can help you. Love each other, as I love you. Be kind, and keep working hard."
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