544- Children Receiving the King

 In one of the Japanese towns, the school head master announced,

“Surprise, the king will visit us tomorrow. What do you think we have to do?”

A child said, “Let each one of us give him a small gift for, he loves children. Tomorrow will be a historical unforgettable day.”

They all agreed and left joyfully except Christine. She left the school with her eyes full of tears. On her way she met an old woman, a friend to her family, who asked her, “What’s wrong with you darling?”

Christine burst into tears saying, “I love the king so much and long to see him. He’ll visit our school tomorrow. All the children will present him precious gifts and I’m poor; I can’t buy him a present. I don’t know what to do. I can neither be absent from school nor go to school without a present.”

The lady wiped out her tears saying, “Take this pot and fill it with snow. Wait till all your colleagues present their gifts to the king then give him the pot. He’ll accept your gift joyfully.” The child did what the lady had said.

The next day, the school received the king joyfully and the children presented their gifts. As the king got tired, Christine bowed to the king and said, “Your majesty, I’m of a very poor family. Yet my heart loves you so much. I’m very rich being a subject of a king like who loves children. I present to you this melted snow in a simple pot.”

The king took the pot and drank of it saying, “You are a wise and loving child.

You gave me the most precious gift. Do you like to join my palace? I’ll be pleased to have you as a daughter, a little princess full of love and wisdom.”

All the attendants clapped their hands as the king adopted a girl from this school.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: أطفال يستقبلون الملك.

You are the true king who loves all children.

Accept me as a young child.

What can I present to You?

Accept my heart and my love.

You will never forget a cup of cold water.

Accept it from my poor hands.

You are Love.

Alfred and the Poisonous Serpent

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

The Wonderful Bird