Blessing the Poor - A Holiday Story
This story is based on a legend. I hope you enjoy my version.
A millennium or so ago, a good man who happened to be the king of Bohemia uncharacteristically rose late the day after Christmas. But his Christmas evening was like most others as he often devoted his time to concerns outside of his worldly kingdom.
The day was unusually quiet as most of his servants were given the day to themselves. The king spent his time in deep introspection and prayer. With great promise, the day began with golden rays of the sun sparkling on the newly fallen snow from Christmas night. But with each hour, the day grew bleaker and the sky became gray. More snow fell. His chamber, though, was warm as his page made frequent visits to stoke the fire giving life to the failing embers.
The good king told his page, all of thirteen years of age, to rest by the fire he cared for and to keep him company.
“Why do you tend to me when I have declared this day a time for rest and renewal?”
“Why Sire, my faithfulness to you gives me comfort,” said the page.
“You are not like the others,” said the good king.
“You are a righteous man–forgive me, a righteous king, and I am where I should be as I am calmed by your spirit. I see what you do.”
“And I see what you do,” said the king.
The winds picked up in a menacing way and its howl was chilling. Coming out of his meditation, the king would peer toward the window. The page slept curled in a ball on a bed of hay in front of the meager fire. The room was becoming dark as the beams of a full moon filled the room.
The erratic winds were laced with the sound of crunching snow just outside the walls. The king walked to the window. He first looked to the clearing sky and saw a well defined illuminated heavenly body that gave light. He then looked down and saw a fellow man. He summoned his page.
“Page, do you know this man? Who might he be?”
“Sire he is a mere peasant gathering the twigs and branches to keep his family warm. He is a good man whom I met. He is from my village.”
“Where is his dwelling?” the king asked.
“He lives near the foot of the hills near St. Agnes’ fountain. It is a good league from here,” said the page.
The king stroking his beard thought out loud, “that is an hour by foot on a good day.”
Spinning on his heel, he turned and looked in the eyes of the page. “Bring me meats and bring me wine. Gather pine logs too. Tonight, you and I will see him dine.” His eyes gleamed and with a smile on his face, the page heard the king’s charge and began to assemble the gifts.
They both loaded sacks of meats, breads, pine logs and a small gift and strapped them to their backs. They entered into the night’s foul cry. The wind was stiff and the snow was clad by an icy crust befriending the moon giving a glow but giving struggle to any traveler. The wind tore at the bare-faced page as he pulled his collar up for warmth.
An hour into their journey, the boy called out, “Sire, the moon now hides and the wind is wicked. I am afraid. My body is paralyzed with cold and can go no further. Continue on your journey and leave me.”
”This is your journey too my son.”
With love in his heart, his words lifted the boy.
“Mark my footsteps, my good boy, and tread them ever boldly. Step in my footprints and you’ll find that winter’s rage diminishes. As you take a step you will find your soul will warm; there is nothing you cannot do. Remember, son, just where we’re headed.”
Without a hint of question, the page trod where the king’s newly formed steps were made. Heat came from the very prints where the man had been.
Not long after, they reached the peasants home, and shared their bounty and shared their spirit. But on the journey home the next morning, the king asked the young man, “did you defeat the cold because of my nobility and wealth?”
Without thought, the boy spoke up, “I don’t think so.”
“Why then?’
“Because I followed you.”
“No, my young page. We followed each other. Remember, those like you who bless the poor, shall too find blessings.”
Based on the legend of Good King Wenceslas
Edward G. Kardos
December 21, 2008
This entry was posted on Sunday, December 21st, 2008 at 12:03 pm.