THE KIND WANTS TO SEE YOU: PART TWO

KNOCK KNOCK.

The peasant woke up with a start. “What was that dreadful noise?”

KNOCK KNOCK.

The peasant walks unsteadily over to the door and opens it for his guest.

“Good morning sir!” The king's messenger was back. “The King would like to see you.” 

“Already? I just saw him yesterday?”

“Yes indeed. But he asks for you to join him again this morning as soon as you can.” 

“Of course. Let Him know that I will be there after I finish my chores first.”

The messenger looks shocked. “You mean for me to tell the King that your livestock is more important than meeting with him?”

The peasant panicked. “I didn’t mean that at all. Let me place my shoes on and I will be on the way.” 

The messenger smiled. “I’m happy to hear that sir. And I’m sure His Highness will be as well.”

The peasant ran back into his room and got ready. He placed his nice clothes on again and placed his shoes on his feet and hurried out the door. 

“The King wants to see me.”

The giant door opened before him and the peasant walked in. 

“You came!” The king got off his throne and threw himself into the peasant’s arms. “I’m so glad to see you again.”

“It’s my pleasure, my King. I didn’t think I would be back so soon.” 

“You said my presence is unlike any other yesterday. Wouldn’t that mean you long to be near me whenever you can?”

“Well of course. Your presence is intoxicating. I can’t help but draw near to it.” 

“Then let me ask, why did you seem surprised when I called upon you again?”

The peasant went silent. Wanting to bring honor to the King with his response. “If I am honest I don’t know.” 

The King’s demeanor shifted a bit. “Do you want to be here with me? Your mind seems to be elsewhere.” 

“My lord, I am thinking of my home. My livestock. I left in such a hurry to be here this morning that I abandoned my responsibilities to be with you.” 

“Do you believe that all of your livestock went mad and ran away from you?”

“I hope not. But it almost seems like I should be there instead of here.” 

“You are not my prisoner. You are free to come and go as you, please. You must take care of what I’ve given you and be diligent with that. Enter my throne room when you are ready and eager to be with me.”

The peasant bowed. “Thank you, my King. I will hurry back after I finish my tasks.” 

The peasant rushed out of the throne room. His heart was set on working well. 

He arrived at his farm and began to catch up on all the work that was laid before him, the day disappeared fast. As the moon began to rise into the sky the peasant realized his body needed to rest. 

He went into his room and laid down his head. 

His eyes still open thinking of the King. “I told Him I would return after my work. But it lasted all day long. I have made myself a liar.”

The somber thoughts began to take over his emotions. “Tomorrow I must be ready. I will wake up early so that I can be at his door when he goes to call for me. Then I can go to work after we speak.”

The following day the peasant woke up just as the sun was rising above the hillside. He put on his nicer clothes and rushed out the door to head for the castle. 

The peasant was pleased with himself as he walked up to the large wooden doors. The door opened just as he walked up to it, the messenger walked out almost walking right into the man. 

“You’re here already.” 

“Yes, I came to the realization that if I am to spend time with the king it should be before I do anything else. I do have a full day ahead of me, but that doesn’t give me an excuse to skip conversation with Him.”

“That is fantastic news. The King will be pleased. Follow me please.” 

The messenger brought the peasant into the throne room where the righteous King sat clearly.
“You’re here. I’m so glad to see you. I had hoped we’d meet this morning.” 

The king and peasant talked throughout the morning. The peasant felt so compelled to stay he almost forgot the work he had to return home to accomplish. “My lord, I must get going. Thank you for the invitation this morning. I look forward to making this part of my everyday life.” 

“I would want nothing more.” The King sent the peasant on his way. 

The King and peasant would meet like this every morning for the next year. Their time grew more intimate as they would speak more and more with each other. The peasant started to view the King in a more personal way. He still respected The King and held him in high regard in his words and thoughts. He would even sing of his goodness as he worked in his fields. 

Their relationship was refined as the days went on. 

“I must tell you something before you leave.” The King took the peasant by the hand. “Please hurry.” 

The King took the man to the top of the castle wall as he had done plenty of times. But this time was different. The land began to look gray and bland. Not the vibrant colors it once had. “There is a dragon coming. It will ravage all that it touches, including you.” 

The peasant began to panic. “Oh no! I must hurry home and save my livestock.” 

“Very well. I tell you this so that you know that you are welcome in my courts every day. Please return to me.”

“Of course my king. How could I not?”