The Kingdoms

by James Baldwin

　　

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There was once a king of Prussia whose name was Frederick William.On a fine morning in June he went out alone to walk in the greenwoods. He was tired of the noise of the city, and he was glad to getaway from it.So, as he walked among the trees, he often stopped to listen to thesinging birds, or to look at the wild flowers that grew on every side.Now and then he stooped to pluck a violet, or a primrose, or a yellowbut-ter-cup. Soon his hands were full of pretty blossoms.After a while he came to a little meadow in the midst of the wood.Some children were playing there. They were running here and there,and gathering the cow-slips that were blooming among the grass.It made the king glad to see the happy children, and hear their merryvoices. He stood still for some time, and watched them as they played.Then he called them around him, and all sat down to-geth-er in thepleasant shade. The children did not know who the strange gentlemanwas; but they liked his kind face and gentle manners."Now, my little folks," said the king, "I want to ask you someques-tions, and the child who gives the best answer shall have aprize."Then he held up an orange so that all the children could see."You know that we all live in the king-dom of Prussia," he said; "buttell me, to what king-dom does this orange belong?"The children were puz-zled. They looked at one another, and sat verystill for a little while. Then a brave, bright boy spoke up andsaid,--"It belongs to the veg-e-ta-ble kingdom, sir.""Why so, my lad?" asked the king."It is the fruit of a plant, and all plants belong to that kingdom,"said the boy.The king was pleased. "You are quite right," he said; "and you shallhave the orange for your prize."He tossed it gayly to the boy. "Catch it if you can!" he said.Then he took a yellow gold piece from his pocket, and held it up sothat it glit-tered in the sunlight."Now to what kingdom does this belong?" he asked.Another bright boy answered quick-ly, "To the min-er-al kingdom, sir!All metals belong to that kingdom.""That is a good answer," said the king. "The gold piece is yourprize."The children were de-light-ed. With eager faces they waited to hearwhat the stranger would say next."I will ask you only one more question," said the king, "and it is aneasy one." Then he stood up, and said, "Tell me, my little folks, towhat kingdom do I belong?"The bright boys were puz-zled now. Some thought of saying, "To thekingdom of Prussia." Some wanted to say, "To the animal kingdom." Butthey were a little afraid, and all kept still.At last a tiny blue-eyed child looked up into the king's smiling face,and said in her simple way,--"I think to the kingdom of heaven."King Frederick William stooped down and lifted the little maiden inhis arms. Tears were in his eyes as he kissed her, and said, "So beit, my child! So be it."

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