The staff had never seen their beloved
King, so excited, so motivated before. His son would soon be coming home and
the King had been spending every spare moment in preparation for that very
wonderful day.
Everything would soon be in order.
“Do you think Manley suspects what I am
about to give him?” The King asked more than once.
“Not a chance, “Michal replied. “He couldn’t.”
The King toured the grounds leisurely.
Every rose bush had been carefully pruned earlier, and now was blooming
profusely. All the other flowers were also at their brightest and gayest.
He smiled
in satisfaction then toured the orchards. Because of the ideal climate within
the splendid walls of the kingdom, a remarkable phenomenon was taking place.
The process of budding, blossoming and bearing fruit was going on continually.
He plucked a choice apple and bit into it. It was perfect; so crisp and juicy.
The King walked over to another tree, taller
and more impressive in some ways than any of the others so far. He stood
looking into its branches with his hands clasped behind His back. The brightness
of His countenance had dimmed somewhat, as He turned and walked away.
The lush green lawns undulated smoothly
across the park everywhere he looked. He walked over to a herd of deer resting
quietly near a patch of weeping willow trees. The buck got to his feet and
nosed his hand. The King stroked him gently while the rest gathered around
seeking attention.
Soon a noble looking male lion yawned,
stretched, and sauntered over. The buck gazed at him, and they touched noses as
if acknowledging they were both leaders in their own pack. As the lion shook
his big, shaggy head, obviously seeking attention, the King indulgently rubbed
his mane and tickled him under the chin. As he turned to go a tiny, golden
bunny hopped on the lion’s back and lifted a paw to stoke the King’s face. His Majesty
carried the cuddly bunny in His arms while continuing his leisurely tour.
Wherever he went the animals would come to meet Him and were grateful for the
attention they received.
The Beloved King returned to the impressive
tree He had been examining earlier, and stood with bowed head. There are
countless fruit bearing trees spanning these many acres, and only one like
this. But this one he must not partake of. I do not want him to know, to
comprehend and desire evil, and even overly much understanding of good would
not be necessary. I must ask him to leave it alone.
Suddenly Gabriel was at
His side. “Why don’t you root it out then, so it is not a temptation?”
The King’s eyes were sad, sadder
than any of the staff had ever seen them before. “If I root it out what would
my son have to live for? Eventually all this beauty and serenity would be taken
for granted if he didn’t choose it. Nay, He must choose whether He wants to
keep what I have to offer or take His own way.”
“But it is so hard on his
Majesty,” Gabriel whispered to Michal.
His fellow staff member
nodded. “He knows what Manley will choose and it grieves Him deeply, but He
loves his son too much not to give him the ability to choose”.
To Be Continued
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