This is a parable I wrote and, though you won't find the exact situation in the Bible, it's message is clear, and mirrors the Bible's teachings on loving our neighbours and those less fortunate.
This parable is published in my newest book release, Emotional Impact, read as a bedtime story to two children.
Feel free to print this parable and share it with others, for non-profit use only.
Feel free to print this parable and share it with others, for non-profit use only.
I may even suggest you read it to your children. It may be used as a devotional. After reading it, ask your children questions to see what they learned from the story.
You may even learn something yourself.
After all, it's based upon a timeless truth.
Enough said. Enjoy!
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You may even learn something yourself.
After all, it's based upon a timeless truth.
Enough said. Enjoy!
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Home at Last
Copyright 2005 Norma Budden
Copyright 2005 Norma Budden
Once upon a time, there lived a lonely prince in a huge castle. Each day the prince went outside, trying to meet friends, but no one was interested in getting to know him.
All people cared about was that he was rich. They would ask him for money, clothes, and other possessions but no matter how much he gave away, people didn’t seem to care about him.
Prince Keko decided he didn’t want to be a prince anymore. He was tired of the loneliness and approached the King.
“Father, I cannot live this life any longer. We live in this huge castle but we have few friends. What joy is there in living like this?”
“Son, we are a family and we love each other. We may not have many friends but the friends we have are priceless. I would rather have a few close friends than have many people I would call acquaintances.”
“Yes, Father, you are right. However, I am moving out of the castle for a while. I want to dress as the common people. I want to eat their types of food and sleep on their kinds of beds. I want to fit in.”
“Son, you will never truly fit in. You may have their image and speak their language but you will always have royal blood flowing through your veins.”
“Yes, Father, but what do you think the chance is of bridging the gap between the royals and the common folk? Is there a chance of gaining their respect? Is it possible for them to learn to identify with us?”
“Son, it appears to me you have a burden on your heart. I will allow you to leave the castle on one condition: you must never compromise your integrity.”
“Thank you, Father,” said Prince Keko as he turned from the throne.
Prince Keko approached his servant, Nolan, asking him for street clothes.
The servant looked at him strangely. “Sir, why do need street clothes?” Nolan asked.
“I am leaving the castle.”
“But why? You have everything here. What could you possibly find outside the castle walls?”
“I hope to find friends and gain understanding of the common folk.”
Nolan laughed and shook his head.
“Please, Nolan, get me some street clothes. I am leaving shortly.”
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Within a hour, Prince Keko was leaving the castle with assurances that he would return when his mission was accomplished.
His father, the King, wasn’t too worried. He would know how his son was faring because he had eyes all over the kingdom.
Prince Keko was walking towards a park when he saw a little girl who had fallen from her bicycle. She was crying and he gently approached her, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“What is your name?” Prince Keko asked as he picked up the bicycle.
“My name is Susie.”
“Hi, Susie. My name is Keko. I hope you aren’t hurting too badly.”
“I’m okay. I’m learning to ride my bike.”
“Where is your mom?”
“She’s over there with my little brother,” Susie said as she pointed towards a bench.
Prince Keko walked Susie and her bicycle over to her Mom. Soon afterwards, he left them.
He headed towards a café and decided to order a hot chocolate. “This is quite good. I’d like to have another one, please,” he said to the waitress, who looked at him strangely.
“Haven’t I seen you somewhere before?” she asked.
“Quite possibly, Ma’am, but I’ve never been here before.”
The waitress left and brought back the requested hot chocolate and by that time, Keko realized he was hungry. “I’d like to have something to eat, as well. What would you recommend?”
“The hot turkey sandwich is our special for today.”
“Hot turkey sandwich,” Keko mused. “I’ll try one.”
Prince Keko was surprised at the size of the sandwich. It also came with fries, vegetables, and gravy. He wondered if he would be able to eat it all.
After he finished his meal, he realized he was getting a little tired. He needed to rest a little. He walked around until he saw a dirty looking man, with a long beard, sleeping beneath a bench.
Prince Keko stretched out on top of the bench. He laid his head back on his hands and closed his eyes. He slept until he heard a horrific noise.
When he opened his eyes he was disoriented; he couldn’t figure out why he was sleeping outside. He sat up and looked under the bench.
The dirty looking man was wheezing and gasping for air.
Prince Keko knelt down beside the man. “Are you going to be okay, sir?”
The man stared into his eyes before wheezing again.
“Let’s get you some help, sir,” Prince Keko said before trying to attract attention.
A little lady came by in her car.
“Can you please help this man? He needs to get to a hospital,” Keko asked.
“Are you serious? Look at him. He’s not fit to get inside this car.” She sped away without looking back.
Prince Keko was shocked. Yes, he reasoned to himself, the man is dirty but he’s a man who needs help.
A second vehicle came by and stopped. A man alighted from a pick-up truck and approached Prince Keko and the dirty man.
“Can you please help us, sir?” Prince Keko asked.
“It’s pointless, son,” the man replied before turning away. “He’ll always come back here to sleep. He gets claustrophobic in the hospital. Leave him here and forget about him.”
Prince Keko was outraged. “How can you forget this man is sick and dying?” Keko asked.
“Son,” the man said as he faced Keko, “I was standing where you are five years ago. I was doing the same thing and asking the same questions you are. Nothing has changed. This man doesn’t care about his life.”
“But how can you walk away?"
“It’s the only thing I can do if I want to get ahead in life. I can’t be bothered with those who don’t care for themselves. I need to concentrate my time on those who matter.”
Prince Keko shook his head and turned from the man. He wanted to spend more time in the outside world but he knew the only help he was likely to get would come from the King. He contacted the palace and ordered the chauffeur to come.
Upon arrival the chauffeur looked at Prince Keko strangely. “Sir, why are we taking this dirty man to the palace?”
“In our palace we have many rooms, unoccupied, and this man needs a home. This man needs to be cleaned up and needs someone to help him.”
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One week later, Prince Keko left the palace gates again but, this time, he didn’t go alone. Beside him walked a man named Harold; a man who used to be dirty but had cleaned up well, a man who had been granted a new life.
Prince Keko and Harold walked about the village meeting people. No one recognized Harold but Harold recognized everyone he saw.
Harold recognized the people who shunned him while he lived on the streets. He considered it ironic that they now wished to embrace him.
Prince Keko and Harold held no grudges, however. They embraced everyone.
Prince Keko wanted friends and now he had them but there was no greater friend to him than Harold; the man who used to be dirty but now is clean, the man who used to have no home but now lives in a palace, the man who once was lost but has been found.
Many years have passed since the first day Prince Keko left the palace walls. The palace, which used to be empty, has filled over the years but the King always finds room for one more.
