Princes in Exile

Once, long ago, a King ordered his two sons to leave the Kingdom. This caused a great commotion among his subjects for the Princes were beloved by all. Furthermore, the King offered no explanation for their banishment, saying only, “The Princes, my sons, are hereby exiled from my Kingdom. Any who wish to follow them into banishment, may freely choose.”

The King’s elder son was furious. What angered him most about his father’s decree was that he had planned to usurp the throne from within. Seeing that he would now have to storm the Kingdom as an enemy, he resolved to bring as many with him into exile as he could. He was strikingly handsome and cunning of speech. His secrets and lies soon stirred the hearts of many against the King, and so it was that the elder Prince left the Kingdom as commanded, taking many with him.

The younger Prince was endowed with all the power and presence of his father; though he did not often reveal this. He was saddened by his father’s pronouncement, but left the Kingdom in humble obedience. Those that did not leave with the elder Prince remained loyal to the King and trusted in the wisdom of his actions, and so it was that the younger Prince went forth from the Kingdom alone.

As soon as the elder Prince and his followers came upon the lands and the people beyond the walls of the Kingdom, they met many there who knew only rumors of the King and could hardly believe that there was any land other than that on which they lived. “Surely,” they said. “No King rules over us!”

“Listen to me!” the elder Prince spoke up. “From the rising of the sun to the place of its setting, there is a King that rules over us all. But, ask yourselves: why must we toil endlessly, trying to provide for our families to have barely enough to survive? Why should the King’s riches be withheld from us, while we break our backs in fruitless effort and worthless labor to improve our own condition? People! You cannot imagine the riches and splendor of the Kingdom. Each of you would be a king with but a share. No, I say the King is unkind and unjust to keep them from you!” He spoke on, late into the night. Torches were lit and the people stayed to hear him tell of all that the King owed them and how he had conspired to deceive them. They swiftly raised the elder Prince up as their leader and swore allegiance to him.

This happened everywhere the elder Prince and his ever-increasing band of followers went. His beautiful and impassioned pleas continued to turn many against the King. Before long he had assembled a formidable army with which he intended to seize his father’s throne for himself. When the younger Prince came upon the lands and the people beyond the walls of the Kingdom, all he heard were the echoes of his brother’s lies. This saddened him greatly, and he also began to speak to them of the Kingdom.

“My father’s land is, as you have heard, full of riches and splendor beyond compare. The wealthiest among you may come to him only as beggars. But, come you may. And, if you will give your love to the King in trusting obedience, if you will humble yourselves to live this love in service to one another for His sake, then you become his sons and daughters – heirs one and all to the most glorious Kingdom that ever was or ever shall be.”

Many who heard the younger Prince speak thought him a fool. He was, after all, not much to look at. He did not even seem to understand his own predicament, let alone theirs. They were blinded by their lust for the riches of the King and trusted only in themselves. Instead of listening to him, they put their faith in the seeming strength and worldly wisdom of the elder Prince. A few there were who heard the younger Prince’s words and were moved by his loyalty to his father. They came to him quietly and in small numbers, asking him to tell them more about the King.

It was not long before the elder Prince and his army were ready to storm the Kingdom. They marched for many days before coming within sight of the coveted land. When they at last reached a summit from which they could look down upon the King’s domain, they found to their surprise and amusement that the younger Prince stood with a pitiful little band on the plain below.

“Well, brother? Have you come with your followers to add to the might of my forces? Or, has father taken you back into the fold and so you stand before me now as an enemy?”

“No, I am not here to support your lawless pursuit of power well beyond your grasp or understanding. And, no, our father has not taken me back into his Kingdom. But, for once you speak the truth. I do stand before you now as an enemy and will defend the Kingdom against any assault.”

“You are indeed a greater fool than the people say you are! The only thing you can hope to gain by standing between me and the Kingdom is to die.” The elder Prince turned to his followers and cried out, “Charge! Take what the King has selfishly kept from you! Slay every last one of these fools and traitors before us! Tear down the walls of the Kingdom and make kings of yourselves!” A glittering wave of steel rushed down the hill toward the younger Prince and his army. It crashed upon them with terrible force.

The battle raged for hours, days and weeks. It rages on today. Often it seems that the younger Prince and his followers will be overrun, when suddenly they rally and drive back the attack. Never once has the younger Prince despaired, for the outcome is certain. Nonetheless, there are always a few among his followers who turn in fear and doubt to fight beside the elder Prince’s forces. This only strengthens the faithful and each one fights with the strength of ten.

Many have given their lives for the King and the Kingdom they have never seen. The greater then is their honor and glory when they find themselves raised up and brought before the throne. The young Prince was also slain in defense of his father’s Kingdom. His love for his father touched the hearts of many as he died. His trust and obedience convinced others besides as he left the empty tomb. Some, even of his brother’s followers, finally saw the truth and beauty of his words and actions. Many were ashamed and turned fiercely on the elder Prince, trying to cast him down. But, his numbers are still great and the battle wears on.

But, take heart and keep faith. The outcome is certain and victory is assured!