Parable

 

Once there was a maiden that was loved by a wise King

A King so rich and powerful he could do most anything

He could choose to marry and to make His maid a Queen

But He didn't want to force her to leave what she had been.

 

It occurred to him her happiness could never be complete

Though she might admire and thank him and bow down at his feet,

She could never really love him, for she'd always be in debt

And her humble life and origins would be hard to forget.

 

But if he chose to marry her and abdicate his throne

He'd have no guarantee that she'd love him and him alone

He would lose his kingdom and perhaps he'd lose her too

If she was disappointed in what he chose to do.

 

He was taking quite a risk the wise King realized

He was doing something foolish in most everybody's eyes

Yet he chose to take that risk and forfeit being King

If it would make love possible - He would risk everything!

 

Based on a parable by Søren Kierkegaard

Anthony Foster

7-24-86