The kingdom of this world

Illustration by Ken CraneAn old hermit was once invited to visit the court of the most powerful king of those times.– I envy such a saintly man, who is content with so little – said the ruler.

– I envy Your Majesty, who is content with even less than I – responded the hermit.

– How can you say such a thing, when this entire country belongs to me? – said the offended king.

– For precisely that reason. I have the music of the celestial spheres, I have the rivers and mountains of the whole world, I have the moon and the sun, because I have God in my soul.

“Your Majesty, on the other hand, has only this kingdom.”