One day, a great King decided to survey all the lands He ruled. People came from near and far and surrounded His company of warriors and all those of His house with joyful crowds of celebration. The King received each welcome graciously, but He never tarried long, because His heart was set on reaching the dark lands—wild, lawless places at the edge of His borders.
Now and again, His enemies would sneak in and erect large labor camps, where they enslaved the vulnerable and weak. The taskmasters were tyrants, without mercy or care, and they starved and beat the people they held captive.
On this day, He reached one such place—the worst He had ever seen with laborers clamped in irons, drudging through knee-deep filth to pull rocks out of a field. There, He noticed a girl, dressed in tattered rags and sobbing beneath matted hair. She was covered in sores and fell repeatedly as she walked along.
The King halted His procession and got down from His horse. He waded into thick muck that squelched beneath his boots. As He reached her, she scrambled backward as fast as she could in fear.
“Sir, please don’t come any closer!” She shielded her face, anticipating a blow. “The chains are heavy, but I promise, I’ll work harder!”
The King knelt down to her level, a tear of compassion rolling down His face as He asked, “How long have you been here?”
The girl shifted around, uncertain, “All my life. I was born in this place. They told me I had to earn my keep. But I was hungry, so I stole their bread. So, they imprisoned me and said I had to work it off. But every day, they add more and more interest so that I can never leave!”
The King straightened upright and called to His soldiers, “Find the owner of this place.”
Everyone scattered and every corner was searched until they brought the taskmaster to the field.
“Tell me her debt so I may pay it,” He told the bewildered man, who looked from the King to the girl.
“Why would you wish to do that, Sire? What is she to you? She’s just a gutter rat and orphaned here. She’s of little consequence and value. If your Majesty is interested in slaves, we have much better bargains!”
The taskmaster bowed nervously and wrung his hands a bit as he waited for the King to respond.
The King said nothing but only continued to stare into the man’s eyes with purposeful intent.
The shrewd man finally fumbled through a book beneath an arm. “But if you insist, I will look!” As he turned through page after page, the girl couldn’t even look up. “Well,” the man finally continued, dragging a crooked finger down a page, “With interest compounded, expenses since birth, and anticipated future fees…”
A few of the King’s guards gasped at the outrageous sum of money the greedy man finally quoted. As he did, he shot the girl a triumphant, gloating glance. For who would pay what he’d just ask—not for a commoner, much less a thief!
“Done,” proclaimed the King. He moved swiftly to a cart full of treasures and directed the servants to leave the whole lot of it with the man. “This is for her and every other person you are holding captive in that place.” At his last word, the King directed the man’s gaze towards the dilapidated buildings that housed more prisoners.
“Ah, but Majesty, certainly a businessman cannot part with all of his livelihood!”
One of the King’s warriors drew a sword, causing the King to stop him with a raised hand.
Startled back to reason, the greedy man nodded, “But the payment more than exceeds fair. Have all you wish!” And he dropped the keys and ran off to sort through such an array of wealth that he had never seen in his life.
The King picked up the keys and moved to the girl, picked up the irons, and unlocked them. They fell from her wrists with a heavy thump. She stood before Him and shivered. He took off His own cloak and wrapped it around Her shoulders. Tentatively, she finally looked up at Him.
“As I’ve paid your debt, you are free to go where you will,” He told her, “However, I invite you to come with Me.”
The girl’s face fell. “Oh… to be a slave in your Kingdom?”
“No,” the King responded gently. “I wish for you to come live with me in my own house as my daughter.”
She blinked and shuffled from one foot to the other, watching as the King handed the keys to His men, who set off to release more captives. Finally, she nodded.
“Yes, anywhere is better than here.”
The King then helped her onto a horse, and as His company rejoined Him, they set off for the long journey back home. On the way there, the girl watched as the King did the same for many others as He had done for her. Just how big was this house of His anyway?
True to His word, the King brought her to the palace, where she was led to chambers designed just for her. Eyes wide, she took in all the dazzling colors of the rich tapestries and dresses that hung in open wardrobes. She longed to run her fingers through the silky gowns, but paused at the sight of her dirty hands.
Suddenly, servants entered, joyfully filling up a long table with a feast of dishes. The room filled with a mouth-watering aroma that made her feel dizzy with hunger. When had she last eaten anything? More ladies in waiting bustled past her and into a large bathing area. They filled a grand tub to the brim with crystal clear water. Soap bubbles floated playfully above it as inviting wisps of steam drifted lazily into the air. She gazed longingly at it for a moment before a soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
“His Majesty’s personal physician is here to address the princess’ wounds!” announced a voice beyond the door.
Princess? Her brain spun in alarm. He couldn’t have meant it! After all, she was as the taskmaster had said—of no importance. She had nothing to give royalty! Yet, as if in response, she spotted a dainty, glittering tiara laying atop a small pillow on a table waiting… for her. She glanced down at herself, still clothed in rags and covered with filth. No! It couldn’t be! The King must have forgotten where He had found her! Any minute now, He would realize His mistake, and someone would come throw her out!
Overcome with panic, she rushed out of her room and away from the servants calling for her to return. Not knowing her way, she rushed madly through the corridors, completely lost, until she stumbled into the throne room, where the King Himself was holding court!
At once, every head turned to her. The nobility gave snorts of disgust and the massive and ornately decorated hall was filled with a collection of outraged cries.
“What’s this? Who dares to disgrace the King this way!”
“Look how dirty she is!”
“Send her away!”
At these words, the guards moved forward into action to seize her. Franticly, she darted past them to fall before the dais. “Please,” she sobbed. “Don’t let them send me back to the fields!”
The soldiers froze in place as the King rose from His seat. He quickly descended the stairs and when he reached the girl, He sat beside her and gently pulled her into his arms. Slowly the voices around her became hushed whispers that soon fell into silence. And all she could hear was the heartbeat of the King, where her head rested on His chest. When she finally stopped sobbing, He tilted up her chin as He asked, “Where is My daughter?”
She brought her hands up to cover her face as she mumbled something about how she doubted He could really mean it. And how she feared He would change His mind.
At once, the King raised His voice to the court, “Bring the record!”
A page ran forward, and the King took a scroll from him and unrolled it. He held it for her to see. “Here,” He said gently. “Is the record of your debt. Read what it says about how the price was paid.”
“In full,” she read, her voice barely above a whisper.
He set the scroll aside and stood to address the court again. “Bring the family seal!”
Another servant ran up swiftly with a standard. The King held it up for the entire court to see as He read her name and said, “I proclaim that she is our new princess, adopted with all rights and privileges befitting my family. As long as I live, she will be My daughter!”
“Long live our King!” responded the court cheerfully.
Returning His gaze to the girl, He reached out a hand and lifted her to her feet. He set affirming hands on her shoulders as He addressed just her. “Go. Return to your chambers. Let the servants tend to your needs. Do not be afraid to walk in your new identity. For as you walk in it, you will be transformed by it. And all who see you will know there is still a King who transforms prisoners into princesses!”
by Kisha Smith