But after a while the news went round that there was among them a man who would not do them any harm, and gradually they came closer and closer, and there grew to be a beautiful sympathy between him and the birds and animals. They would come at his call. On taking a squirrel from the tree, the little creature would refuse to leave him, and would hide in his pocket. A wood-*mouse, whose hole was under his house, would first run over his shoes, and at last became so tame that it would run up his sleeve, and round the table when he was at dinner. Such communion between man and beast has hardly been equaled.—James T. White, "Character Lessons."
(1725)
KINDNESS VIOLATING TRUTH
I am convinced that many glaring crimes
and endless cankers of the soul are due to
lack of the trained will to face the full light
of truth, and even more to perplexed thinking.
An Irishman in my city, to help a
stupid friend, very kindly passed the civil
service examination for him, swearing
falsely, of course, and forging his friend's
name. He was found out and sentenced,
but the body of public opinion among his set
excused and even commended him because
his motives were kindly, and on being released
from jail he was banqueted and re-*elected
to the Legislature. I think there was
real confusion of thought in this case, and
that this confusion will continue to disgrace
our political life until we can bring the
growing generation to see that kindness to
an individual is not to be put ahead of
truth or of loyalty to the laws of the nation.—Ella
Lyman Cabot, "Proceedings of the
National Education Association," 1909.
(1726)
KING, HONORING A
Apropos of the King's (Edward VII)
visit to Biarritz, an incident is reported of
a recent visit when his Majesty witnessed the
arrival of cross-country competitors at Villa
Machelon. Now, this villa belongs to a
worthy and prosperous Biarritz butcher, who
had been requested by the committee to
place it at the King's disposal. The butcher's
bosom friends held the view that it was absolutely
indispensable that the master should
do the honors of his villa to the King of
England, his guest. So the butcher fetched
out his Sunday suit, arranged his braces outside
his knitted waistcoat which he invariably
wears, stuck his hat over his ears, and, freely
perspiring under the blazing sun, awaited his
august visitor.
King Edward arrived and got down from his motor car. With fine scorn for the conventions, the butcher boldly walked up to his Majesty, tapped him on the shoulder and said in a drawling voice:
"Come in; don't stop in the sun; go up to the salon."
A friendly shove accompanied these words. The King grasped the situation at a glance, smiled and obeyed, leaving the butcher to chew proudly his penny havana on the doorstep. He had done the honors of his home, had seen and spoken to his guest, the King.
(1727)
Kingdom of God Composite—See Mosaic of the Kingdom.
Kingdom of God Within—See Loyalty.
KING'S KINDNESS
During one of King Edward's visits to Marienbad in Austria, this incident occurred:
A little girl of thirteen named Vera Caro,
who has always had a great wish to see the
King, was walking in the Kaiserstrasse, when
she suddenly came face to face with his
Majesty, who was seated on a bench. The
little girl impulsively walked up to the King,
and curtseying presented to him a few roses
which she was carrying. The King took the
flowers, shook hands with the child, and
thanked her. His Majesty then requested
Colonel Ponsonby to place the flowers in the
carriage which was waiting near. The little
girl, radiant with joy at the King's kindness,
rushed home to inform her parents of her
good fortune.
(1728)
See Likeness of God.
Kingship of Christ—See Homage to Christ.
KINSHIP
This poem has the ring of the right kind of sympathy. We do not know the author:
If you have a friend worth loving
Love him, yes, and let him know
That you love him, ere life's evening
Tinge his brow with sunset glow—
Why should good words ne'er be said,
Of a friend, until he's dead?
