The Peasant and the Prince
A peasant proprietor had lost all that he possessed through a fire. Hayricks and barns were burned down, and as nothing was insured, the man was reduced to beggary. One day by his wife’s advice he went to ask help from a nobleman who had a mansion in the vicinity and who was known to be very liberal toward the poor. The man intended to tell him of the misfortune that had befallen him, and ask for an alms. But when he got near the house, an unaccountable timidity took possession of him. He felt shy of entering the prince’s presence, not knowing by what title to address him. Was he to say, “Your Grace,” or “ Your Excellency,” or “ My Lord ”? He went over all the titles he could think of, but could not decide which was the correct one. At last he was so afraid of offending the nobleman by addressing him by the wrong title, that he turned away from the door and went back home. On his way he passed a church and went in. Kneeling down he devoutly said an Our Father, entreating God to assist him in his distress. As he prayed, the thought came into his mind: how simple is the title we give almighty God. When one speaks to Him one does not feel shy or embarrassed. And again, as he walked home, he repeated the Our Father. On reaching his own house he found to his delight that the assistance he had implored of God had already been granted to him. His wife handed him a considerable sum of money, a collection to which the nobleman had largely contributed.
