The Cobbler's Miracle
Long, long ago there lived a king who was a just and righteous ruler, ever concerned about the welfare of his people. Every evening, in the disguise of a poor mendicant, he wandered in the streets of his realm, to get to know his subjects better. One stormy night, he saw a dim light glimmering far away close to a forest. He headed towards it and reached a hut. Songs in praise of God flowed out from it. The king felt happy and was eager to meet the singer. "Could I have some shelter and a morsel of bread?" he asked, knocking the door. The chantings stopped and a gentle voice said, "Please do come in. A guest is a gift from the Lord." The king entered and saw a man with a long white beard, sitting by the fireside. His face had a contended look, with bright shining eyes and a quiet smile. "Welcome, Friend! Today I'm indeed blessed, for I've someone to share my food," he said placing a dishful of tasty items before the surprised king. After their meal and a good drink of warm fresh milk, they talked about many things. Then the king asked, "My good friend how do you earn your living? What's your trade?" "I'm only a cobbler," replied the man. "In the morning I go about mending people's shoes. And when evening comes, with all my day's earnings I buy a good meal." "But what about tomorrow?" enquired his guest.
"When the stars begin to twinkle, To God, I pray, He graciously provides my needs, Day after day!" sang the cobbler. The king very much enjoyed talking with his host and then took his leave saying he would come again. The following morning, the royal herald proclaimed with a beating of the drum, that nobody should give his shoes for repair that day. In the evening, the king again called on the cobbler. He found him relishing a good meal. "What did you do today?" he asked. "My Friend, when I went to the market place and heard the royal proclamation, I stitched clothes for some of the citizens and earned my daily bread," replied the old man. "Oh!" exclaimed the king. "When I heard the announcement myself, I was so very anxious about you! But, what would you do if even stitching were to be forbidden?" The cobbler forthwith replied, "When the stars begin to twinkle, To God, I pray, He graciously provides my needs, Day after day!"
The king returned to his palace and the next day prohibited tailoring work of any sort. When he visited the cobbler in the evening, he found him eating, drinking, and enjoying life as before. "How did you earn your living today?" he asked, greeting him. "I cut wood in the forest and sold them in the market," answered his host. The king asked, "What if chopping of wood is also prohibited?" "When the stars begin to twinkle, To God, I pray, He graciously provides my needs, Day after day!" sang the cobbler with a smile. The two passed their time most pleasantly, talking and chatting about deeper as well as lighter sides of life. Then the king took his leave but promised to come again. The following morning, the realm resounded with drum beats. The royal herald musically proclaimed, "Hearken! Hearken! O Woodchoppers, You frighten away grasshoppers. Restrain from chopping wood, Take heed for your own good." In the evening, the king was back with the cobbler. "Dear Friend," he asked "how was your God helped you today? Through what trade did you earn your daily bread?" "I joined the king's army. They put me as a guard at the palace gate. But they said I'll be paid only at the end of the month," replied the old man.
"I feel so sorry for you," said the king. "But," laughed the cobbler, "evening came and I pledged the steel sword with a merchant. The money I received for it bought me a sumptuous dinner. I've fixed a wooden sword to the hilt. That's what the sheath contains!" "What if there is a thorough inspection by your captain?" asked the king. The cobbler repeated his favorite verse. The king left him, engrossed in deep thought. The following day, while reviewing his soldiers, the captain told the cobbler, "You'll have to execute a prisoner with your sword. There he is!" "But I've never harmed even a wee mouse in my life! How then can I kill a human being?" pleaded the new guard, quite nervous. "You'll have to do your duty. It's an order," sternly answered the officer. "Don't delay." A crowd had already gathered before the platform meant for the execution. The trumpeters announced the arrival of the king. All waited with bated breath for the officer to give the signal. The cobbler was seen climbing the stage with unsteady steps. "Behead!" the captain thundered splitting everyone's ears. The executioner stood motionless for a while and then raising his hands, looked up towards heaven. "O God Almighty! I hope you can hear me there. I'm a humble cobbler. If this man kneeling before me is destined to die, and that too with my hands, then let it be so. But if this man deserves to live, let the steel blade turn into wood!" He then took hold of the hilt with one hand and the sheath with the other.
There followed complete silence. So quiet it was that it seemed one could faintly hear even the footfalls of the tiny ants. All eyes stared at the guard's hand gripping the hilt of the sword. Only the king sat relaxed with a smile on his face. The cobbler drew the sword. Lo and behold, the blade was one of wood! Everyone looked on in utter amazement. The king went up to the cobbler and said, "So, dear Friend, your God has indeed rescued you again!" The man at once recognized the voice of the nightly visitor. Bowing, he answered in a gentle tone, "Yes, Your Majesty! When I was ordered to behead the prisoner, I silently prayed to God. Then the words I uttered were those that just spontaneously flowed out of my mouth." The king understood and embraced the humble man. There and then, before his assembled subjects, he made an announcement, "My people, so long we did not know of such a gem of a man living amongst us. He is a simple cobbler, but from today he is appointed as my adviser." There was much rejoicing. The good cobbler, despite his high position, continued to lead a modest life and never forgot to pray.
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