03/24/2004: "The Window"

By Carol J. Warren

The Herald Cried: "Great is the King! Worthy of power and praise. Great is the King! Glory to His name."

The window was pointed at the top, rounded at the sides and flat on the bottom. It was made of a skillfully wrought lattice work and beautiful stained glass. It was in the tallest turret of the palace and faced out toward the kingdom. The King often stood there looking out. From here He could see every detail of His kingdom. Sometimes as He watched, He would see one of His subjects in danger. Then He would quickly dispatch a warrior from His kingdom to race to their rescue.

It was at a such a time, as the King gazed from His window that He saw the little one. He was lost. He had wandered from the road and could not find his way back. The kingdom consisted of two forests. One was beautiful and safe. Full of rivers, brooks, and gentle creatures. The other was full of wild animals, lions, bears and ravening wolves. The King's subjects were not suppose to cross over to this forbidden valley, yet some how in trying to find his way, that's where little one had ended up. He had not wanted to draw attention to himself. He was sure given a little time he could find his way back with no harm done.

Just as he was thinking everything would be ok he heard a strange sound behind him, like a low growl. He was afraid to turn around but he knew he must. As he turned he was facing the largest, fiercest bear he'd ever seen. The bear had huge claws and hungry looking teeth. He stood on his back legs and pawed at the air, growling and snorting as if to warn the little one that trespassing in his forest made him fair game. Then all at once he jumped down on all fours shaking the skin back and forth on his back like an oversized coat, swinging his head back and forth. The little one didn't wait for an interpreter, he took off running. He glanced back and sure enough the bear was running after him. The bear ran at an amazing speed for his bulk and the little one could see there was no way he could out distance him.

Fear surged through every pore of his body as he ran gasping for air. He wouldn't last much longer at this pace. He wasn't even sure where He was running or what He was suppose to do. A sudden cry for help sprang from his throat as he called to the King. Then he heard Him call. It seemed to spring from thin air. "Climb a tree, that one straight ahead, until I can send help," called the King. With a last burst of adrenaline he sprang for the tree and climbed to the top. And not a moment too soon, for the bear sensing his plan had lunged so close he could feel the rush of air as he missed.

Again the King called, "Stay in the tree, help is on the way. It will be ok, only trust me." Well then he would just sit in the tree until the soldiers came from the King. Then everything would be ok. But the bear didn't like that plan at all. He was a bad sport and refuse to admit defeat. He paced back and forth growling angrily.

The King call His most faithful warrior to the window. See my little one in the tree. Run quickly and rescue him and see him safely to the King's highway. The warrior acknowledged leaving quickly, for the King's command was with urgency. He cleared the palace walls and looking up saw the King had taken up His vigil at the window, calling encouragement to His little one, though he was much too frightened to listen.

The warrior must take care to the next part of his journey because ahead lay the chasm of darkness. You see between the Kings mountain palace and the forest lay a deep dark chasm. The people that dwelt there were evil and looked like walking darkness. They hated the King. Indeed, they hated all light and would do anything to hurt him. They often deceived his subjects sometimes even enslaving them. It was a miserable fate indeed. Though the King was vigilant against them, He often could not get His subjects to distinguish between the truth and a lie, and before He could secure them they would vanish away.

The warrior must travel straight through the chasm of darkness. It was the only way to get to the forest from the mountain road. Sometimes warriors could slip through before the men of darkness realized they were there. But sometimes their cloaks of shining light would draw the men of darkness to them. The warrior climbed down into the chasm, with no thought of himself or the danger that lie ahead. The King had spoken with urgency and he would go with urgency. Thick darkness lay ahead as far as you could see but the warrior knew the way, for all he had to do was look at the window and see the direction that held the King's gaze.

The warrior, hearing a sound in front of him started for the right but the sounds were on either side of him as well. Thinking to back track and work around them, he turned only to find he was totally surrounded with creatures of darkness. They were much shorter than he. Only the elders and rulers of darkness were tall. The way all around him was thick with them as far as he could perceive and further. Quickly he turned and faced the window. There the King watched. He fixed his gaze like flint on the King, with his head tilted up to peer over the top of the chasm. He knew the creatures of darkness grew bold and strong when you look at them and he was not about to give them that advantage. He would watch the King and wait.

The bear seemed to grow fiercer and angrier by the minute. The little one sure hoped the King's soldiers would come soon. What was taking so long? The bear leaned on the tree stretching to his full height. He swung wildly but the little one was just out of reach. Grabbing the tree in his paws, he rocked it back and forth, like someone shaking cherries from a tree, waiting for the little one to fall. The little one lay on the limb, his legs and arms wrapped around it, holding on for dear life. "Dear King! Help me!" He cried. He thought for a moment the soldiers had arrived because the bear was backing off. Then with a mad rush, he ran at the tree heaving his shoulder against it. The little one's heart almost stopped as he heard a quick snap and then a cracking sound. The tree was cracked.

He began to look around, wildly searching for some avenue of escape. He knew one more lung like that and the little tree would break. The bear took off and with a lung threw himself at the tree again. The tree gave way under his huge bulk and came crashing down. The little one was thrown flying from his branch. As it neared the ground, he rolled onto the ground and took off running to the nearest tree. The bear, a little stunned from his impact with the tree, got off to a slow start. That was just enough of a head start for the little one to make it safely to the top of the tree, before the bear got there.

This tree was a little bit smaller than the tree he was in before. Smaller! He snapped the other one in two. Oh no! I'm dead for sure, thought the little one. "King," he cried, "why don't you help me." "I know I'm not suppose to be in these woods but it's not my fault. I got lost. Maybe I do deserve some sort of punishment but I don't deserve this. This is not fair." "I've learned my lesson truly I have. Please send help now." The more the bear shook the tree and reached at him with his paws the harder he screamed for help.

A sickening smile formed on the lips of the dark ones as they heard him scream. So this is where the warrior was going is it. Well since the warrior has been detained, we must see to it that one of our men of darkness go to help him. With that a creature of darkness was dispatched to find the little one. The louder he screamed the stronger the men of darkness grew. They threw rocks and poked sticks at the warrior. "He thinks he's being punished." they sneered, "It's not fair, do you hear him. You should let us have him. So much fear belongs here." But the warrior refused even to look at them. He did not even acknowledge that he felt the rocks and sharp sticks. He was looking at the King in His window.

The King began to sing a song. High over the chasm it floated until it came to rest where the little one was.

Be still little one.
Do not be afraid.
Help is on its way.
Just trust me now.
As you hear my song
Let your faith arise
And the song you hear
Will show you how

As the little one heard the song, a peace settled over him. The bear stopped pawing at the tree and began to pace in a circle around the tree, as though in a trance. By the time the creature of darkness arrived the little one, that now felt much safer, had fallen asleep. The excitement of the day had been too much. The bear still circled the tree in a trance. The creature of darkness hated to venture into the light of the forest, where he had no authority but times like these made it worth his while. He went over to the bear and poked him with a sharp stick. The bear came out of his trance in a raging anger. The little one awoke to the bears growls just in time to pull his legs up out of reach.

What had happened. I thought the King put him in a trance until help could come. "Help? Ha!" the creature of darkness said, "If the King was going to help you, He would have done it by now." "Look at you out here all alone and frightened and does He care. Well if He does, where is He. After all He's the King. He can do whatever He wants. That's how come I know, if He wanted to, you'd be out of here by now." The little one looked all around. Where had the voice come from? What did it mean? "You poor poor little one," said the creature, "here the King has given you a promise of help to build your hopes up and then no help comes. That's not fair. You deserve better than that. You may not be perfect but you haven't been that bad. After all your only human, flesh and bones, how much does He think a little one such as you can take? If there was a lesson in it or a purpose but all this suffering is needless. For no reason at all."

The little one wasn't sure where the voice had come from but it did seem to make sense. The little one could not stop thinking about what the voice had said. Over and over it turned in his mind, growing with each thought he gave it. "King," he shouted, "If you really loved me, you would help me." The little one hadn't noticed that the bear had backed off for a lung at the tree. The little one saw him coming in just enough time to jump as the tree came crashing down and run for the next tree, which was just a little bit smaller. He sat there terrified, knowing the bear would surely break this tree as well and the next tree was much too far away. If only the King would help like He said. As if to prove the little ones deepest fears, the bear leaped and with a swipe tore the edge of the little ones garment. The little one edged further up the limb but it was to weak to go much further. Looking at the tattered edge of his garment, the little one thought, that could have been me. Why doesn't the King care?

By now elders and rulers of the dark chasm had joined the creatures of darkness against the warrior. "Listen to him," they hissed, "he doesn't even believe your coming any more. He doesn't believe the King cares for him. He is not worth all of this. Let us have him and we will let you return to the palace in safety." The warrior knew every time the little one doubted and accused the King, the darkness grew stronger against him. Constantly the creatures reported the little ones every action and word to him. Daunting him with them, growing bolder and bolder, lashing out at the warrior. But he gazed steadfastly at the King in his window. He could not hear them, but he thought he heard the King singing a song.

The song floated over the chasm into the forest. Straight to the little one.
Do not doubt me
Do not fear
I have heard you
I am near
Come and listen
To my song
I will come
It will not be long
Do not listen
To the lies
Do not sleep
Or close your eyes
I am coming
To set you free
Do not let go
Your trust in me

Again as the song settled in, the bear as though in a trance, began to walk in a circle around the tree. The little one again felt peaceful. The little one tried very hard to heed the words of the song and not fall asleep, but trust the King. But it was not long before the little one was sound asleep. The dark creature had been very distressed at the King's song and almost went back to the chasm but had waited to see the results. Now he was glad he had waited. Again he took his sharp stick and poked the bear. Again the bear awoke in a great rage. The little one heard the bear growl just in time to scoot out of reach on the sagging limb.

"Now what did the King tell you," said the creature in a sickening sweet voice, "you must trust him." "As a matter of fact, the reason the soldiers have not come is the King is waiting to give you the chance to prove your love for Him by stepping out in faith." "Yes," said the creature luringly, "if you will just trust the King and come down out of that tree, as proof of your trust, the King himself will come out of the trees and reward you for your bravery." Wouldn't that be wonderful, thought the little one, I bet that's true. It was very hard for the little one to do but finally, mustering all the courage there was, he let down a leg in the name of the King. The bear had been tantalized all day and was not about to miss this opportunity. With a quick slashing swat the bear caught the edge of the little ones leg.

The little one was so shocked he froze. "Lift up your leg," cried the King into the wind. Quickly the little one lifted the leg up before another crashing blow could be dealt. "Tear off the hem of your garment and wrap it around your leg." said the King The little one sat there dazed, looking at the bleeding leg. The bear had only caught the leg with the tip of it's claws but still it was enough to throw a frightened little one into a panic. "Oh King, how could you do this to me," said the little one, "I tried so hard. I really thought you'd be pleased." Then through the sobs and sniffles he said it, "I don't think you love me at all."

A servant of the King came running. "MY King! My King! are you all right." The King looked very hurt and was holding the lower part of His leg. "Is there an intruder my King," said the faithful servant, "just point the way. He shall not escape. Are you ok my King?" "Yes, all is well." said the King and with a heart rending sigh, returned to gaze out the window. The King tried to sing to the little one but the little one would not here. The little one was too afraid to believe. Besides, he thought, it wasn't doing any good anyway.

The creatures of darkness danced with glee as they listened to the little ones heart. Bolder and bolder they grew, getting closer and closer to the warrior. They wanted to rip off his cloak of light and bury it, so that it would not hurt their eyes, but they were afraid to touch it; but soon if the little one would not listen, they would wax bold enough. The warrior paid no attention to the news or the restlessness around him. He was looking at the King in His window, waiting.

Finally the King called and the urgency in His voice caught the little ones heart and he listened. "I love you," said the King "and though it does not look like it now, I really do care. You must believe that or I cannot help you. No matter how it looks around you little one, you must be very careful to trust me. Things are not what they seem. You are in a greater danger than you know but help is on the way, if only you can believe."

The little one stopped crying. "I do believe." he said in a determined voice. "I do trust you. Help me to trust you more. What must I do to be rescued?" "Look at me, said the King, "let nothing distract you from looking at me." "Where are you?" asked the little one, "I cannot see you." "Look up." said the King, "High above you on the mountain. Now lift your eyes to the palace at the top. I am in the window." The little one squinted and at first saw nothing. Then as though a haze lifted, that enabled the little one to see, there it was. The window and the King was standing in it watching.

As the little one gazed at the King, the warrior was gazing at the King and a triangle of light and power was formed. The King motioned to the warrior. This is all he had been waiting for and with never a look back, in a blinding light that the darkness will never forget, the warrior came straight up out of the middle of the chasm, pulled toward the little one like a magnet by his trust.

The little one was so excited to see him, that he almost fell out of the tree. The warrior held out his arms and the little one jumped into them. "You must not listen to dark creatures" said the warrior as he carried the little one, "they will never tell you the truth." With that he pointed to the dark creature that had been hidden in the bushes. When the little one saw what he had been listening to, he was so ashamed. "Make him go away," said the little one. "I can't," said the warrior, "you must do that." "Me!" said the little one, "but I'm just little. How ever do I do that." "Well, he's not suppose to be here. He has no authority here," said the Warrior, "all you have to do is tell him to leave and he must." So the little one in his biggest deepest voice told the dark one to leave. The dark one ran like the coward he was, much to the little ones amazement.

"What about the bear" the little one whispered to the warrior, pointing toward it, "do I tell it to leave too." "Well," said the warrior, "your not suppose to be in the bear's home, but we can rebuke him together," said the warrior and so they did and it left whimpering. The warrior led the little one back to the Kings Highway, where it is safe. Then He pointed. To the little ones amazement, there was the King himself.

"Do you think he's angry?" the little one whispered to the warrior. "Why don't you go and see," said the warrior. The King drew near and picked the little one up. "You must never doubt that I love you again." said the King, "You must always trust me." With that he held him tight and the little one buried his face in the King's beard. The King turned to the warrior and told him to stay with the little one as long as he would let him.

"Listen to the wind," said the King, "sometimes I will talk to you in the wind. But never listen to the lies of the men of darkness." "How will I know it's you? " asked the little one. The King pointed to the palace on the mountain. "You can see me from that window" said the King, "watching you. Then you'll know it's me."