Happiness is. . . .

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 

But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. --Mark 10:17, 21-22

I have been blessed, for three of the last four Tuesdays (time out for a hurricane), to spend time with a gifted storyteller. And now, for next week, I have been gifted the bare bones outline of a story to tell. It is based on an old Ukrainian tale, but shares much in common, I am sure, with stories from other cultures, as well. So here is my telling of "The King and the Shirt":

Once, long ago-- or not-so-long ago-- there was a mighty and powerful King. He ruled over a mighty and powerful nation, and he lacked for nothing. But one day, the King fell ill, very ill. And no one knew what to do.

The King called all his advisers to his side: the scientist and the shaman, the doctor and the priest. He beckoned with his finger; they all leaned in closely to hear what this mighty and powerful man might say.

In a feeble voice, the King whispered, "I will give half my Kingdom to the one who can cure my illness."

The King's advisers looked at one another. They talked among themselves. No one really knew what to say!

Finally, one man offered what he believed would cure the mighty and powerful King's illness: Find a man who is happy, and remove the shirt from his back. Bring it to the King and place it around his shoulders, and the King will be healed.

* * * * *

Immediately, the King sent his messengers out with his advisers, in search of a happy man.

They travelled far and wide across the Kingdom, to cities and towns, to forests and glens, in search of a happy man-- but they found none.

The scientist found a very rich man who seemed happy-- ah, but he was ill, wracked by disease. Not so happy, after all.

The doctor found a man who was extremely healthy, living a good life-- but he was very, very poor. He certainly couldn't be happy!

The shaman discovered a man who was both wealthy and healthy! Surely he must be happy! But no-- this man had married a woman who was a grumpy old nag. There was no happiness under their roof!

And the priest came upon a lovely family. Beautiful wife, proud, handsome father-- but then he met their children. They were the naughtiest group of brats he had ever met! Definitely not the stuff of which happiness is made!

* * * * *

Finally, late one night, the King's own son was travelling through a hamlet on the outskirts of this mighty and powerful Kingdom, and as he passed a tiny hut, faintly illumined by a single candle, he heard a man's voice: "Ah, at last I am finished working for the day! My stomach is full, and I am ready to sleep. What more could a man want?" And the man sighed a deep, contented, sigh.

The King's son, overjoyed and relieved, was certain he had, at last, found a truly happy man. So he sent his messengers inside the tiny hut to remove the shirt from the man's back, so that it might be brought to the King and placed around his shoulders. The King would be healed,and the happy man would receive as much money as he wanted.

But when the entered the hut, they saw that the happy man was so poor, he hadn't even a shirt on his back.

And that is the story of "The King and the Shirt."

* * * * *
Lord God, help us to listen with open ears to the stories we tell. Open our eyes to your Most Holy Presence in the world,and in each other. Amen.