_Performing the simple service at our hands brings more real joy
than mighty conquests abroad_.
Years passed by while Sir Launfal wandered far and wide, but never
found the great thing he sought to do. He fought many battles and
he endured great hardships in the deserts, but somehow it did not
bring him the peace of mind that he sought. Try as he might to
do some great deed, he did not please God and he was downcast and
discouraged. He had spent all his money and had only his horse, his
armor, and a crust of bread.
At last he turned homeward, but found that the people, thinking
that he was dead, had taken his home from him. When he tried to
enter his castle they turned him away.
It was winter time. The wind blew loud and cold. Poor Sir Launfal
had no home. He drew his cloak around him and looked through the
windows into his castle. It was Christmas, and all the rooms were
trimmed with holly. He saw the great fire burning but could not get
warm. He tried to forget the bitter cold by remembering how the hot
sun shone down on the desert. As he was thinking he heard a voice
say:
“For Jesus’ sake, help me!” He saw near him the same poor leper who
had begged for help when he rode away from his castle that summer
morning. He also remembered how he had treated him and felt very
sorry that he had not been more kind and loving. “You poor beggar,”
said he. “I am hardly more than a beggar myself now, and I have not
much to give, but I will divide what I have.”
So he divided his crust of bread, which was all he had, then broke
the ice on the brook and gave the leper a drink. It seemed to the
leper that he had never tasted anything so good. As he ate the
bread and drank the water it seemed to Sir Launfal that the peace
and joy he had been years trying to find had at last come into his
heart.
Suddenly a beautiful light shone upon Sir Launfal, and looking up
he saw--not a poor leper--but Jesus Christ Himself! Gently he spoke:
“Be not afraid, Sir Launfal; over all the world you have searched
in vain for one thing to do for me, while here, at your own gate,
are the sick and the poor whom you could love and help.”
Then Sir Launfal awoke, and found that all this had been a dream,
and that he had never ridden forth from his castle at all. But he
felt sure that the dream had been sent to teach him not to be proud
and selfish. He called to his servants and said:
“Hang up my armor, for I am not going to travel. Instead, I shall
hereafter be kind to all the poor who come to my gates.” Then he
found the great service he longed to do for the Master.