BY JAMES BALDWIN
Maximilian and the Goose Boy
Famous Stories Retold: Story 44 of 50
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Unexpected Reward: Impressed by the boy’s cheerfulness and simplicity, the king later rewards him with gold, changing his life.
Moral: The story underscores the virtues of contentment, cheerfulness in adversity, and the unexpected rewards that can come from maintaining a positive outlook.
A good book we like, we explorers. That is our best amusement, and our best time killer
- Roald Amundsen, Explorer
Bavarian Lore: The Wisdom of King Maximilian and the Goose Boy
Embark on a journey through the verdant fields of Bavaria, to witness a tale imbued with wisdom, humility, and humor. Encounter King Maximilian, a monarch entangled in a peculiar predicament, and a wise goose boy who imparts lessons far beyond his years. This story, rich in cultural legacy, unveils the truth that wisdom often comes from the most unexpected places. Will the King learn the lesson of humility he never expected? Join us as we unravel this captivating tale, promising lessons for everyone to take home.
The Serene Stroll of King Maximilian
One summer day, King Maximilian, the ruler of Bavaria, decided to spend his day in the tranquility of the countryside. As the sun shone brightly, he sought respite under the cool shade of a tree. Lying on the soft grass, he gazed at the white clouds that seemed to sail across the sky, a picture of serenity. But as he tried to immerse himself in a book, sleep chose to be his companion instead.
The Forgotten Book and the King's Dilemma
When King Maximilian awoke, it was past noon. The grassy bed had served him well, but as he prepared to head home, he realized he'd left his book under the tree. Despite being weary, the thought of losing his book troubled him. He wished for someone he could send to retrieve it but found himself alone. Except for a little barefooted boy tending a flock of geese in a nearby field.
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Encounter with the Goose Boy
The sight of the Goose Boy sparked an idea in the king's mind. Approaching the boy, he offered him a gold piece in exchange for retrieving the book. But the boy was skeptical, bewildered by the notion of receiving a gold coin for such a simple task. It was only when the king placed the gold piece in the boy's hand that he agreed to the task, leaving the king with the responsibility of the geese.
The Exchange of Gold and Responsibilities
The story takes an interesting turn when the king, desperate to retrieve his forgotten book but not willing to abandon his journey home, decides to propose a deal with the goose boy. King Maximilian offers the young boy a tempting reward, a gleaming gold coin, in exchange for his assistance. However, the boy, not naive to the promises of strangers, initially hesitates and questions the king's intentions. An amusing exchange follows, where the king tries to convince the boy of his sincerity, ultimately handing over the gold piece to prove his honesty. But the boy, who is responsible for his flock of geese, knows he cannot simply abandon his duties and trusts the king with his responsibilities, setting the stage for the ensuing comical escapade.
The King's Hilarious Misadventure as a Gooseherd
The subsequent scene unfolds with King Maximilian attempting to fulfill his new role as a temporary gooseherd. It was an amusing sight to imagine - a king, unaccustomed to the rigors of country life, trying to herd a flock of unruly geese. Predictably, it ends up in a chaotic chase, with the geese scattering across the meadow and eventually invading a nearby garden. The king's attempts at cracking the whip proves to be futile, portraying his lack of aptitude for the task. The scene paints a humorous picture of the king's misadventures, showing that royal duties and gooseherding are worlds apart.
The Wise Words of the Goose Boy and the King's Humility
Upon returning with the king's book, the goose boy finds the situation exactly as he had anticipated - the geese are astray and the king is at his wits' end. The boy's wisdom is revealed when he takes charge, guiding the king to help him retrieve the geese from the garden. He also expresses his disbelief at the king's claim of royalty. However, the king, instead of being offended, shows humility and good humor, offering the boy another gold piece and expressing his gratitude. The boy's final words to the king, acknowledging his kindness but doubting his ability to be a good gooseherd, underline the moral of the story - every role has its own importance and requires a specific set of skills, even if it is as humble as tending to geese.
Conclusion
"King Maximilian and the Wise Goose Boy" is a heartwarming Bavarian tale that artfully intertwines elements of humor, humility, and wisdom. The story illustrates the unexpected lessons one can learn from seemingly mundane encounters and the importance of humility, even for a king. The tale prompts us to be open to receiving wisdom from the unlikeliest of sources in our journey through life. King Maximilian's misadventure as a gooseherd is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, reminding us that wisdom and competence come in many forms.
One summer day King Maximilian of Bavaria was walking in the country. The sun shone hot, and he stopped under a tree to rest.
It was very pleasant in the cool shade. The king lay down on the soft grass, and looked up at the white clouds sailing across the sky. Then he took a little book from his pocket and tried to read.
But the king could not keep his mind on his book. Soon his eyes closed, and he was fast asleep.
It was past noon when he awoke. He got up from his grassy bed, and looked around. Then he took his cane in his hand, and started for home.
When he had walked a mile or more, he happened to think of his book. He felt for it in his pocket. It was not there. He had left it under the tree.
The king was already quite tired, and he did not like to walk back so far. But he did not wish to lose the book. What should he do?
If there was only some one to send for it!
While he was thinking, he happened to see a little barefooted boy in the open field near the road. He was tending a large flock of geese that were picking the short grass, and wading in a shallow brook.
The king went toward the boy. He held a gold piece in his hand.
"My boy," he said, "how would you like to have this piece of money?"
"I would like it," said the boy; "but I never hope to have so much."
"You shall have it if you will run back to the oak tree at the second turning of the road, and fetch me the book that I left there."
The king thought that the boy would be pleased. But not so. He turned away, and said, "I am not so silly as you think."
"What do you mean?" said the king. "Who says that you are silly?"
"Well," said the boy, "you think that I am silly enough to believe that you will give me that gold piece for running a mile, and fetching you a book. You can't catch me."
"But if I give it to you now, perhaps you will believe me," said the king; and he put the gold piece into the little fellow's hand.
The boy's eyes sparkled; but he did not move.
"What is the matter now?" said the king. "Won't you go?"
The boy said, "I would like to go; but I can't leave the geese. They will stray away, and then I shall be blamed for it."
"Oh, I will tend them while you are away," said the king.
The boy laughed. "I should like to see you tending them!" he said. "Why, they would run away from you in a minute."
"Only let me try," said the king.
At last the boy gave the king his whip, and started off. He had gone but a little way, when he turned and came back.
"What is the matter now?" said Maximilian.
"Crack the whip!"
The king tried to do as he was bidden, but he could not make a sound.
"I thought as much," said the boy. "You don't know how to do anything."
Then he took the whip, and gave the king lessons in whip cracking. "Now you see how it is done," he said, as he handed it back. "If the geese try to run away, crack it loud."
The king laughed. He did his best to learn his lesson; and soon the boy again started off on his errand.
Maximilian sat down on a stone, and laughed at the thought of being a gooseherd. But the geese missed their master at once. With a great cackling and hissing they went, half flying, half running, across the meadow.
The king ran after them, but he could not run fast. He tried to crack the whip, but it was of no use. The geese were soon far away. What was worse, they had gotten into a garden, and were feeding on the tender vegetables.
A few minutes afterward, the goose boy came back with the book.
"Just as I thought," he said. "I have found the book, and you have lost the geese."
"Never mind," said the king, "I will help you get them again."
"Well, then, run around that way, and stand by the brook while I drive them out of the garden."
The king did as he was told. The boy ran forward with his whip, and after a great deal of shouting and scolding, the geese were driven back into the meadow.
"I hope you will pardon me for not being a better gooseherd," said Maximilian; "but, as I am a king, I am not used to such work."
"A king, indeed!" said the boy. "I was very silly to leave the geese with you. But I am not so silly as to believe that you are a king."
"Very well," said Maximilian, with a smile; "here is another gold piece, and now let us be friends."
The boy took the gold, and thanked the giver. He looked up into the king's face and said,—
"You are a very kind man, and I think you might be a good king; but if you were to try all your life, you would never be a good gooseherd."
