New winds were blowing across the world, winds of freedom and equality for all mankind. So many communities and cultures have been caught up in the new spirit of sharing and cooperation. Throughout history the Jewish people, who had been the most downtrodden of all communities, welcome the new ways of thinking. Finally, at last, they can be like everyone else in the world.

With such thoughts and opportunities, come great sacrifice and a deep loss of self and identity. It may be hard to understand and even harder to explain. They bring down that:

There once was a king who had an only son whom he spoiled and pampered. He gave in to the crown prince’s every whim and when the tutors wished to punish him, the king would intervene. In time the prince grew up to be an impossible person and sought the company of evil companions. His father disciplined him but it was already too late.

“I will send him away to a distant village to live with a common peasant,” said the king. “There he will not be pampered. He will come to his senses and become mature. Then, when he is cured of his evil traits, he can return to the palace and to his honored place as crown prince.”

The young prince was sent far, far away. He lived with a poor peasant, slept on a straw mattress, ate no more than coarse bread and worked hard for his keep. At first he found it unbearable. Each day was a fresh torture. But then, he began looking forward to the day when he would return home. His father did not despise him, after all, but only wanted to teach him a lesson. Some day, he would be returning to his father’s palace!

Time did not pass quickly. Still, the prince always nursed that hope of returning home. How great was his shock when, one day, laborers from the capital arrived with building materials. First they marked off a large area. Then they dug foundations, poured cement and began construction. The prince went over to them and asked what they were building. “A palace,” they replied. “For you, Your Highness.” They thought that he would be overjoyed. The king no longer wanted him to live in a hut, sleep on a straw mattress, eat coarse food off coarse wooden plates.

But instead of rejoicing, the crown prince wept. “What is the matter? Are the plans not to your liking?” they asked the prince.

“Oh, it is very beautiful indeed! That is the problem! That is why I am crying!”

The workmen could not understand. The crown prince explained:

“As long as I still lived in the peasant’s cottage, working from early morning till late at night, I had hopes that my father would soon send to fetch me home. But, now, that I see him sending workmen to build me a permanent dwelling, I am truly distressed and discouraged! Who knows how long I will have to remain here now!”

Plainly put, all of these privileges mean that our Heavenly Father is making it easier for us to remain in Exile. He does not want us back home yet! Equal rights will only sweeten the bitter pill of Exile. They will certainly not hasten the redemption.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources