MOBILE DIGITAL LIBRARY - SOCIETY OF YOUNG NIGERIAN ...

"Have you a good minister here?" asked the King, wishing to show interest in thepeople's welfare.When the King questioned him thus, the pastor felt that it was impossible to admit whohe was. He decided that it was better to let the King think he was only a farmer, so heanswered: "The minister is fair; he preaches the clear word of God, and he tries to live ashe preaches."The King thought this a good recommendation. His sharp ear, however, had detected acertain hesitation in the tone of the man. He said, therefore, "It sounds, though, as if youare not entirely satisfied with your pastor.""He may be a bit hardheaded," said the other, thinking inwardly, "If the King should laterdiscover who I am, he will realize that I did not pour compliments over myself." Hedecided, therefore, to come out with a bit of criticism. "There be those who would saythat the minister is inclined to want to be the ruler in this hamlet," he continued."Then he has surely directed and managed everything in the best possible way," said theKing. He was not pleased to have the farmer finding fault with some one placed overhim. "It appears to me that everything here is ruled by good habit and old-fashionedsimplicity."