An old knight lived on a hill far outside of town. He had fought and won many battles in his time, but now he wished to live his life in peace as a farmer. He never wished to raise his sword and shield again.
But when the local town was overrun with evil magistrates, some of the townspeople came to visit the old knight to ask him for help.
Day after day they came to plead for his assistance and day after day he declined to help.
Though the old knight liked to live in seclusion, he had to go to the town from time to time to shop for supplies and sell his crop.
There he witnessed for the first time the injustice done to the people there. The people had become so poor that the town was filled with beggars.
The old knight started giving his crop to the beggars in the street, but one of the evil magistrates saw this and demanded a tax upon the gifts.
The knight then realized his error. He had all this time wanted peace for himself and ignored the needs for others. While he could feed himself with the produce from his farm, the many people of the town went hungry.
The knight paid the tax and gave the magistrate some of the food as well.
The next morning, a knight in armor that shined so brightly it seemed to glow in the morning sun, arrived in the town demanding to see the evil magistrates.
They feared him and would not come out of their homes.
Soon a crowd assembled behind the knight ready for a fight.
Peace indeed came to the town that day and no fight was necessary. The magistrates and their men moved on to another town.
The old knight from that day forward became the protector of the town making sure all were able to find work and food for their families.
He brought them peace again.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)
To read and share more fables inspired by the Beatitudes, download a free eBook edition of Beatitales: Volume I.
