THE QUEST
Once there came to the land of the Every-day a messenger from the King. In his hand he carried glasses to help him in the search which he was making. Under his arm he was carrying a scroll. On his face there was a look of deep concern.
How could he ever find the most beautiful thing in all the world? There were so many beautiful things that he had no idea even where to begin. Yet this was his commission: “Of all the beautiful things, choose for me the most beautiful.”
So the messenger called for heralds and sent them forth to ask of the people of the Every-day their help in choosing for the King.
“Bring to me your most beautiful thing,” he said. “Then I will choose from these things what I deem most beautiful.”
And one brought a wonderful gem. It was clear as crystal; it sparkled in the light and seemed to beg to be chosen. The rays of the noonday sun shone through the stone and all the people cried with one voice:
“How beautiful! How wonderful! We have never seen the like!”
“Surely,” thought the messenger, “I shall never find anything so rare as this. I will take it to the King.”
But a voice cried: “Wait, oh, messenger, wait! That which is dead can never be the most beautiful thing. Surely I have here that which far exceeds the stone which you have seen. I beg you look at this.” 139