“King Schelim was uncommonly pleased with what they said, although he had to lay down his pipe for a few minutes to receive their salutations, and give his in return; after which they returned to their palace on the hill, and led thenceforward useful, intelligent, and therefore happy lives, reforming grievances, consoling sorrows, and taking particular care that everybody had the opportunity of having something to do.
“And as they never again disturbed their father King Schelim, with foolish messages, he smoked his pipe in peace to the end of his days.”
“Nice old Schelim!” observed No. 8, when Aunt Judy’s pause showed that the story was done. A conclusion which made the other little ones laugh; but now Aunt Judy spoke again.
“You like the story, all of you?”
Could there be a doubt about it? No! “Schelim, King of the Hills, and his four sons,” was one of Aunt Judy’s very, very, very, best inventions. But they had the happy knack of always thinking so of the last they heard.
“And yet there is a flaw in it,” said Aunt Judy.
“Aunt Judy!” exclaimed several voices at once, in a tone of expostulation.
“Yes; I mean in the moral:” pursued she, “there is no Christianity in the teaching, and therefore it is not perfect, although it is all very good as far as it goes.”
“But they were eastern people, and I suppose Mahometans or Brahmins,” suggested No. 4.
“Exactly; and, therefore, I could not give them Christian principles; and, therefore, although I have made my four princes turn out very well, and do what was right, for the rest of their lives (as I had a right to do); yet it is only proper I should explain, that I do not believe any people can be depended upon for doing right, except when they live upon Christian principles, and are helped by the grace of God, to fulfil His will, as revealed to us by His Son Jesus Christ.