THE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAL
Part Two
Performing the simple service at our hands brings more real joy than mighty conquests abroad.
Years passed by while Sir Launfal wandered far and wide, but never found the great thing he sought to do. He fought many battles and he endured great hardships in the deserts, but somehow it did not bring him the peace of mind that he sought. Try as he might to do some great deed, he did not please God and he was downcast and discouraged. He had spent all his money and had only his horse, his armor, and a crust of bread.
At last he turned homeward, but found that the people, thinking that he was dead, had taken his home from him. When he tried to enter his castle they turned him away.
It was winter time. The wind blew loud and cold. Poor Sir Launfal had no home. He drew his cloak around him and looked through the windows into his castle. It was Christmas, and all the rooms were trimmed with holly. He saw the great fire burning but could not get warm. He tried to forget the bitter cold by remembering how the hot sun shone down on the desert. As he was thinking he heard a voice say:
“For Jesus’ sake, help me!” He saw near him the same poor leper who had begged for help when he rode away from his castle that summer morning. He also remembered how he had treated him and felt very sorry that he had not been more kind and loving. “You poor beggar,” said he. “I am hardly more than a beggar myself now, and I have not much to give, but I will divide what I have.”
So he divided his crust of bread, which was all he had, then broke the ice on the brook and gave the leper a drink. It seemed to the leper that he had never tasted anything so good. As he ate the bread and drank the water it seemed to Sir Launfal that the peace and joy he had been years trying to find had at last come into his heart.
Suddenly a beautiful light shone upon Sir Launfal, and looking up he saw—not a poor leper—but Jesus Christ Himself! Gently he spoke: