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The Contented Herdboy

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 4, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 14.

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The Contented Herdboy

IN a flowery dell a herdboy kept his sheep, and because his heart was joyous, he sang so loudly that the surrounding hills echoed back his song. One morning, the king, who was out on a hunting expedition, spoke to him, and said: “Why are you so happy, dear little one?”
“Why shall I not be?” he answered; “our king is not richer than I.”
“Indeed!” said the king, “tell me of your great possessions.”
The lad answered: “The sun in the bright blue sky shines as brightly upon me as upon the king; the flowers on the mountain and the grass in the valley grow and bloom to gladden my sight as well as his. I would not take a hundred thousand talers for my hands; my eyes are of more value than all the precious stones in the world; I have food and clothing, too. Am I not, therefore, as rich as the king?”
“You are right,” said the king, with a laugh, “but your greatest treasure is a contented heart; keep it so, and you will always be happy.”—Sabbath-School Gem.