Once upon a time in England there was a wise man named “John”. He was a very kind person and lived in a village very close to the woods. He loved his family very much and cared a lot for them. Mr. John was a blessed person right from his childhood days. He was a good interpreter of the Bible. People came to him to clear their doubts. He was considered as a scholar and was loved by everyone in that village. Mr. John had the habit of praying in the morning, afternoon and evening for at least half-an-hour. There was not even a single day that would pass without John offering his prayers. He was a very punctual person.
That time, there lived a king named Louis in the neighbourhood of his village. King Louis had a very handsome young son named James. Prince James was the next heir to the throne.
One day, King Louis called his son and said “My dear son, I am growing old and weak day by day. I think it’s time for me to hand you over some major responsibilities of our kingdom”.
The Prince replied “My father, when shall I do that”.
The king said “Before you start with your responsibilities here, I would like you to move out of the palace and return to me after finding an answer to a question”.
The Prince asked his father “Father tell me the question for which I need to find an answer”.
King Louis said “Son, you need to tell me where heaven and hell is. This is the question”.
Prince James after seeking the blessings of the King and Queen, took his bag and left the palace in search of the answer. The Prince travelled across villages, woods and towns but no one could help him find an answer.
On the fourth day after leaving the palace Prince James reached the village where John the wise man lived. Prince James asked some of the villagers the question about heaven and hell but no one could help him out. One villager told the Prince “You noble man, I think John the wise man could help you find an answer”.
Prince James was guided to the house where John the wise man lived. As he was about to step into the house of Mr. John, Prince James saw a man kneeling before the crucifix with a bowed head and arms-wide-stretched.
Interrupting Mr. John’s prayers, the Prince asked “Excuse me wise man, I have come a long way off to find an answer to where heaven and hell is. I wish you to tell me the answer quickly”.
John, the wise man was still on his knees and never uttered a word. Prince James repeatedly asked Mr. John but he remained calm in his prayers. The Prince became furious and pulled his sword off the sheath and started screaming at the top of his voice “Hey you layman, don’t you know who I am. Open your eyes and answer me or else know that I have the power to kill you”.
John’s prayers were almost finished by then. He opened his eyes and got up. John saw the Prince waving his sword towards him with eyes burning with anger. With a gentle smile, John said “My dear brother, hell is where you find anger, impatience, sorrow, hatred and pride”.
Prince James was intelligent enough to understand what John meant by saying that. The Prince went down on his knees. His head was almost drooping and eyes swollen. Prince James said “Sir, forgive me for my wickedness. I understand what you mean”.
John came closer to the Prince. He patted the strong shoulders of the Prince and said “My dear brother, heaven is where you find forgiveness, kindness, peace, love and patience”.
John reminded the Prince the words Jesus had said “The kingdom of heaven is within you”.
Now the Prince had an answer to the question that had bothered him for some days. He thanked John the wise man with an apologetic tone and returned to the palace.
The king was very happy to hear the answer from his son. The next day saw the celebrations marking the coronation of Prince James as the next heir to the throne. Prince James ruled the Kingdom for over 30 years and was loved by all people inside and outside his kingdom.
By: John for www.whereincity.com
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