Madonna and CHild

A little bedtime story for you.

Many centuries ago, a ruler of Arabia gave a celebration in honor of the birth of a son. Friends came from far and near bringing gifts of gold and fine raiment. One young sage came with a peculiar gift.

Said he, "Each day of your son's life, from the time he can understand until he reaches manhood, I shall tell him stories that will make him both wise and good."

The storyteller did as he promised, and when this baby became a man and a ruler in his father's stead, he became famous throughout the East because of his wisdom and noble deeds. Then his teacher-storyteller wrote upon a scroll (which, it is said, can be seen among a collection of manuscripts at Budapest today): "It was because of the seed sown by the tales."

"The more of heroes children know, the more like heroes they will become."

--From Storytelling by Claudia Royal

Art credit: Arabic Madonna and Child by Albert Aublet