WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET THE KING? - AUTHOR UNKNOWN

There once was a little boy who wanted to meet the King. He set off, walking across the beautiful countryside towards the King's castle. He walked and walked, thinking of all the wonderful things that he and the King could talk about, and he imagined how beautiful the castle was. He was just a little boy, and he wanted so much just to talk to the King, see Him on His thrown, as well as be in His presence.

Finally, after many long days of walking, the King's castle came into view. It was even more majestic than the boy had imagined! He couldn't wait to tell the King how beautiful everything was and how much he had enjoyed his walk across the countryside. The boy began to run towards the castle!

However, as the boy got closer to the outside of the castle, he noticed there was a huge fence all around it, and there was a big fancy gate in front of the castle. As the boy neared the gate, he was stopped by a gate-keeper. When ask if he had an appointment to see the King, the boy said no, and was told he would have to leave.

"I just want to see the King..." the little boy began in a halting voice. "That's not possible, unless you have an appointment, said the gate-keeper." Well, the little boy didn't have to be told twice. After all that walking, after all that thinking, after all that wishing and hoping, he turned... and ran. He was sad and so very disappointed.

He began to cry. All he wanted to do was tell the King wonderful things, and see all the beautiful things in the King's house. But he couldn't even get near the castle! The boy finally stopped running and sat down and just cried. A young man happened to be coming down the path at that very moment. He was carrying a sack over his shoulder and whistling a happy tune. He saw the little boy and stopped.

"What's wrong, young man? Why are you so sad?" he asked."Sir, I've been walking for several days just to see the King, but the gate-keeper won’t let me in. I just wanted to tell the King how lovely everything is and see all the neat things in his castle. If only I could tell the King that I just wanted to see him!" wailed the little boy.

"Whoa! Slow down a little. Sounds like you've had a rough time today." With that, the man set down His sack and began to rummage through it. "Would you like to have a fresh apple?" asked the Man. "Yes, thanks, said the little boy. I don't think I'll ever go back there!" The man looked at the little boy thoughtfully. "Look, why don't you try again. I'll go with you this time." The Man smiled at the little boy, who was obviously concerned for His (the Man's) safety; apparent thinking the gate-keeper would be really mad if the boy returned a second time. The Man stood up and dusted himself off.

"Come with Me. Maybe we can find something else to eat along the way." the Man said, holding out His hand. The little boy looked up at the Man, and looked in the direction of the castle. He was so close! Well, he reasoned, even if I can't see the King, maybe I can find something else to eat before I begin my walk home.

With that, the little boy got up and took the Man's hand. He gripped the Man's hand tighter and tighter as they got closer to the King's castle. Finally, the gate-keeper spotted them: one very frightened boy holding the hand of a Man with a sack over his shoulder. As they drew close, the little boy couldn't stand it anymore.

"Look, Mister, we don't have to do this... I don't want You to get hurt. I'll just be on my way. It was nice of You to stop... thanks for the apple... we can just turn around now..." the boy began to babble again. The man held the little boy's hand firmly and said, "Child, you've come this far with Me... how about trusting Me a little longer? Let's just see what happens."

"OK..." said the little boy. The pair came closer to the castle and the gate-keeper watched them approach. The Man looked down and winked at the boy. The boy really thought the Man might be crazy... until he looked back at the gate-keeper -- who was smiling now! The big gate in front of the castle was swung wide open. The little boy was amazed! 

"Who are You?" asked the little boy in astonishment. "Why, I'm the King's Son. By placing your trust and faith in Me, you can enter the Castle and be with the King," said the Man. The little boy had a huge smile on his face. "Can I go home and tell my parents about You?" asked the little boy. "So they can come to visit and praise the King, too!" 

Jesus threw His head back and laughed. He thought that was the best thing that anyone could do.

Would you like to see the King? Have a relation with His Son... JESUS.