The King and the Buffalo Boy Once upon a time, a king and his ministers were
hunting in the forest. They rode together for many
hours, but they could not find any animals. As
they were tired and hungry they decided to stop
and rest. The ministers ordered the servants to pitch the
hunting tents and to prepare the special food for
the king’s lunch. While the king was waiting for his lunch, he saw a
small deer bound into the forest. He quickly
spurred his horse on to chase the deer. The young
horse galloped briskly after the deer, carrying the
king up one path and down another. Soon they were deep in the forest, and the king
knew he was lost. He quieted his sweating horse
and tried to listen for the voices of his ministers
and servant. The forest was very still. The king heard only the
leaves of the trees moving slightly and a few birds
calling to each other in the distance. He gently patted his horse and was guiding her
slowly through the trees when he heard the voice
of a young boy. “Hello! Is anyone there?” the king called out.
“Yes!” came the answer. “It is me, the buffalo
boy.” The king led his horse into the clearing, and the
buffalo boy stepped out to greet him. “Hello, sir.
Are you looking for me?” The king thought it best to pretend that he was
an ordinary man, so he spoke to the buffalo boy
with simple words. “My dear boy, I am lost. My
friends made their camp at the edge of this forest
near two large pepper trees. I wandered into this
forest with my horse and now I cannot find them.” “Sir,” the buffalo boy said. “Do not worry. I know
that place very well. I will show you the way.” “Ah! That is good!” said the king. “Please come
and sit behind me on my horse and we will ride
together.” The buffalo boy made sure his animals would be
safe and then jumped up behind the king. He
guided the king across the clearing and onto a
hidden path under the spreading vines. As they road along, the king thought to himself
“This is a kind and hardworking boy. I like him. I
wonder if he likes me, his king?” “Then the king
asked “My dear boy, do you know the king who
rules this country?” “I don’t know what you mean” the puzzled boy
answered “My grandmother used to tell me
stories about kings. But I do not really know what
a king is. I’ve never seen a king. I don’t even
know where a king lives.” The king was a little taken aback. “Well, do you
want to know what a king is? Would you like to
meet a king?” “Oh, that would be fun,” replied the buffalo boy. The king said “If you lead me out of the forest to
meet my friends, I will give you money, and I will
also show you a king. When we meet my friends,
you watch everyone carefully. Any man who keeps
his hat on is a king. Remember now, if you watch
carefully, you will know which man is a king.” The buffalo boy promised the king that he would
watch everyone carefully. Soon they arrived at the
edge of the forest near two large pepper trees. Now, all the ministers and servants had been
terribly worried about the king. When they saw
him riding safely out of the forest, they all jumped
up and took off their hats. The king turned around to the buffalo boy and
proudly asked “Now, my dear boy, do you know
who is king?” The overjoyed buffalo boy laughed. “Oh yes!
There are two kings here! I am a king and you are
a king!” Some of the ministers who were standing nearby
overheard the boy. “Hey, boy!” they scolded “You
are not the king. You must never say that again.” “Oh!” the buffalo boy protested. “This gentleman
told me that anyone who does not take his hat off
is king. I did not take my hat off, so I must be
king!”