There was once a king in a very large country. He had great control over his empire and kept a close eye on all his citizens.

He took particular notice of one of his citizens, a farmer. The farmer stole money from his neighbors, cheated his relatives out of money and once beat a man nearly to death simply because he didn’t like the man.

Eventually, the farmer was turned into the king’s officials. He was charged with stealing, racketeering, and assault. The farmer was put in prison and stayed there until the date of his trial.

As the trial began, the prosecutor said to the jury, “Is there any reason why this man shouldn’t be a slave for the rest of his life and be destitute in a foreign land? After all, the man is clearly guilty as his neighbors and relatives testify.”

As the trial was about to end, the judge said to the farmer, “Do you have anything to say before you are cast off to your life of slavery and banishment?”

The farmer stood mute, knowing that the amount of money he needed to be acquitted of his crimes was more than even the most wealthy citizens of his country had.

Just as the the judge was about to give the farmer his sentence, a man stood up from among the crowd and removed his hood, revealing his identity.

The crowd gasped, for they knew who this man was. The man said to the judge, “I have been sent by my father- the king. I am here to pay the ransom of this farmer.”

The judge took the payment from the king’s son and said to the farmer, “Thanks to this man, you are not going to be sentenced to a life of banishment. You are free. Now go.”

The farmer’s eyes swelled and tears began to slide down his face. He said to the king’s son,”Why would you do this for me? All I’ve ever done is break your laws.”

“Because I care. My father and I want to give you a new life because you are as valuable to us as anyone in our country. You are no longer guilty in our eyes and will one day live in our palace.”

The farmer fell at the feet of the king’s son. “Truly I do not deserve this. How can I ever show my gratitude to you?”

“Turn from your evil ways and do as I ask you for the rest of your life. Follow me as we serve my father.”

The king’s son left the courtroom and the farmer followed him from that day on.