The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 193 -
The Symbolic Children's Game
AND the little Child continued, 'Now that I am the King, everyone must also obey Me as everyone obeys a king!
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And so then hear My laws! Let the pit of the priests be wise and mostly kind (rather than strict)!
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Whoever laughs is relieved of his office and falls into disgrace.
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Little pit of the farmer, be active, for when you are indifferent you will have to hunger.
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Little pit of the father, be full of love toward your children and raise them correctly and justly, or you will be ridiculed by them.
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Little pit of the mother, be frugal and filled with fear of God, so your infants will become wise.
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And My dear little children's pit, remain as you are: a constant teacher of the wise toward wisdom in God!
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Now these are the laws and they must be followed precisely.
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But if anyone wants a favor from Me, he must come to Me for it kneeling!
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Go now and be active, and leave Me alone. And you, Cyrenius, must go with the father and the mother because you are a child.'
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A girl and a boy who took the part of priests now went to a somewhat elevated spot in a dignified and serious manner.
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Then two girls and a boy went their way as farmers and busied themselves quite actively on the ground as if their work were the most important.
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Next another boy and a girl, conducting themselves quite gravely, went their way and represented the father who, to be a proper father, should also be a mother in his heart.
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Then the one mother went to her place followed by her child, Cyrenius. But the mother was too shy of her child and did not dare to speak to him and teach him wisely.
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She therefore turned back to the King and asked Him for the grace of giving her another office.
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The King then referred her to the priests who began to laugh when they saw the mother coming their way.
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At this the King immediately called the priests over and deposed them because they had laughed when they should have been wise and dignified, and made farmers of them.
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But the farmers soon began to argue and quarrel among themselves, and the King called them and smoothed over their differences and established peace among them.
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Now the mother came again and wanted another office.
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Here the King said, 'Since you represent love in its wisdom, then be the priest!'
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Then the father came and complained that he had no wife, because the mother was a priest.
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And the King replied, 'Then take the child and go over and take the place of the mother.'
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And so it was done - but the priest now began to demand of the farmers that they should become more subservient to him.
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At this matters soon fell into great disorder, and the King recalled them all and said, I see that you are all at odds - so let us make a new toss.'