e, how will it come about? for now
I am only a little child, and the crown would hardly stay on my curls."

"Nay! that I may not tell," said the Angel. "Only ride and run your
best, for the way is long to your kingdom, and the time short."

So the child rode and ran his best, crossing hills and valleys, broad
streams and foaming torrents. Here and there he saw people at work or
at play, and on these he looked eagerly.

"Perhaps, when they see me," he said, "they will run to meet me, and
will crown me with a golden crown, and lead me to their palace and
throne me there as king!"

But the folk were all busy with their tasks or their sport, and none
heeded him, or left their business for him; and still he must fare
forward alone, for the Way called him.

Also, he came upon many travellers like himself, some coming toward him,
others passing him by. On these, too, he looked earnestly, and would
stop now one, now another, and question him.

"Do you know," he asked, "of any kingdom in these parts where the crown
is ready and the folk wait for a king?"

Then one would laugh, and another weep, and another jeer, but all alike
shook their heads.

"I am seeking crown and kingdom for myself," cried one; "is it likely
that I can be finding one for you, too? Each one for himself, and the
Way for all!"

Another said: "You seek in vain. There are no crowns, only fools' caps
with asses' ears and bells that jingle in them."

But others, and these they who had been longest on the way, only looked
on him, some sadly, some kindly, and made no answer; and still he fared
onward, for the Way called him.

Now and then he stopped to help some poor soul who had fallen into
trouble, and when he did that the way lightened before him, and he felt
the heart light within him; but at other times the hurry was strong on
him, so that he would turn away his face, and shut his ears to the cries
that rang in them; and when he did that, the way darkened, and
oftentimes he stumbled himself, and fell into pits and quagmires, and
must cry for help, sometimes on those to whom he had refused it.

By and by he forgot about the crown and the kingdom; or if he thought of
them, it was but as a far-off dream of dim gold, such as one sees at
morning when the sun breaks through the mist. But still he knew that the
way was long and the time short, and still he rode and ran his best.

At the last he was very weary, and his feet could carry him no further,