The King and the Magician

Being a Catholic Christian, the love, humility and peacefulness of the character of the Magician directly correlates to the person of Jesus Christ.The magician's most endearing character traits are humility and wisdom. The magician firmly following God's will, while the king's life is being lived as enslaved by his power, position, ego and self-love. The magician, in his incredible wisdom, applies his virtues to the situation at hand. The power of love, resolve and patience plays out as the king, through the unlikely companionship and love of a friend, begins to open his heart to a love that perhaps he has had his whole life, but, has lied dormant because of his love of power and self. Total humility and giving of one's self are the predominant themes throughout the story. As the king transforms, a conversion takes place, whereas the king, transformed by love for the magician, even stoops so low, as to dig the grave for his friend, and positions the burial space in the gardens of the palace, right in front of his window.The two small birds who the magician had sitting on his hand in the magician's last scene of the story appear as the king's son reads his father's letter at his burial site. The letter tells the story of a timeless virtue, learned by the late king, in the hopes that his son will carry the virtues of humility and love in his heart forever and ever. Tears well in my eyes whenever I sit and take the time to read this timeless story of love and conversion.

Lived this book

This book is in the style of old charming fairy tales. Well written, feel good ending. Great gift for retiring teachers!

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is true of our story's antagonist–the dreadful and overbearing king. He not only insisted on being obeyed by all the subjects in his vast realm, but also admired by them. This was actually decreed. Soon word of a beloved village magician is spread, and it is said he may even rival the king in power. The king becomes insanely jealous and a murderous rage fills him, prompting him to plot the death of the magician. This all changes after the fateful night arrives and the king confronts the magician with a question to which the answer literally means life or death. The answer, as it happens, is so impacting that it completely reverses the heart of the king. Subsequent events unfold that spin the story in a new and wonderful direction until we are left with a king who is the complete antithesis of the tyrant we first encountered. To say that this is a mesmerizing and timeless tale is to understate the facts. This is one that has to be read carefully in order to be truly appreciated.The art, painted by an award-winning Argentinian illustrator, is unconventional yet interesting enough to merit interest. Though not for everyone, many will find it appealing and even befitting of the period in which the story is set. That said, this is one of few picture books that left me feeling the story was superior to the artwork.

This is a great book for children. Entertaining and teaches a good lesson. Highly recommend.