King Solomon and The Ants

One bright morning, the Queen of Sheba prepared to leave King Solomon’s kingdom and return to her home in the south. King Solomon and all his court joined her, accompanying her to the city gates. It was a magnificent sight: the king and queen rode upon white horses, their royal robes shimmering in shades of purple and scarlet, sparkling with silver and gold embroidery.

As they approached the gates, King Solomon looked down and noticed an ant hill right in their path. Pausing, he turned to the Queen and said, “Look at these little creatures down there. Can you hear what they’re saying as they rush around?”

He listened for a moment. “‘Here comes the great king,’ they say. ‘The wise, good, and mighty one. He’ll trample us beneath his heavy, cruel feet.’”

The Queen laughed. “They should be honored to die under the feet of such a king. How dare they complain?”

King Solomon shook his head, smiling gently. “Not so, dear Queen,” he replied. He then guided his horse around the ant hill, and all his followers did the same. When the grand procession had passed, the tiny hill of ants remained safe and unharmed.

Watching this, the Queen of Sheba nodded thoughtfully. “Truly, your people are blessed to have you as their king, Solomon. I’ll remember this lesson.”

King Solomon smiled. “For it’s true,” he said, “only those who care for the helpless and weak are truly noble and great.”