THE BEST KINGDOM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue VII, 18 August 1894, Page 167

THE BEST KINGDOM.

A pretty story of the old Kaiser Wilhelm, at the age of eighty-five, is told in ‘Germany Seen Without Spectacles.’ During his stay at Ems, where be had gone to drink the waters, he paid a visit to a large orphan asylum and school that was under Government patronage. Of course, the presence of so distinguished a personage created a sensation in the establishment. After listening with much interest to the recitations of several of the classes. His Majesty called to him a bright, flaxen-haired little girl of five or six years, and lifting her into his lap, said to her : • Now, my little fraulein, let me see how well you have been taught. To what kingdom does this belong ?’ and taking out of his pocket an orange, he held it up to her. The little girl hesitated a moment, and looking timidly up in the Emperor’s face, replied, ‘ To the vegetable kingdom.’

* Very good, my little fraulein ; and now to what kingdom does this belong ?’ and he drew out of his pocket a gold piece and placed it on the orange. Again the little girl hesitated, but soon replied : * To the mineral kingdom.’ ‘ Better and better,’ said the Emperor. ‘ Now look at me and say to what kingdom I belong.’ At this question there was an ominous silence among the teachers and visitors, who were listening with much interest to the royal catechism. The little girl hesitated long, as if perplexed as to what answer she should give. Was the Emperor an animal ? Her eyes sought those of her teachers and schoolmates. Then she looked up into the eyes of the aged Emperor, and with a half-startled, frightened look, as if she were evading the question, replied : ‘ To the kingdom of Heaven.’ The unexpected answer brought tears to the Emperor’s eyes. * Yes, yes, my little fraulein,’ said he ; ‘ I trust I do belong to God’s kingdom. And you think it time I was there, do you not ? And the day is not far distant.'