The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-11-08
The Vision Of Sir Launfal
iBr Lucy WilSnn.l

IBy Lucy Wilson.
II was the most beautiful season OF
the wear, spring. when every clod OF
earth seems alive wilil the myri;:ds OF
tiny seed 10 it reaching up, up TO light
ard life. No matter how sad and un-
happy the past may have been, life Joy
and happiness come flooding back at
this beautiful season. The very air is
alive with JOY, and even the leaves
seem to sing OF the trees With clear
blue skies. flowers blossoming and
grain growing IN the pure, fresh air
al a time when every soul feels Il long
ing TO accomplish great deeds. what
wonder was it that Sir Launfal remem-
bered the vow he had made.
He ordered his golden spurs and
richest armor 10 be brought to him,
for on the morrow he would begin to
fulfill his vow by starting on his jour
nev owe, land ard sea- in search OF the
Holy Grail. He lay down on the rush
strewn noor TO sleep thinking that
perhaps u vision might come 10 him
through the night. Siumber slowly
crept on him, and Il vision flew into
his soul.
HIS VISION.
The copa,ry for miles around show
ed the signs Of spring. but The castle
stood. cold and gray and cherries, like
an outpost OF winter. Spring never
entered there.
1t was one of the proudest halls in
the country, and its gates were opened
to none but lords and ladies OF highest
rank.
The draw bridge dropped and
charger sprang through the arch Dear
inc Sir Launfal His armor vas so
bright, itseen1ed as if all the sunrays
that had ever blazed upon or darted
over that gloomy wall had been gath
cred and flung forth ln one dazzilnS
mass OF light.
AS Sir Launfa! passed from his castle
this beautiful morning he saw leper
crouched by the gate moaning ana
begging for bread. He turned away
in disgust and scornful}y threw him a
piece of gold. But.the leper did no:
raise the gold from the ground. BET
ter to me share Of the poor mans
crust, if sympathy be given with 1t,
than a piece of gold thrown to me in
scorn." he said.
Years passed and Sir LaunfGl came
back from his quest an old. gray haired
man, bent and worn. AS he approach
ed his own castle, the gate-keeper or
dered him away, for another sat ln his
place in the great hall.
Itwas Christmas and he was forced
to stay outside, only seeing the ruddy
glow of the great hall fire through the
slit-like wire windows. The keen
sharp air pierced through his thin
garments, making him shudder. Sir
Laun:al sat and dreamed OF the sunny
lands he had visited in his search. He
sees the snake-like caravan crawling
over the edge of the desert, and the
oasis with its bubbiing spring and
waving palms.
AS he turned from the gate, again
he saw the loathsome leper covering
beside him. But how differently he
treated him. He TOO. had suffered and
been scorned, and he sympathized
with and pitied the poor beggar.
Thou too" he said, hast had thy
crown of thorns. Through you give
to Him who suffered and died on the
tree for us all. He broke in lwo pieces
his moldv crust of bread, and filing
his wooden bowl with water, gave the
leper 10 eat aud drink. But to the
beggar's thirsty soul it was wine and
fne wheat bread. given with such
love.
AS Sir Larnfal looked, the leper no
longer crouched before him, but stood
tall, fair and straight. surrounded with
shining halo of light. 1T is l." he
said, be not afraid. This cup which
thous dids't fill for me is the Holy Grail,
for which thou hast spent thy life
searching in vain through many coun-
tries. Who shares what be has with
another in bro5herly love, feeds him-
self, his hungry neighbor and me-"
Sir Launfal awoke as from a trance.
He realized that the Holy Grail could
be found in his own castle. He ordered
his armour to be hung on the wall, that
the spiders might spin their webs over
it, for he would use it no longer. From
that time forth he would wear q differ
ent asmour.
The great castle gate stands wide
open now. There the homeless find
home, and the suffering and poor are
sheltered and fed in loving sympathy.
Summer is no longer smut out from the
hall. but floods in at every open door
and window.