“PLEASE look at my primroses, Harold; I think they are just lovely, and I have thought of a new game. It is too hot to run races, so let us make some of my pretty flowers into crowns, and play I am a queen; you can be a king too, if you like." And as May Cooper held up her pinafore half filled with the sweet pale blossoms, she looked pleadingly at her brother Harold, who was lounging, book in hand, under a hawthorn tree, already white with flowers.
But Harold, who was two years older than May, and had just begun to attend a boy's school, thought himself much wiser than his little sister, answered in no very gentle tone, "Girls are so stupid, they never do understand things. I suppose you think Queen Victoria's crown is one of flowers, but it is not. Don't you remember how last year, when I was in London with Uncle Charles he took me into the Tower, and I saw what he told me are called the crown jewels? And the crown and scepter are made of gold, inlaid with diamonds and precious stones, and they cost, I don't know how much money.”
Tears were filling the eyes of the little girl as she said, "I don't think crowns are always made of gold, Harold. You know we read in the Bible of one that was made of thorns; I mean the one that wicked men put on tie head of the Lord Jesus, just before He was nailed to the cross. I am sure the sharp thorns must have hurt Him very much. Mother says it was because He loved us that He was willing to wear it, and I think I have heard or read something about crowns made of leaves; but here is mother, she will tell us all she knows about crowns, won't you, please mother dear?”
Mrs. Cooper smiled. "Ah, little May, you do not know how long a story you have asked for, but mother will tell you a few things about crowns and those who wear them.
“Many, many years ago, the people in Greece and Rome were very fond of playing at games. Indeed, I think the grown-up men took more interest than the boys in the games of which I am going to tell you.
“Sometimes the most learned men of a city would decide in public, who among them could write the best composition, or compose the most beautiful verses. At other times the games were only trials of strength or swiftness. In one of these games a number of young men, sons of rich and noble families, were chosen to run a race, and the swiftest runner received a prize, one that I do not think Harold would very highly value, as it was a crown, or wreath, made of grass or parsley. The poets' crown was one made of bay leaves, yet it was thought a very great honor to obtain one of these wreaths, and kings are said to have placed them in golden boxes, and to have counted them among their greatest treasures.”
“I don't think such crowns were worth taking so much trouble, either to win or to keep, do you mother?” asked Harold, who had become as much interested as May.
“Perhaps not, my son, for we know that all that would remain of these crowns even in a few days, would be dried grass or faded leaves. But we are told by the apostle Paul, how we may learn a lesson even from those quickly fading crowns.
“In one of his letters written to Christians living at a place called Corinth, he reminds them of the earnest effort put forth by the men who took part in these race to obtain one of these crowns; and then reminds them of the fadeless crowns the Lord Jesus will one day give to those who love Him.”
“Please, mamma, may Harold and I look out all the verses about crowns we can find in our Bibles; and will you talk to us about them on Sunday evening?”
“Yes, May, I think your choice of a Bible lesson will prove a very interesting one.”
“Can you tell us when kings first began to wear crowns?”
“No, Harold, I am not able to give you the date, but the custom is a very old one. The crown at first was only a sign, or mark by which the king was to be known. The Chinese are fond of saying that Noah was the first king of China, so we may be sure that soon after, if not before the Flood, there were kings, and I have no doubt crowns were worn by them.”
“Thank you, mother, for telling us about crowns; and now I am going to help May to twine some of the primroses into a wreath. I am sorry I spoke so crossly to her just now. I said girls were stupid, but I forgot that boys are sometimes rude and unkind.”