Service in Little Things
A story is told in some annals of the Roundtable of a knight who set forth to find the Holy Grail. Forth from the castle rode the knight filled with his lofty purpose, having no eyes nor care for the common things about him and giving no heed to the gray-beard beggar that lay asking alms close to his door. Forth he went and began to do many wonderful works. His sword wrought prodigies of valor, in gloomy woods by robbers’ strongholds, in wild mountains.
But he never saw the holy vision, the reward of God’s true knight. Then, spirit-broken, he gave up the quest as hopeless and rode homeward wearily. He came with head hung down and eyes that looked upon the ground. “Not for me, not for me,” he muttered, “is the holy vision,” Then, as he came through the gates he caught sight of the beggar. “Ah, now shalt thou be helped, old man,” cried the knight, “for I must content myself with such small acts of pity.” He sprang from his horse; he laid aside spear and crested shield and bent over the beggar tending his wounds. He bade his servants bring him bread and wine and himself saw that all his wants were supplied. And lo! as he turned there floated before him the wondrous vision—he saw the Holy Grail.
But he never saw the holy vision, the reward of God’s true knight. Then, spirit-broken, he gave up the quest as hopeless and rode homeward wearily. He came with head hung down and eyes that looked upon the ground. “Not for me, not for me,” he muttered, “is the holy vision,” Then, as he came through the gates he caught sight of the beggar. “Ah, now shalt thou be helped, old man,” cried the knight, “for I must content myself with such small acts of pity.” He sprang from his horse; he laid aside spear and crested shield and bent over the beggar tending his wounds. He bade his servants bring him bread and wine and himself saw that all his wants were supplied. And lo! as he turned there floated before him the wondrous vision—he saw the Holy Grail.