A story for every day...
A twelve-hour wait.
King Frederick VII of Denmark, who was very affable, saw one day, while still crown prince, a carriage that had been waiting for several hours in the vicinity of the castle of Odensée.
The prince started a small conversation with the coachman and learned that he had brought an officer and had to wait until the end of the visit. Going to the ball at ten o’clock in the evening, the prince saw the coachman at the same place, and coming back from the ball at about four o’clock in the morning, he saw his man still at the same place. The prince was indignant, gave the coachman a silver coin and told him to go back. At first the man turned a deaf ear. But the prince made himself known and promised to take full responsibility; whereupon the coachman left. Not finding the carriage, the officer spread invectives against the coachman. On returning he found an envoy of the prince who mandated him to the palace for 8 hours. But the officer had to wait. Ten o’clock rang, noon sounded, the officer thought that perhaps he would be invited to dinner. It was not the case. It was 8 o’clock in the evening and our man was feeling hungry and frustrated. Finally, after 12 hours of waiting, the prince sent for him, gave him the most gracious reception and said to him: “Sir, it is only a trifle, I wanted to tell you that it was I who ordered this poor devil, who had been waiting for you for 12 hours, to return. I think, it goes without saying, that you will not worry him for that.” The officer understood the purpose of this singular audience, and henceforth he showed more compassion for his neighbor.
God will deal with us in the same way. Those who have been merciless to others will languish in purgatory for a long time.
