A Ring For a King: A Tale of King Solomon
"What are the words that could make a sad person hopeful or a proud person humble? Martha Simpson's "A Ring for a King" does more than answer that question. Her story offers young readers a chance to think about the role of leadership and how kindness and listening can help you solve big problems. This is a book of hope."
- Author/Educator Sarah Aronson
Robin Friedman wrote this insightful review of A Ring For a King
From King Solomon To Abraham Lincoln
On September 30, 1859, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee and alluded to the ancient saying "this too shall pass." Here are Lincoln's words. "It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentiment to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words, 'And this, too, shall pass away.' How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride; how consoling in the depths of affliction! 'And this, too, shall pass away.' And yet, let us hope, it is not quite true. Let us hope, rather, that by the best cultivation of the physical world, beneath and around us, and the intellectual and moral worlds within us, we shall secure an individual, social, and political prosperity and happiness, whose course shall be onward and upward, and which, while the earth endures, shall not pass away."
Lincoln spoke words of hope for difficult times, both his own and for today. I was reminded of these words by Martha Seif Simpson's note to her new children's book "A Ring for a King: A Tale of King Solomon" which places their possible origin during the reign of King Solomon (c 930 -- 971 BCE). Written for children between 4 and 8 years of age, the story has a timeless message for both children and adults. D. Yael Bernard beautifully illustrated the book using ancient artifacts and sources available in several archeological museums in Jerusalem. Simpson and Bernard have collaborated on several earlier children's books with Jewish settings, including "The Dreidel that Wouldn't Spin" and "Esther's Gragger".
This retelling features a young lad, Ezra, who works as a kitchen servant in the court of King Solomon. As a cupbearer, Ezra has won the king's trust. The wise king is puzzled by the inevitability of change and by his inability to comfort the sad person or to humble the arrogant person. Ezra sets out to help the king.
When he performs a small good deed, Ezra receives a ring with three Hebrew letters inscribed from a mysterious stranger. He takes the ring to King Solomon who see that the letters stand for the Hebrew phrase "Gam Zeh Ya'avor" or "This too shall pass." King Solomon understands that this phrase will comfort the troubled in their sorrow and humble the boastful in their arrogance in that everything human is subject to change. Ezra receives a sack of gold as a reward which he shares with his benefactor.
This is a wonderful little story, beautifully told and illustrated. It offers much to discuss for children and for their adult readers. It made my day and also intrigued me enough to search for the use of "this too shall pass" in the words of Lincoln. (The quotation may be found on the National Park Service website for the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Illinois.)
Wisdom Tales Press published this book as part of its series of children's books from around the world with spiritual themes. It is an outstanding addition to the series. Wisdom Tales kindly sent me a copy to review.
The Pragmatic Mom (Mia Wenjen) added
A Ring For a King to her list of
Jewish American Heritage Month.