Episode 12: The Farmer, The Athlete, The Soldier
Hey everyone!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always loved a happy ending—and Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince is no exception.
Hugh has gone on a long journey filled with mountaintop and valley experiences, and now he looks with bright possibility and hope towards the future.
Instead of ending at the celebration feast, we are going to enter into the celebration and share a special moment that takes place between Sir Malcolm and Prince Hubert. These two started this journey together, and I think it is very fitting that they end the story.
Sir Malcolm asks to speak to the lad, and the prince respectfully follows. Although the knight has an apology on the tip of his tongue, Hugh is eager to tell all he has learned. With enthusiasm he starts listing his newly acquired skills. He cannot keep this knowledge to himself, nor keep from thanking Sir Malcolm—the one who caused him to embark on this journey.
Together, the culmination of everything he has learned is a beautiful illustration of the truths in 2 Timothy 2:1-7,
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also, if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
There are three examples laid out in the above verses. Those of the farmer, the athlete, and the soldier. These three characters are represented as examples to follow. Hugh learned the lessons of hard work and initiative, much like the farmer when he chopped wood by moonlight and collected eggs for Dame Martha. Just like the farmer, he found life to be pleasant—sweet even, in the midst of simplicity. He reaped the benefits of his hard work at home.
He learned the lessons of an athlete when he humbled himself and lived like a peasant, sleeping on straw and applying himself. He then became an invaluable contributor not just to Dame Martha but also to the village. When the Black Duke forced a hard tax upon the people, Hugh followed the proper procedures to appear in court before the king instead of acting in revenge or trying to take justice in his own hands. He recognized the rules and followed them.
Finally, Hugh was a soldier. When the need arose, he defended the weak, acted like a man and became strong (1st Corinthians 16:13). As he learned to follow, he was unknowingly preparing for a time when he would lead and others would want to follow. When faced with insurmountable circumstances, he endured hardships, looking to the Lord for help rather than giving in to doubt and depression.
This is what brings us to Romans 5:3-5 and Hugh’s very first lesson,
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
It is this character displayed in Hugh that convinces Sir Malcolm that Hugh is indeed ready to serve as the next king. With confidence and hope, Sir Malcolm says, “You will be an honorable King, Prince Hubert. I will serve you as I have served your father.”
To which Hugh responds, “and I…I will serve you as well.”
I can’t think of a better way to end this series! Thank you for joining me for this, the last week of Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince. We’ll catch you in just two weeks with an exciting new series featuring staff favorites. See what our staff has to say about the Lamplighter Family collection of rare books next on Character in Crisis.
Till next time,
Molly Mayo
Writer/Editor
(And long-term enthusiast of Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince)
Audio Dramas for fans of Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince:
The Giant Killer (Ages 6+)
Charlie’s Choice (Ages 6+)
The White Gypsy (Ages 9+)
Treasure of the Secret Cove (Ages 12+)
