The Kingdoms

"The Kingdoms" is a novel by James Baldwin that delves into themes of identity, race, love, and the search for belonging. Set against a backdrop of social and political upheaval, the story follows a character grappling with personal and communal struggles, exploring the complexities of human relationships in a divided world. Baldwin's poignant prose captures the intricacies of the human experience, making profound observations about society and the longing for connection. The narrative challenges readers to confront their own beliefs and biases, ultimately advocating for empathy and understanding in our shared humanity. Note that this description is a fictional representation, as Baldwin did not write a book titled "The Kingdoms."

• Short story

								
There was once a king of Prussia whose name was Frederick William.

On a fine morning in June he went out alone to walk in the green
woods. He was tired of the noise of the city, and he was glad to get
away from it.

So, as he walked among the trees, he often stopped to listen to the
singing birds, or to look at the wild flowers that grew on every side.
Now and then he stooped to pluck a violet, or a primrose, or a yellow
but-ter-cup. Soon his hands were full of pretty blossoms.

After a while he came to a little meadow in the midst of the wood.
Some children were playing there. They were running here and there,
and gathering the cow-slips that were blooming among the grass.

It made the king glad to see the happy children, and hear their merry
voices. He stood still for some time, and watched them as they played.

Then he called them around him, and all sat down to-geth-er in the
pleasant shade. The children did not know who the strange gentleman
was; but they liked his kind face and gentle manners.

"Now, my little folks," said the king, "I want to ask you some
ques-tions, and the child who gives the best answer shall have a
prize."

Then he held up an orange so that all the children could see.

"You know that we all live in the king-dom of Prussia," he said; "but
tell me, to what king-dom does this orange belong?"

[Illustration]

The children were puz-zled. They looked at one another, and sat very
still for a little while. Then a brave, bright boy spoke up and
said,--

"It belongs to the veg-e-ta-ble kingdom, sir."

"Why so, my lad?" asked the king.

"It is the fruit of a plant, and all plants belong to that kingdom,"
said the boy.

The king was pleased. "You are quite right," he said; "and you shall
have the orange for your prize."

He tossed it gayly to the boy. "Catch it if you can!" he said.

Then he took a yellow gold piece from his pocket, and held it up so
that it glit-tered in the sunlight.

"Now to what kingdom does this belong?" he asked.

Another bright boy answered quick-ly, "To the min-er-al kingdom, sir!
All metals belong to that kingdom."

"That is a good answer," said the king. "The gold piece is your
prize."

The children were de-light-ed. With eager faces they waited to hear
what the stranger would say next.

"I will ask you only one more question," said the king, "and it is an
easy one." Then he stood up, and said, "Tell me, my little folks, to
what kingdom do I belong?"

The bright boys were puz-zled now. Some thought of saying, "To the
kingdom of Prussia." Some wanted to say, "To the animal kingdom." But
they were a little afraid, and all kept still.

At last a tiny blue-eyed child looked up into the king's smiling face,
and said in her simple way,--

"I think to the kingdom of heaven."

King Frederick William stooped down and lifted the little maiden in
his arms. Tears were in his eyes as he kissed her, and said, "So be
it, my child! So be it."
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