The Miller of the Dee

"The Miller of the Dee" by James Baldwin is a charming narrative poem that tells the story of a contented miller who finds joy in his simple life along the River Dee. Through the miller's perspective, the poem explores themes of happiness, nature, and the contrast between wealth and contentment. The miller's appreciation for his surroundings and his uncomplicated lifestyle serve as a reminder of the beauty found in everyday life. With a lyrical tone and vivid imagery, Baldwin captures the essence of pastoral life and the richness of human experience.

• Short story

								
Once upon a time there lived on the banks of the River Dee a miller,
who was the hap-pi-est man in England. He was always busy from morning
till night, and he was always singing as merrily as any lark. He was
so cheerful that he made everybody else cheerful; and people all over
the land liked to talk about his pleasant ways. At last the king heard
about him.

"I will go down and talk with this won-der-ful miller," he said.
"Perhaps he can tell me how to be happy."

As soon as he stepped inside of the mill, he heard the miller
singing:--

    "I envy no-body--no, not I!--
    For I am as happy as I can be;
    And nobody envies me."

"You're wrong, my friend," said the king. "You're wrong as wrong can
be. I envy you; and I would gladly change places with you, if I could
only be as light-hearted as you are."

The miller smiled, and bowed to the king.

"I am sure I could not think of changing places with you, sir," he
said.

"Now tell me," said the king, "what makes you so cheerful and glad
here in your dusty mill, while I, who am king, am sad and in trouble
every day."

The miller smiled again, and said, "I do not know why you are sad, but
I can eas-i-ly tell why I am glad. I earn my own bread; I love my wife
and my children; I love my friends, and they love me; and I owe not a
penny to any man. Why should I not be happy? For here is the River
Dee, and every day it turns my mill; and the mill grinds the corn that
feeds my wife, my babes, and me."

[Illustration]

"Say no more," said the king. "Stay where you are, and be happy still.
But I envy you. Your dusty cap is worth more than my golden crown.
Your mill does more for you than my kingdom can do for me. If there
were more such men as you, what a good place this world would be!
Good-by, my friend!"

The king turned about, and walked sadly away; and the miller went back
to his work singing:--

    "Oh, I'm as happy as happy can be,
    For I live by the side of the River Dee!"
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