The Ungrateful Soldier

"The Ungrateful Soldier" is a powerful short story by James Baldwin that explores themes of identity, race, and the complexities of gratitude in the face of sacrifice. Set against the backdrop of a post-war society, Baldwin conveys the struggles of a soldier grappling with the harsh realities of life after serving his country. The narrative delves into the tensions between personal aspirations and societal expectations, highlighting the deep sense of alienation felt by those who have fought for freedom yet find themselves unrecognized and undervalued. Through poignant characterizations and vivid language, Baldwin challenges readers to reflect on the true cost of patriotism and the often-unacknowledged stories of marginalized individuals.

• Short story

								
Here is another story of the bat-tle-field, and it is much like the
one which I have just told you.

Not quite a hundred years after the time of Sir Philip Sidney there
was a war between the Swedes and the Danes. One day a great battle was
fought, and the Swedes were beaten, and driven from the field. A
soldier of the Danes who had been slightly wounded was sitting on the
ground. He was about to take a drink from a flask. All at once he
heard some one say,--

"O sir! give me a drink, for I am dying."

It was a wounded Swede who spoke. He was lying on the ground only a
little way off. The Dane went to him at once. He knelt down by the
side of his fallen foe, and pressed the flask to his lips.

"Drink," said he, "for thy need is greater than mine."

Hardly had he spoken these words, when the Swede raised himself on his
elbow. He pulled a pistol from his pocket, and shot at the man who
would have be-friend-ed him. The bullet grazed the Dane's shoulder,
but did not do him much harm.

"Ah, you rascal!" he cried. "I was going to befriend you, and you
repay me by trying to kill me. Now I will punish you. I would have
given you all the water, but now you shall have only half." And with
that he drank the half of it, and then gave the rest to the Swede.

[Illustration]

When the King of the Danes heard about this, he sent for the soldier
and had him tell the story just as it was.

"Why did you spare the life of the Swede after he had tried to kill
you?" asked the king.

"Because, sir," said the soldier, "I could never kill a wounded
enemy."

"Then you deserve to be a no-ble-man," said the king. And he
re-ward-ed him by making him a knight, and giving him a noble title.
								Rate this book:0.0 / 0 votes