King James and the peasant lad: a Scottish folktale.

James the Fifth, king of Scotland, often disguised himself and traveled about the land to see how the common people were treated.

On one occasion, while alone and in the garb of a servant, he was assaulted by some highwaymen. Outnumbered, King James feared for his life.

In a nearby field, a boy who was cutting wheat heard the disturbance. When he saw one man defending himself against several, he ran to help the man.

After one look at the boy's scythe, the brigands fled.

The lad took the injured man to his barn. He filled a basin with water and gently washed the man's wounds.

When the stranger had recovered, the boy started along the road to Edinburgh with him, in case the man should be attacked again. As they walked, the man asked the boy his name and lineage.

"Sir, my name is John Douglas of Musselburgh," the lad said. "My father and I are bondsmen on Melrose Farm, owned by King James of Scotland himself."

"John of Musselburgh," said the disguised king, "if you could have one wish, for anything in the realm, what would it be?"

The boy replied, "I would be the happiest lad in Scotland if I could own Melrose Farm. But that is an idle wish, sir, as it could never be."

"You have done me a fair deed," the man said. "I have a position of some importance at Edinburgh Castle. Come to visit me next Sunday, and I will repay you as best I can."

Removing a ring from his finger, the man said, "Take this, and show it to the gatekeeper at the castle. He will recognize it as my own and admit you." Then he handed the boy a crudely wrought metal band and continued toward Edinburgh alone.

All that week, John thought of the man he had saved. There was a quiet assurance in his bearing that was almost noble. Yet the man was dressed like a servant. When Sunday arrived, John set out toward the castle in his best clothes.

King James had already given orders to the gatekeeper to watch for a lad wearing the king's simple ring. When John arrived at the gate, he was admitted.

Inside, John was greeted by King James, who was wearing the same clothes he had worn on the day of their meeting. The king continued to act like a servant. He gave the boy a tour of the castle, then asked him if he would like to see the king.

"Fair sir, nothing would please me more! But would the king of Scotland consent to admit into his royal presence one as lowly as myself?" asked John.

"Do not worry," James replied. "He is not like other kings. You will see."

"But, sir," the boy said, "how will I know which man he is? Surely he'll be surrounded by the nobility of the land."

"It will be simple," said James. "Only the king will be wearing a hat. The heads of the others will be uncovered."

So James led John into the great hall, which was filled with people dressed in courtly finery: ladies in velvet dresses with flowing sleeves, gentlemen in bright tunics, and knights with golden spurs on their boots.

The boy was overwhelmed, and he drew close to James out of humility and fear. He searched the room for a person dressed in kingly attire or seated on a throne, but he found no such man.

Then James reminded John to look for the person wearing a hat.

"Then the king is either you or I," joked the boy, "for we are the only two with hats on."

James laughed at the boy's jest, then smiled and said, "You are correct, John. It is I, King James the Fifth of Scotland."

John, shocked, understood at last the regal bearing of his host--he was, indeed, the king! The lad fell upon his knees and kissed James's hand. "Forgive me, sire, for so boldly addressing my sovereign."

"Lift your head, John of Musselburgh, for you have done no wrong," said the king. "But for saving my life, I grant your wish to be the owner of Melrose Farm from this day hence."

"Your majesty!"

"There is one condition," said James. "You and your successors must stand ready to present a basin of water so that the king may wash his hands when he travels through Musselburgh. Do you accept?"

"Yea, sire," said the boy. "And I thank you for such generosity toward your humble subject."

"Up from your knees, then," James commanded. "And stand in the manner of a landowner."

As John of Musselburgh stood up, the king embraced him, and the lad embraced the king. They were friends forevermore.