The inhabitants of the High Places were accustomed to gather and dry a great quantity of this saffron of longsuffering, which they then took down to the valley to share with their relatives and friends and the other inhabitants of the Low Places; for the flavor of the spice was delicious, and as it could only be obtained on the High Places (except for a very inferior quality which could be cultivated on the lower slopes) it was considered a great delicacy with which even the Shepherd’s enemies were glad to have their daily food flavored, despite the fact that only his servants could provide it!

Grace and Glory had seen the saffron crocuses growing on other parts of the High Places, but never in such glorious profusion as on this mountain. It was impossible for them to walk anywhere without treading on these delicate hued flowers and using them much as a doormat! As soon as their feet were lifted from them, however, she noticed that the dauntless, gay little things bobbed up again at once, as fresh and uncrushed as though they had not been trodden upon.

When she remarked on this to the King he explained with another of his happy smiles that this was the characteristic of true longsuffering. It bears quite happily everything that is done against it, resents not at all being trampled underfoot, and reacts to the wrongdoing of others against itself as though no wrong had been done at all, or else as though it had forgotten all about it! For longsuffering is really the lovely quality of forgiveness and bearing contentedly and joyfully the results of the mistakes and wrongdoing of others. When he had explained this to her, he taught her another of the mountain songs.

Love will bear and will forgive,

Love will suffer long,

Die to self that she may live,

Triumph over wrong.

Nothing can true love destroy,

She will suffer all with joy.

From resentment love will turn,

When men hate, will bless,

She the Lamb-like grace will learn

To love more—not less.

Only bearing can beget

Strength to pardon and forget.

Love must give and give and give,

Love must die or share,

Only so can true love live

Fruitful everywhere,

She will bear the Cross of Pain

And will rise and live and reign.