A Thought for Today

by Bob Fisher

The Duke of Wellington

It is sometimes as difficult to recognize authority as it is to be obedient. Occasionally, we get conflicting messages from different sources. It is not always easy to determine where our loyalties should lie. For example, there are many whose inner feelings tell them that war is contrary to all they hold sacred. Others believe that liberty is worth any sacrifice. The following story tells about a boy who knew where his loyalties lay and was not afraid to defend what he believed to be his duty.

While traveling down a country lane, a small company of soldiers came upon a boy standing at a gate to some private property. To cross it would shorten the route to their destination by several miles. They rode up to the gate. "Open the gate," a soldier barked.
The boy calmly replied, "I have been instructed by my master to allow no one to cross his land. I cannot open the gate."
"You will open the gate or I'll thrash you," was the soldiers curt reply.
"You surely would not thrash a man for doing his duty, I will not open the gate without my master's permission."
At that point a tall. stately man came from the rear, "Do you know who I am?" he asked.
"No, I'm afraid I don't," the boy replied.
"I am the Duke of Wellington. Now will you open the gate?"
The lad took off his hat in respect for the great general, but his answer was still "No, I can not let you pass through my master's land."
The Duke took out a coin and gave it to the lad and said, "I wish I had an army of soldiers like you." Then he ordered his men to take the road around.

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