risoner From Zada

ome time ago Baron Von Lodge was the head of a small country near Switzerland known as Lilliland.

One afternoon, a stranger wandered into Lilliland. Although he stood erect and had some noble bearing, his clothing and general appearance were tattered and worn.

He went to the Lilliland police station and requested asylum for a short period. He mentioned that he was of the royal family of Zada that was overthrown many years ago. As a political prisoner, he was thrown in jail and given a false name and false reason for being held in prison. He was in jail for seven years, then released, because a group that was sympathetic to the royal family overthrew Zada again.

For the seven years, he remained isolated in a private cell and given only writing paper and a pen. He brought the many pages that he had written in jail and wanted to share them with Professor Hamblin.

When Professor Hamblin heard about the stranger from Zada, he invited him to his wing in Lilliland Castle. He was introduced to the Professor as Prince Philip Beaufort of Zada.

Professor Hamblin immediately greeted and welcomed him as a royal visitor. First, Prince Philip was given a haircut, shave, a bath and fresh clothing before he was introduced to Baron Von Lodge and Lady Angela of Alpine Castle.

After the meeting and a good rest from his long ordeal, he met with the Professor to review the writing he did while in prison. The Prince’s initial writings were about his royal family and how Zada was overthrown and how he ended up in jail. But later the writings turned to the importance of human relations in all things.

The Prince wrote about the failing of any government if the people are clearly divided into two distinctive groups, the “have” group and the “have not” group. That government is destined to fail. A strong middle class is the true salvation of a great society. The “have not” group must always have a safety net to catch them if they fall into hopeless poverty. This was not a free handout, but a hand up, with jobs, security and dignity.