At first the prince was sad at the thought of leaving his loving father and the kingdom where he felt so happy and at peace, even if it was just for a time, but he wished to please the king. The king had also promised that when his son returned, he would be happier than he had ever been before because of the people he would help and the many new friends he would gain. After giving it some thought, the prince agreed to do as his father had requested.

When the prince was about to leave, the king laid his hand upon his son’s heart. “I am giving you a magical power which is meant for you to use to change people’s hearts, filling their lives with the love we share, which will increase their happiness.”

“Thank you, Father,” said the prince. “I look forward to helping others enjoy happy lives like we do!”

After many days of travel, the prince arrived at the village beyond the mountains. Once he had found a place to stay, he strolled through the village to see the people and how they lived. He soon came to a grassy park, where children were playing. Noticing that the prince was new in the area, some of the children struck up a conversation with him, and soon he was joining them in a game.

As the sun began to sink lower on the horizon and the game ended, the prince’s new friends told him how much fun it was to have him play with them, and begged him to come and play with them again. The prince agreed, and every afternoon he went to the park to be with his new friends.

The prince told his friends stories of his father and of the palace and kingdom in which he lived. He told of his father’s supreme love and kindness for the people of the kingdom, and how he went out of his way to care for those in need, so that no one in the land lacked. The prince was sure to help all of the children he met feel included. If a child was hurt, he would stop and help the injured child, who would quickly recuperate.

When going about the village, the prince showed the same type of loving kindness to everyone he met, even when some people were not kind to him in return. He was often seen helping someone in need.

One day while the prince spoke to the children about his father and the kingdom he was from, some of the children ridiculed him. “We think your stories are too wonderful to believe. It’s impossible for such an amazing place to exist or for your father to show such care for the people of his kingdom.”

Other children countered with, “But we’ve seen how kind the prince is toward each of us and toward all he meets. We’ve even seen those who are sick regain their health when he cares for them. We believe he’s telling the truth!”

“We believe you,” they told the prince. “You are always happy and positive, and you have brought greater joy into our lives than we’ve ever had before. Please tell us more.”

The prince laid his hand upon the hearts of each of his believing friends and explained, "My father gave me a magical power with which I can fill your life with increased joy and love. I now pass on this gift to you.”

As the prince placed his hand upon their hearts one by one, their hearts were overcome with joy and filled with love. They wanted to love and help others and show kindness as their new friend had done with them. They were also eager for others they knew to receive this gift.

“We can introduce you to others in the village so you can also give this wonderful gift to them,” one child told the prince.

“I must soon return to my father,” the prince explained. “But because you wish to share this gift with others, I have given you this same magical power my father gave me. This gift will assist you in being loving and kind to each other and all you meet, so that you too can help change the hearts and lives of others for the better."

When it was time for the young prince to return to the palace, he told his dear friends, "Go and tell everyone you meet about my father and me, and about our wonderful kingdom! If those you tell believe you, you can place your hands on their hearts and use this power I have passed on to you to give them happier, fuller lives filled with love.”

After the prince departed, his new friends continued his work by telling others the stories of the king and prince and their wonderful kingdom. They spoke about the wonderful joy they now experienced. They used the magical power the prince had given them to help others’ lives be filled with this great gift of love and joy.

And do you know that we too can partake of a wonderful magical gift, something like the one described in this story? Over 2,000 years ago, God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth, so that we could come to know of the magnificent love that God has for us. Even though it was difficult for Jesus to be away from His Father, He knew how important it was that we come to know about the wonderful gift of salvation that we receive when we believe and accept Jesus as our Savior.

God’s Spirit is like a magical power that transforms us, making our lives happier, richer, and a testimony of His love. We have God’s kingdom of heaven to look forward to for eternity. God loved us that much that He sent His Son to save us!

If you want to know more about God’s great love for you and His gift of salvation, pray this little prayer: "Dear God, I believe that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to give me Your love. I receive Him and Your love into my life. I want to live with You forever in Your heavenly kingdom. Please forgive me for all the things I have done wrong. Please fill me with Your magnificent power of love so that I too can help others have better lives filled with Your love and joy. Amen!"

Jesus will then come into your heart and life forever; He will always be with you and never leave you. And you will live forever in God’s heavenly kingdom with His Son, Jesus, your close and loving friend.

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36 NAU).

“I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 NAU).