Two kings, two kingdoms, two battles, no victories. What will the king of the north and the king of the south do now? Will they heed the advice of the merchant? Let’s find out.

After the second battle between the kingdom of the north and the kingdom of the south which neither side won, messengers were sent between the two kings, and a war to the finish was agreed upon.

When the day of battle arrived, the kings led their armies to the foot of the mountains. The soldiers stood row after row in shining armor. At the sound of the trumpet, the first wave of soldiers went into the valley. Just as they were about to begin the battle, the merchant came out of nowhere, pushing his cart and singing:

I have food. I have drink. And these I give away free.

And there on the battle field, the merchant laid open his cart filled with the food and water the kings had paid him. When the soldiers saw the food and water they threw down their weapons so they could eat and drink. Side by side they sat at the merchant’s cart eating and drinking their fill, with no thought of war or danger.

Both kings eagerly watched the battle below from their mountain positions. It seemed that the first wave of men had fallen because they were all on the ground. The command was given and the next wave of fighters came down into the valley. When these men saw the feasting they joined in.

The battle seemed to be going faster than either king had expected. Two more rows of soldiers were sent charging into the valley and they too found food and drink in plenty, for the kings had been most generous in paying the merchant.

A report of these strange happenings was carried back to the kings. And they were ANGRY! No one had been killed. Not an arrow had been shot. Some soldiers were even napping!

What happened next you will not believe. So come back and read the next post!

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Waging Peace is adapted from a story by John Aurelio in his book Story Sunday.