A True Friend
Long ago in France, there were two wealthy aristocrats who were good friends. Each had a son, born on the same day. Though the children were not related, they resembled each other to a striking degree. They looked alike, as similar as peas in a pod.
One boy was called Amiens, and the other, Adis. They grew up together and became as friendly as their fathers. When they reached manhood, they went to the King and requested him to provide them with suitable jobs in the palace. The King, finding the youths worthy, appointed them to his court.
After some time, Amiens married a pretty girl who cared more for his wealth than for him. Adis remained a bachelor because he secretly loved the King’s daughter. He determined that he would either marry the princess or remain a bachelor for the rest of his life.
Amiens was aware of his friend’s resolve, but what could he do to bring about this impossible union?
One day Amiens had to go to his father-in-law’s house. He called Adis aside and said, “Adis, mon ami, I shall be gone only for a short while. Take care that your love for the Princess does not land you in hot water.”
Adis reassured him that he would do nothing dangerous.
The Princess also loved Adis. In Amiens’s absence, she met Adis and declared her love for him. Adis was overcome with joy at knowing that his love was returned. After this confession, the lovers often met in secret.
But some jealous courtier spied on them and reported the matter to the King. The King ordered that Adis be brought before him and questioned him about the charges leveled against him. Poor Adis did not expect this thunderbolt. Then, picking up courage, he declared that the whole thing was a fabrication. There was no truth in it.
The King exclaimed angrily, “Are you telling me that this loyal courtier is a liar?” He pointed to the courtier standing nearby. The courtier retorted, “Sire, to prove that my words are no lie, I am willing to fight a duel with this upstart. God will aid me in this struggle for the truth.”
A day was fixed for the duel.
Adis ran to Amiens and related all that had happened. Pitifully he exclaimed, “Oh, Amiens, although I lied to the King, God will punish me, for you know I am no swordsman.”
Amiens thought for a while, then said, “Adis, mon ami, leave this matter to me. I shall take your place in the duel. No one will know the difference. But remain in hiding for some time.”
Adis agreed and left the place. On the appointed day, Amiens fought the duel with the courtier and killed him. So everyone believed that Adis was telling the truth. The King was ashamed that he had suspected the honor of such a fine youth. He called Amiens and said, “Adis, now I know you are blameless. But the rumor that you and the Princess are in love has spread all over the land. You realize how this affects the royal prestige. Therefore, I am willing to give you my daughter in marriage.
Adis married the princess.
“I shall be proud to have a great swordsman like you for a son-in-law,” the King said.
Amiens nodded in solemn agreement. Then he sent for Adis and told him how matters stood. Adis was overjoyed to hear this and thanked his friend profusely. A few days later, the wedding of Adis and the Princess took place with great pomp and splendor.
In the course of time, both Adis and Amiens became proud fathers of bonnie children. But Dame Fortune now deserted Amiens. One day, to his horror, he discovered that he was turning into a leper.
Amiens’s wife, who had never really cared for him, was now filled with loathing and arranged a small hut for her hapless husband, where he was forced to live. He was totally neglected by everyone.
Amiens implored his wife to take pity on him, but she haughtily retorted that only when he was dead would she be truly satisfied.
Desperate, Amiens called his servants and said, “Put me in a cot and carry me down the street. Maybe someone will show me the mercy that my wife denies me.”
So the servants put him on a cot and carried him down the streets. They were passing Adis’s mansion when the latter, seeing the pitiful state Amiens was in, quickly had the cot brought in. Amiens was now installed in Adis’s house and was well looked after by his friend.
One day, Amiens had a strange dream. An angel appeared before him and spoke thus, “Amiens, there is only one way in which you can be cured. If you bathe in the blood of your friend’s children, then you will be well again.” Amiens cried out, “No, No, It can’t be,” and the vision vanished. Adis heard him and gently enquired about the cause of his shout. Amiens was reluctant to speak about the vision, but Adis pressed him so much that at last, he blurted out the dreadful import of the vision. Adis heard him gravely and, after comforting his weeping friend, departed.
He then woke his wife up and sent her to the church of Notre Dame to pray for the well-being of Amiens. As soon as she had gone, Adis arose and, with a sword, killed his children. Then, taking the blood in a vessel, he anointed his friend’s body all over, and lo! Amiens was restored to his previous health. He was no longer a leper. Thus the vision proved true.
Then Adis said, “My friend, let’s go to the church and offer thanksgivings to the Lord for this miracle.”
So dressed in all finery, Adis and Amiens went to the church to pray.
When they returned home, Adis’s wife, who had just then arrived from the church, wanted to know how the miracle of healing had been achieved. Adis frankly confessed what he had done. His wife swooned away in grief over the death of their children. Then lamenting loudly, she went into Adis’s room to look at the dead bodies of her dear ones. But lo and behold! Her children were far from being dead. They were sitting on the bed and playing merrily. But around each neck, there was a red welt.
Amiens and Adis realized that God’s mercy was bountiful. An incurable disease had been cured. The dead children had been restored to life. Truly, God looks after His own. Above all, Adis and Amiens demonstrated the worth of true friendship, which, when tested, remained as pure and steadfast as the northern star.