Foreword

 

     Love. It is a great gift. It is very precious. But what is it exactly? Is it something within or without? Is it both? Is it words or actions? Link and Zelda are going to answer that question for us. Listen (or read) carefully.

 

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     Link, the Hero of Hyrule, and Zelda, the Princess of Hyrule, stood on the castle battlement looking at the sunset. It was their favorite time to be together watching the golden-red sun melt behind the earth. As they watched, Link would tell Zelda stories about his grand adventures. He would talk until the sun was almost gone and the stars became noticeable. Then came the serenity of the night with the silver moon. And this is when Zelda said something quite unexpected.

     “Link,” she began slowly, “do you love me?”

     “Of course I do, Princess,” he replied.

     “And why do you love me?” Link was quite surprised by that question.

     “Zelda, you are the kindest and gentlest woman in this land. That is why.”

     “You didn’t say that I was the most beautiful woman in this land.”

     “Your beauty is nothing compared to your inner character. As beautiful as you are, if you had been a snob of a princess I would not have loved you.”

      Zelda embraced Link tightly and said, “Then let me say, I love you too Link.”

     “And why do you love me, Princess?” asked Link abruptly.

     Zelda released Link and replied, “Because you saved me from Ganon. You saved this land from his evil. You risked everything for everybody. You are the Hero and you too are kind and gentle.”

     “And you didn’t call me handsome.”

     “Even though you are very handsome, if you hadn’t been the Hero I would’ve had no feelings for you as a commoner.” Then she embraced him again. “But as the Hero you are the most revered person in Hyrule next to myself and my father. I am glad you are here.”

     “And I’m glad it happened this way,” replied Link answering Zelda’s embrace.

     “So am I,” said Zelda.

     But as Zelda held Link she felt something hard pressing against her ribs.

     “Oh! Link,” she started releasing Link, “what have you in your cloak?”

     “Oh that,” chuckled Link. “I almost forgot about it.” He reached in his cloak and pull out a large and shiny red apple. “This came from my apple farm. I wanted to give it to you.”

     Zelda took it and began to cry, “Oh Link! That is just another example of your kindness. The beauty of this apple shows that you have grown it with the greatest of care. Therefore it is very fit for the Princess of Hyrule.”

 

     And so, there we have love in its best example. Kindness, charity, gentleness—each of these are properties of character which one should be loved for. Not physical beauty or handsomeness, but true selfless actions with the virtue of charity.

 

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     If I give away all my possessions...and have not charity, I am nothing.

     Charity is patient; charity is kind and envies no one. Charity is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offence. Charity keeps no score of wrongs; does not gloat over other men’s sins, but delights in the truth. There is nothing charity cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, and its endurance.

                                                                                    Corinthians 13:3-7

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