The Midrash records the following story: It is said that King Solomon owned a special carpet by means of which he travelled across the world and learned many wonderful things. This carpet was decorated with embroidered scenes of heaven and earth and on it he would travel to any corner of the world he desired.
On his travels the king -- who was bestowed with the knowledge of all the languages of the animals -- listened to the conversations of the birds and beasts and the whisperings of the plants, and learned many lessons from them.
Once, he heard an ant calling out to her fellows: "Run quickly! The soldiers of King Solomon are coming and soon they will trample you all!" Solomon's curiosity was provoked and he descended and addressed the ant: "Who are you, and why are you telling the others to flee from me?" The ant replied, "I am queen of the ants, and it is my responsibility to care for my subjects and see to their welfare."
The king was very moved by her reply, and he was about to address her again when she spoke up and said, "You are so much higher than I, I cannot speak with you. If you wish to converse with me, pick me up."
Solomon crouched down, picked her up, and asked: "Tell me, is there any ruler as great and powerful as I?" The queen ant replied, "King Solomon, don't think you have anything to boast about. You are not so great; why, even I am more important than you. Just look, you were sent here to lift me up!"
The king became very angry at the ant's effrontery and threw her down. "How dare you speak to me like that! I am the king!" The ant replied, "You may be king, but even so, you must remember you came from the dust and you will return to dust."
King Solomon took the words of the ant to heart. He could learn the lesson of humility even from the lowly ant. King Solomon also learned the lesson of humility on another occasion during his travels.
While flying on his special carpet, King Solomon looked down and saw a magnificent golden palace. He was very curious to investigate it, and so he caused the carpet to descend.
As he and his entourage approached the palace, the scent of the Garden of Eden filled their nostrils. Circling the palace, they searched and searched for the entrance, but it seemed impossible to discover. King Solomon summoned the king of the demons to assist him.
"Find out if there are any people inside," he commanded. The demon soon returned to report that there were no humans. The only creature in the entire environ of the palace was a great eagle who lived on the palace roof.
The king summoned the eagle, but he had no knowledge of a door. Finally, he summoned the oldest of all the eagles. This eagle, who was over a thousand years old, flew down and told King Solomon, "I do not know where the entrance is, but I heard from my father that there was a door many years ago which the winds have covered up completely."
King Solomon commanded the winds to uncover the hidden door, and immediately a ferocious windstorm began and uncovered a large gate. Over the gate these words were inscribed: "Let no man enter other than a prophet or a king."
The king was overcome with curiosity. He found a glass case which contained beautifully wrought keys, and with these keys he entered the palace.
King Solomon had never seen the likes of the grand hall in which he found himself. The walls shone with precious stones that turned the dimness into daylight. As he walked down the hall, he saw a silver lock on a large door. Opening it, he found a cave above with the inscription, "The king who lived in this palace was happy and lacked nothing, but he still died in his youth."
The cave contained fabulous treasures, and in the center of the room was a strange throne with the figure of a man seated upon it. When the king touched it, it moved and with a furious look shouted, "Come to me, all ye winds and spirits and demons.
Destroy this man who dares to disturb my peace."
All at once terrible shrieks filled the building and fearsome figures rushed toward the king. King Solomon cried out, "Stop! How dare you attack your king, Solomon, King of Israel? Are you not ashamed of your traitorous behavior?" The spirits fled in terror. Then, the statue fell from its throne. King Solomon saw a silver chain around its neck bearing the inscription, "I am Shadad ben Adad, ruler of the bravest, conqueror of the mightiest. Thousands bowed to me, and all kings trembled before me. But death, I could not defeat."
King Solomon returned to Jerusalem filled with the memory of the palace which proved man's inadequacy and impotence. The king's trust in G-d was greater than ever, for he saw that G-d is the only true and eternal King.
Dedicated to the memory of Chana bas Mendel A"H Mrs. Anita Adler OBM Long Beach, New York
