I have always enjoyed stories about King David, especially as a boy (think David and Goliath). But this one was especially interesting. First off it appears Jewish Folklore loves to talk about the "unicorn", although this seems to be some type of wild ox and not the mythological horse with a horn. That being said, I appreciate the descriptions of this mountain-like creature in the story. I also thought it was funny how David did not seem to realize what it was he had climbed until he was very far away from the earth's surface.
It is after this that we meet the other two characters in the story: the lion and the deer. The lion is important because he is the reason the "unicorn" bows down, so that David can dismount. However, when David dismounts he is met face-to-face with the ferocious beast. We know from the Bible that David slayed a lion(s) (1 Samuel 17:34-36), but it would not be this time. The deer saves David as he knows, "thou art to become my king", foreshadowing that David will one day be king of Israel. Being saved by the deer is the biggest reason I picked this story, because it was just so surprising and unexpected. One would think the deer would have no interest getting close to the lion, but he is willing to risk his life to save his future king.
Bibliography. "From Shepherd-Boy to King" from Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by Gertrude Land (1919). Web Source.
(Lion: Image by Alexas Photos from Pixabay)
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