The Prayer by Kipling バージョン The Prayer by Kipling (alpha)

The Prayer by Rudyard Kipling
British poet and novelist (Born December 30, 1865, Died January 18, 1936)

This poem was first published in December 1901 as a heading to chapter xiv of Kim (p. 158). This novel follows the adventures of Kim, a British orphan growing up as a street rat in India, believing himself to be Indian, his discovery of his true nature, and his coming to terms with his identity as a young man with one foot in both worlds. Kipling himself spent many years in India, and had great fondness for the many cultures he encountered. The poem is an affirmation of the belief, long-held by Kipling, that all religions are ultimately seeking the same truths, a belief that shines through Kim, as the boy himself is able to move freely between cultures and creeds. His mentors, whom he respects impartially, include the Lama, a devout Buddhist; Mahbub Ali, a Muslim; Colonel Creighton and Father Victor, who are Christians; and Hurree Babu, a Hindu with an intellectual Bengali's fascination with European, as well as Indian, ideas, and a healthy respect for witchcraft. Though not as well known as Kipling's Jungle Books, Kim offers a fascinating glimpse into a colorful chapter in the history of India.