James Baldwin’s Short Story, ‘The Charcoal Man and the King’

“Charcoal Kiln in An Oak Tree Forest,” by Karl Lessing. A child is saved by a peasant who delivers charcoal to the court. Public Domain

A rich man may be important to many, but he may not impact them in a deep, personal way. Conversely, although a poor man may touch the lives of only a few, his benevolent spirit and actions can reach many, even kings.

James Baldwin (1841–1925) demonstrated the power of a peasant’s kindness in his short story, “The Charcoal Man and the King.” In this story, Baldwin follows the inspirational actions of the poor charcoal man, Jacquot, whose actions go so far that they impact the king himself.

Jacquot works as a charcoal delivery man in the kingdom, delivering charcoal to homes of the rich and even the king’s court. He’s often seen walking around with a charcoal bag on his back, working hard every day to support his wife and two sons.

A Wet Guest

One evening, Jacquot doesn’t arrive in time for dinner, and his two sons, Charlot and Blondel, wait in anticipation for him. They wonder with impatience why he could be so late.

As their mother reassures them, Jacquot appears at the door with a pale, cold, and wet child in his arms. Jacquot rushes into the house, saying: “Be quick, boys, and stir the fire. Throw on some chips and make a blaze.”

Seeing the handsome young boy, Jacquot’s wife tells her son Charlot to get his Sunday clothes: “He must have some dry clothes.” Jacquot and his wife quickly replace the child’s wet clothes with the son’s clothing, wrap him in a warm blanket, and place him in the children’s bed.

The young boy soon regains color in his cheeks and opens his eyes. Looking about and seeing his surroundings, he says, “Where am I? Where am I?”

Jacquot assures the boy that he is in his house. However, the young boy grows indignant and exclaims: “How did these clothes come on me? ... They are not mine. You have stolen my clothes and have given me these ugly things.”

Jacquot begins to object, but his wife soothes him. She assures Jacquot that the boy is tired and can’t fully process the situation. The strange boy soon falls asleep.

A Benevolent Spirit

Jacquot tells his family how he found the young boy. He says that he had just delivered charcoal to the queen’s kitchen and was heading back home, when he passed by a pool in one of the palace’s parks.

While passing by, he heard a splash and saw a young boy struggling in the cold, wintery water. As quickly as he could, Jacquot pulled the boy out: “He was senseless;  but I knew he wasn’t drowned.” Unsure what else to do, Jacquot brought the shivering child home, so that he could revive his warmth.

The child awakes with renewed strength and clarity. He sits up an air of confidence and addresses the family before him.

In this story, Baldwin shows the power of kindness when helping another in need. Through his quick action, Jacquot saves a child and gives him a future.

Baldwin demonstrates, as Thomas Jefferson says: “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”

Whether rich or poor, big or small, anyone can powerfully affect those around them. Actions count, not words. Actions prove what a person is made of and how they'll touch those around him.

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