Three Questions

he thought came to a certain king that

he would never fail if he knew three

things. These three things were: What is the right

time to begin something? Which people should

he listen to? What is the most important thing for

him to do?

The king, therefore, sent messengers

throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum

of money to anyone who would answer these

three questions.

Many wise men came to the king, but they all

answered his questions differently.

In reply to the first question, some said the

king must prepare a timetable, and then follow it

strictly. Only in this way, they said, could he do

everything at its proper time. Others said that it

was impossible to decide in advance the right time

for doing something. The king should notice all

that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures, and

always do whatever seemed necessary at that

time. Yet others said that the king needed a

council of wise men who would help him act at

the proper time. This was because one man

would find it impossible to decide correctly,

without help from others, the right time for

every action.

But then others said that there were some

things which could be urgent. These things could

not wait for the decision of the council. In order

to decide the right time for doing something, it is

necessary to look into the future. And only

magicians could do that. The king, therefore,

would have to go to magicians.

In their answers to the second question, some

said that the people most necessary to the king

were his councillors; others said, the priests. A

few others chose the doctors. And yet others said

that his soldiers were the most necessary.

To the third question, some said science.

Others chose fighting, and yet others religious

worship.

As the answers to his questions were so different,

the king was not satisfied and gave no reward.

Instead, he decided to seek the advice of a certain

hermit, who was widely known for his wisdom.

The hermit lived in a wood which he never

left. He saw no one but simple people, and so the

king put on ordinary clothes. Before he reached

the hermit’s hut the king left his horse with his

bodyguard, and went on alone.

As the king came near the hermit’s hut, he

saw the hermit digging the ground in front of his

hut. He greeted the king and continued digging.

The hermit was old and weak, and as he worked,

he breathed heavily.

The king went up to the hermit and said, “I

have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to

answer three questions: How can I learn to do

the right thing at the right time? Who are the

people I need most? And what affairs are the

most important?”

The hermit listened to the king, but did not

speak. He went on digging. “You are tired,” said

the king. “Let me take the spade and work in your

place.”

“Thanks,” said the hermit, giving the king his

spade. Then he sat down on the ground.

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