THREE QUESTIONS

It once occored to a certain king ,that if he always knew the right time to begin every thing; if he
knew who were the right people to listen to , and whom to avoid;and, above all,if he always know what
was the most important thing to do , he would never fall in anything he might undertake.

And this thought having occureded him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would
give a great reward to anyone who would teach him what was the right time for every action,and who
were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do.

And leamed men came to the king, but they all answered his questions differently.

In reply to the first question, some said that to know the right time for every action,one must draw up
in advance, a table of days, months and years, and must live strictly according to it. Only thus, said they,
could every thing be done at its proper time. Others declared that it was impossible to decide before
hand the right time for every action; but that, not letting oneself be absorbed in idle past times, one
should always attend to all that was going on, and themn do what was most needful. Others, again, said
that however attentive the king might be to what was going on, it was impossible for one man to decide
correctly the right time for every action, but that he should have a council of wise men, who would help
him to fix the proper time for everything.

But then again others said there were somr things which couldnot wait to be laid before a council,but
about which one had at once to decide whether to undertake them or not. But in order to decide that,
one must know beforehand what was going to happen. It is only magicians who know that; and,
therefore, in order to know the right time for every action , one must consult magicians .

Equally various were the answers to the second questions. Some said, the people the king most needed
were his councilors ; others, the priests; others, the doctors; while some said the warriors were the most
necessary.

To the third questions, as to what was the most important occupation; some replied that the most
important thing in the world was science. Others said it was skill in warfare; and others, again, that it
was religious worship.

All the answers being different the king agreed with none of them, and gave the reward to none .
But still wishing to find the right answers to his questions, he decide to consult a hermit, widely
renowned for his wisdom.

The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted, and he received none but common folk. So the king
put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit’s cell dismounted from his horse,and , leaving his
bodyguard behind him , went alone.

When the king approached, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. Seeing the king, he
greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and weak, and each time he stuck his spade into
the ground and turned a little earth, he breathe heavily.

The king went up to him 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 most need, and
whom should I, therefore pay attention than the rest ? And what affairs are the most important , and
need my first attention?”

The hermit listened to the king, but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and recommenced
digging.

“You are tired,” said the king, “let me take the spade and work awhile for you.”

“Thanks!” said the hermit, and , giving the spade to the king , he satdown on the ground.

When he had dug two beds, the king stopped and repeated his questions. The hermit again gave no
answer , but rose , stretched out his hand for the spade , and said:” Now rest awhile -and let me work a
bit.”

But the king did not gave him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed , and another. The sun
began to sink behind the trees and the king at last stuck the spade into the ground , and said:

“I came here to you wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me none , tell me so,
and I will return home.”

“Here comes some one running,” said the hermit , “let us see who it is.”

The king turned around , and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his
pressed against his stomach , and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the king ,he
fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly . the king and the hermit unfastened the man’s clothing.
There was a large wound in his stomach. The king washed it as fast as he could , and bandaged it with
his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had . But the blood would not stop flowing , and the king
again and again removed the bandages soaked with warm water