Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
THE THREE QUESTIONS.

everything. II he knew VINO were the right
people to attend to and who to avoid, and.
above all, if he always knew what was the
most important thing to do he would never
fail in any of his undertakings.
And this thought having occurred to him,
he had it proclaimed throughout his do
minions that he would give a great reward to
any one who would teach him how to know
the right time for every action, and who
were the most necessary people. and hoE
to be what was the most important
thing to do.
And learned men came to the king, but
they all answered his questions in different
ways.
In reply to the first question. some said
that tC know the right time for every ac-
ton one must draw up, in advance, a table
of the days, months and years, and strictly
follow this table. Only thus, said they
could everything be done at its proper time
Others declared that it was impossible 20
decide beforehand the right time for every
action, but not letting oneself be absorbed
in Idle pastimes, one should always attend
to all that goes on, and then do what is
most needful Others, again. said that,
however attentive the king might be 20
what was going on, it was impossible fo.'
one man to decide correctly the right time
Tor every action, but that he should have a
council OF wise men, who would help him
to nix the proper time for everything
But then again, others said, there were
some things which could not wait to be
laid before a council, but about which one
had TO decide at once whether it was or
was not the time to begin them. But to
Know that one must know beforehand what
Is gong to happen Only magicians could
for in nrCn
the right time for every action one must
consult the magicianS.
Equally various were the answers to the
second question Some said the people the
ENG most needed his councillors;
ctners. that those most needed were the
priests; others. that he needed the doctors
most while some said that the warriors
were the most necessary
To the third question. as to what was the
most important thing to do, 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 re-
HgiouS worship.
All the answers being different, the king
agreed with none of them, and gave the
reward to no one. But, in order to find
the right answers to his questions he de-
cided to consult a hermit widely renowned
for his wisdom.
The hermit lived in a wood, never wen:
out anywhere, and received only common
folk So the king put on simple clothes
and before reaching the hermits cell DIS
mounted from his horse, and, leaving his
bodyguard behind went on alone
When the king approached the hermit
was digging some beds in front of his hut
Seeing the king he greeted him and went
on with his digging. The hermit was thin
and weak, and each time he stuck his spade
into the ground and turned a. little earth re
breathed heavily.
The king went up to him and said
Il have come to you wise hermit, to ask
you to answer me three questions. VIVA.
time must one use and not neglect. lest one
repent it? Who are the people one mos.
needs? To whom should one, therefore,
pay most attention, and to whom less? And
what affairs are the most important and
should be first attended to?'e sir
The hermit listened to the king but an
swered nothing. He just spat on his hand
and recommended digging.
You are tired said the king. Let me
have the spade I'll work awhile for you"
Thanks said the hermit, and, giving
the spade to the king, he sat down the
ground. no
When he had dug two beds the king stop
ped and repeated his questions. The hermit
again gave no answer. but rose, stretched
cut his hand for the spade, and said
Now you have rest. Let me work a
Bit
But the king did not give him the spade
and continued digging. One hour passed
and another. The sun began to sink behind
the trees, and the king at last stuck MS
spade into the ground and said:
to my questions. If you can give me none
tel! me so, and l will go home"
Here comes some one running" said the
hermit. Let us see who it is.
The king turned round and saw a bearded
man come running out of the wood The
man held his stomach with his hands, but
blood was flowing from under them. When
he reached the king the bearded man fell
fainting on the ground and only moaned
teebly. The king and the hermit unfas-
tened the mans clothing. There was a
large wound in 5 stomach. The king wash
ed it best he could and bandaged it
with his handkerchief and with the hermt's
towel. But the blood would not stop flow
ing, and the king again removed the band
age, soaked with warm blood and washed
and rebandaged the wound. When the
blood, at last, ceased to flow, the man re-
vived and asked for something to drink.
The king brought fresh water and gave it
to him.
Meanwhile the sun had quite set, and it
grew cool. So the king, with the hermit's
help, carried the wounded man into the
hut and laid him on the bed Lying on the
bed, the man closed his eyes and was quiet
But the king was so tired with his walk
and with the work he had done, that he
crouched down on the threshold and also
fell asleep so soundly that he slept all
through the short summer night
When he awoke in the morning il was
was, or who was that strange bearded man
lying On the bed and gazing intently at
him with glittcring eyes
Forgive met said the bearded man in
weak voice, when he saw that the king
was awake and looking at him.
Il do rot know you, and have nothing TO
forgive you for said the King
You do not know me, bu: | know you
L am that enemy of yours who sworc to
revenge himself on you,r because YOU exc
cuted my brother and seized my property.
/ knew you had gone alone 10 see the her
nit, and L resolved to kill you on your way
back. But the day passed and you did not
return So i came out from ambush to lind
out where you We're. and ! came upon your
bodyguard,s and they recognized me and
wounded me. ran away from them, but
should have bled to death 1ad you rot
dressed my wound. ] wished to XIII YOU
and you have saved my life. Now. if
live, and you wish it, / will serve you as
your most faithful slave, and bid my sons;
do the same Forgive me-,
The king was Very glad to have made
peace with his enemy easily, and not
only forgaVe him. but said he. would send
his servants and his own physician to at
end him, and promised to restore his prop
city.
having taken leave of the wounded man,
the king went out into the porch and
looked around for the hermit Before
going away, he wished once more to ask
for an answer to the questions he had put.
The hermit NRaS hi