The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-25

II he <Xays knew the right time 10 peSih
everything, If he knew who were ths llsh'
people TO attend to and who to aVolc, anu
above all. If he always knew what was
the most important thing to co, he woGio
never fail in any of his undertaking..
And this thought having occurred to
him he had If proclaimed throughout his
oominions that he would give a great ie-
ward to any one who would teach him
how to know the right time for every
action, and who were the most necessary
people. and how to be sure what was the
most important thing TO CO.
And learned men came to the King, but
thev all answered his questions IN oil
ferent ways.
In repIy to the first question, some SAID
that to know the right time for every ae-
ton one must draw up in advance taoie
of the days. months and years ana
strictly fellow this table. Only thus, SAID
they. could everything be done at It's
proper time Others declared that II was
impossible to decide beforehand the right
time for every action, but, not letting
ones self be absorbed in idle pasimes,
one should always attend TO aall that
Others, again, said that. however at
tentive the King might be to what was
going on. it was impossible for one man
to decide CORRECTLY the right time 1or
every action. but that he should have
council of wise men, who would help him
to fix the proper time for everything.
But then again, others said, there We're
some things which could not wait to be
laid before a council, but about when
one had to decide at once whether 1t was
or was not-the time to begin with. But
/, 10 know that, one must know beforehand
what is going TO happen. Only maSl-
clans could know that; and therefore, IN
order to know the right time for every
action one must consult the magicians.
Equally various (were the answers to
the second question Some said the pco-
pie the King most needed were his couu-
ciIlors; others, 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 re-
piled that the most important thing in the
world was science. Others said it was
skill in warfare and others again that
1t was religious worship.
All the answers being different, the
King agreed with none of them. and gave
the reward to no one. But, in order 10
find the right answers to his questions,
he decided to consult a hermit widely re-
nowned for his wisdom.
The hermit lived in a wood. never went
out anywhere, and received only COM
man folk. So the King put on simple
clothes and before reaching the heTmit's
cell. dismounted 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 he Dreathed heavily
The King went up to him and said:
Il have come to you, wise hermit, to
ask you TO answer me three questions
What time must one uss ana not neglect,
lest one repent it? WHO are the people
one most needs? To whom should enc,
therefore, pay most attention, and to
whom less? And what affairs are the
most important ard should be first at
tended to-"
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
ne have the spade. I'll work awhile for
you
Thanks" said the hermit and giving
the spade to the King he sat down 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 you have a rest Let me work a
bit"
But the King would 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 his spade into the ground and
said:
L came to you, wise man, for an an
swer to my questions. If you can give me
none, tel me so, and l Viii go home"
Here comes some one running said
the hermit LET us see who it is
The King turned around and saw
bearded man come running out of the
wood. The man held MS stomach with
his hands. but blood WAS flowing from
under them. When he reached the King
the bearded man fell 1a.nting on the
ground. and only moansd feebly. The
King and the hermit unfastened the
mans clothing There was a large wound
in his stomach. The King washed it as
best he could. and bandased it with his
handkerchief and with the hermit's towel.
I.ut the blood would not stop flowing, and
the King again removed the bandage.
soaked with warm blood and washed and
rebandsged the wound. When the blood.
at last. ceased to flow. the man revived
and asked fer something 10 drink. The
King brought fresh water and gave it 10
him.
Meanwhile. the sun had quite set and il
grew cool. So The King. with the her
mits help. carried the wounded man into
the hut and laid him 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 tat he slept all
through the short summer night.
When he awoke IN The noruing il was
Ions before he could make out where he
was. or who was that strange bearded
man lying on the bed and gazing in
tenty AZ him with giittering eyes.
Forgive met said the bearded man IN
Q weak voice. when he saw that the King
was awake and looking At him
1 do not know Won and have nothing