The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
III. THE THREE QUESTIONS.

1t once occurred to a certain king that
IL he always knew the right time to begin
everything, If he knew who 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
how to be sure what was the most impor-
tant 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 to 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 1t was impossible to
decide beforehand the right time for every
action, but, not letting ones self be alb
sorbed 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
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 council of wise men, who would
help him to fix the proper time for every
thing.
But then again, other 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 II was or was not
the time to begin them. But to know that,
one must know beforehand what is going to
happen. Only magicians 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 people the
king most needed were his councillors; 9TH
ers, 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 ii was skill in
warfare. and others again that it was re-
All the answers being different, the king
agreed with none of them, and gave the re-
ward to no one. But. in order to find the
right answers to his questions. he decided
to consult a hermit widely renowned for his
wisdom.
The hermit lived in the wood. never went
out anywhere, and received only common
folk. So the King put simple clothes,
and before reaching the hermit's 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 he preathed heavily.
The King went up to him and said: ct
have come TO you. wise hermit. to ask you
TO answer me three questions. What time
must one use and not neglect. lest one re-
pent IL? Who are the people one most
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-"
The hermit listened to the King. but an