New-York tribune., 1922-10-29
THE THREE
PROBLEMS
BY RENE d ! Rim
translated BY William L. Mcpherson

One day he summoned his prime minister
and said to him:
"For my own satisfaction have decided 10
call ON you to solve three problems
81 Tell me to the minute how long it would
take me to make journey around the world.
2, Estimate my value in money.
"3. Compel me to believe an absolutely false
statement.
j give yea week in which to reflect and
then bring me back your answers. After which,
according as You have shown yourself clever
or foolish, You will either enjoy my most dis
tinguished consideration or you will be hanged
high in the marketplace. That is ALL"
This time I am lost" thought the prime
minister.
He sought to flee the country, but he found
that he was being closely guarded and that any
attempt of that sort would be futile.
So with the courage which springs from de-
spair he addressed himself to his task.
V Alas! Four long days passed without his
getting on the track of solution. He couldn't
eat; he couldn't sleep. His face was haggard
and his eyes bulged out of his head
5 His cook, faithful and devoted servitor,
ventured to ask the cause of his ma ster's de-
rangement.
!. "Your excellency will please pardon me If
i am indiscreet." he said, "but have come to
beseech him TO tell me the nature of the trouble
oh
raitted TO relieve t''
In those far-of times virtue was not recom,-
pensed as it is to-day. Instead of being
touched by this attention the minister consid-
cred it an impertinence, had the cook beaten
and sent about his business.
he was persuaded that there was nobody in
task So you can see why he didn't take kindly
10 the idea of accepting assistance from
servant. He shut his door to everybody and
concentrated on his work. But all without
avail. The fatal day arrived and h, hadn't
yet found a single answer 81
Would the proximity of death stimulate his
Icy OF genius? 1t seemed, on the contrary.
that his mind was more than ever paralyzed.
However, this discovery inspired him with a
Little modesty and wisdom He sent for the
COOK, whom he had mistreated few days be-
fore, and deigned to tell him the whole story.
What was his surprise at hearing the cook
cry out as each probl m was stated:
why, that is only chlds pay!"
is 1t possble?" said the minister. Tell me
at once how to answer them. have hardly
an hour before must appear before his mai
esty. / will make you rich and overwhe,no
you with honors"
- ihank you,'' the cook answered II will
go myself and give the king the answers 10
the three problems
but shall be hanged, unlucky me!~
NO! Let me do it. Only lend me your
eiothes and your wig and give me somo monev
SO ehae may get at a costumers beard like s.
yours and -he face paints necessary to make
me look exactly like you. Above all. remain
mere n your room and don't let ANYBODY see
You, un2er any pretext."
Ar hour later the court was asssr,h,aa =,
she chief marketp ace. The kings throne was
placed in the middle. An immens. throne bun,,
about the square
lhe false minister presented himself so we,,
made up that all the world was dacovod
IhSre was religious silence. Then the kina
spoke. ''1 mig
How much time would it take me to r,alo
circuit of the world?"
9iFe' II you set cut with the sun and trav-
eied exactly at his gait, it would take vo,, ax-
ae'Iy three hundred and sixty-fve days and q
quarter '1
uooa' said the king, who appeared to be
satisfied Tell me now: What is NV vaue
in money!"
lie cast q glance around the court as If to
ask If there was any sum large enougb to
measure that value.
The other replied vary humbly:
Jesus Christ was once sold for thirty pieoes
of silver. Vaiuing you at twenty-nine and a
half would not be far wrong"
The king grinned, and, without waiting mn.
the third problem.
1T remains for us" he said, "to al a story
IN whirh the most extraordinary lie appears
to US like manifest trg thu
8 "Ihre IS ne need Of that" his interlocutor
answered. "The thing las already been accom-
piish d. Fer ten minutes have ccnpeue4 Won