The Kings Three Questions

Toban of West: I was quite proud of BarTend, he showed courage in the face of those 2. I mean, they KILLED him.

Lygeia nods

Lygeia: It is simple hearts which often have the bravest souls

Toban of West: Yes, and a more simple heart I have never seen

Lygeia: It is, I think, that they are unclouded by doubt, and have only the truth to guide them. As steadfast a star to guide you as you could hope for.

Toban of West: Indeed

Lygeia: It reminds me of a story I once heard...

Toban of West: Do tell

Carrie O'Kaye: Prithee do tell.

Lygeia takes a long sip of her milk to wet her throat.

Carrie O'Kaye awaits the story impatiently.

Lygeia: There was once a king who thought that if only he knew the answers to three questions that he would never stray in any matter: 'When is the best time to do each thing?', 'Who are the most important people to be with?', and 'What is the most important thing to do at all times?'

This king called together all the wise furres of his kingdom, but none could answer his questions. After much debate and study, the king decided to seek out a hermit who was known to be wise, but who would only admit the poor to his presence. So the king disguised himself as a pauper and climbed the mountain to the hermits cave, telling his escorts to await him at the bottom of the mountain. When the king reached the top of the mountain, he found a man bent with age who was toiling in a garden and sweating profusely at the work.

The king asked his questions, but the old man merely smiled and continued his work. After awhile, the king took the old man's hoe to let him rest. He dug several rows in the garden as the old man rested in the shade, and then he repeated his questions. The old man still did not answer, but smiled and took the hoe back from so that the king could rest.

The hours passed with the king and the old man sharing the labor until it was nearing sunset, when they heard someone approaching through the bushes. Stumbling into their midst came a man covered in blood from grieveous wounds. He rushed towards the king, but fell unconscious at his feet. The king and the old man helped the wounded man into the cave and laid him on the hermit's bed. The king cleaned the wound and dressed it with his own shirt.

At last the man woke from his swoon. He looked at the king and said, "Please, forgive me."

The king was perplexed and asked what possibly could he need forgiving. The man told him that he was the king's sworn enemy. Many years ago, the king had taken the man's lands and had killed his brother. Hearing of the king's visit to the hermit's cave, the man had come to the mountain seeking vengeance. He was set upon by the king's escort, but escaped into the woods after being wounded.

"I came here to kill you," the man said to the king, "but instead you have saved my life."

The man again begged the king's forgiveness and vowed to be his servant if only he would grant it. The king was greatly pleased to see that he make peace with an enemy. The king not only forgave the man, but returned his lands and sent his doctors to attend him until he was well.

Before returning home himself, the king turned to the hermit and again asked his three questions.

"You have answered the questions yourself," the hermit replied. "If you had not helped me in my garden, you would surely have been killed by that man. So the most important time then was when you were digging in my garden, and the most important person to be with was me. When the wounded man came, the most important time was when you dressed his wounds, for in doing that you were able to reconcile with him. He was the most important person to be with, and curing him the most important pursuit. There is only one important time, and that is now. The most important person is always the one you are with, and the most important pursuit is making that person with you happy, for that alone is the pursuit of life."

Carrie O'Kaye claps loudly at the story... Then stops and ponders at the morale of the story.

Toban of West: Bravo!

Lygeia nods to all, and sips her milk to ease her dry throat.