🌿 ANCIENT WISDOM – Day 1
THE KING AND THE THERE QUESTIONS
(From the teachings of ancient Indian wisdom traditions; later retold by Leo Tolstoy)
THE HERMIT
by Mikhail Nesterov (1862–1942)
Collection: Tretyakov Gallery
Public domain
Via Wikimedia Commons
Long ago, a powerful king was troubled.
He believed that if he knew the answers to three questions, he would never fail in anything.
What is the right time to begin any action?
Who are the right people to listen to?
What is the most important thing to do?
He announced a reward for anyone who could answer these questions.
Scholars came. Astrologers came. Priests came. Each gave different answers.
Some said: Consult calendars.
Some said: Follow strategy and planning.
Others insisted: Trust learned men and advisers.
But the king was not satisfied.
Finally, he went alone to meet a hermit known for his wisdom. The hermit lived simply, digging the earth in his forest hut.
The king asked his three questions.
The hermit did not answer.
He continued digging.
Seeing the old man tired, the king took the spade and began digging in his place.
Hours passed.
Just then, a wounded man stumbled out of the forest and fell at their feet. He had been attacked by the king’s enemy.
The king dressed the man’s wounds and saved his life.
When the man recovered, he confessed:
“I came to kill you. But your guards wounded me. You saved my life instead. I am now your servant.”
The king turned to the hermit again and repeated his questions.
The hermit smiled.
“The most important time is now.
The most important person is the one before you.
And the most important work is to do good to that person.”
Had the king not stayed to help, he would have been killed on his way back.
🌾 Moral
We live in memories and expectations. But life unfolds only in the present moment.
The person before us is our real responsibility.
Compassion is the highest duty.
Grateful thanks to ChatGPT for its kind help and support in creating this blogpost!🙏
