The Fool
By: Richard Evanoff
One day the king summoned all of the wise men in his court to see if they had yet discovered the secret of life. When they had all assembled in his majestic hall, he asked them one by one:
"Have you found it yet?"
"No," replied the first wise man. "We have searched diligently for it. We have sought it in Truth. We have sought it in Beauty. We have sought it in the Common Sense of the people. And each time we were disappointed. It is not revealed on the somber plains nor in the tranquil seas. And no one, of course, knows what lies beyond the mountain's top. So we must regretfully inform you that we have not been able to find an answer in either heaven or earth!"
All of the other wise men echoed his reply. They were honest wise men. That is why they were called "wise men."
But the king was angered by their inability to provide him with an answer. He cried out with a loud voice:
"I have given you Philosophy! I have given you Science. The writings of the Poets were at your disposal! You have heard the words of the Prophets, listened to the songs of the Bards. All Knowledge has been placed in your hands, yet you still cannot tell me the secret of life!"
The king summoned his guards and ordered them to cast the wise men into the deepest cell of his dungeon, saying, "These men are not wise. They are fools! They have failed to provide an answer to my question. Even though I have riches, power, and authority, I do not as yet know the meaning of life!"
The king then added, "And whosoever now occupies the deepest cell of the dungeon, bring him up. I wish to see if he might be able to provide an answer to my question!"
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