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THREE QUESTIONS, ~Leo N. Tolstoy, Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910) was born of a noble family in Russia in 1828. He began, his life as a soldier and several in the Crimean War. But he is well-known for his writing. He is, considered to be one of the greatest novelists in the world. Some of his well known novels are, ‘War and Peace’ ‘Anna Karenina’ ‘Resurrection’ etc. Tolstoy is also one of the greatest short, stories writers. ‘Three Questions’ is one of his most popular short stories., The thought came to a certain king that he would never fail if he always knew three, things. These things were: what was the right time for him to begin something; what people he, ought to pay attention; and above all what was the most important thing for him to do. The king, therefore sent messengers throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum of money to anyone, who would show him the right time for every action, how to choose the right people to advise, him, and how to judge what was the most important thing for him to do., Many wise men came to the king, but they all answered his questions differently., In reply to the first question, some said that the king must draw up a time-table, and then, live strictly according to it. Only thus, they said, could everything be done at its proper time., Others said that it was impossible to decide, before the time came, what would be the right time, for doing something. The king should observe all that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures and, always do whatever seemed to be necessary at the time. Yet others said that, however carefully, the king watched things around him, it would be impossible for one man to decide correctly the, right time for every action. For this, they argued, he needed a Council of wise men, who would, help him to act at the proper time., But then others said that there were some things which could not wait for the decision of, a Council, for they had to be decided upon at once. In order to decide whether to do such things,, a person must be able to look into the future, and for the power he would have to go the, magicians., In their answers to the second question, some said that people most necessary to the king, were his councillors; others said, the priests; others chose the doctors; and yet others said that his, soldiers were necessary above all others., To the third question, regarding the most important activity some replied, science, others, chose fighting; and yet others, religious worship.

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As the answers were so different, the king agreed with none of them and gave no reward,, he decided to ask the advice of a certain hermit, widely famous for his wisdom., This hermit lived in a wood which he never left. He saw no one but simple people, and so, the king put on ordinary clothes. Before he reached the hermit’s hut, the king left his horse with, his bodyguard, and went on alone., As the king came near, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. He, greeted the hut. He greeted the king and continued digging. The hermit was old and weak, and, each time he turned a little earth with his spade he breathed heavily., The king went up to the hermit and said, ‘I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to, answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the, people I need most? And what affairs are the most important?’, The hermit listened to the king, but answered nothing. ‘You are tired’, said the king, ‘let, me take the spade and work in your place’., ‘Thank you’, said the hermit, giving the king his spade, and then sat down on the ground,, When the king had dug two beds he stopped and repeated his questions. The hermit again, gave no answer, but stood up, stretched out his hand for the spade, and said, ‘Now rest, and let, me work’., But the king did not give him the spade, and continued to dig., One hour passed, then another. The sun went down behind the trees, and at last the king, struck the spade into the ground and said, ‘I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my, question. If you can give none, tell me so and I will return home’., ‘Here comes someone running’, said the hermit., The king turned round and saw a bearded man running towards them. His hands were, pressed against his stomach, from which blood was flowing. When he reached the king he fell, fainting to the ground. The king and the hermit unfastened the man’s clothing and found a large, wound in his stomach. The king washed and covered it with his handkerchief, but the blood, would not stop flowing. The king again re-dressed the wound until at last the bleeding stopped., The man began to feel better and asked for something to drink. The king brought fresh, water and gave it to him. By this time the sun had set and the air was cool. So the king, with the, hermit’s help, carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. The man closed his, eyes and lay quiet. The king, tired by his walk and the work he had done, laid himself down on

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the floor and slept throughout the short summer night. When he awoke, it was several minutes, before he could remember where he was or who was the strange bearded man lying on the bed,, looking at him closely with shining eyes., ‘Forgive me’, said the bearded man in a weak voice, when he saw that the king was, awake was looking at him., ‘I do not know you: and have nothing to forgive you for’, said the king., ‘You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge, himself on you, because you put his brother to death and seized his property. I knew you had, gone alone to see the hermit, and I made up my mind to kill you on your way home. But the day, passed and you did not return. So I left my hiding-place, and I came upon your bodyguard, who, recognised me and wounded me. I escaped from them, but I should have died if you had not, dressed my wounds. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, and if you, wish it, I will serve you as your most faithful slave and will order my sons to do the same,, Forgive me’., The king was very glad to have made peace with his enemy so easily, and to have gained, him for a friend. He not only forgave him, but said he would send his servants and is own doctor, to attend him, and he promised to give back the man his property., So, leaving the wounded man, the king went out of the hut and looked round for the, hermit. Before going away he wished once more to beg an answer to his questions. The hermit, was on his knees sowing seeds in the beds that had been dug the day before. The king went up to, the hermit and said, ‘For the last time., I pray you to answer my questions, wise man,’, ‘You have already been answered!’ said the hermit, still bending down to the ground and, looking up at the king as he stood before him., ‘How answered? What do you mean?’ asked the king., ‘Do you not see?’ replied the hermit. ‘If you had not pitied my weakness yesterday and, not dug these beds for me, but had gone on your way, that man would have attacked you and you, would have wished you had stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were, digging the beds; and I was the most important man; and to do me good was your important, business. Afterwards, when the man ran to us, the most important time was when you were, attending to him, for if you had not dressed his wounds he would have died without having made, peace with you. So he was your most important business.

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‘Remember, then there is only one time that is important- ‘Now’! It is the most important, time because it is the only time when we have any power.’, ‘The most necessary man is the man you are with at any moment, for no man knows, whether he will ever need anyone else, and the most important business is, to do that man good,, because man was sent into this life for that purpose alone.’