Leo Tolstoy: The Three Questions

The Three Questions – Leo Tolstoy

The following is a piece i wrote which is adapted from Leo Tolstoy's short story, The Three Questions. The character i have selected for my story is one who actually does not have much role in the original story. Enjoy!

Character: Minister (one of the council members in the King’s palace).

Our kingdom had prospered and lived in tranquility until one fine day the king called us immediately to the court. I thought it was one of the usual sessions we used to have. But as soon as I reached the court I could sense the heaviness in the air. The king had already come which was unlike him. As I tried to read his face, I knew that something was bothering him. The crease running over his forehead only showed itself when the king was distressed. I could hear hefty breathings in the silence of the room. Each one of us looked questioningly to one another. Finally the king began. He asked us three questions;

1.      How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time?

2.      Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I; therefore, pay more attention than to the rest?

3.       What affairs are the most important, and need my first attention?

For a moment my mind stopped working for a while there and I couldn’t just say whatever I thought because it is the king we are talking about. Questions such as these needed to be analysed and thought out carefully before putting it in words. The king announced a big reward for anyone who could answer it. The next day the members of the council lay down their answers to the three questions to the king. The king retorted in anger because he was not happy with it. That evening, I went home and talked about it to my wife. She said that I should ask the wise hermit in the woods but I had to make arrangements for receiving the royal guests at the palace.

 Days after, many wise men came from far and wide to try their luck but our king was displeased with all their answers. In the end he decided to consult the wise hermit, whom my wife had talked of. The king left with his body guards and returned after two days.  We waited patiently at the palace gate to receive the King. He brought along with him a wounded man. As they approached nearer, to our disbelief, the man was the brother of our enemy. The king explained what had happened in the woods. He also got the answers to his questions. Thus he said; 

“The most important time is now. The present is the only time over which we have power. The most important person is whoever you are with. The most important thing is to do good to the person you are with.”

If only I had listened to my wife’s advice. I would have pleased the king promised. Alas! I cannot turn time back but face the music from my wife.

Moral: Behind every successful man there is a woman.