Three Questions (Leo Tolstoy)

Introduction: “The Three Questions” by Leo Tolstoy is a story about a king, who had three questions always in his mind that were “what was the right time for every action”, “who were the most necessary people”, and “how he might know what was the most important thing to do”. He found the answers for these questions only through experiences.

Various Answers: The king sent many messengers throughout his kingdom in order to find answers for the three questions that have risen in his mind. He promised to give a reward of a large sum to the person who answered his three questions. Many wise men tried their luck. They gave a number of answers. One said that the king should go by a timetable. Another said that the king should do whatever seemed to him necessary at the moment. The third suggested that the king should consult wise men or magicians. Answering the second question, they gave top importance to his councillors, or the priests or the doctors or the soldiers. In reply to the third question, the wise men gave importance to science or fighting or religious worship.

Meeting the Hermit: However, the king was not satisfied with all the answers given by the learned people. He went to a hermit in the jungle alone. There he saw the old and weak hermit digging the ground. The king asked his questions but got no answer. Then he took the spade from the hermit and began to work in his place. Several hours passed. It was evening, so the king stopped digging the beds. The king was ready to take leave from the hermit. Just then, someone was running towards them.

King's Kindness: The king saw a bearded man running towards them. His hands were pressed against his stomach from which blood was oozing. As he reached the king, he fainted and fell to the ground. He had a large wound in his stomach. The king washed the wound and compressed it with his handkerchief. At last, the bleeding stopped. The man felt better and asked for water to drink. The king gave him fresh water. The sun had set by then. The king and the hermit carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. The tired king also fell asleep. When he awoke, the bearded man asked to forgive him.

Knowing the truth: The man was, in fact, the king’s enemy. He had followed the king to take revenge on him. He had vowed to kill him because the king had once put his brother to death. When he tried to follow the king, he got wounded by the king’s bodyguards. He would have died if the king had not dressed his wound. He felt grateful to the king who had saved his life. He promised to serve the king as a faithful servant. The king was happy that he had made peace with his enemy. He forgave the man and promised to give back his property.

Hermit's Explanation: The king then went up to the hermit. He again asked answers for his three questions. The hermit explained that by digging the beds for him, the king had escaped the attack. So, the most important time was when he was digging the beds. The hermit himself was the most important person. So, to do him good was the king’s most important business. The hermit further told the king that the most important person for him was the person who was with him at a particular moment. The most important business was to help that person. And the most important time was ‘now’ that is, the present moment.

Conclusion: Thus Leo Tolstoy, in this short piece of essay suggests that one has to go by his own counsel whenever he wants to take a good decision. To take good decision he needs to gain varied experiences like the king in the story. It is only life and no book or any individual that teaches one to make the right decision.