Legend of a Truly Wise Man

The Tale of the Spaniards

Three men from a poor and tiny village set out one warm summer morning to the nearest bustling town - roughly ten miles away - to search for work to support their families. The three were very good amigos and traveled the path from the earliest light of dawn until the setting of the sun. At twilight, the three encountered a wealthy man, with a wagon loaded with sacks full of golden coins pulled by a stubborn burro. The wealthy man was having a terrible time calming the burro, who had a few moments before been startled by a snake, that now lay dead in the path. The three men rushed to the aide of the other, calmed the burro, and disposed of the dead snake.

"Gracias," the wealthy man sighed with relief. "I can never thank you enough." He paused for an instant and continued: "However, I can offer you either one of two things. In return for your generosity, I will give you a satchel of coins for your families, or I will gladly give you three pieces of good advice."

The first and second man without thought each took a satchel of money and headed their way home to their homes, proud of never having to find work in the city. The third man watched his friends disappear into the horizon forgetting all about him.

"I am sorry, but I have no more gold to give," said the wealthy man, looking upon the forlorn face of the third man.

"I suppose then that I will take the three pieces of advice," the man replied.

"A wise decision, my friend. First: Never stray from the straight path. Even though the straight path may seem longer and more strenuous than the other, it is the path that will lead you to where you need to be. Second: Keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself. The words spoken by others do not necessarily need to be the same words spoken by you. And third: Reflect before you act. Remember things are not always as they appear to be."

And the wealthy man again thanked the traveler and wished him prosperity in his future. Somewhat disappointed in his decision for the advice, the man continued on his way to the city. He could have very easily taken a satchel of money and be on his way home to his loving wife and baby son, but returning home empty handed would be distressing to his family. He followed the long direct road into the city.

Meanwhile the other two men, with the satchels of money heading home to their families, came to a split in the road that they had seen many times. One path was the longest, most troublesome way home. The other path was believed to be shorter and less complex. The men took the shorter path to their homes. Gloating about the wonderful stories they would have to impress their wives and neighbors, the two men sadly met up with a tribe of banditos. The banditos were a fearsome group and when they caught sight of the satchels of money, they attacked the two men stealing their satchels and clothing, and leaving them beaten and unconscious in the road. Many days later, the two men awoke and headed home ashamed and with nothing, not even the clothes on their backs.

However, our third man had arrived in the lively town, after taking the straight path, and found work washing dishes in a local respected restaurant and inn. The couple that employed him were two of the most interesting matched people he had ever seen. His employer was a very tall man, with a large belly. His wife was a very petite and slender creature. Many of the Inn Keeper's employees had questioned aloud why his wife, being so beautiful and delicate, would ever marry a man who was so very fat and heavy. Our man remembered the second piece of advice given to him so many years ago, and kept his opinions of his employers to himself.

The man was very happy working for the Inn Keeper and his wife. They treated him kindly fed him well and let him sleep in a warm bed, and yet as the years passed, nearly twenty by now, the Inn Keeper and his wife were becoming more elderly and decided at one point to retire. Sadly, the inn and restaurant was very popular and filled with citizens. The man one night was called into a meeting with his employers.

"You called for me," the man said meekly.

"Ah, yes. My wife and I are now very old and wish to live the remainder of our lives in the country," the Inn Keeper said proudly. "We, nevertheless, do not wish to close the restaurant."

"I agree with you; it has become very well-known," the man replied shyly.

"Therefore, we are leaving the business to you and your family," the Inn Keeper smiled. Bewildered and dumbfounded, the man asked plainly why they had left a prosperous business to him - the dishwasher. "My wife and I recalled in the past when many people asked why my wife and I were happy together when I am so large and she so dainty. And we recalled that you never said anything cruel or uncalled for, and we believe you worthy to become the new owner of our tavern."

Wonderfully joyous and bewildered, the man's feet ran him the straight path home to his family. As he reached his home, which he had not seen in many years, he peered through the window and noticed his wife cuddling next to a perfectly handsome young man. She cooed to him and had love in her eyes.

"I have been away for so long that my wife has found another love!" swore the man with rage. He pulled out his knife and planned to bolt into the house and kill them both. But he remembered the third piece of advice given to him ages ago: reflect before you act. He loathingly put away his knife and opened the door to his house. His wife stood to greet him.

"Wife, what is this?" he said with a hint of anger in his voice.

"Husband, why do you look enraged? Why, this is your son - home from his travels!" she delighted in saying.

His son? Why, his son was an infant when he left for the city, and now he was a grown man. The thought of murdering them both made him sick, but as soon as his son held him in his strong arms, the man became well. The man and his family packed their belongings and traveled the straight path to the city and became very wealthy governing the tavern.