Themes in "The three questions" by Leo Tolstoy
Themes in “The Three Questions” by Leo Tolstoy Leo Tolstoy was a renamed writer known for his moralistic views and humane beliefs. He wrote many great short stories and most of them revolve around ethical principles and values by which every person should live. In a sense, everything related to the search for the true meaning of life, are recurrent themes that stand out. The story, “The Three Questions” is like a parable because it illustrates universal truths as it narrates a tale that reflects three golden rules that are fundamental for a meaningful, exemplary and successful life. The story begins with a king that was puzzled by three questions: When is the best time to do each thing? Who are the most important people to work with? And what is the most important thing to do at all times? He strongly believed that the answers of these interrogations were going to provide him the ultimate wisdom to avoid failure in anything he’d undertake and also he considered that they were essential to know how to lead a successful life of good. Men from all over the kingdom tried to answer the king’s questions but they couldn’t satisfy him so he decided to consult a wise old hermit with the hopes that this old man would bring light to his doubts. When the king arrived, the hermit was working laboriously and didn’t answer when he asked the questions. The king offered to help him dig and after some time, he asked his questions again. Before the hermit could answer, a man emerged from the woods bleeding from a terrible stomach wound. Immediately, the king succored him, and they stayed the night in the hermit 's hut. The next morning, the wounded man was doing better, but was incredulous at the help he had received. He confessed that he recognized the king, and revealed that he had come to kill him to have revenge, for the king had executed his brother and seized his property. The man praised the king and thanked him. Then for the last time, the king asked the hermit
Bibliography: Tolstoy, Leo. The Pathway to Life: Teaching Love and Wisdom. New York: Cosimo Classics, 2008. Google Books. Web. Nov. 19, 2013. ---. “The Three Questions”. http://bwb.s3.amazonaws.com. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov. 2, 2013.