I will tell you a story of a Chinese Emperor who lived long ago, who was blessed with three beautiful daughters, each of a similar age, very fair and yet very happy and playful. At times they would squabble much amongst themselves and vie for the attention of their father, and when older they would flirt and seek the attentions of the young men within the Court. At times they would play games and compete with each other.
The Emperor, their father, who was indeed a wise man, was a little concerned for this, knowing that they had reached an age where they should be chosen to take the hand amongst those Princes who stood most handsome and able within the Court. So he thought to devise a plan, choosing the eldest and fairest of the daughters. By choosing this one he would indeed invoke the interest and urge the ambitions of the other two to follow. He summoned the three daughters to come and see him.
“Behold, lo, in front of me I have commissioned this box of most wondrous beauty, bejewelled with magnificent gems, beautiful stones that sparkle in the light and glisten in many colours and reflect the coloured lights around the walls of the great palace. Within this box is held a great treasure, and also a great secret. Whoever shall earn my favour to win the hand of my fairest daughter, must first guess what is within the box and in so doing will receive the contents, as well as my daughter’s hand.”
The word was sent out amongst the people and all the young beaus within the Court were urged to consider what was hidden within the box. The news was spread far afield to all corners of the Kingdom, so that even those Princes in other countries might venture forth with their suggestions. In time, as the days proceeded, the Emperor faced each young man in turn who stood before him and laid proposals and suggestions for what was hidden within the box, with all sorts of fanciful justifications, wondrous thoughts and elaborate concoctions. Some were most grand in their suggestions, such beautiful ideas that would rise up like a firework into the heavens of the grandest and most beautiful of evocations. But after so many visitors and so many days, the Emperor grew tired because no-one could come near to finding the answer. He grew weary and feared his most beautiful daughter might end up growing into an old maid before anyone might find the answer that was hidden within.
The word was sent abroad again. This time riders were dispatched and messengers sent to all villages, all towns, everyone in the land, in the hope that at last someone would be wise enough to provide the answer. Eventually, in a small village in a corner of this wondrous land, there was a fine young man who worked within the fields and with the animals, and was most lowly in his work but most strong within. When he had heard of the Emperor’s quest he knew immediately what must be in the box because his mind was uncluttered and contained simplicity and reason. But how could he, a lowly serf, a man of the fields, approach the Emperor? There came one day a local magistrate to this young man’s village who happened to be on other business. The young man, a little affeared, approached the magistrate’s servant.
“You may ask this young man to speak,” said the magistrate to his servant. “But, why does he need to speak to me, is he not content with working in the fields, are his animals sick, are there problems with his harvest, why should he wish to speak upon any subject with me?”
The servant spoke to the young man who then came forward and said to the magistrate that he believed he knew that which was hidden within this great treasure box that belonged to the Emperor.
“Indeed,” said the magistrate, addressing the young man directly. “How would you know, a lowly worker toiling in the fields?”
“I just know,” said the young man. “It is within my mind and I believe I know.”
“I will pass this to the Court” said the magistrate “and you may be summoned, but I must warn you, do you realise that if you are wrong you will face death as a result? Do you really wish me to continue?”
“Yes” said the young man, “I believe I know.”
“So it shall be” said the magistrate. “I fear for you and I hope the Emperor will be merciful when he asks his servants to dispatch with your life.”
The young man accepted what was said to him and stepped back, bowing before the magistrate who then left the village to report this young man to the Emperor.
Within three days the young man was visited by soldiers who came to take him to stand before the great Emperor. On entering the great hall of the Emperor’s palace they made him kneel upon the floor and bow his head. In front of him stood the box, resplendent, bejewelled and reflecting all colours that lit the walls of the great hall. The Emperor spoke:
“So you believe you know what is hidden within my box?”
And the young man said, “Yes, I do”.
“Come forth and give me your answer.”
In spite of his fear he found the courage and strength to speak because within him there was truth.
“There is nothing, my Lord, there is nothing within the box, for the box holds nothing. It is greatly jewelled. Its rich splendour covers the entire box, but sometimes beauty on the outside may hold very little within, only truth is of such purity that shines more than these jewels and I hope, my Lord, that because I have given you truth you will spare my life.”
“Indeed.” said the Emperor, “it is true. There is nothing inside but as nothing begats nothing so you shall receive nothing, for nothing is within this box and nothing should you receive. But, stand! If my daughter sees you favourable in her eyes, and she wishes it, you may take her hand.”
The young man stood and the Emperor’s daughter came forward, impressed with the young man’s wisdom and truth, and was happy to accept his hand in marriage. The Emperor looked on, happy with the outcome, and gave his blessing.
Copyright 2006 The Erasmus Foundation.
The Erasmus Foundation, Moat House, Banyards Green, Laxfield, Suffolk. IP13 8ER. Tel: 01986 798682.