This weeks Tale

The tenth tale: The King's apprentice.

Following the challenge, Yarhid was summoned to the castle. When he arrived the King stood at the gates, alone. "So then, my boy, you have uncovered my secret now you must be its student." Three monks appeared. "They will be your teachers, each for a day. After which you will tell me what you have learned." Yarhid greeted his three masters. One looked strong and had a frightful glare. He announced that he was to be his first teacher. The other two departed.
"Today you will learn about the body and its power." The broad shouldered teacher declared and lead Yarhid to the training ground. Throughout the day, the master monk amazed Yarhid with his might, able to lift things no man could lift, able to break through barriers no man could break through. At the end of the day Yarhid had learned much about concentration and focusing ones might, and to the monk’s surprise, could now perform some of what he had learned after only a day.
The next morning, Yarhid awaited the second teacher. He thought to himself he had now understood it all, he knew not what else he could be taught. The second monk now arrived, tall, graceful, with a look of peace on his face. Without a word he motioned for Yarhid to come with him. During the day, Yarhid was again amazed. This monk could do everything the other could and more. But he used not an ounce of strength, just his mind. Once more, the young apprentice was up to the challenge. By the end of that morning, he could perform some of what he had learned. He knew now that he could hold even more power and that he did not need to exert his own energy to channel it.
As they returned together to the castle gates where they had met, the third monk was already there. A short, awkward old man, with a funny face and character to match. He was loud, coarse and laughed at his own silly jokes. Yarhid thought he did not hold the same dignity as the other two. "Ok boy, come with me now, you obviously have learned nothing from those two." The old monk said. Yarhid was surprised at the insult, and even more surprised that the psychic monk simply bowed and withdrew. "Let's have a look at you...hmmm...just as I thought...utterly stupid...and ugly too. My god, your parents must be tired of squinting when looking at you." He chuckled, then turned and walked away telling Yarhid to follow. Yarhid did not appreciate the remarks but held his tongue for he thought it important to learn. All day the monk walked aimlessly about the town, and in the forest lecturing and insulting the poor boy. He thought this might be tolerable if he at least taught him something, but nay, only insults, silly jokes and incessant empty chatter. On top of it all, he made him help with his errands, not to mention that at every turn the monk was nearly struck down by a cart or crushed by a heavy door. Yarhid had never met anyone so lucky and thought perhaps he should teach the monk a thing or two about being careful.
By nightfall Yarhid could take no more. “Hours on foot, just for this!” He was annoyed and exhausted. Suddenly, the monk stopped and fell silent. Then turned to the boy and said.
"I have taught you all that I know, am I not the wisest of your teachers? Now, acknowledge me as your master." The monk had a big silly grin on his face.
"You?. My master?!" Yarhid could no longer contain himself. "You are the silliest clumsiest fool I have ever met, it's a miracle you are still alive!"
"So you do acknowledge me as the best of your teachers?"
"Absolutely not! I have learned nothing at all, except how to almost get myself killed. The other two taught valuable methods and lessons. You, it seems, know nothing at all!"
The monk lowered his eyes to the ground. Yarhid suddenly felt guilty, and tried to remedy his outburst but the monk stopped him and said. "I told you he was too young, still too fool-hardy."
The King suddenly appeared. "I can see that." He looked at Yarhid disapprovingly.
Yarhid was at a complete loss, he felt he had failed somehow but did not understand why. "I do not understand my King, what has happened here?"
"Why don't you tell us what you have learned from the three."
And so Yarhid extolled the virtues of the first two monks but had nothing to say of the third.
"Therein lies the problem." The King said. "The first two monks, though powerful showed you only how to borrow power from the universe, and that is only the beginning of it all. True greatness comes from uniting with the world around you, as our friend here does." He was pointing at the old monk. "The other two monks removed obstacles as a result of their will amplified by the energy they had absorbed. But the third monk was being served by it entirely. He is no clumsy fool, he was just showing you that no matter what, the energy that flows through him will clear all obstacles. That he may live as he chooses, secure in that knowing, for he has surrendered to that fact and his faith is the only power he needs."
Yarhid was mystified, but saddened that he could not see. He looked over at the old monk, more carefully this time and saw that there was a glow around him always, a glow that seemed to tickle those who noticed it.
"Do not worry young one." The King went on. "Seedlings do not become trees in three days no matter how pure the rain or rich the soil."

From the Legends of Altai Volume 1, The tales of King Ogdazh: Book of Divination copyright 2008