Many years ago, in the time of King John, there was an Abbot of Canterbury. The Abbot was famous for having a large and rich house. People said that it was finer than even the King’s house and when King John heard this, he was very angry. He sent a messenger to bring the Abbot to him.
“You are a traitor,” the King said. The Abbot knew why the King was angry and replied:
“My Lord, I spend no more than I have. Surely there is no law against that?” But the King would not listen.
“You will lose your head and all your riches unless you can answer three questions. First, how much am I worth? Second, how long will it take me to ride around the world? Third, what am I thinking?”
The Abbot replied: “My Lord, give me three days to find the answers.”
The King agreed and the Abbot left him to return home, but he was in despair because although he was very clever, he did not know the answers.
On the way back home, the Abbot met the shepherd who looked after his sheep. “Good morning, my Lord, welcome home,” said the shepherd. “But why do you look so sad? Do you have bad news?” “Very bad news,” the Abbot replied. “I have only three days to live if I cannot answer these questions set by the King. First, how much is the King worth? Second, how long will it take him to ride around the world? And third, what does he think?” The shepherd laughed, “My Lord, have you never heard the saying — A fool can teach a wise man? Give me your horse and clothes and I will go, disguised as you, to answer King John.”
The Abbot agreed and the shepherd dressed up in the Abbot’s clothes and went to see the King.
“Good morning, Abbot,” said King John. “Now, can you tell me what I am worth?” the shepherd replied, “Jesus was bought and sold for thirty silver pieces, so you are worth twenty-nine, because I cannot value you as much as him.” The King laughed, “Is that all? Now, tell me how long it will take me to ride around the world?”
The shepherd replied, “if you rise with the sun and ride with him all day, you will ride around the world in 24 hours.”
“Very clever,” the King said, “but one question remains. Can you tell me what I am thinking?” “Yes, I can,” said the shepherd. “You think I am the Abbot of Canterbury, but I am simply his shepherd, and I have come to ask you to forgive the Abbot and myself, and pardon us.”
King John was very pleased by the cleverness of the shepherd. “You are both forgiven and you may have this bag of gold as a reward for your cleverness.”
