The Four Wise Men

A Story by Farhan Shaikh

In the midst of the ocean enclosed by greenery and protected by strong magic was a mysterious island. There were rumors that a golden apple resides in this island which makes the consumer of that apple as beautiful as his heart.

Between the hours of sunset, four men somehow found out the mysteries of the golden apple and sailed on the ocean in the search of the island.

Over hundreds of people male and female, rich and poor, young and old tried to find that island but none of them succeeded. There were three people of the three different kingdoms who began their journey with a servant who was actually a knight to protect them in the journey.

   The first person was named Igor second named Dumnus the third was Cadmus and the fourth was a knight, uglier than three with a dark burned body.
Once knight asked all of them for the need to eat the golden apple.

   "I've been robbed and I lost everything I had once, I could've find the thief and killed him, but I didn't". Igor said and turned towards the sea with an evil smile "That's what makes me a good heart". He added.

Dumnus Said, "I loved a woman who got married to someone else" he lowered his head "I didn't bothered her and let her go, that's what makes me a good heart".

Cadmus who was ugly as the knight said,
" I am not handsome atleast by eating the apple I can look good enough to find my love".
Now the knight knew the reasons why they wanted to eat that apple.

Sun was set and moon was shining bright in the dark sky along with the stars, in between they sighted an island with a golden light. They anchored their ship and took a dinghy down to reach the corner of the island. Before they reached the corner the water in that part of the island caught fire.
"How is that possible" Cadmus shivered. " Fire in the water?"
At the very next moment the fourth man who was the knight saw a leaf of a tree passing through the fire.

"It's not a real" Knight turned to them "It's just a phantasm".

Knight jumped on his feet and dived in the water followed by Igor, Dumnus, Cadmus and crossed the fire without any harm and all of them stood at the corner of the island.

They reached the corner and Cadmus found an old piece of parchment with something written on it.
Cadmus handed it to the knight and he read:
'Your words will decide death or destiny' knight whispered it once again to get rid and he almost got it.

No sooner did they step forth than leaves fell down before their eyes and formed the shape of a human.
"Why are you here ?" The human formed shaped leaves asked.
"We are here for the-"
"-for the rest" Knight stepped in
interference. False words of the knight made the leaves clear their way and they went back to the tree.

While walking silently towards the centre of the island Dumnus broke the silence.
"Why did you lie?" He asked the knight.
"That's what was written in the parchment 'Your words will decide death or destiny' if we would have said them the truth they might have killed us" replied Knight.

Cadmus with his next step sighted an apple shining like gold. Except knight, all the three were blinded by the glistening glow of that golden apple.
There was a stone with some words engraved on it and on top of it was the golden apple.
"We'll have a bite one by one" Igor stepped ahead.

No sooner did he pick up than the apple lost it's golden glow. All of them were shocked by this but none of them placed the apple back.
Cadmus tried to eat a bite but he couldn't as he felt he was biting a stone.

That same thing happened when Igor tried to bite the apple.
Dumnus thought it was a moment for him. He took the apple from Igor and the same thing happened as for Cadmus and Igor.

The knight noticed the engraved words written on the bottom of the stone
'A Wise Man Do Not Know That He Is Wise'.

Knight took the apple from Dumnus and with the touch of the knight the golden apple brought back it's glow, next moment the Knight ate a bit of the apple and his dark burned body turned white and he became most handsome than them. It was the knight who was kind in all four of them.

Cadmus, Igor and Dumnus were jealous as their expressions said it all. Next moment a shining silver orb appeared from the stone and whispered the same words written on the stone.

"This knight saved his king from the fire and got himself burned, he took you here not with the same intention as yours he just wanted to serve you, serving the wise made him wiser" and the orb vanished.

Igor took long enough to understand that boasting about yourself doesn't make you wise.

Dumnus love got married to someone else, there was a reason the girl left him perhaps that reason was not wise.

Cadmus was ashamed of himself after he came to know that it is not wise for a good heart person to have a pride in them.
With happiness and smile on his face the Knight departed from the island along with his three fellows.

© 2017 Farhan Shaikh

My Review

Would you like to review this Story?
Login | Register

Featured Review

Shy Joe

You tell a good story. Grammar is a issue in several spot, but I don't believe English is your first language, so not to bad considering. As far as the content of your story, a little cliche but not to bad. The inconspicuous noble servent coming out on top at the end was easley guessed before I got halfway through the story.

Maybe a twist of him being actually evil at the end would have added great entertainment. More background into the characters with a bit if drama. Possibility of a death or a grave injury to one or two of the characters would add suspense to your story.

All in all not bad. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing.

Posted 7 Years Ago

1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

7 Years Ago

Thank you for that..i will keep this in mind whenever i will write again..☺

Reviews

LKBillips

I felt bad for Cadmus. I liked how you played with the idea that the Knight was supposed to be so insignificant that in your tale he didn't even merit a name. Interesting and good movement.

Correct surya.. thank you friend for your kind words☺

Najam Us Saher

I really liked the message here....many wise words were excellently written...I loved the phrase 'Your words will decide death or destiny'. It's so true indeed...Overall, a nice journey and story with inspiring message...Well done...!!!