“While he was sleeping his soundest, the nine men who had been appointed by the people to find them a king chanced to pass that way. They saw the handsome boy sleeping in the shade of the tree, and they stationed themselves around and watched him. For four long hours they watched the boy, but still the shadow of the tree kept the sun from his face. The nine men consulted among themselves, and they came to the conclusion that the shadow of the tree hadn’t moved, and that the boy was a well-favored lad who would look very well when he was dressed up and put on a throne with a crown on his head.
“So they shook the boy and aroused him from his sleep.
“‘What’s your name?’ asked the spokesman.
“‘Telambus,’ replied the boy.
“‘Where do you live?’
“‘Not far from here.’
“‘How would you like to be king?’
“‘I have never tried it. Is it an easy trade to learn?’
“The nine men looked at each other shrewdly and smiled. They each had the same thought.
“They went with the boy to his home and saw his mother, and inquired about his age and his education, and asked a hundred other questions besides. They cautioned the woman as they were leaving to say nothing of their visit except this, that they were going about hunting for a king and had called to make some inquiries.