Then the father, addressing the eldest, who was ambitious and already past middle age, spoke as follows:—
"My son, my first-born, find out the furthermost summit of the world, and when you have surmounted that, you can surmount anything."
To his second son, who was avaricious and also getting old and rather bald, he said:—
"Sit patiently, and wait, and when you can hear a voice that comes from no living throat, and can see its traces, you will want for nothing."
To the third son, and consequently his favourite, who was romantic, being better looking and naturally younger than his elder brothers, the father spoke thus:—
"You, my son, who are the pride of my heart, the joy of my life, the light of mine eyes, search the atmosphere till at your bidding it showers down burning stars; then shall you go to the beautiful Princess who awaits you, and live without labour."
And the three brothers murmured under their breath:—
"Poor old dad! He's certainly very unwell."
But he had not yet finished.
"Try to realise your ambition, my sons," he continued. "I have shown you the ways you should go. Then, and only then, will you have earned that priceless jewel—Contentment."