Then immediately the priest entered the large room where all the scholars and the kings' sons were seated, and called out to them—
"Now, tell me the truth, and let none fear to contradict me; tell me what is your belief—have men souls?"
"Master," they answered, "once we believed that men had souls; but thanks to your teaching, we believe so no longer. There is no Hell, and no Heaven, and no God. This is our belief, for it is thus you taught us."
Then the priest grew pale with fear, and cried out—"Listen! I taught you a lie. There is a God, and man has an immortal soul. I believe now all I denied before."
But the shouts of laughter that rose up drowned the priest's voice, for they thought he was only trying them for argument.
"Prove it, master," they cried. "Prove it. Who has ever seen God? Who has ever seen the soul?"
And the room was stirred with their laughter.
The priest stood up to answer them, but no word could he utter. All his eloquence, all his powers of argument had gone from him; and he could do nothing but wring his hands and cry out, "There is a God! there is a God! Lord have mercy on my soul!"
And they all began to mock him! and repeat his own words that he had taught them—
"Show him to us; show us your God." And he fled from them, groaning with agony, for he saw that none believed; and how, then, could his soul be saved?