‘The Highway’
Once a king had a great highway built for the members
of his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was
opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest.
He invited as many as desired to participate. Their challenge
was to see who could travel the highway the best.
On the day of the contest the people came. Some of them
had fine chariots, some had fine clothing, fine hairdos, or
great food. Some young men came in their track clothes
and ran along the highway. People travelled the highway
all day, but each one, when he arrived at the end, complained
to the king that there was a large pile of rocks and debris
left on the road at one spot and this got in their way and
hindered their travel.
At the end of the day, a lone traveller crossed the finish line
warily and walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty,
but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him
a bag of gold.
He explained, “I stopped along the way to clear a pile of
rocks and debris that was blocking the road. This bag of gold
was under it all. I want you to return it to its rightful owner.”
The king replied, “You are the rightful owner.”
The traveller replied, “Oh no, this is not mine. I’ve never
known such money.”
“Oh yes,” said the king, “you’ve earned this gold, for you
won my contest. “He who travels the road best is he who
makes the road smoother for those who will follow.”
