The Wisdom of the Three Answers

Once, in a quiet and flourishing kingdom surrounded by tall mountains and deep forests, there lived a young queen named Alina. She was wise beyond her years and deeply loved by her people. Yet, she was often troubled by doubts—not about politics or war, but about life.

One autumn morning, after a restless night filled with unsettling dreams, she summoned her advisors and asked them three questions:

What is the most important time to act?

Who is the most important person?

What is the most important thing to do?

The court buzzed with debate. Philosophers said, “The most important time is the future—you must plan it well.” Generals said, “The time to act is now, for hesitation costs lives.” Others argued for the past, saying, “We must learn from history.”

For the second question, some said the queen herself was the most important person. Others named allies, or even enemies. For the third question, answers ranged from gaining knowledge to maintaining power to achieving peace.

But none of these answers satisfied Queen Alina.

So she decided to seek wisdom elsewhere. Disguising herself as a common traveler, she left the palace with only a horse, a satchel of food, and her sword. She rode through villages and valleys, finally reaching a hermit known to live at the edge of the forest—an old woman named Mirra, once a healer and sage.

Mirra lived alone in a small wooden hut surrounded by herbs, birds, and silence. She greeted the stranger kindly, not recognizing the queen in her simple cloak.

Alina bowed and said, “I seek the answers to three questions. I’ve heard you are wise.”

Mirra looked at her, then smiled gently. “I do not promise answers. But I welcome help. My garden is overgrown, and my hands are old.”

Understanding the meaning behind her words, Alina put down her sword and began to work—pulling weeds, fetching water, and mending the fence. Hours passed, and the sun dipped toward the trees. Just as she was about to repeat her questions, a shout came from the forest.

A man stumbled into the clearing, blood staining his shirt. Alina rushed forward and caught him as he fell. His side was badly wounded. Without hesitation, she tore cloth from her own cloak and pressed it against the wound. Mirra brought water and herbs. Together, they worked long into the night, stitching and wrapping, comforting and whispering.

At dawn, the man opened his eyes. He looked at Alina with tears in his eyes.

“Why did you save me?” he whispered.

“Because you needed help,” Alina said simply.

The man hesitated, then said, “I came to kill the queen.”

Alina froze.

“My brother was executed for treason. I blamed the crown. I thought if I ended the queen’s life, I’d find peace. But on my way, I was attacked by thieves. If you hadn’t saved me…” His voice broke.

Alina looked into his eyes and said quietly, “You are forgiven.”

The man wept. He took her hand, not knowing who she really was.

Later, as the man slept, Alina turned to Mirra. “Now, will you answer my questions?”

Mirra nodded. “You have already been answered.”

Alina furrowed her brow. “How?”

Mirra pointed to the garden, the blood-stained cloth, and the sleeping man.

“The most important time is now—because it is the only moment in which we can act.”

“The most important person is the one you are with—because only in relationship do we find meaning.”

“And the most important thing to do is good—for that is the root of peace, healing, and wisdom.”

Alina was silent. The weight of the words settled into her heart like sunlight on water.

She returned to the palace with a new heart—not seeking power, but presence; not seeking glory, but grace.

Years passed. Under her rule, the kingdom prospered—not through war or conquest, but through compassion and justice. The man she saved became a healer, serving in her court. And the legend of the queen who sought three answers and found them in a forest lived on, long after her reign.