Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy: Highlights

About the author:
Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910), known in English as Leo Tolstoy, was a Russian novelist, moral philosopher, and social reformer. He is regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time, with his novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina cited as masterpieces of realist fiction. Tolstoy's works are renowned for their psychological depth, realistic detail, and exploration of complex social and philosophical themes. 
About the story:
Leo Tolstoy's "The Three Questions" tells of a king who seeks answers to his three important questions: When is the right time to act? Who are the most important people? And what is the most important thing to do? After receiving unsatisfying answers from wise men, he visits a hermit, but the hermit delays answering until after the king helps him tend to a wounded man who had ambushed him. The hermit then reveals the answers: the right time is now, the most important person is the one you are with, and the most important thing is to do good for others.  
The story in a nutshell:
The King's Quest
1. The Three Questions: 
A king wants to be successful and believes that knowing the answers to these three questions will make him so. What is the right time to begin everything? 
Which people should he listen to?
What is the most important thing to do? 
2. Seeking Answers: 
He consults many learned men, but their conflicting answers fail to satisfy him. 
3. The Hermit: 
To find the true answers, the king decides to visit a wise hermit, who lives alone in the wilderness. 
The Encounter with the Hermit
1. The Hermit's Work: 
When the king arrives, the hermit is digging a garden. The king asks his questions, but the hermit keeps working. 
2. The King's Help: 
The king offers to help the hermit dig, and they work together for some time. 
3. The Wounded Man: 
While they work, a wounded man emerges from the woods and collapses from his injuries. 
4. Caring for the Wounded: 
The king tends to the man's wounds, and they stay together in the hut for the night. 
The Hermit's Wisdom
1. A Confession: 
The next day, the wounded man reveals he had intended to kill the king but was wounded by the king's guards. He apologizes and pledges his loyalty to the king. 
2. The Answers Revealed: 
The king then asks the hermit for the answers again, and the hermit explains that the king has already received them. The Right Time is Now: The present moment is the only time over which we have control. 
The Most Important Person is Who You Are With: The person you are currently interacting with is the most important person. 
Do Good to Others: The most important thing to do is to help the person you are with. 

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