By Dr. Zeal Okogeri
There once lived a king who spent much of his life searching for wisdom. Although he possessed great wealth, power, and influence, he believed that three unanswered questions stood between him and living a truly wise life.
He often wondered:
When is the right time to act?
Who is the most important person?
What is the most important thing to do?
Believing that someone in his kingdom must surely know the answers, the king invited scholars, advisers, philosophers, and religious leaders to his palace. One after another, they offered their opinions.
Some believed that careful planning determined the right time to act. Others insisted that wise counselors or astrologers should decide. There were many opinions about who the most important people were. Some pointed to rulers and military leaders. Others said priests, scholars, or physicians deserved that distinction. As for the most important thing to do, the answers were just as varied. Some emphasized knowledge, others wealth, religion, justice, or military strength.
Although each answer sounded reasonable, none brought peace to the king’s heart.
Eventually, he heard of a humble hermit who was known throughout the land for his wisdom. The hermit lived alone in the forest and welcomed only ordinary people. Hoping to receive honest answers rather than royal flattery, the king dressed in simple clothing and traveled alone to meet him.
When the king arrived, he found the elderly hermit digging a small garden. The old man was clearly tired, yet he continued his work without complaint.
The king greeted him and asked his three questions, but the hermit said nothing. Instead, he continued digging.
Seeing the hermit struggling, the king quietly took the spade from his hands.
“Please rest,” he said. “Allow me to finish your work.”
The hermit nodded with gratitude.
For hours the king worked in the garden. As the sun began to set, he again asked his questions.
Still, the hermit remained silent.
Just then, a man emerged from the forest, stumbling toward them. He was bleeding from a deep wound and collapsed at their feet.
Without hesitation, the king and the hermit carried the wounded stranger into the hermit’s hut. Together they cleaned his wound, wrapped it with fresh bandages, and cared for him throughout the night. The king remained at his bedside until the man finally fell asleep.
The following morning, the stranger opened his eyes and immediately recognized the king.
Overcome with emotion, he asked for forgiveness.
“I came here intending to kill you,” he confessed. “I believed you had wronged me, and I wanted revenge. But your guards discovered me and wounded me before I could carry out my plan. Had you not cared for me, I would have died. Instead of returning evil for evil, you saved my life. I can no longer be your enemy. If you will forgive me, I will serve you faithfully for the rest of my life.”
The king gladly forgave the man, restored what had been taken from him, and promised that his own physician would oversee his recovery.
Before leaving, the king turned once more to the hermit.
“My friend,” he said, “I have asked my questions several times. Will you now give me the answers?”
The hermit smiled gently.
“You have already received them.”
The king looked puzzled.
The hermit explained,
“If you had not stopped to help me in the garden, you would have left before the wounded man arrived. He would likely have carried out his plan against you. Therefore, the most important time was the time you spent helping me.
The most important person was the one who was with you. First it was me. Then it was the wounded stranger.
And the most important thing was the good you did for each of us. Had you ignored either one of us, neither your life nor his would have been changed.”
The king stood quietly, reflecting on the hermit’s words.
At last, he understood that wisdom is not found in worrying about yesterday or trying to control tomorrow. It is found in how we respond to the person standing before us today.
Spiritual Insight
The greatest opportunities to express kindness are found in the present moment. Yesterday is beyond our reach, and tomorrow has not yet arrived. The only time we truly possess is now.
The most important person is the one who is with you at this very moment. They are the only person whose life you can touch, encourage, comfort, or help right now.
The most important thing you can do is to serve that person with kindness, compassion, and love. Every encounter is an opportunity to make someone’s burden a little lighter and the world a little better.
Wisdom is not measured by how much we know. It is measured by how faithfully we live each moment with an open heart.
Whenever you wonder what matters most, remember these three timeless truths:
• The most important time is now.
• The most important person is the one who is with you.
• The most important thing is to do good for that person.
About Dr. Zeal Okogeri
Dr. Zeal Okogeri is a spiritual guide and mentor who helps individuals grow through emotional healing, spiritual transition, and personal transformation. His work centers on clarity, compassion, and practical spiritual growth.
He is the author of You Can Never Go Wrong By Being Kind and is a gifted storyteller who makes spiritual lessons simple, relatable, and meaningful.
In addition to one on one mentoring, he offers guided meditation audios, transformational courses, and retreats designed to support deeper healing and inner grounding.
If you are seeking guidance, clarity, or personal growth, you are invited to explore the resources available at DrZeal.org or begin with a private consultation.
You do not need to have everything figured out. You simply need openness.