The Prince’s Destiny
The Astrologer’s Wisdom
Long ago, there lived an astrologer who mastered the study of stars. He knew what was in store for everyone, including himself. Hundreds of people from various villages flocked to consult him. The astrologer spoke fluently about their past, present, and future.
“Astrology is the art of interpreting what is written by God. You should never be overly joyful when I tell you something pleasant. And if my words contain something unpleasant, you should never be disheartened. Always remember that life encompasses both good and evil,” he would say to his clients after receiving his fee.
He would then unfold a square piece of animal skin adorned with charts, take half a dozen cowrie shells, rattle them in his palms, and toss them onto the skin. Observing where the shells landed on the chart, he would proceed with calculations, muttering to himself as his clients sat spellbound until he completed his reading.
The Prince’s Birth
The astrologer’s fame spread far and wide, eventually reaching the king, who appointed him as the court astrologer. Whenever a problem arose, the king and his minister sought the astrologer’s counsel, who foresaw events and kept them on guard.
One day, the king summoned him to read the future of his newborn son. Just as the astrologer prepared to leave for the palace, a cobbler arrived to deliver a pair of sandals. “I’m going to the palace. Please leave the sandals inside; I’ll pay you later,” the astrologer instructed.
“Sir,” the cobbler replied, “that’s fine. However, my wife just gave birth to a son. Could you spare a few minutes to read his future? You won’t have to pay for the sandals.”
The astrologer spread a mat on the floor and began his work. After careful calculations, he announced, “Your son will be a king.” The cobbler was amazed, but privately he chuckled, thinking, “The astrologer speaks like a madman; how can the son of a cobbler be a king?”
The Prophecy in the Palace
Upon arriving at the palace, the astrologer was welcomed by the king and his minister and taken to meet the queen and her baby. He conducted his calculations and then said, “My Lord, the stars indicate that the prince has an excellent future, but he is destined to be a beggar before he turns ten.”
“Absurd!” the queen exclaimed. The astrologer persisted, “Yes, Your Majesty, life is a wheel. One cannot entirely escape misfortune, no matter how fortunate one may seem. The prince is destined to beg, even if only briefly.”
Enraged, the king commanded his guards, “Throw this astrologer into prison. How dare he say my son will be a beggar!” As he was taken away, the astrologer accepted his fate, knowing that what was written in the stars could not be erased.
A Lesson in Destiny
From that day on, the royal couple was exceedingly cautious in caring for their son. The king invaded and conquered many lands, collecting wealth to prevent his son from facing begging. He also ensured that his son played with children from all backgrounds, hoping to cultivate friendships.
Years passed, and the prince grew to be a cheerful boy of nine, good friends with the cobbler’s son. One day, a public announcer invited everyone to attend a drama performance. Commoners and courtiers alike gathered to watch, including the king and queen, at the request of their son, who was set to act.
As the drama unfolded, the king mistakenly believed the player-king to be his son, about to reveal his thought when he heard someone shout from the audience, “My son is the king!” Many agreed, echoing the cobbler’s claim that the king was, in fact, his son.
As the drama concluded, aplomb erupted from the audience, who inquired about the identity of the beggar character. The clown revealed, “He who can never be a beggar—the prince!” The relieved king realized that his son had only portrayed a beggar in the play. “I must thank God that our son only pretended to be a beggar. The astrologer deserves to be honored, and I must apologize to him!”
With that, the king hurried to the prison, eager to fulfill his promise.
