From:    Nihasa 
Subject: Persian Folk Tale

When going over some old notes, I came across this translation of an old
Persian story, "The Wizard's Two Apprentices": 
. 
There was, at such a time and such a place, a wizard of great repute. Such
were the wonders and learnings ascribed to him that he was forced to erect
great trials to thin the ranks of those clamoring to learn his secrets. From
fire and water, through sand and air, and past fear and greed emerged two.
The first, a young man of reverent demeanor and holy ways, introduced
himself thus: "Master, my humble life is dedicated to the persuit of that
Holy of Holies, Truth. I offer my life and my fortune and all that is in my
power if you will aid me on my quest."  The second, who's eyes burned with
an inner fire, spoke thus: "Great Master, I too have a quest. It has come to
me that if I work to know the seeing of many things and the knowing of what
I see, a day may come when I can add my grain of sand to that which is
known. All that I have, all that I am, I put at your disposal." The Master,
quietly pleased, said "All I offer is the chance to do the meanest of tasks
in my household while you earn the rights to learn the least of what I can
teach. If this is agreeable, then you may start." 
. 
After many years of effort The two learned much of the four arts. They
learned to read and understand the stories told in letters, numbers, and the
stars. They learned to draw water from the desert, to climb the air as a
ladder, and to walk on clouds as though on solid ground. It was in this last
place that they came to the time of the final teaching. 
"When you have mastered this skill, you will each have the 
final tool you need for your quest." This said, he gave them the secret of
knowing the Truth in whatever they beheld. Once they had shown their
mastery, he spoke thus: 
"The time of teaching has come to an end. Now each of you 
must seek his destiny. I send you on your way with this final gift and
thought: until this day, until this moment, nothing I have taught you or
told you has been the Truth." The reverent apprentice, seeing the Truth in
the master's words, plunged to his death in despair. As one, the old master
and the new spoke: "He has found his Truth." 
. 
Thus, the Truthseeker found his Truth, the seeker learned to see and to know
(and added many grains of knowledge to the world), and the wizard added to
the magick of the world for a time. 
. 
        Nihasa  <-: