Fool’s Gold
by RIH
A wise man once said, “What ever men believe to be true – is true, even if it is a lie.” There is a story that comes from a time a few hundred years ago – it is a story of a city controlled by wicked men and a wise man who could turn lead into gold.
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It was a time of great change through out Europe. The New World across the Atlantic was being explored and claimed; new discoveries in science occurred (it seemed) each year; and new weapons were being forged each day. No longer the clumsy instruments of past generations, new rifles - that could kill at a greater distance - were being made. One man with a horn full of powder and a pouch of led pellets could kill a squadron of soldiers before he himself was killed. Thus was the king’s anguish – that so many would perish before what must be done was realized.
Near the northern mountain boundary lay the city of Calon. Once peaceful, the city had been overrun by a band of wicked cruel men. The mayor had been murdered and all but a few who had escaped – were now enslaved. Protected by the city’s high walls, these wicked men demanded tribute from nearby towns and passing trade caravans. Spies within the city reported what the king feared most; the band was numerous, each possessed one of the new rifles, supplies of power and lead were abundant – their leader (who now called himself Lord Mayor) had planned well. A siege would take years; the city was fed by hidden springs and food could be grown in the fields within the walls, only the innocent would suffer.
As the king amassed his army and prepared for the coming battle, an old man (a faithful servant of the king’s mother) approached the encampment and ask an audience. The old man spoke of what he had learned from those few who had escaped when the city was over thrown. The king confirmed his spies had reported the same and lamented that so many would surely die in the coming battle. Then the old man suggested a plan; “If successful, the enemy’s weapons will become useless” he said, “– if not, I will simply be the first to die.” The old man requested a supply of gold shaped like pellets used in the rifles and men be hidden in the city. The king agreed and commanded it be done.
Days later the old man entered the city - his clothes torn and dirty, his face bruised. “ I have been attacked by thieves”, he shouted. “They took my gold – all of my gold.” He quickly made his way to an inn where he knew many of the guards spent their days eating and drinking. He told his story of being robbed and begged the inn keeper to give him food and a place to wash. “I will repay you soon” the old man said. Ignored, the old man approached a guard, “Give me a lead pellet – please, so I can buy food” he begged. Laughing the guard replied, “There is more lead than cobblestones in this city – it is worthless, but here” as he handed the old man a pellet, “go, buy yourself a plate of dirt”. The old man smiled, “If I might have one more – in exchange for your kindness, I shall return it with a value greater than you can imagine.” Again the guard laughed – produced a second pellet and said, “Buy yourself two plates of dirt – now go away fool.”
Later the old man returned, washed and dressed in fine clothes – he approached the guard. “Hold out you hand”, he whispered. Standing so none other could see, he dropped a pellet of pure gold in the guard’s palm. “Tell no one what I have done – from where this came, or we both will be undone. Now, if I might have a few more of your worthless lead pellets – I shall return more in like fashion as this.” Without speaking, the guard tore the pouch from his belt. The old man smiled. Turning to leave he whispered, “Remember, speak of this to no one.”
Later that afternoon the old man again sought out the guard. Secretly he placed ten gold pellets in the guard’s pocket. “Remember”, he whispered, “tell no one what I have done. Spend this carefully and cautiously least some become suspicious and report your new wealth.” Tapping the guard’s pocket, he continued, “This effort is tiresome. I have purchased a large house near the back wall. I intend to rest for a few days. Perhaps then I shall have need for a few more of your - worthless lead pellets .” The old man smiled, nodded and left. The seed had been planted, now was the time to wait.
Hardly a day passed before the guard acted foolishly and word spread to the Lord Mayor. Thinking the guard had found some hidden treasure he commanded his arrest. Fearful for his life, the guard told how the old man had turned the lead pellets into gold by magic or some new science. “Bring the old man, he will show you” the guard begged.
At first the old man denied the guard’s story, but threatened with torture – he finally told how, years before, he had saved the life of a powerful sorcerer. In return the sorcerer had taught him how to change lead into gold. “But I have never been desirous of great wealth – so I only make enough to live comfortably” the old man said. “Well, I desire great wealth” the Lord Mayor shouted. Tearing a pouch from a guard’s belt, he threw it at the old man. “Turn that into gold or die where you stand,”
The old man fell to his knees. “My lord,” he begged “while filled with fear, I cannot do this. I must have a place of peace, quiet and comfort where to meditate as the sorcerer taught me. But if you might grant – promise - my life will be spared and I shall be given freedom to leave the city – I will give you wealth beyond your desires .” The old man paused then continued, “and if there were enough lead to be had – by the morrow you would have wealth beyond all the kings of Europe combined.” The old man waited. The Lord Mayor’s eyes widened – “By the morrow?” “Yes” the old man answered, “but I must have peace, quiet, comfort – my house; bring what you wish to my house. There it shall be done as you wish.” The Lord Mayor leaned forward, “Then go; my guards will accompany and protect you – and, by the morrow – you shall be free.”
The old man returned to his house and waited. By the Lord Mayor’s command, every ounce of lead was loaded onto carts and taken to the old man’s house. The armory was emptied; even the molds for making pellets were taken - for they were covered with lead. All objects of lead even the pellets from each guard’s pouch - were given to the old man. Every street and home near the house were cleared. Guards were stationed to insure no disturbance occurred. After a time the old man came to the door way; in his hands, a box of gold pellets. “ Take this to the Lord Mayor so he will know - what he has commanded is being done, and by the morrow – all shall be accomplished .”
Before sunrise the Lord Mayor awoke and hurried to the old man’s house only to find the guards dead, the house empty, the carts and lead - gone. All that remained were tracks leading from the house, through a gate - away from the city. At sunrise the king attacked. The city quickly surrendered. The guard’s rifles had indeed been made useless; for there was no lead for shot, only a few pellets of gold – a fool’s gold.
It is not always greed or ambition that drives men to accept and believe true – what is not. More often it is the desire to prove one’s self right – others wrong; or a stubborn fear of embarrassment for having been wrong. Every beginning, every ending has a pathway between. To assume we know and understand how or why a thing was done is at worse arrogance – at best foolishness. God graciously explains how and why He has acted – if we but seek His explanation.
Always remember: A journey of a thousand miles (in the wrong direction) – also begins with a single step.
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