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So the student sat himself down and waited a while; but the time

hung heavy upon him, and he begged earnestly that he might ascend

forthwith, for his thirst for knowledge was great. Then the other

pretended to give way, and said, 'Thou must let the sack of

wisdom descend, by untying yonder cord, and then thou shalt

enter.' So the student let him down, opened the sack, and set him

free. 'Now then,' cried he, 'let me ascend quickly.' As he began

to put himself into the sack heels first, 'Wait a while,' said

the gardener, 'that is not the way.' Then he pushed him in head

first, tied up the sack, and soon swung up the searcher after

wisdom dangling in the air. 'How is it with thee, friend?' said

he, 'dost thou not feel that wisdom comes unto thee? Rest there

in peace, till thou art a wiser man than thou wert.'

So saying, he trotted off on the student's nag, and left the poor

fellow to gather wisdom till somebody should come and let him

down.

CLEVER HANS