Once upon a time, in a kingdom far far away, there lived an evil king. Let’s call him Oswald. Oswald ruled over his kingdom with a cruel sadism, making all punishment any crime so extreme no one ever dared commit a crime in his presence. Then came along a trickster named Edward. He went to the king Oswald, and, hoping to make a quick buck, gave him a bet.
“Here you sit with your council and your advisors, you must truly be the wisest man ever brought forth. After all, you alone take advice from so many scholars. If I cannot answer your riddle, I’ll sell out every possession I have for you my lord. But if you cannot answer mine, I would ask only for your prized trophy. The crown you wear upon your head”
Oswald laughed. No man had ever challenged him. And it was true, every wise man brought advice to him, and they seemed like fools when he would sew their mouths shut to keep the knowledge secret.
So the riddles commenced. “What am I, that lay in the bed and never sleep, that runs but never walks. What am I that-“ “A RIVER!” Oswald barked.
“Yes yes, how clever” Edward said, squinting slightly.
“I walk on 4 legs when I’m young. 2 when I’m old, and 3 when I’m older yet. What animal could I be?” Oswald sneered
“A human. As a baby we crawl, as adults we walk, and as elders we need canes” Edward said, barely a reaction on his face.
“Now my turn. I am green and lovely. A rich man yearns to see me rise, and his grandchildren bask in my value. What am I?”
“Hahahaha! You fool. You must think im brainless. Any man knows the answer is money.”
“A tree” Edward chuckled, correcting Oswald.
Oswald’s face reddened. But he knew he had his game beat. With trembling hands he gave the crown to the trickster, who reigned for ages after him.
