by Antonio Napoli

An African king, somewhat despotic and father to numerous children, once questioned a wise man known for his choice to remain unmarried:
“Tell me, why have you never wished to start a family, as every good citizen should?”

The wise man calmly replied:
“For the peace of my conscience. If I had no time to educate them, I would not have wished to add, through my own children, to the already vast number of fools and wicked men who populate the world.”

The king furrowed his brow and retorted:
“And so, being a barren tree, how do you intend to leave something good to the people of your village?”

The wise man smiled.
“By caring for the children of others. With my wisdom, I dedicate every effort and diligence to their education, yet I renounce from the start the illusion of achieving certain results. It is enough for me that they grow up free. And, truth be told, you too, O King, should act like a good shepherd: to best safeguard the well-being of his flock, he must grant them the widest pasture possible.”

The sovereign did not seem convinced.

“O my king,” the wise man continued, “if I have chosen not to be a father, it is not because I feel devoid of responsibility, but because I trust in the young: they listen more attentively to a stranger than to a relative. And perhaps, for this very reason, my task is less troubled and more fruitful.”