wise counsellor the citizens’ custom, and the place of
        exile, and was instructed how he might secure himself. 
        When he knew this, and that he must soon go to the
        island and leave his acquired and alien kingdom to
        others, he opened the treasures of which he had for the
        time free and unrestricted use, and took an abundant
        quantity of gold and silver and precious stones, and
        giving them to some trusty servants sent them before him
        to the island.  At the appointed year’s end the citizens
        rose and sent him naked into exile, like those before
        him.  But the other foolish and flitting kings had
        perished miserably of hunger, while he who had laid up
        that treasure beforehand lived in lusty abundance and
        delight, fearless of the turbulent citizens, and
        felicitating himself on his wise forethought.  Think,
        then, the city this vain and deceitful world, the
        citizens the principalities and powers of the demons,
        who lure us with the bait of pleasure, and make us
        believe enjoyment will last for ever, till the sudden
        peril of death is upon us.—­This parable (which seems to
        be of purely Hebrew origin) is also found in the old
        Spanish story-book El Conde Lucanor.

Closely allied to the foregoing is the characteristic Jewish parable of

The Man and his Three Friends.

A certain man had three friends, two of whom he loved dearly, but the other he lightly esteemed.  It happened one day that the king commanded his presence at court, at which he was greatly alarmed, and wished to procure an advocate.  Accordingly he went to the two friends whom he loved:  one flatly refused to accompany him, the other offered to go with him as far as the king’s gate, but no farther.  In his extremity he called upon the third friend, whom he least esteemed, and he not only went willingly with him, but so ably defended him before the king that he was acquitted.  In like manner, says the Talmudist, every man has three friends when Death summons him to appear before his Creator.  His first friend, whom he loves most, namely, his money, cannot go with him a single step; his second, relations and neighbours, can only accompany him to the grave, but cannot defend him before the Judge; while his third friend, whom he does not highly esteem, the law and his good works, goes with him before the king, and obtains his acquittal.[92]

   [92] This is the 9th parable in the romance of Barlaam and
        Joasaph, where it is told without any variation.

* * * * *

Another striking and impressive parable akin to the two immediately preceding is this of

The Garments.