The Astronomer

In the shadow of the temple my friend and I saw a blind man sitting

alone. And my friend said, "Behold the wisest man of our land."

Then I left my friend and approached the blind man and greeted him.

And we conversed.

After a while I said, "Forgive my question; but since when has thou

been blind?"

"From my birth," he answered.

Said I, "And what path of wisdom followest thou?"

Said he, "I am an astronomer."

Then he placed his hand upon his breast saying, "I watch all these

suns and moons and stars."