"Yes, let us ask the governor," said the merchant. "Let him decide the matter for us." So they carried the tripod to the governor, and each told his story. The governor listened, but could not make up his mind as to who was right. "This is a very important question," he said. "We must send to Delphi [Footnote: Delphi (_pro_. del'fi).] and ask the oracle whether the tripod shall be given to the fishermen or to the merchant. Leave the tripod in my care until we get an answer." Now the oracle at Delphi was supposed to be very wise. People from all parts of the world sent to it, to tell it their troubles and get its advice. So the governor sent a messenger to Delphi to ask the oracle what should be done with the tripod. The merchant and the fishermen waited impatiently till the answer came. And this is what the oracle said:-- "Give not the merchant nor the fishermen the prize; But give it to that one who is wisest of the wise." The governor was much pleased with this answer. "The prize shall go to the man who deserves it most," he said. "There is our neighbor, Thales,[Footnote: Thales (pro. tha'leez).] whom everybody knows and loves. He is famous all over the world. Men come from every country to see him and learn from him. We will give the prize to him." So, with his own hands he carried the golden tripod to the little house where Thales lived. He knocked at the door and the wise man himself opened it. Then the governor told him how the tripod had been found, and how the oracle had said that it must be given to the wisest of the wise. "And so I have brought the prize to you, friend Thales." "To me!" said the astonished Thales. "Why, there are many men who are wiser than I. There is my friend Bias [Footnote: Bi'as] of Priene. [Footnote: Prie'ne] He excels all other men. Send the beautiful gift to him." So the governor called two of his trusted officers and told them to carry the tripod to Priene and offer it to Bias. "Tell the wise man why you bring it, and repeat to him the words of the oracle." II Now all the world had heard of the wisdom of Bias. He taught that men ought to be kind even to their enemies. He taught, also, that a friend is the greatest blessing that any one can have. He was a poor man and had no wish to be rich. "It is better to be wise than wealthy," he said. When the governor's messengers came to Priene with the tripod, they found Bias at work in his garden. They told him their errand and showed him the beautiful prize. He would not take it. "The oracle did not intend that I should have it," he said. "I am not the wisest of the wise." "But what shall we do with it?" said the messengers. "Where shall we find the wisest man?" "In Mitylene," [Footnote: Mit y l e'ne.] answered Bias, "there is a very great man named Pittacus. [Footnote: Pit'ta ous.] He might now be the king of his country, but he prefers to give all of his time to the study of wisdom. He is the man whom the oracle meant." III