one from the other, and therefore, you see, the prince who first reached
the Royal City would surely be proclaimed king."

Hard and fast, fast and hard, rode the two who raced for the Crown of
Allthetime. But always Appearance the horse of Seemsto-Be, proved faster
than Reality, the horse of Really-Is, and so the prince who was first
born rode far behind.

Now just this side of the river that marks the end of the Land of
Allthetime the road divides, the way to the left leading to the Brazen
Gate called Chance, and the other, to the right, going straight to the
Golden Gate, Opportunity. And just here it is, at the parting of the
ways, that Wisdom lives in his little house beside the road.

When Really-Is in turn arrived at this place, he dismounted from his
tired horse, and approaching the little house, asked of Wisdom if he had
seen one pass that way riding in great haste.

"Aye, that I have," replied Wisdom with a smile, "that I have, young
sir, and many would say that it was yourself who rode so hard."

"It was my brother, good sir," replied the prince. "May I ask which way
he went and how far he rides ahead?"

The old man, pointing, answered: "He took the road to the left there and
he rides so far ahead that you cannot now overtake him this side the
city walls."

"At least I must try to overtake him," answered the prince, and,
thanking the old man, he turned quickly to mount his horse again.