These answers were repeated to the king, who ordered the brothers
to be brought before him at once. On being asked who they were,
the eldest said, bowing low:

'We, King Archidej, are your labourers, children of one father and
mother, and we all have the same name, for each of us is called
Simon. Our father taught us to be true to our king, and to till the
ground, and to be kind to our neighbours. He also taught each of
us a different trade which he thought might be useful to us, and he
bade us not neglect our mother earth, which would be sure amply
to repay our labour.'

The king was pleased with the honest peasant, and said: 'You have
done well, good people, in planting your field, and now you have a
golden harvest. But I should like each of you to tell me what
special trades your father taught you.'

'My trade, O king!' said the first Simon, 'is not an easy one. If you
will give me some workmen and materials I will build you a great
white pillar that shall reach far above the clouds.'

'Very good,' replied the king. 'And you, Simon the second, what is
your trade?'

'Mine, your Majesty, needs no great cleverness. When my brother
has built the pillar I can mount it, and from the top, far above the
clouds, I can see what is happening: in every country under the sun.'

'Good,' said the king; 'and Simon the third?'