The Wisest Man in the City

A farmer came to the city seeking advice. “I'm looking for the wisest man to advise me!” he said at the city gate.

The guard pointed to a disheveled old man who was playing marbles with some street-urchins. “You might give him a try.”

The farmer approached the strange-looking man and, much to his surprise, he received very good advice.

“Thank you!” said the farmer. “But I don't understand: with all your wisdom, why are you playing marbles, cavorting with the children like this?”

“They wanted to make me mayor,” the man explained. “Playing the fool was how I escaped!”