"Were my predecessors," said the King to his minister, "advised of the fate that awaited them?"
"None of them were ignorant of it," the minister replied; "but they lacked the courage and the thoughtfulness to contemplate such a future. They were dazzled by the pomp and grandeur of their position; and, in their eagerness for passing pleasures they refused to contemplate the sad end that awaited them. The year of their prosperity and power passed away almost before they knew it, and when the fatal day came they had done nothing to render their inevitable fate less insupportable."
At these words from his minister the King was filled with fear. He thought with terror of the precious time that had already passed, and with tears in his eyes he said:
"Wise friend! you have announced to me the misfortunes that are in store for me; who but you can tell me how to provide a remedy?"
"Remember, your Majesty," said the minister, "that naked and in poverty you came upon this island, and naked and in poverty you must leave it. There is but one way for you to avoid the misfortunes that threaten you. You must send to the island to which you are to be exiled a number of workmen and order them to construct vast storehouses and fill them with such provisions as seem to you necessary for sustaining life. You must prepare for the inevitable. Go quickly to work, for time presses. Time is approaching, time is passing away, and you must remember that you will only find at the place of exile the treasures you will be able to send there during the remaining few days of your reign."
The King thanked his minister, and resolved to follow the wise man's advice. Workmen of experience were despatched to the Island of Exile, and it was not long before a vast palace was built. The King conveyed an abundance of treasure there, and a thousand men were sent to render the island more inhabitable.
The day came when the King was to leave his throne; but, far from regretting it, he sighed for the hour when he would be able to take possession of his new estates. He was banished from the throne, divested of his royal robes, and sent on board a ship that conveyed him to the Island of Exile.
Having provided himself a place of refuge, he lived long and happily there.