The Wond'rous Wise Man

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s light, ironic, and ends without fear. Bedtime-friendly because it gently teaches humility—no lectures, just a funny ‘aha.’

Story Synopsis

In a snug little valley town, everyone whispers about one extraordinary person: Solomon, said to be so wise that he’ll never need books. From childhood, people admire his serious face and his confident answers. As he grows, the town’s belief grows with him, and Solomon begins to enjoy being treated like a living monument. But wisdom isn’t proven by compliments. One day, a farmer’s donkey wanders into a bramble-bush and gets painfully stuck. The townspeople rush to Solomon for advice. Solomon arrives with a solemn air and gives grand instructions—but they don’t help. The more he tries to look wise, the more obvious it becomes that he’s missing the simplest truth. In the end, the situation reveals that common sense, patience, and practical kindness matter more than reputation. The town even builds a monument to “the wond’rous wise man”—with a bramble-bush carved beside his name, as a wry reminder: real wisdom is quiet, useful, and humble.

Story Excerpt

There was a little town, quiet and snug, lying in a valley with green hills all around it. People did not talk much about that town — except for one thing. A man lived there who was said to be very, very wise. Long before he was a man, he had been a wise little boy. Even when he was small, grown - ups would shake their heads and say, “ When he grows up, there will be no need of books. He will know everything! ” His father looked at the baby’s serious face and said, “ He looks wise already. ” So he gave him a grand name : Solomon. He thought, If the boy truly is wise, the name will fit. And if not … well, it could be changed later. But it never was changed. Solomon did grow up to be the town’s wond’rous wise boy. One day at school, Solomon looked up at the schoolmaster with calm, serious eyes. “ Can you tell me, sir, ” asked Solomon, “ why a cow drinks water from a brook? ” The schoolmaster blinked. “ Well … truly, ” he said, “ I have never thought about that. I will sleep on it and tell you tomorrow. ” But that night, the schoolmaster could not sleep. He lay awake, thinking and thinking. In the morning he came back looking tired. “ I have looked at it from every side, ” he told Solomon, “ and I cannot tell why a cow drinks water from a brook. ” Solomon nodded, as if it were very simple. “ Sir, ” he said, “ it is because the cow is thirsty. ” The schoolmaster was so…

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