Aesop

The Prophet

Summary

In this short narrative, a Wizard who claims to predict the fortunes of others is ironically faced with an unexpected misfortune himself. While engaged in telling fortunes at the marketplace, he is suddenly informed that thieves are robbing his home. In a hurry, he rushes away, revealing his inability to foresee his own predicament. A passerby points out the irony of his situation, questioning how he failed to predict his own troubles despite forecasting others'. This story highlights the theme of irony and the limits of foresight, especially when one's expertise fails in personal matters. It serves as a reminder that self-awareness is often more challenging than understanding the lives of others.

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A Wizard, sitting in the marketplace, was telling the fortunes of the passers-by when a person ran up in great haste, and announced to him that the doors of his house had been broken open and that all his goods were being stolen. He sighed heavily and hastened away as fast as he could run. A neighbor saw him running and said, “Oh! you fellow there! you say you can foretell the fortunes of others; how is it you did not foresee your own?”

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