The Three Hermits

My favorite short story of all time is The Three Hermits, by Leo Tolstoy. I first read it when I was in high school and it spoke to me ... in the same way that it does when I read it today. On more than one occasion, I've read it aloud to my family at the dinner table (only to have them roll their eyes and say, "You read this to us before.") I can't help it.

This week, while searching for inspiration for new creative ideas, I came across a project that involves color copies of old documents ... letters, book illustrations, etc. As I was loading groceries into my car (and thinking about where my old books were), I spotted a book that my friend O'Kay had given me a few months back. (Okay, my inner packrat has been exposed.) It was a 70's era book of illustrated stories and folk tales from around the world. I sat down in the car and started thumbing through it. That's when I stumbled upon my friends--The Three Hermits again.

A beautiful illustration accompanied Leo's classic tale of the three humble, but aged old men who were visited by a Bishop who endeavored to teach them to pray properly.

"How do you pray?" the Bishop asks them.
"We pray in this way," replied the hermits. "Three are ye, three are we, have mercy on us."

Such a simple prayer. But, oh so effective. Look up Leo and see if his hermits don't warm your heart.