One day King Solomon was sitting on his throne, and his great men were
standing around him.
Suddenly the door was thrown open and the Queen of Sheba came in.
"O King," she said, "in my own country, far, far away, I have heard
much about your power and glory, but much more about your wisdom. Men
have told me that there is no riddle so cunning that you can not solve
it. Is this true?"
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"It is as you say, O Queen," answered Solomon.
"Well, I have here a puzzle which I think will test your wisdom. Shall
I show it to you?"
"Most certainly, O Queen."
Then she held up in each hand a beautiful wreath of flowers. The
wreaths were so nearly alike that none of those who were with the king
could point out any difference.
"One of these wreaths." said the queen, "is made of flowers plucked
from your garden. The other is made of artificial flowers, shaped and
colored by a skillful artist. Now, tell me, O King, which is the true,
and which is the false?"
The king, for once, was puzzled. He stroked his chin. He looked at the
wreaths from every side. He frowned. He bit his lips.
"Which is the true?" the queen again asked.
Still the king did not answer.
"I have heard that you are the wisest man in the world," she said,
"and surely this simple thing ought not to puzzle you."
The king moved uneasily on his golden throne. His officers and great
men shook their heads. Some would have smiled, if they had dared.
"Look at the flowers carefully," said the queen, "and let us have your
answer."
Then the king remembered something. He remembered that close by his
window there was a climbing vine filled with beautiful sweet flowers.
He remembered that he had seen many bees flying among these flowers
and gathering honey from them.