Wisdom story: Common sense is often not so common

There once were four medicine men who were considered the most clever and knowledgeable across all the prairies and forests. They had spent years studying nature, healing, and the ways of the world. People often sought their wisdom when faced with difficult problems, and they were well-respected among their people. One day, a curious young boy approached the elders and asked a question that no one had considered before. If all four medicine men were wise, then surely one must be the wisest of them all? The question quickly spread among the villagers, leading to debates and arguments. Everyone had an opinion, but no one could agree. To settle the matter, the elders of the nation decided to create a test. One elder, known for his fairness and deep understanding of wisdom, thought long and hard before presenting the perfect challenge. The four medicine men were to journey into the woods. There, at the base of a single cedar tree in a broad clearing, they would find their test.

At dawn the next morning, the four wise men set off. They walked many miles, their minds filled with thoughts of what kind of test awaited them. Eventually, they arrived at the clearing. Before them lay a large pile of bleached bones. The men stood in silence, staring at the remains. They were puzzled. What did these bones mean? How was this a test of wisdom? After a long pause, the first medicine man finally spoke. He believed that true wisdom lay in knowledge and skill. He announced that he would reconstruct the skeleton to prove his greatness. Carefully, he arranged the bones, fitting them back together piece by piece. After much effort, a full skeleton stood before them. The second medicine man observed the skeleton and believed he could do better. He said that understanding the body was important, but true wisdom was found in restoring beauty. He would bring back the creature’s flesh and fur. Using his skills, he worked until a fully formed, lifelike grizzly bear stood before them. Its fur was thick and golden, its body powerful and strong. The men admired his work, but soon, the first two began arguing over who had done the most impressive task. The third medicine man watched their dispute and was certain he could prove himself superior. He declared that true wisdom was in bringing life itself. He would revive the bear. The fourth medicine man, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stepped forward and warned them. Something did not feel right. He urged them to stop and think before they acted. But the others dismissed his words. They were too focused on proving themselves to listen. Realizing he could not convince them, the fourth man quietly climbed to the top of the cedar tree and waited.

The third medicine man used all his knowledge and power. He chanted, he waved his hands, and with a final breath, he restored life to the bear. The great beast opened its eyes, stretched its massive body, and let out a thunderous roar. In that moment, the three men realized their mistake. The bear, now alive, did not see them as wise men, it saw them as prey. With a terrifying growl, it lunged at them. The medicine men ran as fast as they could, fear gripping their hearts. The bear chased them all the way back to the village, clawing and snapping at their heels. Only the mighty hunters of the village were able to drive the bear away, saving the frightened medicine men. Later, after the chaos had settled, the villagers mourned the fourth wise man, believing he had perished in the attack. But to their astonishment, he calmly walked back into the village. The others had been so caught up in their own importance that they had never noticed him climb the tree. The villagers now understood the truth. The fourth man had been the wisest of them all. When asked how he had known what would happen, he simply smiled and said, “Common sense.” From that day forward, the people of the village learned an important lesson: that wisdom is not just about knowledge, skill, or power. It is about understanding the consequences of our actions, thinking ahead, and using common sense. True wisdom is knowing when to act and when to step back.