The Three Apprentices

In a bustling town where skilled craftsmen were highly valued and apprentices worked hard to learn their trades, there lived three young men who had just completed their years of training. Each had learned a different craft, and each was eager to prove that his skill was the greatest of all. This is the tale of their competition and the surprising way it was resolved.

The Three Skilled Craftsmen

The first apprentice was Thomas the Tailor, who had spent seven years learning to cut and sew with such precision that he could create garments fit for kings. His stitches were so tiny and perfect that they were almost invisible, and he could work with the finest silks and most delicate laces without ever making a mistake.

The second apprentice was Peter the Barber, who had mastered the art of cutting hair and shaving beards with such skill that noblemen would travel great distances to sit in his chair. His razor was so sharp and his hand so steady that he could shave a man’s face smooth as silk without ever causing the slightest nick or cut.

The third apprentice was Michael the Blacksmith, who had learned to work with fire and iron to create tools, weapons, and decorative objects of extraordinary quality. His hammer strikes were so precise and his understanding of metal so complete that he could forge items that seemed to have been shaped by magic rather than human hands.

The Challenge Proposed

One day, the three apprentices met at the town square, each returning from a successful job that had earned him praise and good payment. As they compared their recent achievements, their friendly conversation gradually turned into a debate about whose skills were truly the greatest.

“I can create clothing so beautiful that it transforms the wearer,” Thomas boasted, showing off a silk doublet he had just completed.

“And I can make a man look twenty years younger with my razor and scissors,” Peter countered, demonstrating his technique on an invisible customer.

“But I can shape raw iron into objects of such beauty and utility that they last for generations,” Michael declared, flexing his strong arms developed from years of working at the forge.

Their debate grew more heated until finally, an old merchant who had been listening nearby suggested a solution.

“Young men,” he said with a wise smile, “words cannot prove who among you is most skilled. Why don’t you have a proper competition? Each of you demonstrate your greatest ability, and let the townspeople judge whose skill is most impressive.”

The Rules of the Contest

The three apprentices eagerly agreed to this proposal. They decided that each would have one day to prepare his demonstration, and then they would present their skills to a panel of judges consisting of the town’s most respected citizens: the mayor, the priest, the wealthy merchant, and the master craftsmen from each of their guilds.

The competition would take place in three days, giving each apprentice time to plan and prepare his most impressive display of skill. Word of the contest spread quickly through the town, and soon everyone was talking about which young man would prove himself the most skilled.

Thomas the Tailor’s Preparation

Thomas spent his preparation day carefully selecting the finest materials he could afford. He chose silk thread so thin it was almost invisible, the most delicate needle he owned, and a piece of the finest cloth available in the entire town.

His plan was ambitious: he would demonstrate his skill by sewing while riding a galloping horse, showing that his hands were so steady and his technique so perfect that even violent motion could not affect the quality of his work.

He practiced for hours, first sitting on a rocking chair, then standing on a swaying cart, building up his ability to sew with perfect precision despite any disturbance.

Peter the Barber’s Preparation

Peter’s preparation focused on demonstrating the incredible steadiness of his hand and the sharpness of his razor. He had heard of a legendary technique that only the most skilled barbers could perform: shaving the foam off a galloping horse without cutting a single hair on the animal’s hide.

He spent his day practicing on various moving targets, sharpening his razor to the finest possible edge, and training his eyes to track the smallest movements. He even arranged to borrow the fastest horse in town for his demonstration.

Michael the Blacksmith’s Preparation

Michael decided to showcase not just his strength and precision, but also his understanding of metallurgy and his artistic vision. He planned to forge a horseshoe while blindfolded, demonstrating that his knowledge of the craft was so complete that he could work by feel and sound alone.

He spent his preparation day studying the rhythm of his hammer blows, memorizing the exact temperature needed for each stage of the work, and practicing until he could shape iron as easily with his eyes closed as with them open.

The Day of Competition

When the day of the contest arrived, the entire town gathered in the main square to watch the three demonstrations. A platform had been erected for the judges, and areas had been prepared for each apprentice to display his skills.

The crowd buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Bets were being placed on which young man would prove victorious, and families had brought picnic lunches to enjoy while watching the spectacle.

The mayor stood up to address the crowd and the contestants. “Today we shall see which of these three fine young men possesses the greatest skill in his chosen craft. Let the demonstrations begin!”

Thomas the Tailor’s Performance

Thomas was the first to perform. As a horse was led into the square at a full gallop, Thomas leaped onto its back with his sewing materials in hand. As the horse ran in circles around the square, Thomas calmly threaded his needle and began to sew.

Despite the violent motion of the galloping horse, his stitches were perfectly even and tiny. He completed an intricate embroidered rose on a piece of silk, every petal perfectly formed, every line exactly where it should be.

When he finished and dismounted, the crowd erupted in applause. The judges examined his work closely and were amazed to find that it was absolutely flawless, despite having been sewn under such challenging conditions.

Peter the Barber’s Performance

Next came Peter’s turn. A lathered horse was brought into the square, its coat covered with thick soap foam. Peter approached with his razor gleaming in the sunlight.

As the horse was led at a gallop around the square, Peter ran alongside it, his razor moving in swift, sure strokes. He removed every bit of foam from the horse’s coat without cutting a single hair or making the slightest nick in the animal’s skin.

The crowd gasped in amazement as they saw the horse’s coat revealed, completely clean and unmarked. Peter’s hand had been so steady and his skill so great that he had achieved what seemed impossible.

Michael the Blacksmith’s Performance

Finally, it was Michael’s turn. A forge had been set up in the square, and Michael put on a blindfold that completely covered his eyes. He could not see anything, but he began to work with confidence and precision.

The crowd watched in fascination as Michael heated the iron to exactly the right temperature, judging by the sound of the fire and the feel of the heat on his face. His hammer blows rang out in a steady rhythm, each strike perfectly placed despite his inability to see his work.

When he finished and removed his blindfold, he revealed a horseshoe so perfectly shaped and beautifully crafted that it seemed like a work of art rather than a practical tool.

The Judges’ Deliberation

The three judges huddled together to discuss what they had witnessed. Each demonstration had been remarkable in its own way, and each apprentice had shown extraordinary skill that went far beyond what most craftsmen could achieve.

“Thomas showed incredible steadiness and precision under difficult conditions,” observed the mayor.

“Peter demonstrated absolute control and perfect technique,” noted the priest.

“And Michael proved that his knowledge and skill are so complete that he doesn’t even need to see his work,” added the merchant.

The master craftsmen agreed that all three performances were exceptional, but they struggled to decide which was truly the most impressive.

The Surprising Solution

As the judges continued their deliberation, an unexpected visitor arrived in the town square. It was the king himself, who had been traveling through the region and had heard about the competition.

“I have watched all three demonstrations,” the king announced, “and I am impressed by the skill of each young man. Rather than choose just one winner, I propose a different solution.”

The crowd fell silent, eager to hear what the king would say.

“Each of you has proven exceptional skill in your craft,” the king continued, addressing the three apprentices. “Therefore, I invite all three of you to come to my court and work as royal craftsmen. Thomas, you shall be my personal tailor. Peter, you shall tend to my appearance and that of my courtiers. And Michael, you shall be my master blacksmith.”

The Royal Appointment

The three apprentices could hardly believe their good fortune. Instead of competing against each other, they would all receive the highest honor possible in their respective crafts - appointment as royal craftsmen.

“Your skills complement each other perfectly,” the king explained. “A king needs fine clothing, expert grooming, and quality metalwork. Together, you three can ensure that my court has the very best of all these crafts.”

The crowd cheered enthusiastically at this solution, which recognized the exceptional abilities of all three young men rather than diminishing any of them.

The New Partnership

As the three new royal craftsmen prepared to leave for the king’s court, they realized that their competition had brought them something even more valuable than individual recognition - it had earned them royal positions and the beginning of lifelong friendships.

“Perhaps,” Thomas suggested, “we were thinking about this competition all wrong. Instead of trying to prove who was best, we should have been showing how we could work together.”

“You’re right,” Peter agreed. “Our skills are different, but they’re all valuable in their own ways.”

“And together,” Michael added, “we can accomplish much more than any of us could alone.”

The Lesson of Cooperation

The story of the three apprentices became a favorite tale told throughout the kingdom, teaching people that competition doesn’t always have to result in winners and losers. Sometimes the best outcome is when everyone’s talents are recognized and valued.

The tale also showed that true skill is best demonstrated not to defeat others, but to contribute to the common good. Each apprentice’s extraordinary abilities became more meaningful when they were used in service to others rather than simply for personal glory.

The Royal Workshop

At the king’s court, the three craftsmen established workshops that became renowned throughout the land. Young people came from far and wide to learn from them, and their techniques and innovations improved their respective crafts for generations to come.

Most importantly, they remained close friends, often collaborating on projects that combined their different skills. A sword that Michael forged might be fitted with a leather grip that Thomas sewed, and presented to a knight that Peter had groomed for an important ceremony.

The Enduring Legacy

The tale of the three apprentices reminds us that true mastery of a craft is not about proving superiority over others, but about achieving excellence that serves a greater purpose. It teaches that the highest recognition comes not from defeating competitors, but from using our abilities to benefit our communities and support our friends.

And so the three young craftsmen, who had started as rivals, became partners in creating beauty and utility for their king and kingdom, proving that the greatest skill of all is knowing how to use our individual talents for the good of all.