The King was getting old, and decided that it was time to choose his heir. He called his two sons to him.
"My sons," he said, "When I am gone, one of you will be King. I wish my successor to be wise, not reckless...cautious, not prone to rash haste. Therefore, you will both saddle your horses and ride to the nearby town. The one whose horse arrives there second will be my successor."
The princes were rather surprised by this unusual command, but hastened to the stables and saddled their horses. They set forth for the nearby town...very slowly. Each time one of them pulled ahead, he would slow his horse. Soon, both princes were at a standstill.
Time passed. The princes and their horses were pelted by rain and baked by the sun. They grew hungry and thirsty. Neither one would move an inch.
Finally, an old, wise hermit came along. He was much amazed to see the princes of the realm slumped in their saddles, gaunt and unkempt, and not budging an inch.
"My princes," he asked, "Why do you sit here?" The princes explained the challenge to him. "Our father has commanded that we ride to the nearest town. The one whose horse arrives second will be King, so neither of us will go on ahead of the other."
The hermit pondered for a time. Then, his face lit up, and he spoke two words. Upon hearing these words, the princes shouted for joy. Quickly, they followed the hermit's advice, and then raced for the nearby town as fast as they could go.
What were the two words the hermit said?
