All the answers being different, the King agreed with none of them and gave the reward to none. But still wishing to find the right answers to his questions, he decided to consult a hermit, widely renowned for his wisdom.

The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted, and he received none but common folk. So the King put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit's cell dismounted from his horse, and, leaving his body-guard behind, went on alone.

When the King approached, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. Seeing the King, he greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and weak, and each time he stuck his spade into the ground and turned a little earth, he breathed heavily.

The King went up to him and said: "I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to the rest? And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention?"

The hermit listened to the King but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and recommenced digging.

"You are tired," said the King, "let me take the spade and work awhile for you."

Which paragraphs from the excerpt best support the conclusion that the author’s primary purpose is to teach a lesson?

* **Paragraph 2:** This paragraph highlights the lengths the King goes to in order to consult the hermit, known for his wisdom. This emphasizes the importance of the questions and the potential for learning a valuable lesson.

* **Paragraph 4:** The King's questions themselves point towards a lesson. They are not simply factual inquiries, but inquiries about right actions, important people, and priorities.

* **Paragraph 5:** The hermit's silence and continued work despite his fatigue suggest a deeper meaning beyond a simple exchange of information. It hints at the importance of action and experience in learning the lesson.

These paragraphs all focus on the King's quest for knowledge and the potential for the hermit to impart valuable wisdom. This focus on learning and the nature of the King's questions suggest the author's intent to teach a lesson about these matters.