In the prosperous kingdom of Shamakhokho, a wise and just king named Wamukoya lived.
His palace doors were always open because he believed wisdom could come from anyone, rich or poor.
One morning, a mysterious traveler arrived at the palace with two unusual apples.
The first apple was made of pure gold, polished so brightly that it gleamed in the sunlight. Soft patterns covered its surface, making it look like a treasure meant for a king.
The second apple was plain and wooden, its surface rough and worn, as if it had been handled many times.
Seeing an opportunity to teach his people a lesson, King Wamukoya placed both apples on velvet cushions and called for a gathering.
"Choose wisely," he announced. "One of these apples will bring its owner great fortune."
The crowd roared with excitement.
Jatelo, known for his cunning and greed, stepped forward first. He had a reputation for always seeking profit, often at the expense of others.
His sharp eyes studied the golden apple, and a sly smile spread across his face.
"This is the one," he said, lifting it high. "Gold is always valuable."
The villagers, trusting Jatelo's judgment, quickly followed his lead.
They reached for the golden apple one by one, admiring its beauty and imagining the riches it would bring.
Soon, only an older man named Kizito remained.
With a slow but steady step, Kizito moved forward. His back was bent with age, but his eyes still held the sharpness of wisdom. Without hesitation, he picked up the wooden apple.
The crowd gasped.
Jatelo gave a proud smile, his eyes shining as he held the golden apple. He looked at Kizito and said, "Old man, can't you see? That apple is just a piece of wood!"
But Kizito only chuckled. He turned to the king and said, "Your Majesty, I have lived long enough to know that the most valuable things in life are not always the ones that shine. This wooden apple may not look like much, but I believe it holds something greater than gold."
The king nodded and ordered both apples to be split open.
A servant brought a knife and carefully sliced the golden apple in half. It cracked open easily, revealing nothing. It was utterly hollow.
Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd. Jatelo's proud smile disappeared. His eyes darted between the broken golden apple and the king, his face pale with embarrassment. He had been so sure.
Then, the wooden apple was cut open.
Inside, a hidden chamber spilled out sparkling gems and gold dust—far more valuable than the golden apple itself.
The crowd erupted in amazement. Some turned to Jatelo with frowns, realizing they had been too quick to follow his choice.
The king smiled. "True wisdom, indeed," he said.
That day, King Wamukoya rewarded Kizito with the treasure, but more importantly, he appointed him as his royal advisor. He knew that wisdom often comes in the humblest of forms.
Jatelo, now silent, lowered his head and walked away, learning a hard lesson—one he would never forget.
The moral of this story is that appearances can be deceiving; actual value lies beneath the surface. Never judge something solely based on how it looks.
