A thief was brought before the kind and sentenced to death at dawn.
“Your Highness,” the thief entreated. “If you will spare my life for three years, I will teach your favorite horse to sing.”
The King was famous for his passion for horses, and intrigued by the offer.
“Granted,” said the King. “If, after that time, my horse can sing, you shall go free. Otherwise the sentence shall stand.”
As he was being led away in chains, another prisoner whispered to him. “You’re crazy, you can’t do that. It’s impossible.”
The thief replied, “Five minutes ago I was to be hanged at dawn. Now, I have three years in which the King might die, or change his mind and release me, or who knows? The damn horse might learn to sing!”