Juan Manuel (1380 – 1347)
Prince Don Juan, son of the Infant Don Manuel, was one of the earliest writers in the Spanish vernacular. He was actively engaged in politics and warfare for the greater part of his life, and at one time plotted against the throne of Castile. After many years` intriguing he conquered Granada, then in the hands of the Moors, winning a victory which was universally celebrated in song and ballad. There followed more conspiracies against the Castilian sovereign, but ultimately a truce was called, and during the last years of his life, he devoted himself entirely to the service of his state.
This enterprising and heroic prince distinguished himself in the field of letters as well as on the field of battle. Count Lucanor, the volume from which the present story is taken, consists of forty-nine examples or cases, each illustrated by a story exemplifying some mo-ral or ethical principle. It was not published until 1575.
The present version is reprinted from Thomas Roscoe`s Spanish Novelists, London, no date. It is translated by Thomas Roscoe. The title of the story in the original is Concerning What Happened to a Man That Had a Son, Who Said He Had a Great Many Friends.
The Son and his Friends
Another time the Conde Lucanor was talking with his counselor Patronio, and said in this manner. “Patronio, according to my reckoning, I have a great many friends, who give me to understand, that, at the cost of their lives and substance, they would not fail to do everything to oblige me, and would not desert me for any chance that could befall. And now, according to your good judgment, I entreat that you will tell me in what manner I shall best be able to learn whether these friends would do for me as much as they say they would?”
“My Lord Conde Lucanor,” replied Patronio, “good friends are the best thing in the world; and you may well believe, that when a man most wants them, he will find fewer than he counted upon: and that, on the contrary, when the urgency is not great, it is difficult to prove who would show himself a true friend, were the time of need to arrive. However, that you may know what a true friend is, it will give me pleasure to acquaint you with what happened to a certain good man in regards to one of his sons, who said that he had many friends.” And the Conde inquired how that had taken place.
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