An Unexpected History Lesson

   Chad sat in Tucker's hut, feeling warm and tired. Now fourteen, he was in the middle of another history lesson. It was
 mid summer, his least favorite season of the year. Dots of sweat covered his face, and he wiped them away with the little   energy he had. "Stop daydreaming, son!" Tucker snapped. "Focus!" Chad straightened and turned his attention back to his
 teacher. "Sorry Tucker," he stated, "What was your question again?" Tucker tapped his thick fore finger impatiently and  glared at the youth. "We were talking about king Milo, son, and how he grew corrupt." Chad nodded. "What good is history  going to do me?" he thought. He would have preferred to be out riding the horses with the other young men. "I think our  lesson is over," sighed Tucker. "Your mind is elsewhere. You are excused, my son."
  
   Chad quickly exited Tucker's hut, suddenly finding new energy. He ran to the horse stables where he met Hans and Eric.  They were saddling up their horses. "Care if I join you?" Chad asked excitedly. "Not at all," said Eric. "You want to borrow  Sheila again?" Chad nodded. "We have to get you a horse of your own," Hans chimed in. The three youths finished saddling  their rides, then mounted their horses and were off towards the fields. As they rode, Eric turned towards Chad and asked,
 "What were you doing before you came?" Chad sighed. "I was just having another history lesson from Tucker. The same old  stuff. He seems to be stuck on an old king named Milo. Tucker claims one must learn from the past in order to avoid it in  the future. It's a lot of nonsense if you ask me."

   "It doesn't sound like nonsense to me," said Hans. "There is an old nomadic proverb that goes something like this. Those  who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it." Chad couldn't believe it. "I wasn't expecting a history lesson from  you guys," he stated. "Don't bore me to sleep." Hans glanced at Eric. "You know," Hans continued, "With an attitude like  that spreading to everyone in the kingdom, there could be yet another barbarian invasion. Or worse. There might arise more
 dictators in our very kingdom, the likes of Milo and even the wickedest of them all, Nash!"

   "That will never happen again," stated Chad firmly. "The people of the kingdom have learned from their past mistakes. I
 believe we are a better people now." Hans went silent. "You speak so arogantly, Chad," said Hans, looking more than a little  irritated. "Open your mind. You don't know it all. Nobody does. You should listen to Tucker. He knows what he is talking  about. He lived through the entire captivity to the mountain barbarians and lives to tell about it." Chad said nothing. The  three kept riding. Eventually, they brought their horses to a slower trot. The horses snorted, appearing very exhausted.
 Chad finally nodded and said, "You're right, Hans. I've learned a valuable lesson today. Stubborness and pride can easily
 blind an open and learning mind. Then the three friends turned their rides around and headed back for the stables. Chad  never forgot what he had learned that day. He also learned that lessons don't always come from places you might expect.