The Ring of Sadness and Joy

Once upon a time a wise king commissioned a magical ring. In his conviction to always walk the virtue-path of moderation, he instructed his court-magician to craft a ring that would make him happy when he was sad, and yet sad when he was happy.

After many moons the old magician returned. He handed the king a plain ring of pure silver. It had no gems set into it, nor any other special feature. It only carried an engraving that said the following: ’This too shall pass.’

The king rewarded the magician royally.

— from: Helmut Ritter, Das Meer der Seele