A friend of mine is trying to track down a story he once read that he thinks is by Herman Hesse. He's vague on the details, but it's basically the tale of a young herder who comes across a holy man sitting perfectly still in the woods again and again. He eventually asks him how did he do that; the holy man smiles. The boy's life is transformed as horsemen gallop up to tell him he's a king. He lives a great life, has a family, is a benevolent ruler. And then it's all lost in warfare, his wife and daughter are killed. His son drowns. His own life is about to end. But he awakens on the riverbank, and finds the holy man, who says "Maya. Now you're ready to get started." Something like that. Does anyone recognize this story? We'd sure appreciate the help.