The father of a pupil wrote hourly instructions on teaching, but Psellos, as a philosopher, made up his own mind. Still, he liked the letters, and instead of complaining adopted their proposals, because he heard a friendly voice saying he should. He would look after the pupil because of the father and the boy's own character, which made Psellos water him with words like a farmer. The remaining requests would be fulfilled, but the boy would do the work, with Psellos only in a supporting role