“…he gazed sadly at his simple home and the open workshop in which stood a partially completed chariot.
His wife frequently appeared at the door. Her furtive glances in his direction reminded him that the meal bag was almost empty and he should be at work.”
Bansir, the chariot builder, was too engrossed in his own problem to be bothered by the noise of industry within the walls of Babylon. The city was a mix of grandeur and squalor – incredible displays of wealth and the direst poverty. Bansir could not understand why he worked so hard and was still numbered amongst the lowly.
He was so caught up with his deliberations that he was not aware of his friend Kobbi walking towards him playing his lyre. Kobbi’s elaborate salute went unnoticed, much less his request for ‘two humble shekels’!
“If I did have two shekels,” Bansir responded gloomily, “to no one could I lend them – not even to you, my best of friends; for they would be my fortune – my entire fortune. No one lends his entire fortune, not even to his best friends.”
Shocked, Kobbi listened to Bansir recall his day dream. Bansir dreamt he was a man of means and enjoyed the glorious feeling of contentment and surplus gold flowing from his purse.
“…so why should such pleasant feelings as it aroused turn thee into a glum statue on the wall?” said Kobbi. “Why indeed! Because when I awoke and remembered how empty was my purse, a feeling of rebellion swept over me.”
Let us talk it over together…
Recalling their days as young men, Bansir and Kobbi touched on their experiences with money. They had earned so much gold over the years but did not have anything to show for it. They both had hoped that one day, prosperity would be bestowed upon them! They were coming to the realization that such a blessing was not imminent, often planning and scheming that their families didn’t go hungry. Bansir’s dismal mood soon caught hold with Kobbi, both of them entirely miserable reaching their threshold and coming up with their best idea yet!
“We do not wish to go on year after year living slavish lives. Working working, working! Getting nowhere.” Might we not find out how others acquire gold and do as they do? Kobbi inquired. “Perhaps there is some
The Richest Man In Babylon Review http://www.the-richest-man-in-babylon.com/ 5
secret we might learn if we but sought from those who knew,” replied Bansir thoughtfully.
They remembered a friend, Arkad, who they had schooled with who was ‘blessed with prosperity’, and the city claimed to be ‘The Richest Man In Babylon’. They decided to consult Arkad.
“Thou makest me realize the reason why we have never found any measure of wealth. We never sought it!” …“
In those things toward which we exerted our best endeavors we succeeded. It biddeth us to learn more that we may prosper more. With a new understanding we shall find more honorable ways to accomplish our desires.”
“Let us go to Arkad this very day”, Bansir urged.
Bansir and Kobbi proceeded to gather a group of boyhood friends who had need of the same guidance.
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