Page:The Richest Man In Babylon (1930).pdf/27



‘I do have a great feast with honey and fine wine and spiced cake. Also I have bought me a scarlet tunic. And some day I shall buy me a young ass upon which to ride.’

To which Algamish laughed. ‘You do eat the children of your savings? Then how do you expect them to work for you? And how can they have children that will also work for you? First get thee an army of golden slaves and then many a rich banquet may you enjoy without regret.’ So saying he again went away.

Nor did I again see him for two years, when he once more returned and his face was full of deep lines and his eyes drooped, for he was becoming a very old man. And he said to me, ‘Arkad, hast yet achieved the wealth thou dreamed of?’

And I answredanswered [sic], ‘Not yet all that I desire, but some I have and it earns more, and its earnings earn more.’

‘And do you still take the advice of brickmakers?’

‘About brickmaking they give good advice,’ I retorted.

‘Arkad,’ he continued, ‘you have learned your lessons well. You first learned to live upon less than you could earn. Next you learned to seek advice from those who were competent through their own experiences to give it. And, lastly, you have learned to make gold work for