Meeting Arkad : The Richest Man in Babylon

Bansir and Kobbi took their friends with them to meet the richest man in Babylon. This man was Arkad; their childhood friend.

Missed the first part of the story? Read it here.

They told him how lucky he was to become so rich while they struggled for existence. They blatantly pointed out how once they were equal to him.

There was all the proof to support their claim. Arkad and these friends were taught by the same teacher. He wasn't brilliant in games or studies. He was as much honorable citizen of Babylon as they were and he hadn't worked too hard either.

They questioned him why fate had been so kind to him while they received no favor. Arkad rejected their idea of fate being responsible for his success. For their failure to be wealthy, he blamed their lack of knowledge of the principles which govern the acquisition of great wealth. He blamed their inaction if they already knew the rules.

After their notions were rejected, they started inquiring him how only he could accumulate so much wealth if they all had the equal opportunity to do so. This twist in the discussion opened a way for Arkad to share his story of success; a story his friends had come to listen to. Here's what his friend learned about Arkad that day.

Arkad wanted good things in life. He did not want to live a live with no fulfillment. He knew that wealth was essential tool to get all the good things in life. He wanted to have great wealth so that he could fulfill his wishes.

His master, and the master of his friends, had told them that there were two types of learning.

• The things we learn and know.
• The training which taught how to know the unknown.

He didn't know it but he wanted to find out how to be wealthy. The training of his master came to his rescue; a training everyone of his friends had also received.

Arkad got employed as a scribe and used to write records on clay platelets. It was a laborious task. He worked hard but even after months of hard work, he had nothing to show in his purse. All his earnings were spent on food, clothing and day to day expenses.

But he was determined not to give up. A rich money lender, named Algamish, needed copy of a law scribed. He offered Arkad two coppers for completing the task in two days. However, Arkad couldn't complete the task.

When Algamish came to collect his order, he was disappointed not to see it completed. Arkad saw his arrival as an opportunity to learn from the rich man's experience. He offered Algamish that he'll pull an all nighter to complete his work but in returned, he will have to teach him how to get rich. The deal was made.

The next day, Algamish arrived and found his ordered work completed by Arkad. It was time to deliver on his promise. He started by explaining to Arkad how age was better than youth for advice, likening age to stars and youth to the bright light of meteors; former being long lasting.

He advised Arkad to start with keeping a part of all he earned. The affirmation he gave for this number one rule was:-

"A part of all I earn is mine to keep."

Arkad was mildly surprised and asked him if all he earned was already not his to keep. Algamish reminded him of all the expenses he had to incur. He asked him to show any earning he had left from the past month or year. Arkad quickly realized how he had been paying everyone else; as if he worked hard just to fill others' purses.

To be continued...