I first heard a version of this story on the fabulous
podcast, The Living Myth by Michael Meade. I thought I might try to make a stop
motion of the story but I’m not sure… The tone and message aren’t yet clear to
me. It feels too partisan also. But after I spent some time working on a
possible voiceover script for the film, I thought I could at least share it
here.
There was a king who never liked to think too hard. From a
young age he learned to leave the thinking to all of his servants. Soon his
brain grew even lazier. The king never left his neighborhood, never read a
book, and never talked to people who didn’t agree with him.
The king didn’t know how weak his brain was because his
servants always let him win at cards and other games. Their actions made the
king so proud that he stopped listening to all his advisors and experts in his
land.
One day, a talented artist brought a creation to the king.
It was a giant chessboard.
The king was overjoyed. “How much?” He said.
“I only want a few grains of rice,” said the artist.
That’s all? What a fantastic deal! This artist must not be
that bright. Well, the king wasn’t going to enlighten her. He knew the art of
the deal. He could resell this beautiful creation for so much more!
“How many grains did you want?” said the king, trying not to
laugh.
“If you would indulge me, I’d like to be paid for 64 days --
that is my favorite number. On Monday you will put two grains of rice on this
first square. On Tuesday you will put four grains on this square. And on
Wednesday, eight grains, you understand?”
The king looked at her without understanding.
“Your accountants will double the rice each day. Does that
seem fair to you?”
The king looked at the board. 4, 8, 16, 32 and whatever came
next. Still. Not that much rice.
They signed a contract and the King felt very very proud of
himself.
But 3 weeks later, the king’s accountant came to him.
“What’s wrong?” said the king. “Why are you disturbing my
game?”
“Your majesty, please come to the room with the giant
chessboard.”
They led him to the room which was overflowing with rice.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Your majesty, I’ve done my calculations. By the 21st square
you will owe the artist over a million grains of rice. When we get to the 41st
square, you will owe over a trillion grains!”
The king stared at the squares. How could this be?
“That’s how math works, your highness.”
©Lewis-Barr 2020
***** There are various endings to this story.
In one, the artist lets the king off the hook, maybe hoping
he learns a lesson about the complexity of the world.
In another, the king gets out of the deal by cutting off the
artist’s head, showing the power of …. power?
In another the king requires the artist to count each grain
in order to get her payment. What does it mean for the king to outwit the
clever artist?
© 2020 Laura Lewis-Barr all rights reserved No more to read
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