The Devotion of Life — Page 285
285 constructed, and whether it could be built or not. He replied, that yes it could be built. The king said that all the engineers had declined saying that such a building simply could not be constructed. The engineer replied they were right but that he was also right. He said, ‘Give me some time to think it over and take me to that location where you wish to have this building constructed. I shall be able to make a decision upon seeing the location whether the building can be constructed or not. ’ The king told him that he wished the building to be constructed on the far side of the river. He said to the king, ‘I would like to go to that place with you. Arrange for a total of 200,000 in cash in bags of one thousand each to take with you. ’ The king ordered the money to be put in the boat and he, along with the engineer and some attendants went in the boat to the far side of the river. The boat had only gone a short distance when the engineer picked up a bagful of one thousand and threw it in the river and said, ‘Your Majesty, this is how money will be spent. ’ The king replied it does not matter. The boat had only gone a few more yards when he picked up another bagful of a thousand and threw it in the river and said, ‘Your Majesty, this is how money will be spent. ’ The king said that was no problem at all. After a short while, he picked up the third bag and threw it in the river and said, ‘Your Majesty the building will be built but perhaps you have not quite understood me, this is how money will be spent. ’ The king said it does not matter. After a short distance he threw a fourth bagful in the river and