>>40680697
A wise old ruler wanted to reward his servant for an act of extraordinary bravery. The servant said:
‘Master I ask you for just one thing. Take your chessboard and place on the first square one grain of rice. On the first day I will take this grain home to feed my family. On the second day place on the second square 2 grains for me to take home. On the third day cover the third square with four grains for me to take. Each day double the number of grains you give me until you have placed rice on every square of the chessboard. Then my reward will be complete.’
The wise old ruler replied:
‘This sounds like a small price to pay for your act of incredible bravery, I will ask my servants to do as you ask immediately.’