The Wisdom of the Ages

There was once an Emperor who wanted to leave something for posterity. So he called his sages together and said; 'Gentlemen, I want you to write down the wisdom of the ages.'

Away they went and applied themselves diligently to the task. The weeks and months passed and finally they returned with the sense of satisfaction that can only come from a job well done.

'Your majesty', they said, 'it is with great pleasure that we present you with the wisdom of the ages'. And with that they handed him ten beautifully bound volumes.

The Emperor took one look at their finished work and exclaimed 'Gentlemen, this will never do. No one will ever take the time to read all that. You need to do better.'

So away they went. Again the weeks turned into months and finally the sages returned. 'Here it is you majesty', they said. And with that they handed over one beautifully bound volume.

'Gentlemen', the Emperor returned. 'Your work is still too long for no one will take the time to read it. Go away and make it shorter.'

So off they went again. They worked and worked, long into the nights. Finally, they felt they had achieved what the Emperor wanted so they approached him again.

This time the Emperor was satisfied with their efforts. 'Gentlemen, you have excelled yourselves. Surely, you have discovered the wisdom of the ages.'

And with that he took from them a single sheet of paper on which were the words 'There ain't no free lunch.'

Anonymous