Nothing Is Free

Long time ago there was a king. He wanted to be a wise man. He asked his men to find ways to help him to be wise. Having heard this, his men collected thousand books and asked him to read. He said he could not do it as there were a lot. His men then summarized and compiled into hundred books and asked him again. He said that hundred books were too many. His men continued to summarize into several books, the king still refused to read. Then they summarized and compiled into one book, one chapter, one unit, and lastly one page; the king still complained there was too much. As the men didn’t know what to do, there was an old official claimed he knew how to help the king. He wrote on a piece of paper and submitted to the king. The king asked whether it was the best strategy; the old man replied so. The king opened the piece of paper, he saw “NOTHING IS FREE!”


I've read this story long time ago. If you have known the source or writer, please let me know so that I can acknowledge him/her.