It is away from life in the Pacific, away from money and more into health - away north to the realms of historical Imperial China.

The Chinese Emperor’s daughter was in ill health, in fact she was extremely ill and he had promised more riches than money could buy if any of his subjects could cure her.

Many tried and many failed, but one, a young peasant lad named Long Po, entered the Imperial Palace and asked if he could try to cure the beautiful young daughter of the Emperor.

With his wit and bravery he restored her health, and in the process won her heart.Pong Lo asked for her hand in marriage - but the Emperor flatly refused, but invited Long Po instead to ask for anything else he desired.

After several moments of thought, Long Po quietly said to the Emperor,” I would like but one grain of rice.”

The Emperor retorted,” Nonsense young man! Ask for the finest silks, a fortune in gold and money, the grandest room in the palace, a stable of wild stallions - ask and they will all be yours!”

Again Long Po asked,” I would like but one grain of rice. But if his Majesty insists, he may double the amount every day for one hundred days.”

And now it all began!

Day One - 1 grain.

Day Two - 2 grains.

Day Three - 4 grains.

Day Four - 8 grains.

Day Eight - 128 grains.

Day Twelve - 2048 grains.

Day Twenty - 524,288 - grains.

Day Thirty - 536,870,912 - grains. It required 40 servants to carry it all!

In desperation the Emperor realising how much money this would cost him if this continued, called for Long Po and did the only honorable thing possible - he consented to the marriage of his daughter and the young peasant lad,Long Po.

But out of consideration to the feelings of the Emperor, no rice was served at the wedding banquet.

Long Po and his wife had a long and happy life - but that’s another story!

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