Bansir

Bansir is the first character the reader meets. Bansir is a Babylonian chariot maker who does excellent work but has been unable to set aside extra funds for his family's pleasure. Bansir's home overlooks the king's palace and he is able to sit and observe the comings and goings of the marketplace. Bansir wishes that he could earn enough money to buy the finer things for his wife and himself but he sees no way to make this happen. Bansir, along with his friend Kobbi, decide that they have been unsuccessful in acquiring great wealth because they have never sought the advice of those who have great wealth. Once this has been decided the two men decide to seek the advice of an old friend: Arkad. After hearing Arkad's tale of how he rose from a regular merchant to a wealthy man, Bansir decides to put Arkad's advice...