"My loyal advisor," said the king, "I must grant you a reward for your many years of good service. What is it that you desire?"
And the advisor asked the king, "Sire, simply give me one grain of rice on the first square of the chessboard, two on the second square, four on the third square and so forth until all sixty-four squares are filled."
"Such a small thing?" said the king. "It shall be done at once."
And so the advisor was given all the rice in the kingdom.