Once upon a time, there was a poor man and a rich man. The poor man's son was named Ham, and the rich man's son was named Jim. They had been in the same school together since childhood and became good friends.
One day, the two youths began a discussion as to whether wealth or effort was more powerful. Jim said that wealth was most important, while Ham declared for effort. At last, Ham declared, "Let us put it to the test: Let us both go to some far country and try whether wealth or effort is more successful." Jim agreed to this plan and they fixed a day for starting.
Then they both went home and collected some money and started off early one morning. After a time, they came to a certain country where Ham suggested that they should look for employment. But Jim did not like the notion of becoming a servant and he said that he would live on the money which he had brought with him, which would last for a year or two. "You may do as you like," answered Ham, "but for my part, I must look for work." So he went to a village and found employment as a teacher in a school while his friend rented a house and started making various friends, eating, drinking and having fun all day.
One year later, Ham earned enough money, built a beautiful house and also got married. However, Jim had already spent all his money, and his friends who indulged in wine and meat also left him. Hungry and sorrowful, he went to Ham and said, "My dear friend, regarding the question of ‘wealth or effort is more important', I think I've already had the answer."
