... or Kishara, the Sumerian.

Let's imagine it is the era before the invention of money. We are in a market place in ancient Sumeria and we are observing a man in hunters clothing. He's a rather intelligent man with a thoughtful and curious expression.

This man, who goes by the name of Kishara, has a problem. Namely, he promised his family that he would trade the skins on his back for food and other necessities. Now, Kishara hates going shopping, but he hates saying no...

Okay, to the problem: Kishara knows how much his skins are worth and how much grain he can get for them, but he can't get what he needs from just one trade merchant, and worse, he has to go to different cities to get his supplies. He either has to cut the skins in little pieces or trade the whole lot into grain and trade the grain in smaller allotments to different merchants. An impractical and unsatisfactory solution that has been bothering him for some time. Actually what he's been looking for is a certain "something" that he can put in his pocket

and has the same worth as his goods. A certain "Tertium comparaciones", but he doesn't know that yet.

Deep in thought and tired from the heat, Kishara plants himself on a stone in front of the fountain and watches through half-closed eyes the hustle and bustle of the market place. Just then across the way he notices an old man trying to get his attention. He waves Kishara over and disappears into the tent beside him. A little taken aback, Kishara goes over and follows him into the tent.

Inside it's nice and cool. There's incense in the air and glittering objects on the ceiling and walls. The friendly old man is now standing beside him and offering him a cup of tea. Kishara sits down on the divan and tastes the tea. "Strange tea," he thinks as he falls asleep and starts to dream. The old man appears and tells him of a far away place where Kishara could find the solution to his problem. He says he knows the way to this legendary Mah niemu se'um (or something like that) and offers to lead the way. Kishara, who's always open to adventure, follows the ancient one on a journey through time...