She told me the people never did anything except dig for precious stones in their cellars.

They were rich, and had everything made for them in other towns.
"Why ?" I asked.
"Because it is a disgrace to work," she answered.

"Everybody in Bulika knows that!" I asked how they were rich if none of them earned money.

She replied that their ancestors had saved for them, and they never spent.

When they wanted money they sold a few of their gems.
"But there must be some poor!" I said.
"I suppose there must be, but we never think of such people.