“The Cambist and Lord Iron: A Fairy Tale of Economics”, 2007 (; similar):
(WP; TVTropes; LW discussion; non-PDF version) 2007 short story, set in a Renaissance-esque fantasy historical setting, featuring a cambist (a money-exchanger) who is set three dangerous tasks by a bored and dissolute aristocrat. The 3 challenges illustrate principles of economics:
the exchange theory of value: the value of something is what you can exchange it for in the market
- revealed preferences: the choices individuals and groups reveal the true value set on things, regardless of what they may say
- gains from trade: a trade of 2 things, which remain unchanged, can make both parties better off