40 golds and 40 bludgeons

Once upon a time, a man appeared before Sultan Suleiman the magnificent, claiming that he has a special skill.
He said he can throw a thread from 40 meters away and put it through the eye of a needle.
Then he said, It took 40 years to achieve that skill.
Next, he threw a thread and successfully put it through the eye of a needle.
Everyone was shocked!
Thus, Sultan ordered to give him 40 gold coins and 40 bludgeons.
The man was confused, and asked why 40 bludgeons?
Thus, Sultan said, "40 gold coins are for your skill, and 40 bludgeons are for spending 40 years of your life for such a stupid thing."