On Giving and Taking

Once there lived a man who had a valley-full of needles. And one

day the mother of Jesus came to him and said: "Friend, my son's

garment is torn and I must needs mend it before he goeth to the

temple. Wouldst thou not give me a needle?"

And he gave her not a needle, but he gave her a learned discourse

on Giving and Taking to carry to her son before he should go to

the temple.