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.
