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.