the morning, on parting with them, Elijah said, "May the Lord appoint
over you but one president."

Jochanan could resist his curiosity no longer. "Tell me," said he to
Elijah, "tell me the meaning of all these actions which I have
witnessed. To those who have treated us coldly thou hast uttered good
wishes; to those who have been gracious to us thou hast made no suitable
return. Even though we must part, I pray thee explain to me the meaning
of thy acts."

"Listen," said Elijah, "and learn to trust in God, even though thou
canst not understand His ways. We first entered the house of the poor
man, who treated us so kindly. Know that it had been decreed that on
that very day his wife should die. I prayed unto the Lord that the cow
might prove a redemption for her; God granted my prayers, and the woman
was preserved unto her husband. The rich man, whom next we called up,
treated us coldly, and I repaired his wall. I repaired it without a new
foundation, without digging to the old one. Had he repaired it himself
he would have dug, and thus discovered a treasure which lies there
buried, but which is now forever lost to him. To the members of the
synagogue who were inhospitable I said, 'May you all be presidents,' and
where many rule there can be no peace; but to the others I said, 'May
you have but one president;' with one leader no misunderstanding may
arise. Now, if thou seest the wicked prospering, be not envious; if thou
seest the righteous in poverty and trouble, be not provoked or doubtful
of God's justice. The Lord is righteous, His judgments all are true; His
eyes note all mankind, and none can say, 'What dost thou?'"

With these words Elijah disappeared, and Jochanan was left alone.

* * * * *

There was once a man who pledged his dearest faith to a maiden,
beautiful and true. For a time all passed pleasantly, and the maiden
lived in happiness. But then the man was called from her side, he left
her; long she waited, but he did not return. Friends pitied her and
rivals mocked her; tauntingly they pointed at her, and said, "He has
left thee; he will never come back." The maiden sought her chamber, and
read in secret the letters which her lover had written to her, the
letters in which he promised to be ever faithful, ever true. Weeping she
read them, but they brought comfort to her heart; she dried her eyes and
doubted not.

A joyous day dawned for her; the man she loved returned,