of his clothes. Is this your hospitality?" He then told him how the pupils had deprived him of his cloak. "Perhaps," said the Rabbi, "there was a cause for it." The stranger then related to him the real facts. "Well," said the Rabbi, "do not be vexed: I will tell thee the interpretation. The nine that go out embrace the period of man's embryo life:—The eight that come in are the eight days of circumcision:—The two that pour out are the two living fountains which God has provided for the nourishment of infants:—The one that drinks is the child that sucks:—The twenty-four waiters are the four and twenty months allowed for between its birth and its weaning." The Athenian thanked him, returned, and redeemed his cloak.
The Quadruple Tale
"No person," said Rabbi Joshua, "ever conquered me (in wit), except two little boys, a little girl, and a widow." He then related the following tales:—
1. The Wise Child
More than the mile-stone must be consulted in deciding which is the shortest way.
Once on my travels, I came near a town where the road separated to right and left. Not knowing which to take, I inquired of a
