Merchant Tovel loved attention. Knowing that people would listen if he had news to share, he went around his village making up stories about the local rabbi (犹太教神职人员).

“He mixes dairy and meat!” said Tovel.

The townspeople shook their heads, for they all knew that dairy and meat must not be mixed in the course of any meal.

“And he sneaks (偷拿) food on Yom Kippur,” added Tovel.

“Not Yom Kippur!” cried the townspeople.

For not only is Yom Kippur the most important fasting day of the year, but it is also the holiest Jewish holiday.

Later, alone in his home, the talebearer felt bad about what he had done. His stories about the rabbi had spread quickly. “I will go to the rabbi and beg him for forgiveness,” he decided. Then all would be well again.

The next morning, he went to the temple and knocked on the door. “Rabbi,” he called, “it is merchant Tovel, coming to see you about an important matter.”

“Come in, Tovel,” the rabbi said warmly, opening the door.

In a matter of moments, Tovel told the rabbi all the things he had said. Then he asked, “What can I do to make things right?”

The rabbi thought for a moment, then told him, “You must take a feather pillow (枕头), cut it open, and feed the feathers to the wind.”

Tovel thought that the rabbi’s suggestion was strange, but the task seemed simple enough. And if it would take away the guilt he felt, then why not do it? Tovel thanked the rabbi and quickly left the temple. At home, the talebearer grabbed a feather pillow, waited for the afternoon winds to pick up, then climbed to the top of a hill. There, he cut open the pillow and watched the feathers float far and wide across the land. Satisfied, Tovel returned to tell the rabbi of his deed. “Now go and gather those feathers,” the rabbi commanded.

“But they are everywhere!” Tovel cried. “How will I get them all?”

Feeling disappointed, Tovel returned to tell the rabbi about the feathers he couldn’t collect.

I am Lucky

I came from a large family and my mother couldn't afford my college. I managed to apply for some grants (助学金), but still not enough for room and meals. So I washed dishes in the school cafeteria as part of a work-study program. However, washing dishes as well as trying to keep up with my study made me tired. As a result, I was often absent-minded, and my grades went up and down.

Just when I thought I would have to drop out, an angel (天使) appeared. Well, it is one of those that are on earth, without wings. He explained that his grandmother needed house service and care on the weekends. The job paid twice the money I was making washing dishes. With more time to study, I accepted it.

Later I discovered the grandmother's great love of music. She spent hours playing her old piano One day, she told me that she would teach me the art. Weekends in their house became more than just books and cooking. They were filled with the wonderful sounds of piano and two out-of-tune (跑调的) singers. Amazed at my ability, Grandma encouraged me to continue. I was thankful and tried my best to practice my skills.

When Christmas break came, Grandma got a cold. I was afraid to leave her, but my parents expected me home anxiously as I hadn't been home for long. Unwillingly, I agreed. However, two weeks later, I received a call, saying that Grandma had passed away. I hung up the phone, feeling like my world had ended. I had lost my friend, which was far worse than knowing I would have to return to dishwashing.

I went back, asking to begin the work-study program again. The advisor looked at me as if I had lost my mind. I explained my position, then he smiled and slid me an envelope. This is for you, "he said.

It was from Grandma.

I couldn’t believe it. As I walked into campus, I saw posters everywhere with the words “Throw out the student union president!” on them.

As my schoolmates began arriving on campus, I watched them gather around the posters and then looked toward me because I was the president. At that moment, I felt that I was torn into pieces and tried my best to stay calm.

When I was elected the president, my friends said it was one of the best campaigns they had ever seen. I started it by organizing a group of students to climb the mountain near our school. When we reached the top of the mountain, it felt like we were at summer camp. We laughed, danced and told jokes. It was really fun. While playing like little children, we agreed to do it again the following week and decided that each of us would bring a new friend.

We started out with a small group of hikers. But as the word spread, the number of participants increased. One day on campus, I met a girl in a wheelchair and we started talking. Her name was Grace. I asked her if she had ever been to the top of the mountain. She said she hadn’t. I told her that my friends and I would carry her if she were up for it. Grace accepted the offer. The next time when we went up the mountain, we took turns to carry her in her chair all the way to the mountain top.

This was probably one of the most meaningful things I did during the campaign. By the end, we had over seventy-five people climbing the mountain on Thursdays, including Grace. All of us who participated felt like we were part of something much bigger than we were. We were building a community and it felt great and no one was surprised that I had won the election.

But I was so proud of my accomplishment that I let my pride out of control.

When I realized I had made a mistake, I decided to change.