As he stood on the edge of the first company, whose rabbi was a
lean, dark-bearded, stern little man, the Boy was spoken to by a
stranger at his side, who asked him what he sought in the Temple.
"Wisdom," answered the Boy. "I am looking for some one to give a
light to my path."
"That is what I am seeking, too," said the stranger, smiling. "I
am a Greek, and I desire wisdom. Let us see if we can get it from
this teacher. Listen."
He made his way to the centre of the circle and stood before the
stern little man.
"Master," said the Greek, "I am willing to become thy disciple if
thou wilt teach me the whole law while I stand before thee thus--on
one foot."
The rabbi looked at him angrily, and, lifting up his stick, smote
him sharply across the leg. "That is the whole law for mockers,"
he cried. The stranger limped away amid the laughter of the crowd.
"But the little man was too angry; he did not see that I was in
earnest," said he, as he came back to the Boy. "Now let us go to
the next school and see if the master there is any better.
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