Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/86

68 are all starving; go to the market-place and see what happens."

Away he went. Meanwhile the poor children came to their mother and cried for bread. This distressed her very much. She wept and prayed to God to help them in their hour of need.

When the poor man reached the market-place he stood still for a few minutes looking around. It was full of people, hurrying hither and thither. Not a soul did the unfortunate man recognize. Passers-by just looked at him, and he felt very lonely and sad. He walked across the market-place and sat down behind some bundles of hay, where he would be hidden from view. He began to pray, saying,—

"Lord of the Universe! Thou knowest that I have neither relative nor friend to whom I can go and pour out my heart's troubles. Thou seest the dire poverty and distress which have befallen my family. My only hope is in Thee; take pity upon us, not for my sake, but for the sake of my poor wife and helpless children. I beseech Thee send us Thy help, or if it seem good in Thine eyes let us die, for we know neither peace nor rest."

The man then arose and was somewhat taken aback to see a young man at his side. The stranger was Elijah the prophet, who is like the good fairy in the story-books. His mission is to comfort all who are in trouble. He champions those who cannot find any one to help them. He defends lost causes and helps